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* Illinois foreclosures dip, but don’t expect it to last

The last time Illinois saw a year-over-year decrease in foreclosures was in November 2008.

“But that was followed by substantial year-over-year increases in subsequent months,” said Daren Blomquist, a spokesman for the Irvine, Calif.-based research firm.

Either way, Illinois was No. 9 during the quarter and No. 10 during March nationwide in terms of the number of foreclosures.

* Home sales up in March after weak start to 2010

* City’s foreclosure crisis creating raccoon problem

* Some laid-off CTA workers offered jobs back

The employee callbacks, which are based on seniority in specific job categories, are needed to maintain the reduced service levels imposed in February, Rodriguez said, and they do not mark an end to the agency’s budget crisis.

* SIUC furloughs possible, but not certain

* Ikenberry, other university presidents grilled in Senate

* Wal-Mart issue resurfaces with living wage ordinance, plan commission vote

* Aldermen To Debate Wal-Mart

* Ald. Lyle seeks ‘living wage’ rule as panel votes on Wal-Mart

* Aldermen postpone vote on much-criticized watchdog measure

* Council balks at massage parlor ordinance

Ald. Joe Moore, 49th, however, said he had heard from many massage therapists opposed to the ordinance.

“This is a legitimate business, and they have a right to operate a legitimate business without going through undo hurdles,” Moore said, saying the proposed ordinance was too broad. “I think it’s like swatting a mosquito with a fly sledgehammer….There are enough regulations on business in this city.”

Ald. Mary Ann Smith, 48th, said she supported delaying a final vote on the ordinance because it would create a burden for the physical therapy businesses that are proliferating in her North Side ward.

* Mayoral Insider Takes Helm of Colleges Board

Aldermen didn’t ask Chico any questions, not even about his lobbying business.

* Ald. Beale — who irritated cops — to head City Council’s Police Committee

Although he has cozied up to Daley recently in his push to develop Pullman Park, Beale was elected to the City Council in 1999 with the staunch support of State Sen. James Meeks and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson (D-Il.), longtime Daley critics.

And Beale has turned himself into a political punching bag with a series of proposals viewed as anti-police.

* Daley picks Beale to lead City Council police and fire panel

* Aldermen sign off on Daley’s choice for park board president

* Daley wants to double lakefront liquor licenses

Liquor sales would be cut off at 10 p.m. at 23 of the 25 locations, one hour earlier than is currently allowed.

But the booze could flow for an extra hour — until midnight — at Northerly Island, apparently to accommodate the popular outdoor concert venue there. Liquor sales already continue until midnight at Millennium Park.

* Daley’s plan has ’em drinking up along the lake

Daley also wants to allow liquor sales at the South Shore Golf Course, the Ohio Street Beach in Olive Park, Calumet Beach House in Calumet Park, Diversey Driving Range and Miniature Golf Course, DuSable Harbor Building, the South Shore Cultural Center, the 31st Street Boathouse in Burnham Park and the 87th Street Harbor.

* Daley open to wind turbines off Lake Michigan

Daley said there is consideration being given to putting smaller turbines on three water-intake cribs that are two miles out on the lake.

* Daley intrigued by wind turbines in Lake Michigan

* Evanston takes a look at wind turbines in Lake Michigan

* [Aurora] Aldermen renew lobbyist’s contract, demand monthly reports

* [Homer Glen] Sales tax helps shore up budget

* Homewood approves budget with staff cuts

* Ex-[Crestwood] mayor fit to be interviewed in water pollution lawsuits, judge rules

Lawyers for Stranczek, who served as mayor from 1969 to 2007, had argued that he suffers from dementia and isn’t capable of testifying.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 10:06 am

Comments

“This is a legitimate business, and they have a right to operate a legitimate business without going through undo hurdles….There are enough regulations on business in this city.”

….Alderman Moore’s definition of “business” must exclude retailers with 75,000 square feet of interior space. Has anyone thought to as if these massage parlors pay a “living wage” or allow unionization of their workers?

Comment by grand old partisan Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 10:38 am
Ald. Moore and his constituents have vast shopping opportunities in the neighboring suburbs. It’s always easier to be principled on issues that don’t effect you in the least.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 10:45 am
People who support the living wage ordinance have experiences with business - how? How many jobs have they created? How many businesses have they operated? Since when do these aldermen think they know more about doing this kind of work than one of the nation’s largest retailers?

