Driving down the bumpy streets of Cicero the last thing I expected to see was the majestic building and grounds of Hawthorne Race Course. My fellow CLTV producer Lindsey Nesselbush and I, along with two Executive Producers, Jeimmie Nevalga and Frava Burgess, were invited to watch CLTV anchor/reporter Monica Schneider act as the "celebrity guest announcer" for one of the horse races.
I got a kick out of her being called a celebrity -- which I guess to the average person she is, but to me- her producer, she's just Monica (this must be how Angelina Jolie's assistant feels).
More than a quarter-century after scientists discovered the virus that causes AIDS, researchers have finally shown that an experimental vaccine can block at least some infections, marking the first small but significant step toward eventual control of this lethal pandemic.
Authorities continue to search for an armed escapee who is now accused of robbing a bank this morning in Bloomingdale and hijacking a car from a woman in Hoffman Estates.
The hijacked car was described as an 2004 gray Volkswagen Jetta with Illinois license plate A392846. It was last seen headed west on Hassel toward Barrington Road, which is near an entrance to Interstate 90.
CLTV Producer Afua Owusu is braving the crowds and fans, and is attempting to view the Oprah Show taping on Michigan Ave. She is live blogging from the filed.
WOOOOOO! I am back at work... seems like I've spent the last 13 hours in a dream. But really, I got the opportunity to experience the Oprah Factor in all its glory. Yesterday, I began my journey from the WGN TV Studios in Roscoe Village all the way down to the Michigan Avenue Bridge -- after a full work day which began at 3am to see the one and only Oprah Winfrey. Those of you that know me well- know she is my hero.
Fifteen downtown CTA bus routes temporarily will be rerouted due to the closure of Michigan Avenue between Wacker Drive and Ohio Street for the taping of the Oprah Winfrey Show. The reroutes are in effect from Sunday, September 6 at 10 p.m. until approximately 6 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9.
CTA recommends that customers traveling in the Michigan Avenue corridor allow extra travel time. The Red Line offers a convenient, nearby alternative to bus service.
Are we on the verge of an international incident that could change U.S. relations with India?
By now you’ve probably heard, Muslim actor Shah Rukh Khan, the “Tom Cruise” of Bollywood was questioned for 90 minutes by customs agents at Newark Airport last Friday after his name appeared on a security checklist.
He says routine security procedures were not followed and he felt embarrassed and uncomfortable having to find a U.S. national to vouch for him.
Ironically, he was on his way to Chicago to promote his new movie “My Name is Kahn.” It’s takes a look at the discrimination Muslims has faced in the U.S. since 9/11.
Until now, Dr. Conrad Murray hasn't spoken publicly in the wake of Michael Jackson's June 25th death. He was there when the King of Pop died and is under investigation in connection to Jackson's death, in terms of the drugs he may have prescribed to the singer.
Representatives for Murray say he's been getting death threats and hired a body guard. In his YouTube video, the doctor thanks his supporters.. but also addresses his fears...
130- MILLION credit and debit card numbers stolen!
That's what a 28 year old Miami guy was indicted for Monday. What's more, it's Alberto Gonzalez's THIRD such indictment.
The alleged hacker, who goes by the online name: soup-nazi, is accused of hacking into the customer credit and debit information of major retailers, including national convenience store chain 7-11. Prosecutors say the goal was to then sell the data to others -- who could potentially use it for identity theft. Officials say there's no way to know the financial fallout from all of this!
The Joke
Gonzalez was also indicted in the *last 'biggest U.S. Identity fraud' case, just last year. The alleged take that time: 40 Million credit and debit card numbers, from such retail chains as T.J. Maxx, Sports Authority aand OfficeMax.
Plus, he was also indicted in a similar scam, accused of hacking into the customer account database of national restaurant chain - Dave and Busters.
His indictment today came down as he was behind bars, awaiting trial on the D&B case.
Bigger Joke
This guy was a one-time *government informant* who helped bring down other hackers!
Guess he was just following the old adage of ...keeping your friends close.. .and your enemies closer.
Drew Peterson 'Change of Venue' Decision- Postponed.
Attorneys for ex-Bolingbrook Cop Drew Peterson seemed a bit surprised that Will County Judge Stephen White didn't immediately rule on their request to have his murder trial (he's charged with killing his 3rd wife; he's suspected in the disappearance of his 4th wife) moved out of the area -due to negative pre-trial publicity.
A published report says Michael Jackson's father and the musical group the Chi-Lites charged the city of Gary $5,000 to attend a memorial last month for the late pop singer in his hometown.
The Post-Tribune of Merrillville reported Friday that a claim released by the city shows the money will be split between Joe Jackson, the group and its lead singer, Marshall Thompson.
What do you think? Should Gary residents have to pay Joe Jackson for his memorial visit? Leave your comments below.
This is a story that evokes a lot of emotions in people. I understand both sides of the coin. But I also find it very hypocritical that we have a system that punishes people for their crimes and supposedly rehabilitates them for their crimes; but when they are released back into society we hold their past crimes against them. Thus, blocking any attempt at personal or professional growth. I understand some crimes are just so vicious – they are deemed unforgiveable. But I think there is a difference between forgiving and forgetting.
15 Year Old South Side Girl Shot In HEAD! --WHY?????
I think some people just write it off to - the price of living in a bad neighborhood.
But the Roseland street where 15 year old Taccara Swain was shot Wednesday night isn't that. It's a nice street. Maybe the residents there don't have a ton of money, but they clearly take pride in their block.
As for Taccara Swain, she was just getting ready to go inside her house to watch a favorite TV show, bending down to pick up her 2 year old cousin, when the bullets hit.
A senseless drive-by.
Taccara's cousin said the good news from the hospital today was that the brain swelling had gone down a bit. But, until Taccara's able to be taken out of that drug-induced coma, they won't know the full extent of her ability to recover. Right now, the cousin says, doctors believe that the injured area of the brain affects only speech. They're also apparently not sure about Taccara's sight, as the bullet came near one eye. Time will tell.
Taccara Swain was getting ready to start her sophomore year at Julian High School. Chances are she may not make the first day, but I truly pray that she does get there. And I truly hope that Chicago Police are giving this case top priority (in terms of making an arrest), just as they would if it had happened on a more affluent street.
Okay, pure speculation here. But the disgraced, ex-Atlanta Falcons player was spotted at O'Hare, according to TMZ (the same on-line entity that broke the news of Michael Jackson's death, but I digress). So WHY was the football-player-without-a-team in Windy City Land?
Well, to try and set the record straight a Chicago Bears spokesman went on record to say that it had *nothing to do with the team. But then, would they necessarily tell us, if it did?
Considering *why Mr. Vick is an EX-Falcon (dog fighting conviction; prison time now served), will any NFL team truly want to take on the potential negative publicity of having him in their fold?
Kane's Cabbie Reportedly Didn't Have Valid Driver's License
The saga continues.
The Buffalo, New York Cab driver, who was allegedly beaten up over the weekend by Chicago Blackhawks 'Golden Boy' Patrick Kane (over 20-cents in cab fare), reportedly didn't have a valid driver's license (and also a DUI).
He reportedly made nearly 4-million dollars (salary & bonuses) last year, but now the Blackhawks' 20 year old so-called 'Golden Boy' is in trouble over.. 20 cents???
Patrick Kane and his 21 year old cousin got arrested in Buffalo, New York (his hometown) early yesterday, after allegedly beating up a 60 year old taxi driver, who allegedly failed to give them back their full change on a $13.80 cab fare; he was allegedly 20 cents short! Can that be right?
Patrick Kane Mug Shot; Cab Driver Jan Radecki
The Hawks are so far standing by their man Kane, pending full information being released on the case. Meantime, the cabbie's attorney has apparently softened up since yesterday; today he's saying the whole thing's been "blown out of proportion" and that he's hopeful to work something out with Kane. (Is that a ... wink-wink? ... show-me-the-money deal, or what?)
