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Paul Klein

BIO

A Schism in Chicago Art?

Paul Klein | Posted December 7, 2009 | Chicago


I see a schism occurring in art being made in Chicago. And I doubt most artists who work on one side of the divide or the other even know. Let me offer some perspective.

The same things that imprint citizens of Chicago imprint the artists too. And so far it...

Bryan Monroe

BIO

Robert Gibbs vs. April Ryan: The Groan Heard 'Round the Briefing Room

Bryan Monroe | Posted December 7, 2009 | Media


You've probably seen it by now.

Wednesday afternoon at the White House Daily Press Briefing, veteran radio correspondent April Ryan was hitting press secretary Robert Gibbs hard with a line of questioning about the uninvited gate-crashers at last month's state dinner.

Ryan, who reports for American...

Mark Bazer

BIO

Julia Sweeney on The Interview Show

Mark Bazer | Posted December 7, 2009 | Chicago


Julia Sweeney stopped by The Interview Show, hosted by Mark Bazer, to discuss her one-woman show (now on Showtime) Letting Go of God, her career, her move to Chicago and the character Pat and more. Excerpts of the interview are below:

The next Interview Show is Dec. 4, 2009,...

Henry Henderson

BIO

Carp Crisis

Henry Henderson | Posted December 7, 2009 | Chicago


Visit NRDCs Switchboard BlogRahm Emmanuel is famously noted as saying, "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste." This week, those words are especially pertinent as State and Federal agencies have begun poisoning a nearly 6-mile stretch of...

Rebecca Sive

BIO

Mr. President: MoveOn Says It's Time to Call Senator Burris: I Hope You Got the E-mail, Too

Rebecca Sive | Posted December 5, 2009 | Chicago


An e-mail alert from MoveOn just landed on my desk. Here's the headline: "Will Roland Burris save the public option?"

The alert goes on to say: "Right now, Senate Democrats are locked in round-the-clock negotiations that could decide the fate of the public health insurance option. A deal could come...

Zondra Hughes

BIO

The Problem With Desiree

Zondra Hughes | Posted December 4, 2009 | Chicago


Like most Americans, I was quite disturbed to discover that a couple allegedly crashed the White House State Dinner and that they met our president and vice president.

In these times of war at home and abroad, security is clearly a must.

However, I suspect that something sinister...

Susan Rutberg

BIO

Nothing but a Northern Lynching: The Death of Fred Hampton Revisited

Susan Rutberg | Posted December 4, 2009 | Chicago


Forty years ago, on December 4, 1969, 21-year-old Fred Hampton, a charismatic leader of the Illinois Black Panther Party, was murdered as he slept in his home on Chicago's West Side. Shortly before dawn, fourteen armed police officers, ostensibly serving a search warrant, shot nearly one hundred rounds of ammunition...

David Ormsby

BIO

Dan Hynes Offers Bold Jobs Plan, But Where Are the Jobs?

David Ormsby | Posted December 3, 2009 | Chicago


Democratic candidate for governor Dan Hynes this week unveiled his plan to create jobs in Illinois.

"To succeed, Illinois needs a dynamic change in direction," Hynes said in his announcement. "Our state needs innovative leadership and innovative policies that are geared toward creating an innovative economy. Illinois needs a Clean...

Rod Shrader

BIO

An Early Indicator of Recovery: Keep an Eye on the Students

Rod Shrader | Posted December 3, 2009 | Chicago


As we watch the economy start to twitch, showing signs of recovery, we hear a lot about "leading indicators." The stock market is a leading indicator, rising ahead of the general economy. Sadly, we are told, employment may well be a lagging indicator, with businesses wanting to make sure a...

Rebecca Sive

BIO

A National Day of Action to Stop Stupak

Rebecca Sive | Posted December 2, 2009 | Chicago


I write as a member of the "menopausal militia," as the New York Times*, quoting NARAL's President, Nancy Keenan, characterized those of us "of a certain age" who have led America's decades-long fight for reproductive rights.

