STRIKE: ON
UIC Workers Vote To Walk Off May 30 After Months Of Stalled Contract Negotiations

Mark V. Vlasic, 05/26/12

Principal, Madison Law & Policy Group; Senior Fellow & Adjunct Professor of Law, Georgetown University

Despite the fact that NATO might be "the most successful military alliance the world has ever seen," our transatlantic bonds go far beyond combined military operations. They are interwoven into the very fabric of our society.

Nicole Bires, 05/23/12

Major, Engineer Branch, U.S. Army

Why do I wear the uniform of the United States of America? Easy. I do it for you.

Andrea Kovach, 05/25/12

Staff Attorney, Shriver Cente

The Illinois General Assembly is currently debating where to cut roughly 18 percent of spending from the state's health insurance program for certain low-income populations.

Chris Krapek, 05/25/12

Film Blogger

Full frontal male nudity is the manifest destiny of dick jokes. It's all the hard -- and sometimes flaccid -- work of our forefathers of comedy finally paying off. Charlie Chaplin would be so proud.

Johnny Nevin, 05/25/12

Music and Dance writer, 4dancers.org

One of the most revolutionary developments in the art of choreography occurred gradually and unnoticed, as the ability to select music from multiple sources, and reconstruct that music into what is essentially a new structure, became widely available through software-based edititng.

Marshall Fine, 05/25/12

Author and film critic, hollywoodandfine.com

Based on a true story, The Intouchables tells the story of Philippe, a quadriplegic who hires a Senegalese immigrant named Driss as his caregiver. Driss, just out of prison for robbery, seems an unlikely choice -- but he and Philippe develop a bond that goes beyond employer-employee.

Caitlin Padula, 05/25/12

University of Chicago fellow and staff attorney, The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law

The Affordable Care Act is around to serve these veterans, just like they served their country. Take a few minutes this holiday weekend to think about veterans and their service. Don't they deserve affordable health care for themselves and their families?

Robert Bullen, 05/25/12

Self-professed Chicago theatre addict, writer, blogger, audience member

I've never seen anything quite like Bombs, Babes and Bingo, and the boundary-pushing Mortar Theatre continues to demonstrate why they are a force to be reckoned with in the Chicago theatre scene.

David Vognar, 05/25/12

Literacy Aide, Jane Addams Hull House Association

With moments of compelling commentary, the EPA forum provided a pressing reminder that there are real victims of our choice to pollute or put up with pollution, and in many instances those victims are from low-income areas.

Tom Engelhardt, 05/24/12

Editor, TomDispatch.com

Quiz Americans and a surprising number undoubtedly won't have thought about the "memorial" in Memorial Day at all -- especially now that it's largely a marker of the start of summer and an excuse for cookouts.

Lisa Bloom, 05/23/12

Author, 'Swagger: 10 Urgent Rules for Raising Boys in an Era of Failing Schools, Mass Joblessness and Thug Culture'

Young Americans, my generation has failed you. Standards have slipped, we've deprioritized education and we've hardly even noticed. And young Americans, you are suffering as a result, arriving into adulthood without the knowledge and skills you need.

John Maki, 05/23/12

Executive Director, John Howard Association of Illinois

If Illinois does not close Tamms, the state will face the certainty of substantial long and short-term costs that taxpayers cannot afford.

Nora Younkin, 05/23/12

Dance Artist

Sometimes it would seem audiences are afraid of modern dance because it's not evident what it's about. Let me tell you another secret: that's okay. Take chances. See something weird. Talk about it.

Mark Cassello, 05/24/12

Assistant Professor of English, Calumet College of St. Joseph and founder of "Love Notes from the Indignant Left"

At approximately 10:40 p.m. on Saturday, Jack Amico, a supporter of Occupy Wall Street who had traveled to Chicago to take part in the anti-NATO demonstrations was allegedly injured by a Chicago police van.

Richard Schiffman, 05/24/12

Journalist

The dozens of veterans who tossed their medals in Chicago earlier this week deserve to have their protest recorded. Theirs was an act of valor and courage which was arguably equal if not greater to the deeds which earned them those medals in the first place.

Brad Spirrison, 05/23/12

Managing Editor of Appolicious and Chicago-based writer

Like The Tonight Show, the App Store is not just about blockbusters, but also more niche titles that appeal to a variety of tastes.

Ed Shurna, 05/25/12

Executive director, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

A group of homeless youth who are part of an organization known as the Hello Youth Group made a YouTube video and then went to the state capitol in Springfield to talk with legislators.