All that, as the Kane cousins now face felony robbery charges and misdemeanor counts of theft and criminal mischief. Patrick Kane, the 2008 NHL Rookie of the Year, has pleaded 'not guilty.' First step in trying to stay out of the penalty box and get back on the ice.
It's going to be a while before the scandal-plagued south suburban cemetery can re-open; no day is set. Even though the evidence gathering on-site is now complete, ofificials say cleanup and organizational things need to be taken care of before people can once again visit.
The sheriff can't say whether others might also be charged in the scandal. He says they will just follow wherever their continuing investigation takes them.
The Chicago-schooled, one-name singer whose racy 'Birthday Sex' song has been getting a lot of radio-play, will now be 'tweeting' to Chicago Public School students.
CPS has tapped Jeremih to help get the 'back-to-school' message out to students via the social networking site Twitter.
Some of his 'B-S' lyrics:
1-2-3... Think I got you pinned
Don't tap out, fight until the end
Ring that bell, and we gon start over again
We grindin with passion, 'cause it's your birthday
maybe we can float on top my waterbed (bed)
You close your eyes as I improv between your legs
Girl you know I-I-I, Girl you know I-I-I
Don't need candles and cake
Just need your body to make...
Birthday sex... Birthday sex
oohoohoohooh
(It's the best day of the year girl)
Birthday sex... Birthday sex
oohoohoohooh
Some local parents and community activists alike have expressed concern over CPS hooking up with Jeremih. Check out the CLTV news clip posted here:
So, what do you think?
Is Jeremih a good role model choice for Chicago kids? Hey, he's apparently a smart guy; graduated from Chicago's Morgan Park High at age 16; he studied engineering at the University of Illinois, before ultimately transferring to Columbia College to study music.
Let's face it, Jeremih is popular right now (thanks to his hit song) and so kids might listen to and follow his 'tweets' to show up for school this Fall..
-- though perhaps, just not on their... *Birthdays.
Hey, this is no joke! An African woman, a journalist, is on trial for that offense -- facing 40 lashes if convicted of the vulgar act (under Sudanese law). Her name: Lubna Hussein. Her mission: change her part of the world for her fellow females.
Lubna Hussein
Today, outside of the courtroom, police reportedly fired tear gas at and beat other women (some in pants) who came to protest Hussein's trial for illegally wearing trousers in public. In Sudan it is considered the height of indecency, based on an ultra-strict interpretation of Islam. The case has now been adjourned for a month.
********
43 year old Lubna Hussein was arrested July third at a popular cafe in Khartoum, along with a dozen other pants-wearing women. While, ten of them were fined and flogged two days later, Hussein and two others have opted to go to trial.
She says she hopes to rally support to change the law she calls both un-Islamic and oppressive, going so far as to say she'd accept 40-thousand lashes.. if that's what it takes to abolish this law.
Check out my chat below, with Tribune transportation reporter John Hilkevitch, regarding a once-imprisoned, former Northwest Airlines flight engineer who was convicted along with the plane's pilot and first officer of
--Flying Drunk! Which, is now the title of a new book penned by the flight engineer (who since went on to work for American Airlines).
>
Given that John Hilkevitch continuously keeps tabs on the transportation industry, his hunch that many intoxicated pilots could potentially be flying under the radar, so-to-speak, has me concerned for the flying public (including myself).
So what about this idea? You know those breathalyzers that some DUI-convicted motorists must now blow into and pass before their car engines will start...?? Well, what about having them in the cockpits of planes?
While it might look weird seeing the pilot blowing into one, as you're boarding your flight, I'd feel a lot safer having him drive my plane
--if I know he (or she's) sober!
Illinois state lawmakers passed the buck on this one. So, the governor, not willing to accept the un-balanced (read: big defecit) budget they passed earlier this month, has now taken out the proverbial budget axe.
Word is Quinn is using a combination of state employee layoffs, furloughs and cuts in healthcare, prisons and other programs to cut one billion dollars in state spending.
One elderly Milwaukee man showed up in Woodstock Thursday morning to welcome home his son-in-law, thank him for risking his life for us Americans. That son-in-law is a member of the Illinois National Guard's Delta Company. But not all of Delta's 60-some members, deployed one year ago, made it home.
Should Gay-Owned Chicago Businesses Get Special Access To City Contracts?
44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney think so; just like other minority businesses get special contract access. It's an issue Tunney, the city's first openly gay council member, has also championed in the past (though it never got anywhere the last time, six years ago).
Tunney's plan would include Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender entrepreneurs.
But opponents of the plan believe it would be difficult to document such sexual status, to make sure people aren't trying to game the system.
At any rate, if such an ordinance came to pass, Chicago would apparently be the first place in the country to have city contracts earmarked for Gay businesses.
Today, Senator Dick Durbin announced Illinois will get more than $25 Million in recovery Act funds to hire 106 new police officers across the state.
The money is part of the $1 Billion in funds being distributed across the country through the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), COPS Hiring Recovery Program.
Chicago will get more than half of the state's share.
The investigation into Michael Jackon's death is continuing. (His personal doctor's Vegas home and Houston office have been searched looking for possible evidence of manslaughter; Dr. Conrad Murray was there when Jackson died.) Meantime, some interesting side-notes on the King of Pop's apparent lifestyle are coming to light.
--Jackson reportedly used a prescription anesthetic, like an alarm clock. It had to be administered by a doctor, with the physician then having to stop the I-V drip at the time Jackson had set to wake up.
--When officials arrived on scene after Jackson's death, they found the upstairs temperatures to be stiflingly hot. Gas fireplaces and the heating system were on high because Jackson apparently always complained of feeling cold.
--The room Jackson slept in, in his rented Beverly Hills mansion, was reportedly outfitted not only with an I-V drip, but also three oxygen tanks (15 more tanks found in a security guard's shack).
--A porcelain girl doll wearing a dress was found on top of the covers of the bed where he slept, according to one official.
--Word is, another of Jackson's bedrooms was in shambles, with clothes and other items strewn about. Plus, handwritten notes were reportedly stuck on the walls, one reading: "children are sweet and innocent."
It's a great deal to be had. Either 35-hundred or 45-hundred dollars off on a qualified, new, high mileage vehicle - if you trade-in an old gas guzzler.
xxxxxx
Roger Rudin, General Manager at Willowbrook Ford/Kia, says the only downside he can see to the whole thing is there will be alot fewer three to five thousand dollar *used vehicles out there for people to purchase privately. As for the billion dollars in federal funds potentially running out before all dealerships who've made the clunker deals can get their federal reimbursement, Rudin says, "I think if that happened, I would have to think the government would probably put more money into the fund."
Under the rules of this new federal program, the gas guzzler must have been owned and insured by the person trading it in, for at least a year. And, the clunkers CAN'T be resold. The dealership MUST turn them over to a junk yard where (though some things can be salvaged), for the most part, the engine and more must be destroyed.
For more information on the federal government's 'Cash for Clunkers,' the so-called CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System) program, go to: http://www.cars.gov/
By the way... There is now a consumer alert on this program. Illinois' Attorney General is warning about websites popping up using *similar names. Many inaccurately say that you must first 'register' for the program.. and ask for *personal information. DON'T FALL FOR IT!
They say they were frantic! But they kept it together; acted quickly, once they saw that 5 pound newborn boy in their west suburban backyard early one morning, last month.
He called 9-1-1 (says he had trouble dialing; it was all so overwhelming). She just desperately tried to attend to the little boy, as they waited for medical help to arrive.
NEW YORK (AP) - Walter Cronkite, the premier TV anchorman of the
networks' golden age who reported a tumultuous time with reassuring
authority and came to be called "the most trusted man in
America," died Friday. He was 92.
