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Don't believe the polls. Tune out the pundits.
The 2008 presidential race is far from over. If you're heading to Grant Park, wear comfortable shoes. If you're watching the results from home, get ready for a long night.
Isn't it exciting?
Continue reading "Don't Believe the Hype, Vote on Tuesday" »
Former Chicago Alderman and political heavyweight Edward R Vrdolyak was known as "Fast Eddie," not only for his deal-making prowess, but also but for his perceived ability to outrun the feds.
After nearly 40 decades of clout though, he's slowed and is now a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty to scheming with political insider Stuart Levine to steer the sale of a medical school building for a $1.5 million kickback.
But he's better known for something else.
During the city's infamous council wars, Vrdolyak was the bane of Mayor Harold Washington's existence. He and Ald. Ed Burke led a posse of white aldermen, known as the Vrdolyak 29 who worked to stymie the agenda of Washington the city's first black mayor.
It's somewhat ironic. Back then he was known to brag as fellow aldermen went to jail saying he always spoke as if he was talking into a federal tape recorder. Apparently not anymore. What sealed his fate in this case were all the secret tape recordings Stuart Levine made of him.
Perhaps the greatest irony is that while he's been known as Fast Eddie, today's guilty plea shows he wasn't fast enough.
He's looking at 41 months max in club fed.
Mayor Washington's press secretary Alton Miller says the plea is a case of roundabout justice. He added that the mayor known simply as "Harold" would say Fast Eddie got off easy.
Early this morning, the Obama family arrived at their neighborhood polling place on Chicago's South Side. Read more about Obama's plans for election day on The Breaking News Center. And stay tuned to CLTV thought out the day and night for coverage of the election.
We've waited four years for today, its hard to believe its finally here. Election day, when it pertains to the Presidential Election should be a holiday - that way people don't have an excuse as to why they couldn't go and vote.
And just remember if you don't vote - you don't have the right to complain in a couple of years. Today is the day that will help shape for many of us the rest of our lives.
GO and VOTE. As long as you are in line before the polls close at 7 p.m. you will get the chance to cast your ballot. So step it up and do your civic. Go VOTE
Afua S. Owusu
(uh-fee-yah) (Oh-woo-sue)
News Producer
From the Breaking News Center: "Det. Joseph Airhart Jr. who was gravely wounded seven years ago as he tried to arrest a bank robbery suspect inside a South Loop apartment building died today, officials said.
Airhart was a 19-year veteran assigned to the FBI's fugitive task force in 2001 when he was shot in the head while leading a team of FBI agents into an apartment to arrest Daniel Salley, who was also shot during an exchange of gunfire."
Below is an archived clip of coverage from the 2001 shooting.
Have you voted today? How were the lines at your polling place? Let us know! Leave a comment or question about today's historic election below. Are you planning to attend the Obama rally in Grant Park tonight? Do you have concerns about safety or crowds? Whatever is on your mind this election day, let us know. We'll address your comments and questions throughout the day and night on CLTV.
If you're headed to Grant Park tonight, you may want to read Chicago Tribune's Guide to the Rally. Also worth a look, their Voter Guide.
The AP is reporting that John McCain is the winner in Kentucky and Barack Obama has won Vermont.
ChicagoBreakingNews.com is reporting:
"One man was killed and another was critically injured this evening when someone opened fire on their vehicle on the Far South Side, police said.
The men's vehicle crashed after the shooting near 130th Street and Torrence Avenue and burst into flames, officials said.
The AP is reporting that democrat Dick Durbin has been re-elected to the U.S. Senate.
The AP is reporting that Barack Obama has won in Illinois.
CNN is reporting that Barack Obama is heading home to Hyde Park to have dinner.
Obama's important win in Pennsylvania gives him 21 more electoral votes. The AP is reporting that Obama has 99 electoral votes and McCain has 34.
According to the AP, Obama leads with 175 electoral votes and McCain has 46.
Obama wins:
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Senator Dick Durbin, who was re-elected to the U.S. Senate tonight, issued the following comment:
"Thank you to the people of Illinois for this vote of confidence. I look forward to representing our great state in the Senate and working with our new President to face our historic challenges.
Continue reading "Senator Dick Durbin Speaks After Victory" »
The AP is reporting that Obama has 175 electoral votes and McCain has 61. Below, a breakdown of the states:
Obama wins:
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont
Wisconsin
The AP is reporting that Obama has won battleground state, Ohio.
Tell us who you think will be the 44th President of the United States!
The AP is reporting that Obama leads with 195 electoral votes and McCain trails with 70.
