Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

 

City Hall

Black Political Clout Still Strong Despite Population Decline
Jose More
Black Political Clout Still Strong Despite Population Decline

Many of Chicago’s black political figures, despite seeing one of their own become the nation’s first black president, say the community’s local clout has diminished considerably in the generation since Harold Washington was the first black mayor. The notion of black political decline gained further credence in last year’s mayoral election, when efforts to unify

Burke Expects “Lively Discussion” of Protest Limits
Burke Expects “Lively Discussion” of Protest Limits

In his first public comments on the matter, Ald. Edward Burke (14th Ward) declined to make a case Thursday for his new proposal aimed at regulating crowd behavior at City Council meetings. At Wednesday’s council meeting, Burke and three other influential aldermen had...

City, County Announce $20 Million in Savings

The City of Chicago and Cook County have saved a combined $20.5 million since they began working together to maximize resources in June, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today. The two governments saved taxpayers...

Emanuel Interview Irks Teachers Union
Emanuel Interview Irks Teachers Union

As Chicago Public Schools begins what are certain to be contentious contract talks with the Chicago Teachers Union, Mayor Rahm Emanuel emerged as the star of a new online video promoting charter schools and ripping the union. An exclusive interview...

Proposal Would Limit Protests in Council Chambers
Proposal Would Limit Protests in Council Chambers

Ahead of this spring’s NATO and G8 summits, four influential aldermen on Wednesday proposed prohibiting audience members from waving signs or engaging in any “demonstration of approval or disapproval” during City Council meetings. Under the proposal, the banned conduct in...

Ex Alderman Began State Job Day He Applied
Ex Alderman Began State Job Day He Applied

When ousted 36th Ward Ald. John Rice started a new job recently in Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration, Rice said he did not rely on clout but rather applied for the $84,420-a-year position after seeing it posted online. But Rice’s job...

Former City Colleges Chief’s Sick Pay Windfall
Former City Colleges Chief’s Sick Pay Windfall

While many public and private employers have a “use-it-or-lose-it” policy toward sick time, Wayne Watson will be paid for most of the 500 unused sick days he accrued before leaving the top job at Chicago’s community colleges – a perk...