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* 508 Chicago kids shot in just 16 months

* Rookie Chicago officers and police need to be studied, UIC researcher says

* Craigslist ‘mystified’ by sheriff’s suit

* CTA’s bad gas bet

The CTA took a big bet on fuel prices this year, and so far is losing big.

The transit agency, facing a budget shortfall of $242 million, is paying $3.80 on average per gallon for diesel fuel — 66 percent higher than the market rate of about $2.29.

The entire $102.8 million fuel budget in terms of gallons is hedged — meaning the CTA locked in prices ahead of time. The agency’s fuel budget this year is nearly $13 million higher than it was for 2008, though the CTA is now driving more fuel-efficient hybrid buses.

* CTA set to collect $241 mil. in stimulus money

* Public transit ridership hits highest level in 52 years

Advocates say the ridership figures show growing support for public transportation. They hope to use that support to push for federal funding beyond the $8.4 billion in stimulus money set for transit. More investment in transit not only helps the economy, advocates say, but also helps the environment and fosters energy independence.

* Chicago Area Moves Closer to Stimulus Money

There are three different project lists that the Chicago area needs to send to the Feds in order to get stimulus money allocated for transportation projects; state project list, municipality list and a transit list. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning or CMAP recently finalized the first of three, the state shovel-ready project list. That includes things like road maintenance and rail repair projects that are ready to get started.

* IDOT finally may move on airport land

* 7,000 potholes out there, more on the way

About 7,000 potholes remain unfilled on city streets, officials said Saturday. Things will only get more hazardous, as March and April are the peak months for potholes because of the rapid shifts in temperatures, officials said.

City crews are working seven days a week. Since December, the city has filled more than 200,000 potholes — at a rate of 3,000 to 4,000 every weekday.

* State to consider new nursing homes

Proposals for two new Springfield nursing homes that would give Sangamon County more beds for low-income residents — as well as more private rooms and housing options for senior citizens — will be considered Tuesday and Wednesday by the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.

* On So-Called “Irresponsible” Borrowers

* Chicago renters are warned of foreclosure risk

* In defense of bad newspaper content

* Schock joins Fox News’ Team Washington Players

* Madigan Presses for Increased Access to Public Records

* Push is on for public records access in Illinois

* Tribune’s statement to Quinn panel

* SJ-R Opinion: Open government is good government

* Our Opinion: Public access counselor can play key role

* IL Senate honors passing of Paul Harvey, 90

* America says goodbye to radio pioneer Paul Harvey

* Homeless Candidate in Oak Park

A Cook County Judge is expected to issue an opinion this morning on whether a homeless man can run as a candidate for village trustee in Oak Park.

* Calumet Park latest to dump candidates from ballot

* Word on the Street: Parker’s timing couldn’t be worse

Peoria mayoral candidate General Parker said last week he is holding out for a little divine intervention in his quest to be eligible to hold elected office in Illinois.

That and a little help from Gov. Pat Quinn.

Unfortunately for Parker, political observers think it couldn’t be a worse time for a convicted felon seeking public office to cling to hope for a pardon from a governor who’s made a career of political crusades in cleaning up corrupt government.

* April elections blooming with nonaligned candidates

* Local elections drawing small numbers

* High winds wreaks havoc downstate

* Storm hits and runs

* Flood stage expected Monday on Illinois

Flood warning in effect as river may rise to nearly 25 feet by Friday

posted by Mike Murray
Monday, Mar 9, 09 @ 7:45 am

Comments

The CTA is always on the losing side of the equation.

They are the Washington Generals of public transportation.

Comment by Leroy Monday, Mar 9, 09 @ 8:01 am
Dart’s desperate to run for something new. Not sure anyone’s going to give him a chance.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 9, 09 @ 8:15 am
why is Dart using outside counsel for the lawsuit? aren’t there lots of attorneys working for the County?

Comment by Amy Monday, Mar 9, 09 @ 8:17 am
If (as I suspect) Schock’s congressional district is the one that gets carved into oblivion in 2012, he’ll be all set then to start a new career as a Fox News shill.

Comment by fedup dem Monday, Mar 9, 09 @ 8:27 am
To put things in perspective, if all rail systems (Amtrak, commuter rail, and light and heavy transit rail combined) doubled their U.S. transportation market share, they would be carrying 2% of all passenger miles instead of their present 1% market share. If they carried 10 times their present market share (a 1000% increase), they would be on a par with the airlines. This is how far rail transportation has to be ramped up to make a dent in the overall scheme of things.

Should we be spending money on new airports, fixing up old airports, new high speed rail, new transit extensions, fixing our highways, or all of the above? And how will we pay for it all? There seem to be a lot more good questions than good answers.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Mar 9, 09 @ 8:58 am
Is Dart seeking a specific fix? Or is he showboating?

The Sheriff’s Dept doesn’t have the money to hire the guards ordered by a federal judge (although there are plenty of deputy sheriffs process service and other cushy jobs), but Dart has money to screw around litigating with Craigslist.

If Dart wants something reasonable, Craigslist seems pretty amenable to reasonable requests. If Dart is looking to shut down ads for all erotic services, I’d like to know why Dart isn’t also suing the publishers of the phone book and newspapers for carrying ads for escorts, massages and strippers.

I suspect Dart is throwing money at a law firm that he considers a political ally to do something that is primarily about Dart appearing to be tough on prostitution.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Mar 9, 09 @ 9:54 am
BTW, it’s pretty well known that the newspaper industry hates Craigslist b/c they feel C/L has cut into their classified business.

So, it will be interesting to see if the newspapers cheer Dart for cutting into Craigslist’s business.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Mar 9, 09 @ 9:56 am
Re: “I suspect Dart is throwing money at a law firm that he considers a political ally to do something that is primarily about Dart appearing to be tough on prostitution.”

I can’t find the link I read, but I’m pretty sure the law firm in question took the matter “pro bono” (free of charge).

Comment by Should be a good fight Monday, Mar 9, 09 @ 1:40 pm