The time has almost come for the final and hardest sell from Chicago 2016.

The International Olympic Committee is coming to town to examine Chicago's bid and eventually compare it to that of Madrid, Tokyo, and Rio.

Here are the points Team 2016 will be pushing over the course of the next six days:

Okay, I'm not a smoker - so what do I care, right? But is this new increase that pushes the federal per-pack tax from 39 cents to just over a buck -- really just? (Plus, Illinois is looking at raising the state tax on smokes... by a dollar.)

My question: Is it fair when government entities need more dollars to keep running, plus pay for the programs and services they provide for *all, that they sometimes get the extra money by just taxing *some (in this case smokers). But then, if you over-tax something that's used by *everyone and actually good for you (say 'water') -- that probably wouldn't go over very well. People wouldn't be ashamed to stand up and say, "No way!"

Not saying smokers are ashamed, but they probably won't band together and fight. Many probably don't even really want to be smoking anymore. They're over the 'it looks cool' bit and are now just plain addicted.

Money Talks

Of course, there's a possibility that in these tight financial times the higher cost will finally push more smokers to stop. (Knowing it can kill you obviously hasn't done the trick.) Though the lost tax revenue if a lot of people quit, would then no doubt just require yet another tax hike somewhere else. That one could effect me, right? So, better to just keep the big mouth shut and let the smokers deal with it.

Staring today, GM and Ford are offering to make car payments for up to a year for new car buyers who lose their job. Ford will cover payments up to $700 each month for up to a year. GM will make up to nine payments of $500 dollars a month, but you have to qualify for state unemployment to be eligible. The first thing one customer said to me was, "There has to be a catch." Others wonder if, in the case of GM, bailout money and taxpayer money is going to pay for the unemployed to have new cars. On the surface it sounds like a wonderful marketing tool to drive customers through the showrooms. It's a chance to boost sales and improve the industry if the economy improves and things don't get worse. But what if the economy continues to freefall and customers flock to the car dealerships during the limited time this offer is running? Now these automakers will be paying car notes and could get stuck with these vehicles a year later if no one finds a job. One sales manager told me, "That's the risk Ford is willing to take." I guess that's it. It's a huge gamble. Betting on an economy that hasn't done any favors for anyone lately. Here's another thing to think about. What if you have a two income household and one person makes alot of money and the other doesn't but that person loses his or her job? Is his or her car paid for? Sounds like a loophole to me.

Tomorrow kicks off a crucial six-day visit for Chicago. International Olympic Committee evaluators arrive to size up everything promised in Chicago’s 2016 bid book and determine if the Windy City should be awarded the summer games instead of Rio, Madrid or Tokyo. Evaluators are likely to run into a number of unhappy protesters.

A coalition of community and labor groups plan to stage a protest. The activists want the city to guarantee community jobs, minority contracts and affordable housing. They are upset that a formal agreement hasn’t been approved by Team 2016 before tomorrow’s big visit.

The State of Illinois is one step closer to cracking down on drivers who text while behind the wheel.

The House voted 89 to 27 to ban using a cellphone for text messages when someone is behind the wheel.

The State Senate is expected to take up its version of the bill in this session.

There's a lot of people out there who text while driving. I've seen it-- almost been run over by a few of them.

Do you think this is a good law, an enforceable law? Or is it Big Brother going too far into our personal lives?

One of the most e-mailed, most recommended and/or popular stories on the web today is NOT the G20 summit, or former governor Rod Blagojevich possibly being indicted, or even the Conficker C worm. It’s Michelle Obama touching Queen Elizabeth.

The Queen put her hand on Michelle Obama’s back while they chatted at a reception and she reciprocated. Now there’s a full-fledged discussion/debate about whether Michelle Obama broke protocol.

Score one for the anti-smoking lobby.

The House today passed a bill that would allow the FDA to regulate the tobacco industry for the first time. The Senate could take up the measure later this month, and supporters think they'll have enough votes there as well. President Obama (who's made it no secret that he too has struggled to kick the habit) supports it.

Is this fair to the tobacco business?
Or do you agree with lawmakers who call cigarettes the most lethal of all consumer products and believe this is long overdue?

Impeached, ousted Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is formally indicted on federal corruption charges. Watch CLTV for new developments and political reaction.

Members of Chicago’s Police Union don’t have a problem with Chicago hosting the 2016 summer games. In fact, they hope the city lands the Olympics, which will mean more work and overtime for officers. But they are using today’s visit by International Olympic Committee officials to bring attention to some simmering issues.

Rod Blagojevich has plenty of problems: RICO and fifteen other criminal charges, for example, that comprised a whopping indictment that came down late today.

But compounding his woes is the fact that his co-defendant and former chief of staff, John Harris, is cooperating with the feds.

It's a fact that gives the government a huge leg up, an insider's view that could prove damning at a trial.

But Rod isn't the only one worried.

Just minutes before Former Governor Rod Blagojevich was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday, a television reporter from Orlando got into the Disney hotel where he is vacationing with his family.

My question for you: Was this news or an invasion of privacy?

I must admit, when I first saw the headline: “Jennifer Hudson: No Longer a Chicagoan” I was pissed!!!

The article on the Tribune’s Breaking News Center quoted an interview Hudson did with Entertainment Weekly in which she said, “I don’t live in Chicago anymore.” I was even more pissed!!!

A number of protests have been in the news in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee's final Chicago visit. Their final Windy City tour before choosing a host city for the 2016 summer games.

But the IOC was certainly welcomed at their downtown hotel Thursday.
(check out video posted here)

"You know the zoo is like a small town. Animals die and animals are born. And so, because an animal dies, in and of itself, it doesn't mean there's any cause to question it, or there's something wrong."

The above quote is from Steve Thompson, Ph.D., the senior vice president for conservation programs at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

It follows the death last week of a chimp they seem to have loved there -- 9 year old Kipper. They now know 'what' the virus is that he and the other chimpanzees in his group contracted. But they don't think they'll ever figure out 'how' they caught it. Interestingly, it's a very common bug in *people -- human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Zoo officials don't want to believe a sick zoo worker could've spread the virus to the apes.

Lincoln Park's had animal issues in the past, including: three elephants died a bit mysteriously; a lion viciously attacked a zookeeper.

And in the past, it's led to questions on whether zoos, overall, should be gotten rid of.

Leave Animals in the Wild?

Some believe the wilderness is the only place wild animals belong.

Others believe zoos provide a great up-close educational opportunity, especially for city kids.

But in this day and age, could that just as easily be accomplished via the internet and animal videos?

Patrick Collins and the Illinois Reform Commission are on a mission to clean up politics in Illinois.

Earlier this week in this space, I wrote about the first of the IRC's proposals from their "mid-term report."

Patrick Collins and I met up again today, and this time discussed how his plans for reform could have prevented the alleged actions of former Governor Rod Blagojevich.

More drama unfolds in the Rod Blagojevich saga. The impeached ex-governor was vacationing in sunny Florida with the family when federal prosecutors finally filed what had been anticipated for months -- a sweeping 16-count indictment of Blagojevich that includes racketeering, wire fraud and extortion charges.

Whether Blagojevich is ultimately found guilty or innocent, many Chicagoans say they are suffering from massive corruption fatigue. And no wonder.