Cronkite's longtime chief of staff, Marlene Adler, said Cronkite
died at 7:42 p.m. at his Manhattan home surrounded by family. She
said the cause of death was cerebral vascular disease.
Adler said, "I have to go now" before breaking down into what
sounded like a sob. She said she had no further comment.
Cronkite was the face of the "CBS Evening News" from 1962 to
1981, when stories ranged from the assassinations of President John
F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to racial and
anti-war riots, Watergate and the Iranian hostage crisis.
It was Cronkite who read the bulletins coming from Dallas when
Kennedy was shot Nov. 22, 1963, interrupting a live CBS-TV
broadcast of the soap opera "As the World Turns."
Cronkite was the broadcaster to whom the title "anchorman" was
first applied, and he came so identified in that role that
eventually his own name became the term for the job in other
languages (Swedish anchors are known as Kronkiters; in Holland,
they are Cronkiters).
"He was a great broadcaster and a gentleman whose experience,
honesty, professionalism and style defined the role of anchor and
commentator," CBS Corp. chief executive Leslie Moonves said in a
statement.
His 1968 editorial declaring the United States was "mired in
stalemate" in Vietnam was seen by some as a turning point in U.S.
opinion of the war. He also helped broker the 1977 invitation that
took Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to Jerusalem, the breakthrough
to Egypt's peace treaty with Israel.
He followed the 1960s space race with open fascination,
anchoring marathon broadcasts of major flights from the first
suborbital shot to the first moon landing, exclaiming, "Look at
those pictures, wow!" as Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon's
surface in 1969. In 1998, for CNN, he went back to Cape Canaveral
to cover John Glenn's return to space after 36 years.
"It is impossible to imagine CBS News, journalism or indeed
America without Walter Cronkite," CBS News president Sean McManus
said in a statement. "More than just the best and most trusted
anchor in history, he guided America through our crises, tragedies
and also our victories and greatest moments."
He had been scheduled to speak last January for the 50th
anniversary of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala.,
but ill health prevented his appearance.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
What's in a name? Many Chicagoans are now grappling with the idea of what to call the tallest building in America, the Sears Tower or the newly named Willis Tower?
What do you think? Will you still refer to Chicago's landmark skyscraper as the Sears Tower? Post your comments below.
The entertainment news website, TMZ, that first broke the news of Michael Jackson's death is now reporting LA police are treating it as a *homicide investigation. Guess who the chief suspect is?
Alleged Cemetery Plot Mastermind: Who IS This Woman?
Her Name: Carolyn Towns
Her Former Job: Manager; Burr Oak Cemetery; Alsip, IL
Her Current Position: Jailed
She's charged (along with three former grave diggers) in connection with an alleged plot to **re-sell burial plots at the south suburban cemetery.
It allegedly involved digging up bodies and dumping them in a pile on the cemetery grounds, so their old gravesites could be re-sold and re-used. It also allegedly involved burying some new bodies right on top of ones already in the ground. The situation has had thousands flocking to the cemetery, as well as calling and emailing officials, to try and determine whether their loved ones' graves are still intact.
Sounds like a pretty Soul-less thing to mastermind.
But then on the other side of the coin, there are those who describe Towns in reasonably glowing terms. -Those- being some of her fellow congregants at First Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood. They paint her as a nice lady; a nice person.
Word is Towns also sang in the church choir.
So, one could also say she was somewhat.. Soul-ful?
What's your take on the picture of the President at the G8 Summit?
It's being circulated on the internet in incriminating fashion- and while video shows Obama about to extend his hand to the lady behind him, French President Nicholas Sarkozy's smile seems to suggest he's seeing the sights, too.
If 'You' Could Decide The Punishment For The Burr Oak Cemetery Grave Robbers....
WHAT WOULD THAT PUNISHMENT BE?
Hundreds of graves have been desecrated, dating back at least four years and possibly.. decades. The Cemetery in south suburban Alsip has turned into the site of a ghoulish nightmare for many.
Officials now acknowlege coming across complaints about Burr Oak that date back *years. The Reverend Jackson also expressed concern about three cemetery workers killed there in the 1970's, about whose deaths little is known. The fear: perhaps they uncovered past abuses and were silenced for it?
The investigation continues
Officials say cemetery records have been altered; some destroyed. Meantime, efforts were underway Friday to get a temporary restraining order to stop further burials at Burr Oak, because the burial problems are continuing there. Also, separately, state officials are working to pull the cemetery's licenses and ultimately force out the owners.
And yes, lawsuits are beginning to be filed. A class action suit is also in the works for the many families affected. But again, if YOU were the presiding judge over the four former cemetery workers so far charged in the case...
--What would YOU sentence them with?
History Making California Teen 'Wings' Into Chicagoland
You look at her really cute self and realize she could easily be a Teen Miss America. But, such a goal might perhaps seem frivolous to this Los Angeles girl who's already accomplished one sky-high goal and is not yet done soaring!
Kimberly's 16 year old sister is also in the flying program** and has set her own aviation records.
**TAM - Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum - provides scholarships and after school programs for LA-area kids in need, who then in turn do some community service work. TAM's based out of the airport in Compton, California.
With the big LA event now history, Michael Jackson's next memorial is slated for Friday night in his hometown of Gary, Indiana (6pm, at the downtown ballpark).
If you can't make it, a Chicago-based tour bus company is getting ready to offer a tour down Jackson Memory Lane in Gary.
Jackson Family Gary House
The reportedly included stops: the Jackson house, the steel mill where his dad worked, the grocery store where the family shopped and the former nightclub where a very young Michael made his professional debut in 1966. (cost: 55 bucks)
A list of top entertainers past and present took the stage in Los Angeles today to pay tribute to the King of Pop.
Michael Jackson's golden coffen draped with crimson flowers also there, in front of an audience of thousands, Jackson fans, friends and family, there for this final public good bye.
Some have criticized it as too big of a spectacle, too celebratory, like a big concert. A rabbi, who was once a spiritual advisor to Jackson, expessed outrage that the event didn't focus enough on Michael himself, a man who leaves behind three children.
The Lovable Losers and their legendary landmark of a ballpark are now headed to the Ricketts family for 900 million dollars.
That has sports watchers wondering what the billionaire financial gurus will do to the Friendly Confines.
"This is obviously an iconic place," says Chicago Tribune Cubs beat writer Paul Sullivan. "There's been a lot of talk that they want to make some changes in the grandstand, the triangle building, perhaps some amenities around the park to add some revenue and we haven't really heard from the Ricketts what they plan to do."
Should they plan to do anything?
Sullivan says if they do, they'll likely stay true to the old-school design and atmosphere.
"Tom Ricketts is a guy who kind of grew up in Wrigley Field, came here in college, and partied in the bleachers- so he's a Wrigley Field lover," Sullivan says.
Would You -Want- To Go To Michael Jackson's LA Memorial?
The big event is planned for Tuesday (7-7) morning in Los Angeles. Eleven thousand 'free' seats have been made available in the Staples Center (site of the memorial) and another 65-hundred in the adjacent Nokia Theatre (they'll apparently get a video feed from the main event).
To have a chance at a ticket, you had to register online -- more than a million-and-a-half people reportedly did! Now those who've succeeded get a voucher good for two tickets; one for themselves; one for a person of their choice.
Police say anyone *caught scalping the free tickets ( and 'caught' may be the key word) faces arrest. (Jackson tickets are reportedly selling on Ebay for a couple grand).
But would you really want to be there in LA? I think if you lucked out with a near-front-row seat at the Staples Center -- that could be pretty cool. Though getting there could be nuts, considering police are preparing for a crowd of around a million converging on nearby streets surrounding the arena.
