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* Jobless claims highest since 2001
* CN sweetens pot on rail deal, but not enough, critics say
* Tribune editorial: Cancel the cannon order
Civil wars drown even innocent bystanders in brotherly bloodshed. So before Chicago’s outer suburbs place orders for cannons, before inner-ring communities float a navy, let’s all chill and take a fresh look at Canadian National Railway Co.’s offer to buy the underused Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway.
* City Hall’s No. 1 charity
In just a few years, Mayor Daley’s wife has built one of the fastest-growing charities in Illinois.
The charity — After School Matters — has seen its revenues soar 243 percent from 2003 to 2006, from $5.3 million to $18.2 million, according to the latest reports it’s filed with the Internal Revenue Service. […]
The charity gets donations from city contractors who can no longer give money to Mayor Daley’s campaign fund as a result of the reforms he imposed three years ago in the wake of the Hired Truck scandal.
* City expected to ban driving while texting - Web surfers would be fined $75, too
Distracted driving has come a long way in the 95 years since the invention of windshield wipers prompted fears that drivers would be “hypnotized” by the back-and-forth motion.
* Planned Parenthood marks 1 year in Aurora amid controversy - Supporters, opponents of clinic claim successes; protests continue near its doors
* Alderman demands soundproofing near Midway
“This group has invested a lot of money. They’re gonna want to maximize that investment. It’s gonna be up to me to see how many flights they’re talking about. That’s why the soundproofing is so important. That’s very important to me and my consituents,” Zalewski said.
* Chicago cab fares to increase in 2009
Chicago taxicab fares will be going up in 2009 for the first time in four years, but not because cabbies are threatening to “paralyze the city” if they don’t get an increase, a top mayoral aide said Wednesday.
Consumer Services Commissioner Norma Reyes said she’s sympathetic to the United Taxidrivers Community Council’s request for a 16 percent fare increase.
* Rolling toward a fare standoff
* Lawmakers raise alarm on compensation plan changes
“Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a situation where recent history has forced us to be suspect of even the most mundane-looking items.”
* Electronics recycling bill becomes law
* Ex-Lake County chief judge must stand trial on DUI charge, court rules - Judge says police had cause to stop David Hall, who resigned after being arrested in April
* Libertyville Supervisor Moore to retire
* Aurora opens doors to foreign trade
* Bobby Skafish interview
* James Munger 1926-2008
James Munger ran the Garrick Restaurant in the Loop for 20 years and helped start an association that harnesses the buying power of hundreds of Greek restaurateurs in the Chicago area.
Mr. Munger, 82, died Tuesday, Sept. 30, of complications from leukemia at his Deerfield home, said his son Andrew.
* Tropicana Field: Orange-ja glad you’re not there?
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 8:57 am
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Previous Post: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax
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I’d like to see a followup story on the expenditures of After School Matters. Worthy concept, of course, but the devil’s in the details, and that’s a lot of money.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 9:08 am
I still think it stinks. So, the pay to play money goes to a Daley-preferred charity … this benefits Chicago taxpayers HOW?
A new variation on an old scheme, figuring “who’s going to prosecute contributions to charity?” It might help to see (probably in coming years) who will be on the board and in executive positions making big bucks.
Comment by Snidely Whiplash Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 9:18 am
It just occurs to me now: Their records are kept by Lois Weisberg and Department of Cultural Affairs? This is the outfit that couldn’t account for the public art set aside money they got from building developers.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 9:22 am
A few years ago, then-Will County Democratic Party Chairman Larry Walsh appointed himself to the IL Senate seat vacated by Tom Dunn so Dunn could become a Will County Judge.
Walsh leaves that job to run for Will County Executive. Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to DUI. And now this……
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1197618,4_1_JO02_INVESTIGATION_S1.article
Comment by Garnsey III Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 9:22 am
Dear Alderman Burke:
In my many years of experience, I have hear of a great many accidents caused by people picking their finger(s) nails while driving.
As such, I hereby ask that you IMMEDIATELY pass a law requiring all drivers to have nice neat finger nails (but not too shiny — that might distract drivers too!) BEFORE entering any vehicle.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Very truly yours,
Skeeter
P.S.: Contrary to what others say, I agree with you: A simple law barring negligent or distracted driving will NOT solve this sort problem. WE MUST BE SPECIFIC!
Skeet
Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 9:24 am
Munger created a terrific organization that has engaged in many charitable functions and supported many charitable causes. It was nice to see the article about his efforts. He will be sorely missed in the Greek-American Community.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 9:38 am
I would suggest the communities take the $60 million from CN and run, if they can’t squeeze a few more pennies out of the deal. $60 million is a lot more $ than existing communities who have 100+ trains a day ever got for their coexistence to a busy rail line. Remember that there’s an alternative for CN to lease or get trackage rights (not buy) on the EJ&E line where they would not have to pay a dime to the communities for their increased rail traffic.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 9:39 am
While I am suspicious of anything CMS is involved in, they always seem to make things more difficult than need be, they make more work for all the other agencies who used to do fine on their own, their programs actually cost the other agencies more money than if CMS were not involved, and they are a control freak agency that takes direction straight from the gov; I am very suspicious of a governor chosen private entity being put in charge of our deferred comp funds. If this is done I would prefer that T Price Rowe take on all of the administration of the fund as I think so far their part of the program has been very good. They communicate very well with the share holders. Who ever is chosen to control the fund there should be full disclosure of every move they make in regards to the fund. I agree with Mr. Poe, if the gov gets any control at all or has the ability to touch the money at all I will pull my money out. That would be like making John Dillinger the CEO of your bank.
The State Investment Board wonders why state employees are suspicious of anything this administration does? Wow!!! they are quick!!
Comment by Irish Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 9:53 am
Wonder if Defered Comp will be able to dump dog funds sooner? They kept John Rogers Ariel around forever as workers $$$$ went down the sewer.
Fritchey is right to look closely.
Was Atwood the guy who never noticed Stuie until the FBI knocked on his door? Or was that some other stooge that Blagoat kept around?
Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 9:55 am
Is it International Talk Like You AIN’T Got No Education Day? I’m all for the occasionaly ain’t but let’s hit the thesaurus, please
Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 10:57 am
According to published studies, rail traffic in and out of Chicago will double by 2035. Bottom line is that traffic along the EJ&E is going to increase whether Barrington, Naperville, Plainfield, or Griffith Ind like it or not. If this buyout is nixed, then it will be a ‘haulage’ type agreement where STB has no say whatsoever. Barrington etal will have the trains but no moey whatsoever. Heck, BNSF and Union Pacific alrady have trackage rights over significant portions of the EJ&E so they could up thier train counts tomorrow without government position.
I agree that there will be tremenous effects from this, but also that the suburbs need to know that there is a point where they need to take what they can get, cut their losses and accept it. If they don’t then the alternative might be worse.
train111
Comment by train111 Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:43 am
Whatever baseball team you may favor… or loathe… I think it’s fair to say that Tropicana Field is a good example of how NOT to build a domed stadium. As often as thunderstorms hit Tampa-St. Pete, the Rays do need a dome. (The Marlins do as well!) If a replacement stadium is ever built there, I’m sure it will have a retractable roof — probably incorporating some lessons on hurricane resistance from Houston’s Reliant Stadium.
Rich, be glad your beloved Sox didn’t move there 20 years ago. I’m a Cubs fan, but I’m from Central Illinois, so I don’t have any North Side/South Side animosity towards the Sox. But I’ll cheer for an NL team over the AL because I don’t like the DH, pithcers are players too.
Comment by cover Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 1:39 pm