JWT, the famed ad agency, announced Friday that it would close it's Chicago office.

At it's height, JWT Chicago, employed 300 people and came up with some of America's most memorable ad campaigns.

Now, it's expected that the 50 employees who remain at the Chicago office will be out of a job and remaining accounts will be moved to JWT's New York office.

Take a trip down memory lane and hear the story behind the "I Wish I Were An Oscar Mayer Weiner" song:

It's the most important weekend for Chicago 2016, as 13 members of the International Olympic Committee are in town. They are checking out the sights and sounds of the city and listening to the city's sales pitch as to why they should host the 2016 Olympic Games. Mayor Daley and others are asking you to show your support this weekend by showing your city pride. Some are taking this time to protest against the Games and push their agenda. Where do you stand? Are you hoping the city gets the bid? Are you standing with others protesting against the bid? Many believe the Games will only be a nuisance, going over budget, costing taxpayer money, and leaving many out in the cold if they do come through? Others say it will be a huge boost to the economy, won't cost any taxpayer money, and could lead to several improvements citywide. Six months until we find out, seven years until we know who is right if the Games land in Chicago.

On Tuesday, we go to the polls.
Well, some of us will.
Voter turn-out tends to be low for municipal elections, but there are a lot of hot races.

One big race-- the one between Mike Quigley, Rosanna Pulido, and Matt Reichel to replace former Congressman Rahm Emanuel.

There's a five-way race for Niles Mayor after Nicholas Blase retired and pleaded guilty to his role in a kickback scheme.

A homeless man is running as a write-in candidate for Oak Park Trustee.

In Orland Park, a plan to raze Orland Plaza Shopping Center is making waves.

I vote in every election whether it's for United States President or Village President. My parents constantly lectured their children not to take our right to vote for granted. It's one of the reasons they came to this country.

Polls open at six.

Chicago rolled out the red carpet for the International Olympic Committee for a bus tour of proposed venue sites for the 2016 Games. There were bands, Chinese dragon costumes, drums, and Native American dances along the many stops. From Soldier Field to Washington Park, the IOC received an up close and personal look at the city's plans. Is it worth it? Are the 2016 Games something you want coming to Chicago? It's hard for a lot of people to think about since it's seven years away. Chicago 2016 leaders say the Games will leave a lasting legacy. But what will that legacy be for the many residents fighting for affordable housing and their neighborhoods to stay in tact?

April in Chicago and it's snowing.... AGAIN.

The forecasts are calling for three to five inches of snow overnight, temperatures in the 30s, and high winds. So, the Chicago White Sox postponed their season-opener for the first time since 1982.

Chia Pets have become an intergral part of American pop culture.

By now, everyone has either bought one or heard the catchy little ditty “Cha cha cha Chia.”

But have the makers of the little potted pottery have gone too far, with the Chia Obama?

Check out the commercial.

Walgreens is pulling the Chia Obama from store shelves, saying it’s not appropriate for the company’s corporate image.

Some may find it flattering that their likeness is turned into a popular housewarming gift. But should President Obama, the leader of the United States of America be reduced to a piece of pottery with green grass growing out of it head?

The International Olympic Committee plans to provide an update on Chicago's 2016 Olympic Bid visit. CLTV plans live coverage of the news conference starting at 11am Monday.

Observers say turnout in the Fifth Congressional District election could be as low as 10 percent tomorrow.

One in ten registered voters may cast a ballot to send the next United States Representative to Capitol Hill- and the reasons campaign managers are citing include Holy Week, spring break and voter fatigue.

But if those reasons aren't going to impact you, don't let "I didn't know" be your excuse.

Now just a week shy of 9 months old --he's still waiting for a new heart.
But in the interim, as his medical bills continue to grow, Baby Faris Samara's family could now be in line for more financial help.

For one thing, family friends are working to see if an area car dealer might donate a vehicle to the family. All the daily driving back and forth from their suburban home to Children's Hospital downtown is taking a toll on their old car. PLus, with three other boys (one with autism) the family also has many other outstanding expenses during this trying time. Though their biggest concern continues to be -- that Faris can hang on long enoug for a donor heart to become available.

A Couple Chicagoland Restaurants Pitching In

Chili's in Streamwood and Moretti's in Bartlett are designating special days, where if patrons ask to do so -- the restaurant will donate part of their check to the 'I Heart Faris Fund.'

Chili's Faris Deal: Thursdays in April & May.

Moretti's Faris Deal: April 8th & May 4th.

Faris Fundraiser Update

The big April 25th 'Fundraiser for Faris' at the Streamwood Bowl (9pm) is approaching. Anyone interested in attending is asked to get tickets ($35 each) by April 20th; the head count will allow organizers to know exactly how much food to order.
Call Pat or Dave @ 630-618-9928. Raffle tickets also available @ $1/ea or 6 for $5 (need not be present to win).

Faris Bank Fund

Direct donations to the 'I Heart Faris Fund' are being accepted at Chase Bank branches. Or money can be sent to:
Samara Family
I Heart Faris Fund
P.O. Box 1297
Streamwood, IL 60107

Reminder:

April is 'National Donate Life Month.' For more information on organ donation in Illinois go to: LifeGoesOn.com

Last But Certainly Not Least

Happy messages of hope for the parents (Siham and Sam) and Faris' three older brothers (Ali-12, Mohammed-11 and Tarek-7) would also be very much appreciated by the family, during this stressful time for them.

You can leave your comments below and we'll make sure the Samara family gets them.

If someone offers to pull you out of foreclosure and refinance your mortgage for an upfront fee, walk away. You can get help, and it shouldn't cost you anything.

State and federal agencies are teaming up to take down scams that are ripping off homeowners, who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments.

Instead of getting U.S. Cellular Field ready for today’s White Sox season opener against the Kansas City Royals, crews were busy on snow detail this morning, shoveling snow and spreading salt. Baseball officials decided to postpone the first game of the 2009 until tomorrow due to this latest blast of wintry weather.

This marks the first time since 1982 that the opener for the White Sox has been postponed because of a snow-out.

From the time the International Olympic Committee stepped foot in Chicago, the city rolled out the big names and star power. Michael Jordan and President Obama were featured in special videos and Monday night more came out to make a final sales pitch. IOC members were honored at a celebration at the Art Institute of Chicago. On hand was a star-studded list of the state's most influential people, from Mayor Daley, to Governor Quinn, to Education Secretary Arne Duncan, to the queen of talk shows Oprah Winfrey. No other bid city can probably roll out the stars like Chicago. But will it matter? Can these big names sway the IOC? If any stars can, I guess it would be them.

Last week, Iowa's Supreme Cout stunned much of the country by ruling gay and lesbian couples could begin to legally marry in the state as soon as April 24th.

Monday, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas vetoed a measure from state lawmakers that would set marriage for gay couples on the road to reality.

Tuesday, the state legislature voted to override Douglas' veto making Vermont the fourth state in the country to legalize marriage for gay couples.

Illinois may soon join the chorus of states looking into one of the emerging issues of civil rights: Marriage Equality for Gay Couples.

State Representative Greg Harris, from Chicago, has sponsored a bill that would legalize civil unions in Illinois, giving gay couples many of the legal benefits of marriage but without the formal title.