Might be a lot better (both view -and- safety-wise) to watch from home, via your TV.
This evening I covered yet another crime which makes no sense.
The Cook County Medical Examiner has ruled 67-year old William Hallin was killed due to blunt head trauma and assault in the the basement of a building which he was renting out in the 5000 block of S. Talman Ave.
Hallin's body was later burned, and neighbors say they're certain the crime was committed by a man living in the upstairs unit.
Just Thursday, one neighbor told me, that man shot a b.b. gun at her from across the alley, screaming that she "wouldn't understand, he's lost someone close to him."
Sounds like he went crazy, and an innocent landlord paid the price.
Hallin's wife died seven years ago, but he leaves behind children and a grandson.
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.
Marillac: State Cuts Could Wipe Out A Program That's Helped Generations
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?
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?
'United' Delays: Life's a GLITCH - and then you FLY!
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.
Michael Jackson's Will - Apparently No Mention of His Father
Perhaps in some ways it can be reassuring to the rest of us, that even the most famous and wealthy families have their problems. Joe Jackson at his son's side during Michael Jackson's child molestation trial
It's not entirely clear that Joe Jackson's left out of any inheritance from his son, but that's reportedly the case. The current 2002 Michael Jackson -will- now officially filed in a Los Angeles court apparently doesn't refer to him. Though some experts believe another more recent will could still possibly surface; there's a good chance such a document also wouldn't include the family patriarch, as he and his famous son reportedly had a strained relationship.
Katherine Jackson
It's also interesting, that in granting custody of his three children to his mother, Katherine Jackson, the back-up to her in that role (if she can't fulfill it) isn't another family member. Michael Jackson wished for legendary singer Diana Ross to raise his children if his mother can't.
The state’s budget year ends at midnight but lawmakers are still in Springfield trying to agree on a last-minute spending plan.
Governor Pat Quinn says an income tax increase is the best way to raise revenue.
He says if lawmakers don’t pass the tax hike, he will be forced to make drastic cuts to social service programs.
But lawmakers have been against raising taxes. Nonetheless, the governor "remains optimistic" that a new spending plan will be approved in time.
And yes, I mean 'flying luggage!' If you've ever had the privilege of viewing a game of 'hurl the bags' it's thoroughly entertaining. That is, until you realize that could be 'your' suitcase the airline baggage guys in the bowels of the plane are playing 'hit the luggage cart' with.
A couple months ago, I watched some baggage people miss the cart, as the bag in question then slammed on to the tarmac instead. Of course, it then gets picked up and 'slammed' on to the cart. Nice.
When I got back from the trip I was on and the folks in my group retrieved our bags -- three of the four were damaged. Even though we paid extra to check the bags, the airline (U.S. Air) informed us paying to fix those they wrecked was not their problem. Also nice.
Thought it was interesting, when on another airline's (American) flight over the weekend, they made a big point of saying how *careful they are with your bags. Extra nice? Or should I say - Really?
Anyway, my gripes aside, one Congressman from Illinois is now looking to address his own luggage-related airline gripes via a new bill. Check out the link below for more.
One woman in attendance today at the Michael Jackson memorial service at Sweet Holy Spirit Church said one reason she admired the King of Pop so much was that before he came along, "MTV was all white."
The "Thriller" video certainly changed that.
Does anyone remember MTV in those two years pre-"Thriller"?
Here's a photo from my evening at a wonderful tribute concert commemorating the 50th anniversary of Motown Records, which included the work of Michael Jackson.
It was held at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, where fans spent most of their evening on their feet, dancing to the music Michael and Motown made famous.
I danced (poorly) with a Michael Jackson impersonator to "Thriller," but what M.J. song brings you to your feet the fastest?
As a news reporter, I have incredible access to incredible situations almost everyday, but I have RARELY felt the need to document any of these situations for myself. That's probably because in the news business- it's just that, the business, and though I'm not proud of it, I oftentimes don't appreciate the importance of many things I'm fortunate enough to witness.
That's not the case with the death and remembrance of Michael Jackson, a legend whose music has played in the background through the three decades in which I've lived.
So today, I took pictures of the scene outside the Gary, Indiana Jackson family home for myself- something I haven't done in three years covering news in Chicago.
Many I spoke to got out their old records, or made a trip to the record store to buy the ones they didn't have.
Some dusted off their Sega Genesis "Moonwalker" game, while others just started moonwalking themselves.
Jackson fans: What are you doing to remember his legacy?
Jackson fans: What did you do to mark the day? I'
Faithful Michael Jackson fans started flocking to his childhood home in Gary, Indiana at 4 this morning.
Samantha Moritz and her dad drove from the town of Highland, Indiana to pay their condolences to the king of pop.
Now, 15, Samantha swears she fell in love with Jackson's music at the tender age of 3. Samantha clutched a laminated photograph and autograph of Jackson. She got them during Jackson's last visit to Gary in 2003.
Mayor Rudy Clay of Gary, IN says he intends to permanently memorialize the legacy of the town's most famous citizen, Michael Jackson.
There's talk of turning Jackson's childhood home at 2300 Jackson Street into a museum, and the mayor also mentioned moving the home and building a museum around it somewhere visible from the expressway.
Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop", has died at a Los Angeles hospital. The former Gary, Indiana resident was 50 years old. Stay with CLTV for continuing coverage on this developing story. You can also leave your comment below about the life and legacy of Michael Jackson.
We sometimes joke within our newsroom when we're covering hot weather and giving survival tips (same during freezing temps) -- that it seems sort of dumb to report on this .. as people who live here already know what to do when the temperatures and humidity soar.
But the reality is: though we all seemingly *know what to do, we don't all do it. For proof just look back to the deadly Chicago summer of 1995 - when more than 700 people died heat-related deaths. It was like an epidemic had hit the city. But in fact, it was a case of folks not doing what needs to be done to survive extreme heat and potentially deadly heat stroke.
The elderly were especially susceptible in 1995's extreme Chicago heat. (Tribune photo by Walter Kale)
Below are some hot weather survival tips:
--avoid caffeine and alchohol
--drink extra water and eat frequent small meals
--wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
--plan any strenous outdoor activity for the early morning or evening hour
--stay *inside from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the hottest part of the day
Heat Exhaustion Symptoms:
(include) pale and clammy skin, heavy perspiration, dizziness, weakness, headache or cramps, nausea and fainting
Heat Stroke Symptons**:
(incude) high body temperature, skin that is red and dry, rapid pulse and loss of consciousness
**Get Help Immediately If You or Someone You Know Experiences the Above Symptoms.
Melissa Swiontek's 2-year old daughter has been missing now for almost a week, and this evening she joined with an army of volunteers to go door-to-door in Gary and Hobart, asking neighbors if they have any information regarding the disappearance of Jada Justice.
Police and F-B-I have been busy searching the woods near Jada's babysitter's home, but Swiontek won't go there.
"We're not looking in the woods, we're not looking in abandoned houses," Swiontek told me.
She instead is focusing on the possibility that Jada is in the home or yard of a neighbor who has not yet heard of the little girl's disappearance.
Is such a scenario a possibility?
Has anyone in Northwest Indiana NOT heard of Jada Justice?
Clarence Justice spent his Father's Day thinking positive thoughts about his missing daughter.
Jada Justice, who is almost 3 years old, has been missing for almost a week.
She was last seen Tuesday night with her 18-year-old babysitter - who is also her cousin. Angelica Castillo has told authorities that she left Jada in her unlocked car while she ran into a Gary gas station to grab a gallon of milk.
The Lake County State's Attorney is scheduled to meet with law enforcement Monday morning in connection with the disappearance of 2-year old Jada Justice.
Why?
We're not sure.
Angelica Castillo, Jada's 18-year old cousin and baby sitter, was being held as a person of interest in the case on possible child neglect charges, but she's been released.
