All things considered, it was a pretty quiet week in Chicago. More clouds, not too much political drama. Next week that will change--alleged police torturer John Burge goes on trial and state lawmakers will gather back in Springfield to try and solve the budget mess. But there were some clear winners this week. Below, check out this week's list of Chicago winners, and vote on who you think is the week's biggest winner. And check out the Chicago Losers of the Week HERE.
Mick Dumke
Chicago Reader reporter Mick Dumke has been covering city politics for many years, but it was not until this week that his question resulted in Mayor Daley picking up a gun and threatening to shove it up his...you know. Dumke is one of the few journalists in Chicago who continues to do the serious, in-depth reporting that the city badly needs. He has grilled Daley on everything from Chicago's sad excuse for a recycling program to the misuse of TIF funds. And though Daley's office said Dumke "missed the point" when he asked the mayor how effective the city's handgun ban really is, the question needed to be asked. "The gun ban simply hasn't stopped the violence in Chicago--that's a fact--so do you think it's been effective, Mr. Mayor?"
Luis Gutierrez
Following Arizona's "papers, please" immigration law, the entire country erupted in a debate over immigration reform. Some said build a fence, others said amnesty for all and--finally--someone mentioned how devastated some of the gay community has been due to immigration (and marriage) laws. While heterosexual couples who fall in love with someone from another country can marry, gay couples in binational same-sex relationships are forced to live in separate countries. On Friday, Rep. Luis Gutierrez said that the comprehensive immigration reform needed in the U.S. must address these issues. "We need to build bridges between the LGBT community and the larger immigrant community," Gutierrez said. "In the end, the bigger the tent we build, the more successful we'll be." Well said, Mr. Gutierrez.
IIT Freshmen
Not only are new students at the Illinois Institute of Technology being rewarded with a stellar education, but this fall they are also getting what every techie college freshman dreams of: a free Apple iPad. The school hopes the investment will help students, who can "tote the light iPad to class and use it to take notes, read books, check e-mail and surf the Internet."
Jane Lynch
No, Jane Lynch does not live in Chicago anymore. But she grew up in suburban Dolton, and made the Second City rounds before going on to movies and hit shows like "Glee." She spoke to the Sun-Times about her Chicago roots this week: "I'm a Chicago girl. Born here. Raised here. Lived in Chicago for years. Take me to the Pump Room!" Jane Lynch is a winner in general, but her Chicago pride earns her a spot on the Chicago list this week.