The International Olympic Committee is in Chicago for the final day in it's evaluation process. The IOC plans a 5pm news conference to discuss it's visit to Chicago at 5pm. Watch that news conference live on CLTV immediately followed by a second news conference from the Chicago 2016 Olympic committee.

Watch CLTV for extended election coverage of the 5th Congressional District and hundreds of suburban municipal races throughout the day. Get a complete wrap up of election results Tuesday night following the Bulls game.

Remember when President Bush got 'Shoe-d?' It was during a press conference in Baghdad last December, praising the progress in the war. The Iraqi Journalist who sent both his shoes flying in the direction of our then-commander-in-chief's head (he missed), was later sentenced to 3 years behind bars. The latest update below, indicates his sentence has now been reduced.

Does anyone know it's election day?

Does anyone really care?

It could be election fatigue, Spring Break, or the White Sox home opener....but I'm not hearing much enthusiasm from registered voters.

The day White Sox fans have been waiting for finally arrived – Opening Day on the South Side. Droves of diehard fans camped out at The Cell hours before today’s game, grilling, chilling and just having a good time. While many folks talked about their hopes for the Sox 2009 season, there were also plenty of others doing another ritual of many Sox fans -- unprovoked, big-time bashing of the Cubs.

How far is too far to go to get people to stop smoking?

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has a new PSA (public service announcement) encouraging people to quit. It features a lost 3-year old boy crying because his mother has left him. Then a voice says, “If this is how your child feels after losing you for a minute, just imagine if they lost you for life.”

It’s been reported that some people like the spot, saying it’s a powerful message for an important issue. But others say it’s manipulative. One person called it “atrocious, offensive and irresponsible.” There are even those that are concerned that the boy in the spot was mistreated to make him cry.

NYC health officials argue the end justifies the means, saying “In order to motivate someone to quit, you have to provoke a strong emotional response.”

But is this ad provoking the intended response?

Here are the final results in the April 7th consolidated election for the Franklin Park President:

Franklin Park President (18 of 18 precincts reported)
William Ruhl 1015 26.82%
Daniel Pritchett 1308 34.57%
Barrett Pedersen 1461 38.61%

What?! Check out the video link below, which is purportedly from Turkish TV.

As you know Mr. Obama was in Turkey at the start of the week; part of his first overseas tour as President. His hope was to encourage good will between the U.S. and that part of the muslim world. It would appear that not everyone took him seriously.

Is it funny (i.e. Saturday Night Live -esque) ...or racist?

The death toll is now more than 270, and 40 thousand people are out of home.

The victims of the earthquake in L'Aquila, Italy need money fast and here's the best way to get it there:

Jim Schwantz is learning to play a new sport-- the game of politics.
Entering the political arena for the first time, the former Bear defeated long-time Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins with 42 percent of the vote. Mullins finished third with 22 percent.

Mullins told me she's down, but certainly not out.
After twenty-years, she still wants to play.
She intends to be back in the game when former Chicago schools chief Paul Vallas returns as a Republican to challenge Cook County Board President Todd Stroger.

How about this? Residents on the 4800 block of West Van Buren Street in the Austin neighborhood are so fed up with the pothole problem, they started fixing the problem themselves. About a handful of residents, along with the South Austin Coalition, rolled up their sleeves, grabbed shovels, rakes, and cold asphalt patch, and started filling in the potholes. The city says it's doing everything it can, filling at least 4,000 potholes a day, seven days a week. Good idea or bad idea? Media stunt or the best way to get the job done? The city says only one 311 call was made in the last 60 days complaining about this stretch of road. Fixing the problem one resident at a time. What if residents started taking matters into their own hands when it came to other city services? Crazy thought.

Relatives say they battled to keep 15-year old Marquell Blake off the streets, but they lost. The sophomore at Chicago International Charter School Longwood was shot and killed just a few blocks from his home in the city's Auburn-Gresham neighborhood.

It seems everyone and their mother has some kind of social networking page. I’m one of the few exceptions. I don’t have a Facebook or MySpace page, my LinkedIn page hasn’t been updated since I created it two years ago, I rarely text and “Twittering” – forget about it. This could spell the end of my TV career, so I’m told. But I’m still not moved to invest hours upon hours of my life, updating “my status,” responding to simplistic messages like “What’s going on?” and reading personal stuff that people shouldn’t be sharing on line.

Surprisingly, I’m not alone. The Pew Internet & American Life Project just did a survey and found 48% of people are indifferent to Internet social networks, overwhelmed by gadgets or often avoid using the Internet altogether. Another 7% say even though they are “connected” and always carry mobile devices, they feel conflicted about staying in constant contact. And it not just older people saying this. The survey found there are a lot of young people who grew up in this “instant internet connection” era who are getting burnt out.

Fertamia Smith was found dead in the trunk of a car Wednesday night on the city’s South Side. Her family says the 35-year-old woman was last seen Sunday. Her ex-boyfriend – who is also the father of her children - is now in police custody and will soon be charged with her murder, say Bellwood police.

Americans consider the economy priority number one, but the Obama adminstration is preparing to tackle the touchy subject of immigration reform. The White House says the President will speak publically about this issue next month and begin work on a plan to get illegal immigrants on the path to citizenship. It was a campaign promise.

Some say immigration reform cannot wait.
Others say this is NOT the time-- that President Obama first needs to win over support from the other side of the political aisle on issues like healthcare and energy.

Can the President afford to wait?

This week, State Rep. Betty Brown (R) caused a firestorm during House testimony on voter identification legislation when she said that Asian-Americans should change their names because they’re too hard to pronounce:

“Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese — I understand it’s a rather difficult language — do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?” Brown said.

Madame Tussauds museum in Washington, D.C., just unveiled an eery, dead-on wax likeness of first lady Michelle Obama.

And that has lead some to complain that all of the three first ladies on display at the museum are Democrats. The other two are Jacqueline Kennedy and Hillary Clinton.

A spokesman for the Republican National Committee tells The Washington Times, "Both American history and the American people have embraced Republican first ladies. It's only fitting that the wax museum do the same."

check it out!

After complaints that the city quickly filled the potholes along the streets the IOC would see while in town, followed by some angry local residents filling their own west side potholes
-- Chicago officials suddenly say they're stepping up their pothole closing efforts.
Do you buy it?

President Obama hints the long-awaited First Dog could make his debut at the White House Easter Egg Roll.
Word is.. it's a six-month-old Portuguese Water Dog from the same lineage as Senator Edward Kennedy's dogs.

Funny-- all this fuss over this dog, isn't it?

A judge set bond at $500,000 for the off-duty Chicago Police detective charged with driving under the influence, reckless homicide, and leaving the scene of an accident in a crash that killed two young men.

After the hearing, upset family members of the victims stormed out of the courtroom. Police took one relative into custody. He was later released without charges.

Friends and family of 23-year-old Andrew Cazares and 21-year-old Fausto Manzera showed up in large numbers at a court hearing for off-duty Chicago Police officer Joseph Frugoli. He's the 18-year veteran accused of driving drunk and killing the two in a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway. The judge set bond for $500,000 and that means he needs to pay 10%. Friends and family of the victims were furious, saying the price for killing the two was $50,000. Some started yelling and screaming inside the courthouse at the deputies. One person was arrested for his part. Is bond too low? Can you understand the anger? Frugoli apparently had a blood alcohol content of .277, more than three times the legal limit. As one family spokesperson put it, "One mistake has now changed the lives of three families forever."