On Friday, Hobart police said they believed there were individuals related to the case who were not being "forthcoming."
What do you believe will come of Monday's meeting?
Ronald Holt walked into the Cook County Criminal Courts Building this morning with his son still fresh on his mind.
Jury selection soon was to get underway today for the trial of a 17-year-old accused of gunning down Holt’s16-year-old son, Blair, on a CTA bus in May 2007.
Holt expected to sit through hours of jury selection; instead, he received an unexpected surprise.
After a spokeswoman for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan confirmed she did indeed fly to Washington D.C. last Friday to meet with President Obama regarding the Illinois Senate race, speculation is swirling regarding Obama's endorsement.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says the President is endorsing no one, but the meeting seems to suggest otherwise.
Here's what Gibbs had to say Thursday in his daily briefing:
"Let me be explicit. The President is not going to pick a candidate in the Illinois Senate race. The President has a very long relationship with the Illinois Attorney General dating back to their time in the State Senate and has enormous respect for what she's accomplished there and has as Attorney General. I think she would be a terrific candidate, but we're doing going to get involved in picking that candidate."
Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times responded, "Then why did you call her into the White House, or somebody did?"
"I don't know whether she got called in or she came in," Gibbs said.
"So could you find that out by the way?" said Sweet.
"I might, I might not," Gibbs laughed.
"Robert when you say that, it just doesn't square with the reality on the ground that the DSCC has been polling for her," Sweet stated.
"I clearly don't control the DSCC," Gibbs retorted.
"Could you just try to say more succinctly and clearly what you said?" Sweet asked.
Gibbs' response:
"What I said frankly was succinct and clear. I said we're not picking a candidate, we're not going to endorse in this race. Does the President have enormous respect for the Attorney General? Absolutely. That was succinct and rather clear."
Another reporter chimed in:
"Then why go as far as you did in talking about her, in what a great candidate she would make?"
"The President has enormous respect for her. He sat next to her in the State Senate," Gibbs responded- clearly annoyed.
What do you think?
Are the President and his staffers working on behalf of Lisa Madigan, as their meeting may suggest?
Or is it blown out of proportion?
2 year old Jada Justice went missing in Northwest Indiana Tuesday night.
IF YOU'VE SEEN HER CALL: 1-800-CALL-FBI
***
A sweet little girl, according to those who know her.
Description: 2 feet 2 inches tall, 35 pounds, dark hair, brown eyes. Last seen wearing an orange skirt; a white, orange and green tank top; white sandals, purple underwear.
So, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has some beef with our Commander in Chief. Apparently the advocacy group is upset over President Obama's enormously skillful ability to kill flies. Check out this video.
As you can see, during a television interview, the President did what millions of people around the world do on a daily basis -- he swatted a fly that was bothering him.
Blues Man BUDDY GUY Celebrates 20 Years of 'Legends'
What a Guy.. that Buddy Guy! A True-Blue(s) Star, who keeps it Real.. and keeps 'em Coming Back.
Buddy Guy's Chicago Blues club - Legends - celebrated *20 years in business Tuesday night. Quite an accomplishment, when you consider that many, many other Blues clubs, here and across the country, have been shuttered over the years. In terms of working to keep *his place open, Guy says, "We lost so many great people that play the Blues and I'm doing my best to keep the Blues alive."
(** Buddy Guy anniversary pictures thanks to photographer - Paul Natkin)
Of course, among those now gone: Chicago's own Blues queen, Koko Taylor, who died earlier this month. Just one of the music Legends who'd show up to play at Buddy's place (others have ranged from B.B. King to the Rolling Stones). Koko's passing actually caused Guy to cancel the original June 9th date for his club's big anniversary party. Last night, Taylor's long-time base player Melvin Smith played at Buddy Guy's bash. He told me if Koko were still around 'Congratulations!' is the first thing she'd say to Guy & Company -that- and 'Let's pitch a wang dang do' - translation: let's have a good time!
And as far as I could tell, folks definitely did. They seemed to be having a blast. A big part of it, seeing and hearing the award-winning Guy perform (a Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame music-legend-in-his-own-right).
The man's now in his seventies, NOT that you'd know it. He owns the stage and the audience. One young woman exclaimed it's, "The music that moves your feet!" "Amazing!," was the word from a guy in from Barcelona (Spain - just one of the countries represented in the audience pool.. also heard some fans from France and Lithuania were in the house). Folks of all shapes, colors and ages showed up to celebrate. At one point someone in the crowd yelled, "We love you Buddy."
Check out this You Tube clip of Buddy playing his newest awarding winning album 'Skin Deep' on Letterman.
Good 'Guy'
"One of the nicest guys you'll ever meet," says Dan Henley, who plays in a band with one of Buddy's daughters. Guy's club manager, Harvey McCarter calls him the, "Best boss I ever had." He's thankful he's kept the place open and kept them all employed. Singer Sharon Lewis, who did her first professional gig at Legends in 1993, says Guy's about "Encouraging the young, the young talent coming up."
Guy, himself, came up the hard way. A Louisiana sharecropper's son, he landed in Chicago in 1957. I first heard his story first hand 11 years ago, when I interviewed Mr. Guy for a special CLTV segment. Check it out...
Funny thing.. I really didn't think Buddy Guy would remember me, when I saw him again last night at his big 20th anniversary bash. He did. Started talking about that 1998 interview of ours.
How fun is that! The Chicago Park District has lifted a ban on Surfing at city lakefront beaches.
NOT that I'D want to do it. But I might just volunteer my news colleague Judy Wang to do one of those reporter-involvement-type stories, where SHE could then ride those Lake Michigan waves. Hey, she claims to know how to surf. Says she learned in California. You know, where they have those Ocean-size Waves.
Speaking of waves, not sure how this Chicago thing's going to work. I mean, outside of stormy weather those local Lake Waves don't really seem Hang Ten-able, do they? But then, what do I know.
Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis Gannon is predicting painful concessions on the part of the unions to avoid the potential layoffs of more than 1500 city workers July 15th.
He says he hopes to strike a deal with Mayor Daley by the first of July, a deal which may include:
-reduced work-weeks
-reduced schedules
-furlough days
-unpaid holidays
-pay cuts
-delayed prevailing wage increases
-comp time instead of overtime
-increased health care contributions
-reduced sick time accrual
None of it sounds appealing to union members- but what would you be willing to give up to avoid the layoffs?
Here's a sampling of what doctors attending this year's AMA meeting at the Hyatt Regency are saying in advance of President Obama's address:
"Our concern is that our patients have access to care, to affordable cancer care. The number of bankruptcies in this country that medical patients face are astounding. I don't know that people are aware of it."
-Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, Oncologist, GA
"This didn't happen in 1992, and he's here to talk to us. What he says I think is just opening up a dialog."
-Dr. Larry Jones, Urological Surgeon, FL
"I want to hear him say 'we will not pursue a public plan option that's strictly based on Medicare reimbursement.'"
-Dr. Jerome Adams, Anesthesiologist, IN
"We want to cover the uninsured."
-Dr. Patrice Harris, Psychiatrist, GA
"A whole bunch of physicians are practicing defensive medicine. We need to decrease the amount of defensive medicine practiced, which means tests are done simply because the patients are asking for them and to avoid the possibility of a lawyer in the future asking 'why did you not do that test?'"
-Dr. Richard Pieters, Radiation Oncologist, MA
"I would like to hear what he's going to do about the medical students coming out of medical school with more debt than what it costs to buy a house in California."
-Dr. Patricia Austin, Opthamologist, CA
During the improv session which followed Saturday night's performance of "Rod Blagojevich Superstar," Blagojevich himself told spectators what he really thought of the show.
"Thought it was all bull@#$%!" the ex-governor quipped.
