State & Local News

What will she do next?

She's already served as mayor, governor, mom, grandmom and Vice-Presidential running mate to John McCain.

Does Sarah Palin's resignation signal a newfound focus on a Presidential bid in 2012?

In a news conference today in her hometown of Wasilla, Palin said she planned to travel and support a variety of political causes upon her leaving office July 26th.

"I'll work hard and campaign for those who are proud to be Americans and are inspired by our ideals and won't deride them," Palin said.

Translate what you think that means about her political future here.

Ever heard of Marillac? A lot of Chicagoland residents may not have. But it's been in this area for more than 90 years; started by Catholic nuns of the 'Daughters of Charity' order, it's helped the poorest of the poor in ways that money can't buy. Thing is, without more money soon.. Marillac could be in danger of going under, according to those who run it.

Marillac, on Chicago's west side, is a victim of state funding cuts to social services programs. So, next time you see an Illinois state budget story talking about these cuts, those affected no longer need to be entirely faceless. Check out my report below:

Question: If a lifeblood of an already impoverished and blighted community is eliminated..
what happens?

Are we looking at a time bomb waiting to go off, as jobs and other activities to keep kids off the streets disappear, as working parents can no longer find affordable child care, as seniors can't get needed help close to home?

Marillac is asking people to call on their state representatives, to try and get them to help. Marillachouse.org

I also wonder why the Chicago Catholic Archdiocese (even though Marillac is an independent operation) isn't coming to the rescue?

Today's picture comes from William Roberts.

It's the Water Tower on Michigan Avenue.

According to the web site A View on Cities:

Constructed in 1869 using big limestone blocks, the Chicago Water Tower, with all its small towers in a 'gothic style', resembles more a tiny European 13th century castle than a water tower. It was designed by the architect William W. Boyington and houses a 40 meter standpipe which was needed to equalize the pressure of the water pumped from the pumping station to the east. The total height of the tower is 154 ft or 47 m.

Since its survival of the Great Fire, the Chicago Water Tower became one of Chicago's main symbols. The tower became functionally obsolete many years ago, although the pumping station still pumps water for the city.

In May of 1969, during the year of its centennial anniversary, the Chicago Water Tower was selected by the American Water Works Association to be the first American Water Landmark. It now houses a visitor information center and has become one of the major tourist attractions in Chicago.

If you want to try to stump us, just send your photo to cltvdesk@tribune.com.
You PLEASE put "Stump Tim & Tonya" in the subject line. Make sure to include your name, where you're from and as much information as possible about the photo. Then watch CLTV to see if we use your photo.

LEE DRIVES IN 7 IN CUBS 9-5 VICTORY

By JERRY RILES

The Cubs are back to the .500 mark thanks to the hot bat of first baseman Derrick Lee and they now stand 2 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.

D-Lee banged out a couple of homers, driving in 7 runs including a grand slam, his 14th dinger of the season, in the Northsiders' 9-5 win over the Brew-crew at the Friendly Confines.

It was Lee's 10th grand slam of his career. He's the first Cub to hit two homers and drive in 7 runs since "Mr. Let's Play 2", Ernie Banks did it back in 1969. The Cubs beat San Diego 19-0. Unfortunately, we all know what happened at the end of that season.

Let's hope this isn't an omen Cub Fans.

The Cubs could find themselves in the driver's seat by the end of this holiday Fourth of July weekend if they can clinch the series against their rivals from the North.

Home cooking is always a great remedy for solving a 3-7 mark in their last 10 outings, prior to this homestand, especially when being away from the Confines.

This is what the Cubs need. Hot bats and consistency. Manager Lou Piniella has to find a way to get each player on this team to produce every given game, every given series from here until the end of the season.

As the old cliche' goes, it's a marathon not a sprint and now is the time to begin to make your move in the division. Perfect positioning for the Cubs.

Continue reading "CLTV SPORTS :60: D-Lee Goes Deeeeeeeepppppp!" »

We Jackson fans have all heard by now- should Michael's 79-year old mother Katherine not be able to look after his three children, his 65-year old mentor Diana Ross should be their guardian.