Aon Executive, Bridget Gainer, will replace newly-elected Congressman Mike Quigley on the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

Gainer is a former official in the Daley administration. She held positions in the Chicago Park District and the city budget office.

By now we all know- the new addition to the Obama family is a Portugese water dog named "Bo." He comes as a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy, who owns a few of them himself.

The President kept his promise to his daughters by finally delivering them their dog, but what about the high hopes he instilled in animal rights proponents- after expressing a desire, he said,
to adopt a pet from a shelter where most are "mutts" like him? (That is his choice of words, not mine.)

Not just noise, but also certain bad smells (i.e. "offensive bodily odors") are now banned at the Schaumburg Township District Library in that northwest suburb.

Why? Well word is the new rule follows an apparently homeless person stinking up the place recently, which was then followed by patron complaints.

Cubs fan Eddie Weingartner actually rented a goat, that's right rented a goat, and brought it to Wrigley Field for the Cubs home opener. He tried to bring in it in and break the curse, but of course security would not let him. His quote, "I guess the Cubs are on their own now." It's been more than 100 years since the Cubs won the World Series and fans are desperate to win it. Obviously Weingartner fits that catergory. Fans have always done weird and crazy things to try and help the Cubs win. Do you think security should have let the goat in just for a minute? I know some wished they would have looked the other way.

If you've ever wondered why the adage "Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover" exists, this may be a golden definition.

Simon Cowell (yes, the one on American Idol) got the shock of his life at his other job across the pond on "Britain's Got Talent".

A 47 year old, unemployed woman got up on stage. She said she wanted to be a professional singer.

People in the audience laughed. Some whistled at her (mockingly).

But what happened when the music started, brought the audience--even the judges to their feet.

I am an animal lover. I love them so much that, when I get tired of covering news, I just might go back to school to become a veterinarian or at least volunteer at an animal shelter.
Over the years, I have adopted everything from a chicken and green iguana to snakes, turtles and rabbits.

Seen the new Burger King/rap song/tight butt swayin'/Sponge Bob Square-Pants-ing --commercial? Is it Wrong?

Some say when the feds are done with Rod Blagojevich former Governor George Ryan may look like a boy scout.

But it'll be a few years before that happens.

After nearly 17 years in Chicago, Streetwise is in danger of shutting down in June. The weekly magazine says it puts nearly 1,000 people to work each year, giving the homeless a chance to earn cash for themselves.

Today, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger will ask the county board to cut the county’s sale-tax rate from 1.75% to 1.5%.

Which means, instead of paying $1.75 in taxes on something that costs $100, you’ll only pay $1.50, saving you a quarter.

Stroger, if you remember, pushed hard for the tax increase last year. In fact, he wanted an even bigger increase but settled for the 1% increase that took taxes in the city of Chicago to 10.25%, the highest in the nation.

Now he says the county can afford to cut the tax rate a little because it’s getting more money from President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package and more state health-care funding.

State Sen. Matt Murphy, a Palatine Republican who toyed with the idea of running against Stroger next year told the Daily Herald "This is not a reaction to the president's stimulus package. This is a reaction to the people throughout the county who said his sales tax hike is a disaster. It's also showing his desire to run for re-election."

Is this an election cycle ploy? Or has Stroger realized how much people are suffering during these tough economic times and decided to give people some tax relief?

If you're obese and fly on United Airlines, get ready to pay for second seat.

Starting today - the Chicago-based air carrier says it may bump severely overweight passengers from sold-out flights.

CLTV is proud to premier The Cheeseburger Show on Friday, April 17 at 11:30 a.m. This 10-minute feature program features The Chicago Tribune's Kevin Pang and his quest to find the best cheeseburgers in Chicago.
You and your taste buds can catch the show Thursdays @ 7:30pm, Fridays @ 11:30am and 8:30pm, Saturdays @ Noon and 8:30pm and Sundays @ 8:30pm.
For more information and a sneak peek, click here.

Will this feeling of anger last? Will this day of taxpayers revolting against excessive government spending and taxing continue? All across the country, including the Chicago area, people took to the streets and protested against taxes. It was inspired by the Boston Tea Party of 1773. Hundreds gathered in Naperville, voicing their opinions, saying the country needs jobs, not more taxes. Critics are calling this a fraud, a fake grassroots effort staged by right-wing Republicans. What do you think? Many said this movement had nothing to do with political party affiliation. They are hoping this is the beginning of a nationwide taxpayer revolt. I guess we will see.

Some donations to StreetWise are starting to pour in after the organization revealed it's in financial trouble and may be forced to close by June. The magazine's board members say they've raised eleven-thousand-dollars in the last three days. They need about 75-thousand-dollars to stay afloat.

I met Linda Fisher today before a Chicago City Council panel held a hearing about StreetWise's plight. She first walked into StreetWise's offices as a homeless, pregnant teenager. By selling papers, Fisher managed to support herself and her daughter. Today, she's earning an associate degree in business and dreams of attending law school.

I was struck by Linda Fisher's hopeful attitude-- that Chicagoans will come through for the publication that's helped her and eight-thousand others.

To help, go to http://www.streetwise.org/

You've heard the ex-gov, now facing big legal bills, could reportedly be making 80-thousand bucks per episode.. at some Survivor-esque-type show to be shot down in the jungles of Costa Rica?!

Okay, the judge on his federal corruption case first needs to sign off on Rod B. being allowed to leave the country. After that... no stopping him.

Who else from around here should join him on the show? --which by the way, is to be called:
"I'M A CELEBRITY, NOW GET ME OUT OF HERE"

We'll calmly file this into Bizzare Medical Stories:

A man in Russia thought he had cancer. His doctor thought he had cancer. Turns out, he had inhaled a seed and a tree sprouted in his lung.

The full story and pictures follow but BE WARNED they're not for everyone!

Two Domino's employees face felony charges after videotaping themselves doing disgusting things while preparing food in the kitchen. They posted the video on YouTube.

I just have one question. WHY?

Watch the entire video here:

A really big player in the shopping mall world, Chicago-based 'General Growth Properties' or G-G-P made a really big announcement Thursday. It said it had filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection.

It's being called one of the biggest commercial real estate collapses in U.S. history.

So what does it mean for G-G-P's six Chicagoland malls (Water Tower Place, Oakbrook Center, Northbrook Court, Lincolnshire Commons, Spring Hill Mall, Golf Mill Shopping Center)? Apparently nothing, according to G-G-P management.

They say they're keeping all of their 200-plus malls across America *open during the reorganization process.

********

It would certainly be great if all the associated jobs could be saved. But once a Bankruptcy judge gets involved in the G-G-P case, the company may be *required to get leaner.

I had the opportunity to speak with Blackhawks President John McDonough Thursday afternoon, just hours before his team faced off against the Calgary flames in their first post-season appearance since 2002.

This is what he had to say:

NASA has released this picture taken from the Chandra X-ray observatory, which is orbiting more than 360 miles above the Earth.

Some have dubbed it "the hand of God."

If you look closely it looks like an outstretched hand grasping a ball of fire.

NASA says the hand was created when a star exploded in a supernova.