He then proceeded to ask Second City comics how they spell "Blagojevich."
"B-L-A-G-O-J-E-V-I-C-H," one spelled.
"That's what I learned in law school!" Blagojevich laughed. He's often poked fun of his days as a "C student at a B law school," which in his case was Pepperdine.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has refused to say if President Barack Obama has indeed actually kicked his habit of smoking- but he did say if he were to comment on the matter himself, Obama would respond: "struggling with a nicotine addiction is something that happens every day."
Obama was quite the smoker in Springfield during his days as a little-known state senator, but under the glare of a national campaign, he resolved to quit and began chewing nicotine gum to help in his efforts.
In December, Obama told NBC's Tom Brokaw that he would not be violating the White House's no-smoking policy, but that there were indeed times that he's "fallen off the wagon."
Here's a rookie mistake by NBA Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose.
He's not very love-a-bull in this photo.
Rose says he flashed the "pitchforks" sign of the Gangster Disciples Nation while attending a party as a student-athlete at the University of Memphis- but in a statement he issued today, Rose says he meant the picture "as a joke... a bad one, I now must admit."
Car Hits Train, Driver Walks Away With No Injuries
It was an unbelievable site on the Eisenhower Expressway this morning.
A mangled Dodge Charger sat sandwiched underneath a Blue Line L train.
State Police say Jose Rivera's car somehow left the roadway near Central Avenue, jumped a concrete barrier wall and landed right on the Blue Line tracks, where it was eventually struck by a train.
The following frequently asked questions (and answers) have been provided by the Illinois EPA.
Q: What additional exposure did residents get by breathing the vapors of water that could have been contaminated with vinyl chloride?
A: Drinking the water is the most important pathway for vinyl chloride to pose risks to exposed residents. Exposure via the skin while showering or bathing would be insignificant since the gas, vinyl chloride, would evaporate very quickly from hot water.
Q: What if residents drank, bathed and showered in the blended well water/ Lake Michigan water and cooked with it for the 10+ years before the appearance of the vinyl chloride, during which time the water was contaminated with other drycleaner solvent breakdown products? What risk does exposrue to these solvents from 1985-2007 add to the vinyl chloride exposure risk?
A: The IL EPA has no information that any of the drycleaner breakdown products, other than vinyl chloride, were ever in the Crestwood PWS well at concentrations greater than their respective MCL. MCLs are considered by the U.S. EPA to be the maximum level of a contaminant at which no known or anticipated adverse human health effect would occur, and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Thus, the IL EPA believes that throughout this time period, the exposures to chemicals other than vinyl chloride did not add to anyone's health risk.
Q: What if residents used this contaminated water for gardening?
A: Vinyl chloride is a stable and persistent chemical when it is found deep in groundwater where there is no oxygen to help bacteria break it down into harmless molecules. When vinyl chloride is exposed to sunlight, air and soil bacteria in the garden, it rapidly breaks down and it is not absorbed by the plants. Rapid degradation also occurs with the other volatile organic chemicals that the IL EPA suspects were present at low levels during the 20-year period. Gardeners who watered their gardens with Crestwood PWS well water from 1985-2007 and ate their produce are not at risk from the vinyl chloride in the Crestwood water.
Q: Are there any other areas served by the Crestwood PWS whose residents may not realize that water was being sold to their township or municipality by Crestwood?
A: A part of unincorporated Palos Heights is part of Crestwood's PWS distribution system. Crestwood village officials report that the only unincorporated area receiving Crestwood PWS water is the area bounded by 127th Street on the north to 131st Street on south and by Monitor Avenue on the east to Austin Avenue on the west; a total of 93 homes in this area are served by Crestwood PWS water.
Chicago Alderman Carothers Pleads 'Not Guilty' -- Maybe?!
You either are or you aren't right? Guilty, that is. Right?
Well, it appears Chicago Alderman Isaac "Ike" Carothers (29th Ward) isn't guilty of federal corruption charges - based on the 'not guilty' plea he entered in federal court today. But there's also a chance, according to his attorney that he might switch it up to 'guilty,' once they can evaluate the evidence the feds have against his client.
Kinda like ..only having to own up to murder... if there's a body found?
Oh yeah, also got some of *that* potentially goin' on in Chicagoland, don't we?
Right.
For More:
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/06/carothers-alderman-corruption-arraignment-not-guilty-bribe-fraud.html
Governor Pat Quinn is asking the state legislature to increase the Illinois income tax rate by more than 50%, but his foes in Springfield say "no way."
I had a chat with Republican Sen. Kirk Dillard this evening, who is mulling a run for governor himself.
He says Illinois' budget problems can be solved by calling in AFSCME, the union which represents state workers. Dillard says they're getting a 15% raise in the midst of the biggest recession most of us have ever lived through.
"Who else is getting a 15 % raise in these economic times but state workers?" Dillard asks.
He wants Gov. Quinn to reopen AFSCME contracts, and perhaps unleash funds to this debt-mired mess.
"Let's set down and be realistic," Dillard says. "These workers should not want their brethren laid off or their jobs eliminated, perhaps they ought to renegotiate their contract. So there's a lot of options out there other than doomsday scenarios."
Gov Quinn says if the legislature fails to pass his version of the budget by the June 30th deadline, the state's education, mental health servies, and assistance for the poor and unemployed will all suffer.
Do you think Sen. Dillard's idea is viable?
Do you think Gov. Quinn is using scare tactics?
Yesterday I blogged about the tragic case of 32 year-old Norma Favela, beaten to death inside her northwest suburban Hanover Park home by her boyfriend, 31 year-old Rafael Alvarado.
Alvarado has been charged with first-degree murder and intentional homicide of an unborn child. Favela was eight months pregnant. We've learned his weapon was a hammer, and his motive: suspicion of infidelity.
Go on! Adopt that Really-Cute-Once-Abused Doggie in the Window!
40 abuse connected dogs -just in from Tennessee- are now in residence at Chicago's Anti-Cruelty Society, a no-kill pet shelter. Check out the short video story posted here.
Officials at the Anti-Cruelty Society tell me there's is a 7-Million dollar annual operation, heavily dependent on donated funding. They place thousands upon thousands of dogs and also cats (June is Adopt-a-Cat month) into adoptive homes each year. For more go to http://www.anticruelty.org/
From the Chicago Tribune: Koko Taylor, the Grammy Award-winning "Queen of the Blues," died this afternoon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital of complications from surgery, according to Marc Lipkin of Alligator Records. She was 80.
Two young men are now charged with the shooting death of 27-year-old Chicago Police Officer Alejandro "Alex" Valadez.
21-year-old Kevin Walker and 20-year-old Shawn Gaston each face three charges tonight:
First Degree Murder
First Degree Murder of a Peace Officer
Attempted Murder
According to Chicago Police, Gaston was the shooter and Walker was the driver.
Valadez was in plainclothes when he was shot in the head and leg about 12:15 Monday morning. Police say he and his partner were standing outside talking with someone when the shots were fired.
It's sad that not only did a 27-year-old officer die in this tragedy, but that two young "men" are now charged in that death.
'HE' being 29 year old Desmond Hatchett of Knoxville, Tennessee.
'HE,' who appears to have whipped out his 'personal baby-making hatchet' with frequent regularity and success.
"HE' being the father of (count 'em) 21 (TWENTY ONE) kids!
-- fathered with... like a dozen.. different women!!
(Also check out this blog: "Oughta There Be a ...SPERM Law?")
SPERM-DADDY
Look at him. Poor thing looks exhausted. And who wouldn't be. All that sperm-delivery, 'plus' working his minimum wage job.
The latter (i.e. his low pay) being the reason his level of child support is soooooooooooo low and apparently non-existent in some cases (he's been called to court numerous times).