But, today, on this National Day of Action (to stop Stupak), I...

David Ernesto Munar

BIO

For World AIDS Day, Obama Should Keep Promise On Syringe Exchange

David Ernesto Munar | Posted December 1, 2009 | Chicago


President Barack Obama should urge House and Senate negotiators to end the ban against federal funding for syringe exchange in order to curb HIV and viral hepatitis infections in the US. This was his position as a candidate for the White House and the position he reiterated upon assuming office...

Claire Bidwell Smith

BIO

Mercadito Brings A Little Heat To Chicago

Claire Bidwell Smith | Posted December 1, 2009 | Chicago


Shouldering in a new restaurant in the City of Big Shoulders is never easy, but the Sandoval brothers have not only found some space on Kinzie Street for Mercadito, but they're widening their stance. (Never mind the one-star review by the Chicago Tribune, this place is bouncing and...

Bryan Monroe

BIO

Why New Media Looks A Whole Lot Like Old Media

Bryan Monroe | Posted November 30, 2009 | Chicago


This week, the Federal Trade Commission will be convening a high-level hearing in D.C. looking at "How Will Journalism Survive The Internet Age."

Media giants like Rupert Murdoch and Arianna Huffington will likely slug it out on pay walls, copyrights and the prospect of

Karen Dalton-Beninato

BIO

Postcard Perfect Holidays In A Prairie State

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted November 30, 2009 | Chicago


Black Friday is behind us and holiday decorations are popping up, but the Midwestern snow is stubbornly holding off.

As radio and television ads become relentlessly holiday themed, retailers hope shoppers can help get them back in the black by New Year's Eve.

To help...

Cynthia Gordy

BIO

Senator Roland Burris "Not Playing Games" On The Public Option

Cynthia Gordy | Posted November 30, 2009 | Chicago


As the Senate gears up for floor debate on its health care reform bill, Illinois Senator Roland Burris says he's through making concessions. "I've already compromised because, you see, I was for a single payer system," he says plainly from his Capitol Hill office. Now he insists that he will...

Hermene Hartman

BIO

The Mysterious Death Of Michael Scott

Hermene Hartman | Posted November 30, 2009 | Chicago


Read More: Michael Scott

Michael Scott was a political operative wonder.

The ultimate dealmaker. He was everybody's friend, well liked, connected and committed. He negotiated, and he was solution-oriented. He was the essence of a homegrown Chicago guy. He never held elected office but was the consummate politician. He was an empowerer. Mike was...

Cheryle Jackson

BIO

It's Time to Come Home

Cheryle Jackson | Posted November 30, 2009 | Chicago


The Holidays are a time for fellowship and coming home. It's a time where families join together and are reminded of what they have. But for many of the families of our brave men and women, it's a difficult and poignant reminder that they're spending one more holiday away from...

Michael Jones

BIO

Surfing Lee Street Beach

Michael Jones | Posted November 30, 2009 | Chicago


Every night when I turn off the light, I conjure up an image: a summer's day in Satellite Beach, Florida, the surf three to four feet, a slight offshore breeze, I wheel my board around to paddle into a wave. Two strokes at precisely the right time as the wave...

Matt Farmer

BIO

I'd Love To Talk To You, But There's An Ongoing Investigation

Matt Farmer | Posted November 24, 2009 | Chicago


Did you ever try to get reimbursed at work for business travel expenses? It's usually not too complicated. You turn in your receipts. You fill out a form with some basic information about your trip. You get the proper person in the office to sign off on the document. And...

Deborah Douglas

BIO

E2 Sentences About Money -- Not Justice

Deborah Douglas | Posted November 24, 2009 | Chicago


Twenty-one lives. Somebody had to pay.

And it might even seem like common sense for a housing court judge to sentence E2 club owners Dwain Kyles and Calvin Hollins to serve an unprecedented two years in prison for the tragic deaths of those club-goers on Feb. 17, 2002. Anybody who...

All posts from 12.07.2009