NASA scientists estimated the moment captured in the picture actually happened 17,000 years ago. And it has taken since then for the X-rays to reach Earth.

What do you think?? Is this the hand of God or just someone's over active imagination?

Thanks to the miracle of YouTube, an old school Blackhawks fight song/swinging jingle has been unearthed. Gets you in the playoff spirit. For photos of the Hawks' post-season push, check out the photo gallery. Have some of your own you want to share? Send them to cltvdesk@tribune.com

Earlier this week I did a story about how Burger King is airing a commercial spot spoofing Sir Mix-a-lot's 90's hit "Baby Got Back" using the image of Nickelodeon's iconic SpongeBob SquarePants. Now the first time I saw it, not gonna lie, I thought it was hilarous. I very much enjoy the creepy Burger King - King guy.
But the more I saw the commerical I started to realize it was a little too sexually suggestive. I mean the image of SpongeBob alone is enough to captivate children. I would rather not have my nine year old nephew staring at the "King" measuring some "video chick" square pants.

Ladies, you know the stereotypes.

Hockey players aren't typically considered the "prettiest" of professional athletes.

Those who hit the links are more polished, the ones on the court- typically taller.

But what's wrong with alternate captain Patrick Sharp, Number 10, seen above?

We had the conversation in our newsmeeting this afternoon, and the girls got together and decided that the 'Hawks are hot....in more ways than one.

They’ve got smooth moves, their energy is contagious and everyone in the group is under 11-years-old. Make sure to watch CLTV this weekend to see our profile on Chitown Finest Breakers, the city’s youngest professional breakdancing troupe.

If you want booking or contact info, check out their Myspace page;
www.myspace.com/djwestsidemrkidd

Today is Record Store Day.
Independent record stores and musicians are coming together across the country to celebrate the stores themselves and the art of music.

I still can't bear to part with my old records and two record players. I miss the creativity and artistry that went into the album covers. I don't encounter many young people who share that appreciation in this day of buying music online.

To find a participating store, go to http://www.recordstoreday.com/Home

It was a violent start to the weekend. On friday afternoon, two people were killed and three others wounded in three separate shootings in a 15-minute span throughout Chicago. The violence didn't end there. Early Saturday morning around 1:15am, witnesses say nine people were shot at a party at a car wash in the Englewood neighborhood. One man was killed and several others were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. One neighbor said she told her kids they can't ride their bikes outside anymore because of the danger. Witnesses say they saw several teens running from the scene of the party. Another resident asked about the curfew, wondering why they're even outside at that time. What can be done? Should there be stricter enforcement of the curfew? Is there anyway to actually slow down the violence? I know residents in Englewood are desperate for answers.

In our efforts to thoroughly cover the Blackhawks playoff run, we hit three sports bars before Game 2 in search of fans preparing for what is hoped to be an extended post-season.

Hawkeye's on Taylor displays the Indian in the front window, and there were no shortage of fans just south of the United Center more than five hours before game time.

http://www.hawkeyesbar.com

For decades, they tried to bury the past.
Then, the Neo-Nazis announced they'd march in Skokie.
That changed everything.

Thousands of Holocaust survivors today celebrate the opening of the Ilinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie. When the Neo-Nazis threatened to come, survivors decided they could not stay silent any longer. They set out to build this museum.

The museum features hundreds of artifacts, documents, and the testimonials of survivors who came to the Chicago-area after the war.
Fritzie Fritzshall remembers being in a rail car transporting jews to their deaths like it happened yesterday.
Aaron Elster was ten when he hid from the Nazis in an attic.. alone.. for two-years.
Sam Harris was four when his family was rounded up. His father pushed him out of line and told him to run.

You can't help but feel moved by their stories.
THEY are the musuem's real treasures.

The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie opened its doors to the public on Sunday. It's dedicated to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Six million European Jews were murdered during WWII, led by Nazi Germany and Hitler. There are rooms for reflection, hundreds of artifacts, and recorded testimonies from more than 2,000 Holocaust survivors. Museum organizers hope it teaches tolerance and leads the fight against hatred, indifference, and genocide. What does this museum mean to you? Will it help teach the younger generation about tolerance? Whether Jewish or not, everyone should visit the museum. We all could use another lesson when it comes to tolerance.

Crestwood officials once boasted about having the cheapest water in Cook County. A Chicago Tribune investigation has revealed that cheap water came at a high price for residents.

The report found officials in the south suburb cut corners, and knowingly supplied residents with tainted water for two decades.

Illinois Senator Roland Burris held his first campaign fundraiser Sunday, since he took office. Last week, Burris filed a report showing he raised only $845 from January through March. He's in debt more than $110,000. Burris says that money is owed mostly to consultants who helped to set up his office, after he was appointed to the U.S. Senate.

This afternoon I spent some time with the Warriors' Watch Riders, a group of bikers committed to giving troops a great send off in deployment, and a warm homecoming when they return.

Today's "ride" was in Palatine, to welcome home young Lance Corporal Robert Domek- back via Okinawa from a tour of duty in Iraq.

Starting Wednesday, April 22nd, The Tom Joyner Morning Show will be heard on 106.3 FM.

For those not familiar with what happened last month, Joyner was suddenly yanked off V-103 and replaced by Steve Harvey.

That caused uproar among Joyner’s loyal listeners. Many flooded this blog with complaints. And I’m sure many more voiced their anger to V-103’s bosses.

Last year, there were more than 3,000 pedestrian related accidents on Chicago streets. This week, Chicago Police will start cracking down on drivers who fail to give pedestrians the right of way.

Get caught and be prepared to pay up.

Right now, it's a great time to be a Chicago sports fan. The Whitesox and Cubs are back in action, the Bulls and Blackhawks are in the playoffs, and the Bears signed quarterback Jay Cutler. But who is king of the city? You would think the Blackhawks are with the craziness surrounding the team's playoff run. But is it mostly people jumping on the bandwagon. I've heard many argue hockey fans are the best fans. Then there's the Bears. It seems like it doesn't matter if they are playing or not, Bears news is always number one. What about the Cubs? They pack Wrigley regardless of the weather or who's playing? Maybe it's all about championships and whoever wins the next one is king of the hill. If the Blackhawks win it all, I think they will give every team here a run for their money. Don't forget about the Whitesox. They had a good run for a year or so. You decide and keep you heart out of the argument.

Welcome to the inaugural Video of the Day post. Today's video celebrates the Chicago Blackhawks!

10 years ago today, two boys, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a killing spree at Columbine High School. Prior to April 20, 1999, Littleton was virtually an unknown small town near Denver, Colorado. But, at 11:10 a.m. everything changed; the boys arrived at school and prepared to unleash a string of violence that my generation had never seen before.

Mike North of "Monsters in the Morning" on Comcast SportsNet and I caught up Monday outside of City Hall.

He was on his way to talk to Da Mayor, I was on my way to talk to him about the Blackhawks chances in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

On Sunday, I was in the village of Crestwood reporting on a Tribune investigation that found the southwest suburban village had, for at least 20 years, mixed in untreated, contaminated water, into it's tap water.

You can read the full Tribune story here.

That report is the first in what may become an Erin Brokovich-type story right here in Chicagoland.

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger appeared on the CLTV News this morning.