Reportedly the mothers of Hatchett's babies (which range in age from 11 months to 11 years) are entitled to up to about 300 bucks a month. But again, he doesn't earn much money and under the law the government's only allowed to take up to 50% of his pay check to cover child support. Word is when you divide that up to cover 21 kids, some of the moms would only get a buck-98 a-month.
I believe a SPERM-Daddy Reality TV Show is The Ticket -- the answer to everyone's Problems.. and Questions.
Problem solved; more money comin' in to cover all that child support (as condom makers and vasectomy clinics would probably love to advertise on the show).
Question answered; since he ain't got no cash, what kind of incredible 'line' he uses to get all those wanna-be mommies in the sack!
Plus, while he *demonstrates his lovin' moves on almost-real TV -- no one would actually get hurt, cuz Mr. H claims he *doesn't plan on having any more kids. Meaning what? He *did plan for the first 21? Wow.
It's wasn't the first time we've seen Patti Blagojevich on television.
But instead of reading to children or cutting a ribbon to open a hospital, Mrs. Blago was eating a tarantula and chatting with Spencer and Heidi Pratt from the Hills.
Yes, folks, I watched (some of) "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!" on Monday night.
It was interesting. It was amusing. It was embarassing.
Did you watch the show? What did you think?
I'll be interested to see what the ratings were for Chicago.
Desmond Hatchett was hauled into a Knoxville, Tennessee court over alleged failure to pay child support for four (4) of his kids. That's when it came to light that he also has 17 other offspring conceived with 11 (eleven!!!) different mothers.
Listen. Not judging here, however, if you're gonna whip it out and play.. shouldn't you also have to pay?
Poor thing apparently can't help it. According to his attorney, Hatchett makes only minimum wage, so truly he needs state assistance to pay all that kid support. (Interestingly, he didn't apparently need any assistance in conjuring up those kids.)
Mr. Hatchett now claims he doesn't plan to have any other children. Whew! Tennessee taxpayers (i.e. Hatchett Child Supporters) can now rest easy and assured. But what about those 21 kids he's already had? How are they resting?
Private suites, in-stall vanities, sconces, chandeliers and murals- they are all fixtures of what could be voted America's Best Restroom.
The Drake Hotel's Palm Court Powder Room is among ten finalists- and the only in Chicago- chosen in America's Best Restroom VIII Contest, sponsored by Cintas Corporation.
13-year-old Kavya Shivashankar won the entire enchilada Thursday night with the word Laodicean.
After spelling the winning word, which means lukewarm or indifferent in religion or politics, Kavya received huge hugs from her father, mother and little sister.
I find the spelling bee so interesting and inspiring.
On the news, we see so much of what's wrong with the world--especially when it comes to our children.
The National Spelling Bee, which started in the 1920s, shows that there's still a younger generation to believe in.
I visited the area surrounding 29th ward Ald. Ike Carothers' local office today near Madison and Austin- and I got an earful.
I wasn't expecting ward residents to wholeheartedly defend their own against the actions alleged today by the feds, but I was not prepared for such quick condemnation.
They don't sound happy with Carothers, and it sounds like they haven't been for his entire ten-year tenure.
Ald. Isaac Carothers (29th), a staunch ally of Mayor Richard Daley, was indicted today on charges he accepted about $40,000 in improvements to his residence as well as meals and tickets to sporting events in exchange for backing a major project by a developer.
I've reported on some heinous and heartless crimes over my career, but this is one of the cruelest.
Earlier this month, 15-year-old Alex Arellano's brutalized body was found in a gangway on the Southwest Side. He had been beaten, burned and shot in the head.
I’m not a political reporter, but I occasionally cover politics. I’ve talked to Roland Burris numerous times over the past two years and he always seemed like a genial person – and an honest person, at least by Chicago standards.
But this morning, I saw a very different side of the man who is now the junior senator from Illinois.
Today, the the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois released the audio from an intercepted phone call between Senator Roland Burris and Robert Blagojevich. Click the link to listen:
He's still in jail. Still laughing. Despite predictions to the contrary.
Drew Peterson called-in 'collect' to a Chicago radio show Wednesday afternoon -- doing some jailhouse comedy schtick 'live' on the air.
He suggested having a contest: 'Win a Conjugal Visit with Drew!' Other of his material dealt with his legal fees, his 'bling' handcuffs and ..prison showers.
While some may be appalled, Peterson says humor is how he deals with stress. Certainly the former Bolingbrook cop is under at least *a little, given he's charged with murdering his third wife and is a suspect in the disappearance of the 4th one. Though for his part, he continues to maintain no wrongdoing.
Drew Peterson's in jail right now, because last Friday a Will County judge denied his request to have his 20 million dollar bail reduced, so he could afford to post bond and get out of jail. Afterward, on the courthouse grounds a spokesman for the family of his missing wife (Stacy Peterson) said, "He thought that all this was a joke. In the very beginning, he probably thought he would never come to see this day. And now that he sees the seriousness of it, he's no longer laughing."
Well, he is laughing. Question is: At what exactly?
If you believe what you read, Senator Roland Burris may be in a heap of trouble.
Transcripts of phone conversations, secretly recorded by the FBI, show that Burris may have begged the brother of former Governor Rod Blagojevich for an appointment to the U.S. Senate.
In exchange, Burris agreed to make a campaign contribution to Blago.
I haven't read the transcript yet. But a federal judge Tuesday said the recordings should be given to a Senate Ethics Committee looking into Burris' appointment.
Rod Blagojevich, of course, was impeached in January for, among other things, trying to "sell" Barack Obama's former seat in the Senate to the highest bidder.
What do you think of this allegation? Do you think Burris lied when he said he didn't make an offer of payment of some sort?
Do you think the news media should leave Roland Burris alone and let him serve out the rest of Obama's senate term until January 2011?
Up until 15 years ago, we never really heard of such cases.
The most recent, that of 38-year-old Jennifer Espinosa. She was a teacher at maine East High School in suburban Park Ridge.
Ms. Espinosa is now charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse--admitting that she carried on an 8-month affair with a 16-year-old boy who is a former student.
Rich Martorelli has been medically retired from the U.S. Army since June of 2007, but he'll never be able to put his experiences in the armed forces behind him.
"It's just a movie played over and over inside my head," said the Antioch native today at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, where he was among the veterans honored this Memorial Day by the North Chicago Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Martorelli suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder stemming from his stay in Iraq- where he lost 32 friends in combat during the course of one year.
But the good guys finish last, right? That is how the saying goes, right? And right now the Blackhawks do have their backs against the wall in hockey's best of seven Western Conference finals. They're down three games to one. The Detroit Red Wings could blow the Hawks off the ice for the rest of the post-season come Wednesday.
But even if they don't make it to the final fight for the prestigious Stanley Cup, Hawks' chief Rocky Wirtz and his ice men have definitely come a long way in a short time. So in that sense, these good guys truly *won't be finishing last, no matter what happens from here on out.
Check out my two-part interview with Rocky Wirtz posted here. It ran after Friday's big Hawks' win. (Really too bad they had to then lose on Sunday.)
Father Michael Pfleger is temporarily flipping his church's flag in honor of Memorial Day.
Earlier this month, Pfleger turned the flag the flies at Saint Sabina Church upside down as a "distress signal" to draw attention to the young people killed by gun violence in Chicago.
It happened early Saturday morning near 117th and Wentworth- a man broke into Loretta Sanders' home through the basement window and sexually assaulted her ten year old daughter.
He got away without Thomas getting a good look at him, and police need your help finding the offender. Here's the police description:
One game now separates the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings in their playoff series- the Red Wings lead 2-1 but the Hawks host Game 4 on Sunday.
There's another "but" however.
Two Hawks left Game 3 with injuries- winger Martin Havlat and goalie Nikolai Khabibulin.