Give us your thoughts on the election so far!
The AP is reporting that Obama has snagged Virginia and Mississippi goes to McCain.
The AP confirms that McCain has called Obama to concede.
Tell us what YOU think about the outcome of this historic election!
Leave a comment and share your thoughts on the election!
A friend text-messaged me from the Grant Park area last night, saying she had 'Goosebumps!' That was in reference to being part of the amazing and diverse crowd. Later, after Barack Obama's victory speech, she text-fully admitted to ...tears.
My 81 year old neighbor, who's always voted Republican, but this time voted Obama (saying that being half black and half white, he truly represents all of us), also had tears in her eyes as a result of his Grant Park speech. (She watched from her living room.)
But those two examples are girls! Yet, females (as they historically seem to) hardly had a monopoly on teary emotion as last night's history-making unfolded.
For one, there were all those Obama rally shots of long-time civil rights advocate the Rev. Jesse Jackson practically blubbering away. (I dunno, I thought Mr. Obama himself, seemed to have a moistness to his eyes.)
Then there was my very own brother, a 48 year old white guy, living in Wisconsin (a definite not-cryin'-kinda-guy).
I called him post Obama speech to get his thoughts. He said...
"Moni, I'm STILL teary."
If this was your view from Grant Park on Tuesday night (or if you just want to relive the historic moment) tune in to CLTV this weekend for a rebroadcast of President-Elect Obama's victory address. Air times are as follows:
Friday Nov. 7 and Sat. Nov. 8: 7:30 pm and 10 pm
Sunday Nov. 9: 8 pm
Now that the Presidential election is over with, voters can focus on more important voting. Rio, a Palos Heights dog with his eyes on fame and fortune, is a finalist to be the official spokes-dog of Milkbone. You can help him by voting at milkbone.com
So, we have to ask...what did you think of Michelle Obama's election night dress?
President-elect Barack Obama addresses the crowd in Chicago's Grant Park on Tuesday night.
Forget Madonna, Kanye and the Stones. The hottest ticket in the country right now is to the 2009 Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama. So how do you go about getting yours? From the Breaking News Center:
"Members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, which hosts the big swearing-in ceremony, say the only way to get a real ticket is to contact your local representatives in Congress, who will each be given a share of the 240,000 tickets to distribute for free. It is unclear how many tickets each office will get."
Here are some helpful links:
Chicago Tribune is reporting that Chief Illiniwek will return to U of I this Saturday when the team take on Ohio State. In February 2007, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees banned the 80-year-old mascot from sporting events citing cultural insensitivity. Below is CLTV's archive footage of the chief's last dance. Read more about the Chief's debut on chicagotribune.com.
Was I the only one out of the loop on this? Until this morning, I had no clue that teen girls galore were losing their minds over a Vampire Man/Boy!
While I was busy sleeping early Wednesday, these mesmerized gals (hundreds of them), many along with their dutiful (possibly also bitten) moms, were lined up at south suburban Orland Square Mall. Lined up for a chance to get one of 500 wristbands that would then allow them in to Wednesday night's personal autograph session with Hollywood's latest Heartthrob. That would be none other than 22 year old actor Robert Pattinson, star of the soon-to-be-released Vampire flick 'Twilight!' (It's based on a series of books following a Vampire who is greatly conflicted after falling in love with a mortal girl.)
Well, first of all, they weren't supposed to start handing out the wristbands until 7:30 am, but since dozens and dozens of these moms and daughters were there way before that, those in charge capitulated. That of course, greatly upset those who dutifully followed the rules and showed up at the appointed time only to learn they were sorry out of luck - no more wristbands! (On the positive side, could be a good young lesson in life.. right?)
Second of all, are they all nuts? I mean, I could see swooning of this magnitude if the movie was already out, but since it's not and Pattinson's somewhat of a big-screen newbie --well, what is this mass hysteria all about (he apparently caused a near-riot in San Francisco the other day!)??!!
Could someone -please- enlighten me?!
Even my immediate boss is perplexed. He was clearly concerned that he might turn on the local TV news tonight and see his wife (a known local TV meteorologist at another station) and their pre-teen daughter (who she would've had to pull out of school for the day) at the mall, completely SWOONED OUT!
“Ooh my gosh he’s so cute” -- Now, I will admit, Robert Pattinson has all the makings of a Hollywood heartthrob; a lovely British accent, thick, unruly hair, and a smile to melt even the coldest hearts.
But if you are wondering who the hell Robert Pattinson is -- he is the star of the screen adaptation of the best selling novel “Twilight” by author Stephenie Meyer.