He was asked about the fallout from the resignation of his cousin, Chief Financial Officer Donna Dunnings and the revelation that she had bailed her secretary out of jail twice and he was still promoted to a $61,000 a year job. Stroger was also asked about whether he fired Dunnings to put himself in a better light given that he’s up for re-election next year. But one of the more interesting answers came when he was asked about a comment he made on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight program Monday night. He said, “I'm sure employees get arrested all the time."

Former Governor Rod Blagojevich is desperate for some cash. He's been unemployed since January, when he was booted from office, and his legal bills are surely mounting. So now he's looking to cash in on his pseudo-fame.

The indicted Blagojevich was in court this morning asking for his travel restrictions to be lifted so he could jet off to the lush jungles of Costa Rica and participate in a "Survivor"-style reality show called "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here."

But the judge denied his request.

Check out this surveillance video from Florida.
A bank robbery suspect was caught running from the scene of the crime, but as he tried to make his getaway, dye packs hidden in the money bag exploded --- sending a red dye into the air.

There's a push now to legalize medical marijuana in Illinois. Supporters say it can ease the pain for those who are terminally ill. State Senator William Haine held a news conference this morning pushing for this happen. Those against say there are too many loopholes and it looked like a drug dealer wrote the bill. What do you think? In California, it's already a reality. But some people there are getting bogus prescriptions from doctors for things like back pain and other minor issues. They are using that to buy marijuana for personal use and not any medical reason. It's being flat out abused and I think that's the concern by so many against it. Some think you should legalize marijuana all together. Will this work if it happens in Illinois? Is it the first step to making marijuana legal altogether? Do the problems outweigh the benefits? We'll see how much backing State Senator Haine receives on his bill.

The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing case on how far schools can go when searching students. The specific case involves a 13-year old honor student from Arizona who was strip-searched by school officials. They were looking for prescription-strength ibuprofen pills that a classmate claimed the girl was giving to other students. No pills were found, but it did lead to a lawsuit.

It sounds like an incident here in Chicago in 2007. Two 14 year old Chicago Public School students filed a lawsuit against the school district after they were stripped searched. School officials were looking for a lighter that was used to start a fire in the boys’ bathroom at Aspira Early College High School. No lighter was found.

Summer break is about to get shorter for hundreds of Chicago Public Schools students.

The Board of Education is expected to approve a plan today expanding the number of year-round elementary schools from 65 to 132 by fall.

Students at year-round schools have the same number of school days as children at schools with traditional schedules, but instead of one long summer break, they have shorter mini breaks.

Is there any question what this kid will be when he grows up?

In an unusual move, the Faculty Senate at Chicago State University is sending a letter to Governor Quinn demanding he remove CSU's Board of Trustees. They are also asking Quinn to stop it from selecting a new president. Faculty at most colleges stay out of these matters. Students and faculty are now standing side by side, saying they are being excluded from the process of choosing a new president. They say there is no transparency or accountability, and the interim president is being handcuffed by the board, not being allowed to make certain changes to improve the school. The former president stepped down after state audits revealed questions about spending practices. They say it's been years of mismanagement by the board, also claiming the presidential selection process is tainted because the campus advisory committee was not allowed to take part. Almost every member of that group resigned last week. One faculty member says if the board stays in place, he fears the school will lose its accreditation. For now, the board is not commenting on these concerns and allegations. There are now two finalists who these teachers and students claim are local political insiders and not qualified. What do you think? Is the board being unfairly targeted? Is CSU going downhill? Who's to blame for the controversy? It's a story that doesn't seem to be going away.

When Tom Joyner's morning show was taken off the air by Clear Channel's V103 last month and replaced by Steve Harvey, many of his listeners were outraged.

This week, those listeners were happy to learn that Joyner's show was coming back to the Windy City starting today.

What some folks may not understand is how his show is back.

It's called a brokered deal.

The company that produces Joyner's show is actually paying the owners of Soul 106.3, his new Chicago station, to broadcast the program.

The complaints keep coming for the company that took over management and operations of Chicago's 36,000 parking meters, earlier this year.

Even though the $1.2 billion deal is completed, Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) is calling for a public hearing to address the issues.

So now that we have your attention ...

The crew of The Cheeseburger show invites you to the first ever "Tweetup!"

Meet the crew, enjoy some brews and we'll even pick up the tab on the first few hundred sliders. Yup, free cheeseburgers for just showing up. Bring your friends, they need to eat too!

A group of residents from Chicago's Roseland neighborhood want The Factory Gentlemen's Club stripped of its business license. The strip club is set to open on Friday.

A friend sent me an email the other day about life lessons. I thought I'd share of few of them with you. Hopefully you'll find something in at least one of them that brightens your day or at least lightens the load a bit. If you have any, please add to the list.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

3. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

4. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

5. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

6. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

7. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

8. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

9. What other people think of you is none of your business.

10. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

This young man's attempt to be "the beat box wild card" is pretty impressive.

A Chicago cemetery has created a final resting place for the ultimate Cubs fan. The internment area at Bohemian National Cemetery is complete with an ivy wall, stained glass scoreboard and home plate modeled after Wrigley Field. Check out the video above.

Rod Blagojevich might appear on an NBC reality tv show after all.
A federal judge refuses to allow the ex-governor to travel to Costa Rica to appear on "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" Blagojevich revealed on the "Today" show he could still play a role in the program although we probably won't get to see him eat a bug.

That got me and some of my co-workers thinking-- would we really watch Blago TV?
We might SAY we're tired of seeing Blagojevich's antics, but would our curiosity get the best of us?

Todd Stroger can't catch a break.

This time he's under fire for inconsistencies in multiple interviews in which he addressed a recent patronage scandal.

Stroger says he fired former University of Georgia basketball player Tony Cole from his $61k a year job for lying about his criminal record.

Then he had to oust his first cousin Donna Dunnings, the county's CFO, over "explosive allegations" Cole made about her.

Stroger says it took so long to fire Cole because of a backlog of criminal background checks.

But the Illinois State Police disputes any notion of a backlog and says it sent the county Cole's background check on December 20th.

Caught on Camera!

Our former governor, Rod Blagojevich, suspended in mid-air as cameras rolled in Los Angeles Thursday.

It's apparently part of the NBC Reality Show that a federal judge this week said he couldn't leave the country to be a part of.

Now Blago says there may be another way to be a part of the show afterall.

Watch the video. Then tell us, is Blago doing this to make money for his family and defense fund or is he just hanging by more than just a legal wire these days?

Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals was a blowout.

With a 107-86 victory over the Bulls, the Celtics now lead the series two games to one, and that home court advantage Chicago was counting on just couldn't come through.

TV executives have apparently realized there IS a market for intelligent black television.

For so long, the only option was BET. It was great early on. Then it slowly started to change, catering to a younger, more immature audience. They got rid of the “BET Nightly News” and “BET Tonight with Ed Gordon” and replaced them with “106 & Park” and “College Hill.”

Then along came TV One.

And soon there will be several more choices.

Wow, what a great weekend to be a Chicago sports fan!!! You literally can spend the weekend shuffling back and forth between sports games and enjoying the outdoors and the warm weather. Softball anyone?

Here's the weekend schedule for our different sports teams.