Drew Peterson looked around the Will County Courthouse court room Friday afternoon. Gone the joking, laughing-type attitude he's become known for - in the wake of his becoming a suspect in his third wife's murder (which he's now charged for) and his fourth wife's disappearance.
He did jolly up just a tad when his lead attorney, Joel Brodsky, walked over. Other than that, he just sat cuffed and chained in his behind-bars-garb, stamped 'Will County Jail' across the back.
He's now stuck in that outfit for who-knows-how-long. His big bond's not going to be reduced.
A federal lawsuit, filed this week in Chicago, claims Kraft Foods is using false advertising.
In the lawsuit, Sara Lee claims Kraft is misleading consumers with ads presenting Oscar Mayer hot dogs as superior in taste tests to Sara Lee’s Ball Park franks.
Ball Park and Oscar Mayer each claim to be the nation's largest hot dog-maker, but Ball Park has been gaining on its main rival in recent years. Data from Information Resources Inc., a market researcher, show that Ball Park surpassed Oscar Mayer in market share last year.
Ahhh... How I long for the days of a simple Oscar Mayer ad that wasn't reason for legal action.
The following statement is the latest information received from the Will County Coroner related to the discovery of skeletal remains on the banks of the Desplaines River near Channahon:
It's hard to imagine what the loved ones of Stacy Peterson and Lisa Stebic must be going through right now.
This morning, an autopsy will be performed on the badly decomposed body found yesterday by a cleanup crew on the banks of the Des Plaines River near Channahon and Interstate Highway 55.
That's an area where searchers have looked for Peterson since she disappeared Oct. 28, 2007.
I know it's been in west suburban Melrose Park for 81 years -- but so what?
Kiddieland Then
I know I didn't grow up in Chicagoland, but I've lived here for a loooooong time, so I still say..
-- so what?
Kiddieland Now
A family fued of some sort (one part of the family owns the park; the other the land it sits on), has now led to the lease apparently not being renewed. Kiddieland is to close after this 2009 season.
If a *family behind a supposedly fun place for *kids .. can't get along..
---then what are they really showing kids anyway?
Besides, there's plenty of other fun stuff to do in Chicagoland. It's part of what makes it such a great place to live.
It was an on again, off again affair with the Cook County Board.
President Todd Stroger, who pushed through a one percent sales tax hike last year, last week vetoed a vote to do away with the tax increase.
He did so, facing a possible veto override by commissioners.
The cards were stacked against him.
Two weeks ago, the Board voted 12-3 to rollback the one percent tax that gave Chicago the dubious distinction of having the highest sales tax in the country. Two commissioners were not there for that vote.
Stroger said doing away with the one percent sales tax would leave a $400 million dollar budget hole which would mean closing down county supported hospitals and medical clinics.
In order to override the veto, the Board needed 14 votes. Not only didn't it have that. It didn't have the 12 original votes.
The Cook County Board tested embattled President Todd Stroger’s veto power today.
Commissioners supporting a rollback of a penny-on-the-dollar sales tax increase needed 14 out of 17 board members to side with them to override Stroger’s veto of a measure to withdraw the tax increase.
Illinois' former First Lady, Patti Blagojevich, apparently now has an offer from NBC to be one of the contestants on the reality television show "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!"
If she accepts, she would take over for her husband, Rod Blagojevich, who had the orginial offer from NBC to be on the show that tapes in the Costa Rican jungle.
A judge already said the former governor couldn't leave the country to be a part of the show.
An attorney for Blagojevich says Mrs. Blagojevich made make the deal because the family needs the money.
Do you think Illinois' former First Lady should take part in a reality TV show?
The Drew Peterson drama is heating up again. The ex cop turned murder suspect has to sit in jail for a few more days.
At his arraignment today on murder charges, Peterson’s attorney, Joel Brodsky, planned on asking that Peterson’s $20 million bond be reduced. But that effort was put on hold after prosecutors, in a surprise move, requested that the judge in the case be taken off the case “on the ground of prejudice” against prosecutors.
Sister Marie Marot is wearing her habit, and will for the remainder of her trial on a traffic violation charge.
The 24-year old nun, who is a member of the Fraternite Notre Dame order, had a collision with another car in Elgin back in October of 2007. The crash was deadly- killing a 16-year old boy from Carpentersville.
Prosecutors didn't want the nun to wear her religous garb, because it may garner sympathy or prejudice among potential jurors.
The judge ruled Sister Marie could stand trial in her habit.
RNC Chairman Michael Steele called the honorary degree the University of Notre Dame conferred upon President Obama today "inappropriate" given his divergent views on abortion and stem-cell research from those the Catholic Church teaches.
Would the decision to withold that degree have stopped the massive protests on campus during commencement exercises?
I couldn't remember the name of the man who spoke at my graduation from the University of Notre Dame back in 2004.
Maybe most folks can't name their graduation speakers, but as Domers- my fellow alumns and I tend to believe our school is simply more "special" than the rest, and for that reason- I bet my friends' memories are equally clouded by the tradition of commencement day and the anticipation of four years- and in many cases a lifetime- coming to fruition in the receipt of our diplomas.
President Obama will receive one of those diplomas Sunday, just as through a scrapbook search I was reminded that Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page did on my day five years ago.
But it was my day, shared with friends, roommates and family members that traveled across the country to witness what so many proud moms and dads for generations have dreamed for their kids.
They were likely listening as the first black justice in his state gave us graduates some advice about breaking barriers and accomplishing our dreams.
But for that class, and at that school, so many of us already did.
That's the case in every class at every university, particularly ones with such prestige. It's a sacrifice for families and an accomplishment for the graduates that no one can ever take away.
It's my hope that the President and accompanying campus protests won't distract the Class of 2009 and those who join them from the real meaning in tomorrow's commencement.
They're the newest graduates set to begin their lives outside the shadow of the Golden Dome.
That's what matters.
They'll just be more likely to remember who took the podium.
After more than 200 tip calls about Chicago Police Dog "Bear" who ran off during Wednesday night's thunderstorms, a $2,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to his return.
"Bear," a 2 ½-year-old German Shepherd, scaled a fence and fled from his handler's backyard
in the 3800 block of 109th St. after he was startled by a sudden clap of thunder Wednesday
night.
Hyungseok (Henry) Koh of Northbrook has been charged in the April 16th stabbing death of his 22-year old son Paul.
Koh is currently being held at the Cook County Jail on a $5 million bond, which his attorney says shows "outrageous prejudice" on the part of the office of the Cook County State's Attorney.
Defense lawyer Elliot Zinger says his client is seen as a flight risk, simply because he's Asian.
What a Friday this has been for one Hanover Park family. Their home was devastated by a fast-moving fire earlier today, but the family of four managed to escape unharmed.
As I walked up to the burned out shell in the 2100 block of Laurel Avenue I could see what looked like a kitchen chair but not much else in the charred rubble.
Here's a picture of the missing member of the Chicago Police K-9 Unit.
The German Shepherd named "Bear" escaped during Wednesday night's storms after being spooked by the clap of thunder.
Bear ran north from his handler's home in the 3800 block of West 109th Street at about 10:30 p.m., and he was last spotted running on the campus of St. Xavier University.
If you see Bear, you're asked to call Chicago Police immediately at (312) 746- 7180.
Will Wisconsin Be Next With Marriage for Gay Couples?
From North of the Stateline...
Late Thursday, the court announced it would take up a case thrown out of Dane County court last year.
In 2006, Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and civil unions.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court will look at a challenge to that vote. Namely, whether the referendum illegally put two issues to voters at the same time: whether to ban gay marriage and whether to outlaw civil unions.
Lubna Hussein
Jackson Family Gary House
Jackson 5
Katherine Jackson
The elderly were especially susceptible in 1995's extreme Chicago heat. (Tribune photo by Walter Kale)