“Twilight” focuses on the romance between Edward (Pattinson) and 17 year old Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart). Their love story has been compared to “Romeo and Juliet,” with its theme of forbidden love, but there’s a twist. Edward is really an 100 year old vampire. Oh snaps.
Ok, so kill me if you wish… but why all the hype around this book /movie?
Three high school students drowned on Friday in the Fox River near Algonquin after taking out a paddleboat that filled with water. The boat's plug had been removed for winter. According to the Breaking News Center, the "three teens, two seniors and a junior, were students at North Lawndale College Prep, on the last day of an eight-day leadership retreat at Camp Algonquin."
Below is video coverage of the tragedy from CLTV and WGN. Stay tuned to CLTV, WGN and The Breaking News Center throughout the day for updates.
The City of Chicago found a way to save 145 jobs by working with labor unions. It found a way to reduce the number of layoffs through the use of furlough days and severance packages. In a time when every dime counts for most Chicagoans, can the city find a way to be more creative and save even more jobs. Mayor Daley already warned more layoffs are coming from area businesses. What happens when these jobs go away? What happens to the area economy? Everyone says we will overcome, but is the end in sight. For some lucky city workers, they will be able to keep their jobs and keep food on the table. But for others, the holiday season won't be the same knowing their jobs are in jeopardy.
Lake-effect snow and icy roads caused traffic problems in northwest Indiana Tuesday morning. According to The Breaking News Center, "the heaviest snow has hit LaPorte and Porter Counties along the southern edge of Lake Michigan."
Stay tuned to CLTV and The Breaking News Center for updates throughout the day.
UPDATE: This is part one and two of this week's Deadly Lessons series.
We've heard from the victims' families.
We've heard from the clergy and community activists.
What about the people who are caught up in the street lifestyle? What do they have to say about the shootings that are claiming young lives?
CLTV continues its award-winning "Deadly Lessons" series with a closer look at the other side of the violence, from one of Chicago's most dangerous neighborhoods.
President-elect Barack Obama took time out of his busy schedule to pick up lunch on Friday at Manny's deli on the Chicago's South Side.
Continue reading "Video: Obama grabs lunch at Chicago deli" »
CLTV's Judy Wang looks at the crisis affecting local food pantries. The featured organizations' contact information is below
Christ Universal Pentecostal Church
9039 South Ashland - Chicago
773-298-1209
Gilgal Ministries
9050 South Ashland - Chicago
773-233-3177
gilgalministries05@yahoo.com
Mother Jones Food Pantry
711 West 120th St - Chicago
773-660-1500
http://motherjonesfoodpantry.com/
As any single woman knows (and I'm one of them), going out on a date with someone you barely know can be tough. Unless you've known the person for a long time, or someone you know and trust has, chances are you don't really know what you're getting into.
Translation: You gotta be careful! Public places are best. Meeting -there-, not, at either of your homes.
So where does the woman who won a radio contest date, went to the guy's house and then allegedly got raped, fall?
www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-date-rape-lawsuitnov25,0,1427187.story
Turns out he had a criminal history. So, now she's suing the station (Waukegan's WXLC), seeking 50-thousand dollars, because they apparently didn't do their due diligence in checking out the 'Prize Guy!'
In your opinion, does she have a case?
Okay.. so we ran a news story today here on CLTV.. saying some major retailers will be offering an amazing 75 percent off, in an effort to jump start holiday sales.
What I want to know is 'who's' doing it.. and on 'what' exactly? Is this just a sort of 'bait & switch' type lure to get us in the stores, but then there's hardly anything good on sale?
If you do run into some FANTASTIC SALES... post 'em here on this blog site!
That way.. 'Happy Holiday Savings'.. to US ALL!
The holiday shopping season is officially underway. I don't know about you, but I love giving one-of-a-kind gifts to my friends and family. But I think the folks at Miller Park Zoo in downstate Bloomington are missing the mark with their idea of a unique Christmas gift.
They're actually making and selling Christmas ornaments out of...get this ...droppings from reindeer. This is no joke folks.
Area early birds lined up for bargains all over Chicago today. CLTV started coverage of Black Friday at a Wal-Mart in Niles and then followed the story throughout the day to Bucktown, Aurora and, with the help of WGN, Orland Park. Below are the videos of the "bargain madness."
Continue reading "Video coverage: Black Friday in Chicago" »
Another professional football player is sidelined for trouble off the field. New York Giants star Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg, in more ways than one.
Details after the jump.
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