Be sure to watch your stuff if you ride the CTA. Recent statistics from the Chicago Police Department show robbery has soared 77 percent on CTA trains, platforms and buses in the past three years - from 246 incidents in 2006 to 436 in 2008, according to a report in today's Sun-times.

I spoke with some riders in the South Loop today and many said the struggling economy is to blame. They said times are tough and people are doing whatever they can to survive and that includes stealing!

Severe weather can cause a lot of problems, but sometimes it can be just cool to watch, like in the case of today's video of the day - shot by a CNN iReporter of Thursday night's thunderstorm in downtown Chicago.

Chicago Mayor Richard II turned 67 today. And as he marked another year, he also marked another milestone ... twenty years as Chicago's mayor.

Despite that accomplishment (which puts him about a year and half away from breaking his father's record as the city's longest mayor) Daley isn't very reflective or sentimental about his reign.

Crestwood residents had the chance to voice their opinions Saturday morning at a town hall style meeting with Mayor Stranczek. They are upset about just finding out their drinking water was apparently contaminated with dangerous levels of a cancer causing chemical. It's been going on for more than 20 years, but the EPA shut down a well with contaminated water in 2007 after testing for these substances. Residents screamed at the mayor, calling him a liar and demanding answers. Many residents called the meeting a waste of time because they felt the mayor did not answer any questions. Residents also say the village was cited for violating the Safe Drinking Water Act, but the village is not admitting its mistakes. Some were on the side of the Stranczek family (the older Stranczek was also mayor) for their dedication to the village. They say they've been drinking the water for years and years and have no health issues. Others tell stories of kidney cancer and other serious health issues they believe are possibly linked to the tainted water. Do you believe this water could be responsible for health problems? Is the mayor doing everything he can to work with residents? Is he being truthful? If you were at the meeting we want to hear from you. How big of a deal is this?

One victory, either in Calgary or Chicago is all the Blackhawks need to advance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Getting excited?

I am.

To tide you over until Monday night's game, click on this link for the Blackhawks official introductory video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxxmVvl-CJc

This swine flu outbreak-- kind of scary, huh?

Most of the cases are in Mexico.
Others surfaced in California, Texas, Kansas, New York, and New Zealand.

The Centers for Disease Control says this virus contains gene sequences from the American and Eurasian swine flu, North American bird flu, and North American human flu. The World Health Organization is especially concerned because all of the people killed in Mexico were young, healthy adults. None over age 60. None under age 3. Usually, people who die from the flu are infants or the elderly.

Go here to find answers to questions you may have about swine flu.
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm

Would you consider this year a success for the Bulls? They made the playoffs, groomed the Rookie of the Year, and are poised to stay strong in the Eastern Conference. But some say it's not successful until they win the championship. Do they need a bigger shooting guard? Do they need more scoring in the paint? Some say they need to do those things first before calling the season a positive one, because they will never end up in the promise land without doing so. Fans came out in force Sunday, giving the United Center a party atmosphere on what could be the team's last home game of the year. How do the Bulls get better? Some would say just keep giving the ball to Derrick Rose.

With the rising temperatures, there is a rise in gun violence in Chicago. On Sunday, 4 young people were injured in shootings on the city's southwest side.

It has now been reported in five states- the latest incident, as close as Ohio.

City health officials say it's only a matter of time before the disease comes to Chicago, so the Department of Public Health is providing us with the following facts.

What is it?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by the type A influenza viruses. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs, but it can spread from person to person as well.

The other day I was waiting for my boyfriend while he got a haircut. It was a nice day and we had the dog with us, so Moroccan (the dog) and I decided to sit outside. A woman walked up to me and asked if I knew where the daycare center was. I didn’t know of a daycare center anywhere in the area, so I asked her “what was the address.” All she could say is “it’s around here somewhere.” I told her I didn’t know but suggested she go inside the barbershop and maybe someone in there could tell her where it was. She quickly shook her head said “oh no, I can’t go in there.” Right then, I knew she was up to something. Then she asked if she could use my cell phone. I told her I didn’t have one. She walked away and I didn’t see her anymore. I don’t think she was trying to steal my phone because Moroccan, a German Rottweiler was clearly capable of taking her down. So I couldn’t figure out what she was up to until now.

I think she was trying to tap my cell phone.

First a deadly outbreak of Swine Flu, now a strong *earthquake!

Mexico is reeling. People are understandably frightened.

A 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit the central part of Mexico Monday (epicenter:130 miles from Mexico City; 50 miles from Acapulco). Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries (as of Monday afternoon).

Meantime Swine Flu, which is believed to have started in Mexico, is now suspected in more than a hundred deaths there (149 as of Monday afternoon). Plus, all schools across the country have now been ordered closed for at least a week. It's part of an effort to stem the spread of the contagious disease.

Experts on epidemics reportedly suggest that Mexican health officials should really be more *proactive in seeking out people who came into close contact with the swine flu victims -- *insisting -- they take antiviral drugs to prevent the spread of contagion. But a top Mexican Health official says the government lacks the staff needed to visit the homes of everyone suspected of dying from swine flu. So, Mexico is currently the only country producing such a high number of Swine Flu deaths.

Bottom Line: Mexico, which has always been one of the world's poorer countries, is now not only hurting from the global economic meltdown; its attempting to battle an epidemic -and- dealing with the aftermath of an earthquake.

People Are More Than Worried

I'm scared," says a 22-year-old social services worker. Sarai Luna Pajas was standing outside her office building moments after the quake hit. Buildings were reportedly swaying. Pajas says, "We Mexicans are not used to living with so much fear, but all that is happening...(i.e. economy, flu, quake) it feels like the Apocalypse."

Takeru Kobayashi, the King of scarfing down hot dogs, takes on a giant grizzly.
Bon Appetit!

The Swine Flu is quickly moving across Mexico and now spreading throughout the United States. Word now comes that Chicago may have its first confirmed case, though medical officials are still waiting for test results. From school districts to medical centers in Chicago, everyone is taking the right precautions. No one is saying they are scared yet.

Are you? Are you even concerned about the spread or do you think this is all just hype? In Mexico, this type of flu has killed more than 100 people and sickened more than a thousand. Where do you draw the line? Are you following proper hygiene guidelines? When do you really start to worry? School districts are buying cleaning supplies and some people are even wearing masks. I don't know about you, but I guess I fit into the concerned category.

The Chicago Blackhawks are in Calgary tonight for Game 6 of their Stanley Cup playoff series against the Flames. Chicago leads the series 3-2. A win tonight could seal the Hawks' first playoff series win since 1996.

"This isn't going to be the next pandemic."

That is what I heard from a physician I talked with over the weekend about swine flu. The virus that has everyone abuzz because it's a new strain of the influenza bug which kills thousands every year.

Now, Google Maps has come up with a searchable map mashup of the current confirmed and suspected cases of swine flu. It's actually pretty cool and can give you a world view of what's going on with this virus.

Click around this map and find out more on the locations seeing activity.

View H1N1 Swine Flu in a larger map

It's the end of the line for Pontiac, a mainstay in the General Motors lineup since 1926.
Monday, GM announced the brand could no longer be profitable- and after 73 years, production will be stopped. The photo is of one of the first Pontiacs ever made, a '26 Coupe.

