Recent Contributions
How to Replace Oprah? They’re Working on It
by JIM KIRK | Jan 7, 2011
With the collective attention of the television industry centered this week on the launch of OWN, Oprah Winfrey’s new cable channel, the Chicago television station where it all started was preoccupied with the question raised many months ago: how to replace Ms. Winfrey when her daily show ends in September?
Groupon’s Biggest Deal Could Transform City’s Tech Start-Ups
by JIM KIRK | Dec 2, 2010
Chicago has been home to far bigger transactions than the one being discussed between Google and Groupon. But few, if any, have had as much riding on it for the city as this $6 billion deal does.
Preckwinkle, Berrios Cruise To Victories in Cook County
by JIM KIRK | Nov 2, 2010
Two big Cook County races were decided early Tuesday night. In the battle for Cook County Board President, Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th Ward) at around 9 p.m. announced that she was “proud” to be Cook County Board President.
Election 2010: Blogging The Illinois Vote
by JIM KIRK | Nov 2, 2010
Chicago News Cooperative reporters and photographers were on the scene reporting live from various campaign headquarters throughout the city. Scroll down for updates and photos from inside election night. 1:20 a.m. Quinn Sees ‘Landslide’ in Tight Governor Race Flashing a small smile, and paying tribute to his opponents, a visibly drained Gov. Pat Quinn spoke
Rift in the Wirtz Family Is Playing Out in Court
by JIM KIRK | Oct 23, 2010
When Peter Wirtz sold his food-service contract at the United Center in 2009, it marked an unusual split within the private, wealthy family whose assets include half of the stadium, the Blackhawks, a giant liquor distributorship and real estate.
Learning Tools: A Look Inside Austin Polytechnical Academy
by JIM KIRK | Oct 14, 2010
In 2005 Dan Swinney, chairman of the Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council, approached the Chicago Public Schools for help reviving manufacturing in Chicago. The result was Austin Polytechnical Academy, whose mission is to redefine vocational education in Chicago and beyond, and revive the city’s manufacturing industry by educating the next generation of advanced manufacturers—part engineer and
A Cooling Trend on Cap and Trade
by JIM KIRK | Aug 12, 2010
Like much of the Northern Hemisphere, Chicago is suffering through one of the hottest summers in recent memory, raising more discussion about global warming.
Tribune Co. Embarks on a Risk-Filled Reshaping of WGN
by JIM KIRK | Jul 10, 2010
The Tribune Company has come under scrutiny over the past few years for the jarring changes that a management team, laden with radio industry executives, has made to its stable of newspapers. But it is the dramatic and risky revamp occurring inside the bankrupt media company’s flagship radio station, WGN-AM 720, that is now making
Tens of Thousands Greet Stanley Cup Champs
by JIM KIRK | Jun 11, 2010
With a parade route jammed with a crowd more than 20 rows deep at times, the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks made their way through the Loop to the roar of tens of thousands of fans and sprays of ticker-tape and confetti.
For DDB, New Leader Must Bring Luster Back
by JIM KIRK | Jun 10, 2010
In February 2008, 40-year-old Paul Tilley, then head of the creative department at DDB Chicago, one of the city’s largest and most prominent advertising agencies, checked into the Fairmont Hotel just steps from the the agency’s offices and, soon after, leaped to his death from an upper floor.