Are they next going to tell Ford how to make a car? Are they going to pass an ordinance that tells farmers they can farm, but not get dirty? Are they going to start telling every Chicagoan how much they should earn, spend, be taxed, or what percentage they should give to charities?

These are political people passing ordinances on issues they haven’t a clue about. They are doing this for political reasons alone. They somehow have come to believe that they know more than everyone else regarding this issue, are too arrogant to listen to those who know, and too stupid to recognize how their ignorance in this area of expertise is strangling the city they mistakenly believe they lead.

These people are ignorant meddlers with big hearts. The worse kind of politicians.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 10:45 am
Perfect example of how gov’t interferes w/legitimate commerce in this city. Chauffered alderman making sure folk who perhaps can’t afford a car w/no public transit access to the suburban shopping centers resulting in them paying far more than they should just so the politicos can trumpet their living wage bonifides. Hey, we’re lookin out for you - just don’t come around lookin’ for a job (unless you paddle canoes).

Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 10:54 am
I love how all of the living wage bashers have such a smug attitude about their understanding of commerce and industry. The fact is that in many documented cases Wal-Mart openings result in a decrease of commerce in an area. A living wage ordinance would help ensure that the jobs Wal-Mart creates will actually have a net positive impact on the community.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 11:04 am
Rich, I know this is off-topic, but on Tax Day, shouldn’t the Department of Revenue make an effort to keep the web filing PIN inquiry working?

If their goal is to encourage electronic tax filing, their non-functional web page will force last-minute filers to (quickly) switch over to PAPER, mailed-in tax returns. They create more work for themselves, and also delay state revenue receipts, a lose-lose for the state.

Can’t someone at the Department of Revenue make a better effort to keep the web site functional at this most critical time?

Comment by cover Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 11:22 am
I love how all of the living wage bashers have such a smug attitude about their understanding of commerce and industry.

Unlike the proponents of the living wage ordinance, we don’t assume to have an understanding of commerce and industry. What we do know is that those with the knowledge regarding these issues, are being ignored in order to create an unsustainable experiment by people without a clue as to how the real world works.

A living wage ordinance would help ensure that the jobs Wal-Mart creates will actually have a net positive impact on the community.

That is the dream. And since it has never worked, it will remain a dream. It is better to listen to experienced knowledgable people with wisdom dealing with the issues debated, than listen to sweet dreams proposed by people who never stop dreaming.

That isn’t true. There is no proof of that.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 12:00 pm
Vman - So you’re telling me that corporations always make great decisions when left to their own devices? Who’s the dreamer?

Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 12:49 pm
The hypocrisy of these new liquor venues is striking. Daley has sought to eliminate the traditional Chicago corner bar, becqasue drinking is bad, and has cut down the number of tavern licenses in Chicago by something like a third. But when he needs City revenue, presto!

And don’t we all know which people are going to get the consession contracts to run those facilities?

It’s the old story: businesses lose, Daley cronies cash in.

Comment by Bubs Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 1:39 pm
=A living wage ordinance would help ensure that the jobs Wal-Mart creates will actually have a net positive impact on the community.=

Are there any studies that demonstrably conclude that living wage ordinances even work?

I do know the living wage pressure groups don’t even pay a living wage to their own staff.

Markets set wages. Politicians are horrible at setting them.

Comment by Brennan Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 2:04 pm
I said years ago that we should generate wind power on Lake Michigan. It’s a category 5 wind resource, according to the federal government.

Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 2:19 pm
Vman - So you’re telling me that corporations always make great decisions when left to their own devices? Who’s the dreamer?

Good heavens! YES! In what world have you been living in? Take some economic courses, study some market history - WOW! I can’t believe you actually question the basic tenants of Econ 101. Geez! It’s like explaining why a baseball diamond doesn’t sparkle like a diamond ring.

I’m confident you are wise in some area - but it isn’t in this field.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 3:38 pm
As a businessman, I have an understanding how commerce works.

I’m not a big fan of Walmart, but they’re the largest corporation in the world. The price is right. Some way, some how, the south and west sides of Chicago can’t benefit? What makes them so special?

As a businessman, I know a shakedown when I see one. That’s the only thing that’s going on here. If Walmart hired Burke’s law firm and bought land from Mell, there would be no problem.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 7:48 am