Greta Garbo and Monroe, Dietrich and DiMaggio.

Years ago, these icons of pop culture held influence over what did, said and thought. So much so that they're in Madonna's "Vogue".

Take a close look at the pictures above. Notice something?

They're all smoking.

Thing is, everyone who was anyone smoked in the first half of the 20th Century. It was a status symbol. Right?

Continue reading "Will cellphones become the next cigarette?" »

Drew Peterson is making the rounds today on national talk shows responding to yesterday's reports that conversations he had with friends proved his guilt. Friends wore wires and recorded conversations they had with the former Bolingbrook police office relating to the disappearance of his wife Stacy and the death of his ex-wife Kathleen Savio.
Below is a video timeline dating back to last November when reports of Stacy's disappearance first appeared on CLTV.

Continue reading "Video Timeline: Drew Peterson" »

I'm exhausted.

Today, I put in an honest day's work at the Chicago Fire Department training facility. I'm not the newest recruit- trust me, I could never make their cut- but today the folks at the C.F.D. were kind enough to welcome members of the media in for a glimpse and a go at the kind of exercises they perform every day.

Their regimen is certainly rigorous.

We started our day at their scuba facility, where I decked out in a "dry suit" and dove right in.

Continue reading "An Inside Look: Chicago Fire Dept. Training" »

Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica is leading the charge to get rid of the one percent sales tax increase throughout the county. There are apparently seven commissioners on board in total, but nine are needed to repeal the hike. Do you think this will happen? And am I the only one wondering how in the world could this get voted for and then voted back down. Are taxpayers getting their message through to lawmakers? If so, should we all be paying attention to the power we have as agents of change? There has been outrage over the hike, but not a full taxpayer revolt. It seems some are listening, so this would be the time to have your voices heard by the people making the decisions for you.

She loved to ride her bike.

She loved to play with dolls.

She loved the color pink.

She was looking forward to going to Great America, and couldn't wait to turn 10.

By all accounts, 9-year old Mya Lyons was a sweet and innocent girl, who was unexpectedly taken away from her family and friends.

On Friday, there was some encouraging news in the case. Police were questioning a "person of interest" in Mya's murder. Her father found the girl dead in an alley near his home in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood. Relatives say police told them she had been sexually assaulted and stabbed to death.

But now, nearly a week after this heinous crime, police are back to square one in their investigation. They released the "person of interest" from custody. No charges have been filed.

It's disappointing news for anyone who's been following this tragedy.

Mya was laid to rest on Saturday. The images of her grieving family saying goodbye were just heartbreaking.

I know police officers are working this case to the best of their ability. I hope they can catch Mya's killer soon.

Nothing can bring Mya back, but I think swift justice in this case will ease her family's pain and bring some relief to that entire community.

This story from the Sun Times caught our eye this morning:

The Chicago Police Department will quadruple its fleet of gas-guzzling Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs this year -- to more than 200 -- under a contract in the works sure to please Supt. Jody Weis.

Weis has argued that the Police Department's fleet -- 36 SUVs and 2,753 sedans -- is in "horrible" condition and that SUVs make more sense to get through Chicago's winters.

Chicago Police will add more than 200 new Chevy Tahoe Police Vehicles this year.

The average beat car is 2.6 years old and has 50,622 miles on it. The average unmarked vehicle is 2.9 years old with 41,285 miles.

Buying 165 more SUVs this year may not seem like the wisest move at a time when gas prices have been going through the roof.

What do you think?

Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis responded to the Governor's offer to bring in State Police officers to help curb violence in the city today.

Though he said he's willing to take on more officers to assist in targeting higher crime areas, he added he's not sure why he and Mayor Daley weren't asked about the plan before an announcement was made at a press conference yesterday.

The mayor yesterday and Weis today truly seemed to be blindsided by the offer.

What's the true motivation behind it?

Perhaps it'll become more clear in the next few days.

As a taxpayer, it worries me that our leaders don't seem to be working together to solve this serious issue.

What do you think?

We'll be following reaction, including yours. Tune into Garrard McClendon Live tonight, he'll be taking your calls and asking for your opinion.

I have covered a lot of crime stories in my news career. But the one I covered this morning has made my heart hurt like it never has before.

Nine-year-old Mya Lyons was found as stabbed to death - and possibly sexually assaulted - early this morning in alley near her father's South Side home. Mya's father says the little girl was put to bed, but she somehow got out of the house. He told authorities that he later found her unresponsive in an alley and brought her to Jackson Park Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Continue reading "Tears for Mya" »

CLTV will provide live coverage of the expected public grilling of Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis today by the Chicago City Council's Police and Fire Committee starting at 10am.

You can share your thoughts here during and after his appearance.

Here are some excerpts:

How is he doing? How did he do? Do you think he's the right man for the job?

We'll be airing your comments/questions/suggestions all day on CLTV.

If you away from you TV, you can watch a live stream of the hearing here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/

CLTV will provide live coverage of the expected public grilling of Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis Tuesday by the Chicago City Council's Police and Fire Committee starting at 10am.

You can share your thoughts here before, during and after his appearance.

What questions do you think Weis should answer? How is he doing? How did he do?

We'll be airing your comments/questions/suggestions all day on CLTV.