Here are some photos of the American classic through the years:

Now that the Chicago Blackhawks have extinguished the Calgary Flames. There's sure to be a surge in fans jumping on the Blackhawks bandwagon. So, for those of you who aren't familiar with the rules of the game, the Chicago Tribune's Internet critic, Steve Johnson, put together what he calls "the beginnings of a beginner's guide to the Hawks and their sport."

Check it out on chicagotribune.com.

Also be sure to check out the photo gallery of the Hawks in action.

Politicians say they’re sick of “the culture of corruption” in Illinois. They say it’s time for a change. State lawmakers even took the extraordinary step of impeaching and ousting former governor Rod Blagojevich for the blatant way he was able to bend and twist campaign contributors to his will.

Then-Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn appointed a reform panel to come up with recommendations on how laws could be changed to prevent corruption in the future. Today the panel presented it findings.

One of the suggestions is to create term limits for powerful legislative leaders.
Do you think state politicians would have the courage to put a limit on their political ambitions for the good of the people? Or do you think the state would suffer because it couldn’t benefit from the experience and wisdom legislative leaders have gained over the years?

Swine flu fears have some people anxious, on alert and possibly overreacting.

More than 150 deaths in Mexico are blamed on the virus so far which is thought to be the epicenter of the illness. Health officials say the number of confirmed swine flu cases in the United States has jumped to 68 though none of the cases have been fatal.

There also reported cases in the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. Americans are being urged not to travel to Mexico if they don't have to.

Are we in the media over-doing it, or is the pubic just over-reacting to the information coming out on Swine Flu.

We can't just sit on the facts: deaths in Mexico, U.S. numbers, pork IS safe to eat.

But clearly we're not at the same kind of risk here in the U.S. as in Mexico, where a top health official has admitted they may not have the ability to go to the homes of all the victims infected, in order to give flu shots to all others at each residence.

So, get *your face mask yet? (some Chicagoland stores have supposedly had a run on 'em)

Wednesday marks President Obama's 100th Day in Office - a benchmark in every presidency. The President will address the country in a prime time speech on Wednesday night.
What are you thoughts on Obama's first few months? Do you agree with his high approval rating?

For a look at his first 100 days, check out the Chicago Tribune's Online Photo Gallery.

Just a bit of a warning if you're squeemish, this video is a bit graphic.
Here's where you can find the action:
at about 1:00 minute, a man jumps off the moving truck and at about 4:45 in, police nab the driver and drag him out.

Enjoy!

In a time when everyone is quick to believe Chicago Police Officers are automatically guilty whenever they are involved in a court case, three off-duty CPD officers were found not guilty of aggravated battery. Those were basically the words of the their defense attorneys. Sgt. Jeffrey Planey, and officers Greg Barnes and Paul Powers were charged with aggravated battery in an altercation back in December of 2006 at the Jefferson Tap in the West Loop. The judge said prosecutors failed to prove their case. Some of the alleged attack of four friends was caught on surveillance tape. Defense attorneys classified this as an argument between two groups of grown men that escalated into a pushing and shoving match. They said it doesn't mean a crime happened that night. The friends' attorney says, "This can only happen in Chicago." Do you agree with this? Are all CPD officers receiving a bad reputation because of the actions of few or do you think this is another case of officers getting off the hook? One defense attorney called it a money-making motive. What are you calling it, justice or a mistake?

The fate of Driscoll Catholic High School in west suburban Addison now rests in the hands of the Archdiocese of Joliet.

Earlier this month, Driscoll's sponsor, Christian Brothers, announced plans to close the school because of dwindling enrollment and financial problems. Parents quickly organized the "Driscoll-The Next 43 Years" campaign to save the school. In just 3 weeks, they raised more than $930,000.

No one appreciates a good basketball game more than me. I enjoy it all, even the trash-talking. But has Boston's Kevin Garnett taken it to a new level? Check out the photo below.

From Funny or Die.com: "This isn't the first time that Swine Flu has taken over the national conversation. Take a look at this 70s PSA alerting you to the dangers of Swine Flu "

Hog farmers throughout Illinois are concerned about this highly publicized swine flu and the real versus perceived threat out there. They want you to know swine flu has not been found in any U.S. pigs yet and people can't get this flu from eating pork or pork products. One hog farmer says, "The price of grain is going down. The price of hogs are going down. Those are the two commodities we sell, so it's a very dramatic problem for us." These farmers also say, "There's very little risk of transfer from people to swine and from swine to people and very few people come into contact with swine. We do and we're not concerned." Be honest. When you heard the name swine flu, were you scared to eat pork? Some people are so frightened or you could call it mis-informed, they don't want to be near people who have pigs. How do we control this concern? Is it justified? It's one more thing we are forced to deal with now.

The *seasonal flu (the stuff we get each and every year) kills some 30,000 Americans annually. Generally, no big life changes have happened over that. But suddenly everything's changed -- now that *Swine Flu appears to have oinked its way into our U.S. world.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Illinois had nine *probable cases of Swine Flu -- meaning state health experts are 99% sure it's the real deal, but are awaiting final CDC confirmation. The people affected range in age from six to 57, only one of whom is hospitalized (a 12 year old girl).

Wednesday morning one northside Chicago school was closed over a Swine Flu concern (the 12 year old girl mentioned above is a student there). By afternoon, word arrived that two more area schools would close; one in Batavia, one in Aurora. And of course, as of yesterday people were reportedly creating a run on face masks at Walgreens (and hand sanitizer). Is it all Overkill?

BOTTOM LINE

The virus that's been killing people in Mexico has started to hit home. Of course, at this writing there has still only been one U.S. death: a toddler from Mexico who died in Texas (not clear *where the child was actually infected).

Illinois health officials report nine "probable" swine flu cases in the state. "Probable" meas there's a 99 percent chance it's swine flu.
Five of the victims are in Chicago.
Two in Kane County.
One in Dupage, and one in Lake County.
Victims range in age from 6 to 57.

Health officials stress the need for calm. Be alert. Be aware. Be prepared. Those health officials remind us the flu kills 36-thousand Americans each year. Are we paying extra attention because it's called SWINE flu? Would we be alarmed if it was called something else-- like "type B flu"?

The City of Chicago has two websites. One allows you to sign up for "Notify Chicago" alerts. Another has a flu fact sheet available in English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Vietnamese, Burmese, and Russian.

http://webapps.cityofchicago.org/ChicagoAlertWeb/

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalDeptCategoryAction.do?deptCategoryOID=-536903653&contentType=COC_EDITORIAL&topChannelName=Dept&entityName=Health&deptMainCategoryOID=-536897682

We in the news like to think we're doing a public service by updating you on the latest (very latest... absolute very latest) on any variety of news story.

That includes living and breathing the latest on the spead of the Swine Flu Strain.

Today, we reported that the World Health Organization raised its Pandemic Alert level to Phase 5. Read below to understand what each phase means.

This is from the WHO:

In nature, influenza viruses circulate continuously among animals, especially birds. Even though such viruses might theoretically develop into pandemic viruses, in Phase 1 no viruses circulating among animals have been reported to cause infections in humans.

Agents from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency executed a federal search warrant on the village of Crestwood, Wednesday.

Agents were seen carrying out several boxes of records and documents from Crestwood's Public Works building.They are looking for any evidence that would suggest village officials committed environmental crimes.