JAMES WARREN
James Warren is a news columnist for the Chicago News Cooperative. He formerly was managing editor and Washington bureau chief of the Chicago Tribune and the publisher of the Chicago Reader. The veteran journalist is also a political analyst for MSNBC and a contributor to The Atlantic.
Jim came to Chicago in 1977 to join the financial section of the Chicago Sun-Times, where he worked as a general-assignment reporter and wrote about business, legal affairs and labor issues. In 1984, he moved to the Chicago Tribune as its labor and legal affairs writer. He later became the paper’s media writer and editor of its Tempo lifestyle section.
Recent Contributions
by JAMES WARREN | Jan 23, 2012
Since members of the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem venerate the Old Testament, they probably know that the Book of Judges includes a reckless Samson telling Delilah that if his hair were cut, his strength would disappear. Bad move. It was probably stupid, too, for a prison guard to order the forcible shearing of the
by JAMES WARREN | Jan 20, 2012
Joy Ebere and Chicagoans from 45 nations jammed a federal courtroom on Tuesday to take the oath of citizenship in a poignant ceremony with children and adults proudly holding small American flags. “I can’t really explain how I feel, it’s been such a long journey,” said Ebere, a nurse who lives in Arlington Heights and
by JAMES WARREN | Jan 16, 2012
While shoveling out a Honda Civic on Friday morning, I was reminded of my utterly utilitarian perspective on cars. I want them to get from Point A to Point B efficiently. That’s it. My thinking is one reason Howard Tullman says he believes the American auto industry is deluded, despite its current euphoria over increased
by JAMES WARREN | Jan 13, 2012
Consider the 1,001 little movements we take for granted, like reaching a few inches for a salt shaker or trying on new shoes. Most involve simple reflexes and signaling from the brain to our arms, hands and fingers. But for many people — 750,000 have strokes each year in this country, and an estimated 60
by JAMES WARREN | Jan 8, 2012
On Thursday I asked four government officials who deal daily with secret documents about the significance of the unauthorized disclosure of American diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks. There was silence in the meeting room at the Marriott Chicago Downtown. Then Carl Ashley, who oversees declassification in the State Department’s office of the historian, spoke with succinct
by JAMES WARREN | Jan 6, 2012
You would ditch your credit cards and just carry cash if you knew the tale of Annette Sandoval, April Hicks and Sean Vanderhack, all of Chicago. The three last week lost a Federal Appeals Court case involving sentences they received for fencing high-end stolen goods. Their sentences were 12 years in prison (Sandoval, the ringleader),
by JAMES WARREN | Jan 2, 2012
With all due respect to John Lennon, it’s hard to imagine no heaven, countries, possessions, greed or hunger. So let’s imagine more prosaic prospects this new year: Imagine the Illinois citizens who can buy Powerball, Mega Millions and Lotto tickets online as early as April! Now throw in the possible 75,000 video poker terminals for
by JAMES WARREN | Dec 30, 2011
Nobody appeared to be discussing Washington’s latest obsession — payroll taxes — or turned a head as a top presidential adviser ambled into the packed Streeterville breakfast joint. Indeed, as David Axelrod waded into this crowd a few days ago, and apologized sincerely for being late, it was easy to understand why. He resembled a
by JAMES WARREN | Dec 26, 2011
The cavalry may be on the way. But until it arrives, some of Chicago’s most at-risk citizens — many of whom were once productive members of the community — will be in greater jeopardy from what experts describe as a frequent nonsystem of care. Expect more of those who are uninsured to be turned away
by JAMES WARREN | Dec 23, 2011
Black, white and Latino factions in the Chicago City Council are feuding over boundaries for a new ward map necessitated by population changes. It could force an expensive election referendum. These 50 Democrats are chumps compared with party colleagues in the state legislature. Those guys know how to chew gum, draw a map and stick