Diana Ross has raised five children of her own, but the queen of Motown is aging, and judging by her recent behavior- is aging erratically.

She's had two arrests recently, for both DUI and allegedly assaulting an airport worker.

Given her age and her criminal record, is Ross a good choice to look after Prince Michael, Paris Michael Katherine, and Prince Michael II?

Leave your thoughts here.

In the end it wasn't too terribly bad: the Big Flying Delay at O'Hare early Thursday, after a computerized passenger check-in system malfunctioned for some reason.

People (many trying to get somewhere for a July 4th Holiday weekend) were stuck waiting and not flying... until they could be *manually checked in. For the luckier ones, it was simply a matter of a flight delay. Though others had their flights outright *cancelled (about a hundred were dumped as of Thursday afternoon), those folks then needing to be re-booked on other flights.

While a lot of people were definitely frustrated, some did try to stay positive. One guy itching to get his vacation started, but standing in a long check-in line, put it this way, "In a line is better than in the office!"

****

This is the second time in two years United's had computer-related delays at O'Hare. They say the two situations are completely different, though they still haven't fully explained (at this writing) what went wrong in this latest incident.

Jenny Sanford says her husband's affair with an Argentine woman is inexcusable, but she's willing to forgive him.
Say what?

Governor Mark Sanford told the Associated Press this week that his mistress is his soul mate, but he's trying to fall back in love with his wife. Is that even possible? How would you feel after hearing your husband make such a public statement? Mrs. Sanford also says she hopes he can make good on his intentions to save their marriage for the sake of their children.

How many women would be willing to give it another shot?
Check out this column by Maureen Dowd of the New York Times. It gave me a chuckle.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/opinion/01dowd.html?em

Today's picture comes from Ray Cesnauskas of Chicago.

It's the Midwest Eye Clinic Indian Statue on 63rd & Pulaski in Chicago.

Ray writes:

This Indian been on the roof of the corner store for atleast 35 years. Aslong as I remember. It is located on the North-West Corner of 63rd and Pulaski. South-West Side of Chicago in the West Lawn Area.

If you want to try to stump us, just send your photo to cltvdesk@tribune.com.
You PLEASE put "Stump Tim & Tonya" in the subject line. Make sure to include your name, where you're from and as much information as possible about the photo. Then watch CLTV to see if we use your photo.

On July 15th, 1,500 Chicago city workers could be laid off, if unions can't agree to concessions with Mayor Daley. So far, 37 of the 40 unions have signed on to a two-year deal, including an 8% pay cut and an unspecified number of furlough days. Three unions say they can't afford to take what amounts to a 10% cut in pay over the next two years. AFSCME says Daley is demanding a combination of 46 furlough days and unpaid holidays. The union says it offered another solution that would not include layoffs, but would save as much money. It was apparently turned down. It wouldn't say what it offered in the alternative plan, saying it does not negotiate in the media. Executive Director Henry Bayer says the mayor doesn't have to lay off people if he doesn't want to because of this plan. Do you think the city should look at all options? Do you feel unions should just give in to save their jobs? How would you solve this problem? One city worker I talked to today pleaded with the other three unions to hop aboard and worry about the other things later. No one is saying what will exactly happen if there's not an agreement with those unions. It could mean the 1,500 layoffs will take place, even though the other 37 unions agreed in principle. The economy just keeps eating up everybody. No one is safe.

All I can say is WOW!

We journalists can be a pretty pessimistic bunch, but I admit-- I was impressed. This morning, I went out on "The Ledge" of the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower. "The Ledge" is the Skydeck's new feature. Each ledge is ten feet high, ten feet wide, and extends four feet out-- giving you a view 1353 feet STRAIGHT DOWN! You feel as if you're standing on air. I thought building managers would get nervous when I started jumping up and down in my four inch heels. They said go ahead-- no problem. Each ledge is also retractable so window washers can do their job.

How cool is that?