Copyright 2013 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room en-us Sat, 18 May 2013 19:05:09 -0500 Sat, 18 May 2013 19:05:09 -0500 NBC Owned Television Stations http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Quinn-Cracks-Down-on-Violent-Social-Media-Flash-Mobs-208012341.html Sat, 18 May 2013 16:19:45 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/222*120/quinn+mob+bill.jpg
Governor Quinn signed into law Saturday new legislation that allows judges to impose harsher penalties on people who use social media or other methods of electronic communication to organize mob attacks.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/chicago-teachers-union-leadership-election-207960641.html Fri, 17 May 2013 21:48:19 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/CTU-Karen-Lewis1.jpg
Jesse Sharkey, Michael Brunson and Kristine Mayle were also re-elected to vice-president, recording secretary and financial secretary, respectively.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Read-Alderman-Scott-Waguespacks-Parking-Meter-Questions-207914551.html Fri, 17 May 2013 15:07:24 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/parking_meter1.jpg
You're not alone. Many alderman have questions about the multi-decade agreement that give up billions in revenue to a management company.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=ecfe257e75136f4a18fa7bb10ac0d55c&p=4 ecfe257e75136f4a18fa7bb10ac0d55c ]]> Fri, 17 May 2013 15:07:24 -0500 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Illinois-Is-Not-The-Worst-Place-To-Be-A-Republican-207832221.html Fri, 17 May 2013 13:25:07 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Generic+Republican+Party+GOP+Elephant+Carsten+Reisinger+shutterstock_77095801.jpg
In nine states, at least one House of the legislature is less Republican than the Illinois General Assembly.

Photo Credit: Carsten Reisinger, Shutterstock

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Justice-Stevens-Bush-v-Gore--207856061.html Fri, 17 May 2013 13:26:30 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/160*229/112908+Justice+Stevens+P1.jpg
The retired Supreme Court justice from Chicago questions one of the Court's most famous decisions. But if we hadn't had President Bush, would we have President Obama?

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Preckwinkle-207876261.html Fri, 17 May 2013 18:56:55 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Toni+Preckwinkle1.jpg
If Cook County School Board President Toni Preckwinkle decides to run for mayor, she can continue her criticism of Rahm Emanuel on school closings.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Supporter-Sends-Jackson-Jr-Letter-to-Wrong-Judge--207892661.html Fri, 17 May 2013 12:36:13 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/jesse+jackson+jr+getty.JPG
Cook County Commissioner Jerry “Iceman” Butler is the latest public official to write a Federal Judge in Washington, pleading for leniency for former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. Butler directed his comments t

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Preckwinkle-Criticizes-Rahm-On-CPS-Closures-207866711.html Fri, 17 May 2013 11:14:48 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Preckwinkle+Rahm+Split.jpg
Cook County president tells Sun-Times that too many schools are marked for closure.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=6aa146e78653ab63107bcb2687119a6e&p=4 6aa146e78653ab63107bcb2687119a6e ]]> Fri, 17 May 2013 11:14:48 -0500 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Rahm-Not-Worried-About-Lagging-Poll-Numbers-207792211.html Thu, 16 May 2013 17:51:53 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Rahm-casino-5-16.jpg
Mayor says he's focused on making tough decisions.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/McCormick-Place-Wouldnt-Automatically-Get-Chicago-Casino_-Rahm/207786361 Thu, 16 May 2013 17:43:02 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/gambling_generic.jpg
Mayor Rahm Emanuel says despite $300 millon in upgrades to the McCormick Place area, the location of a Chicago casino -- if it gets one -- is still very much up in the air.

Photo Credit: clipart.com

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Mayor-Seeks-to-Protect-Chicago-Interests-in-State-Gun-Law/207785101 Thu, 16 May 2013 17:42:11 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/rifle1.jpg
Mayor Rahm Emanuel concerned court-mandated change in state gun laws could lead to people carrying guns on CTA, Wrigley Field and other public areas in Chicago.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Rahm-People-Feel-Safe-on-Michigan-Avenue-207771921.html Thu, 16 May 2013 18:16:34 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Rahm-5-16.jpg
Mayor briefly discusses woman's mugging on Magnificent Mile.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/The-Illinois-GOP-is-un-Illinoisan-207739671.html Thu, 16 May 2013 13:47:15 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/illinois+state+capitol.JPG
A party whose ideology is determined by conservative Southerners can never succeed in the Land of Lincoln.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Emanuel-Announces-140M-McCormick-Place-Renovation-207749981.html Thu, 16 May 2013 16:47:57 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/rahm+mccormick+reno.jpg
Rahm Emanuel isn’t holding back on his second anniversary as mayor of Chicago as he celebrated by announcing major renovations to the city’s prized McCormick Place.

Photo Credit: Charlie Wojciechowski

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=dfa1d91dbe3fec5056f1c40359f74f4b&p=4 dfa1d91dbe3fec5056f1c40359f74f4b ]]> Thu, 16 May 2013 16:47:57 -0500 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Chicago-is-Rad-Dad-207732191.html Thu, 16 May 2013 13:24:39 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/edt-1968-riots.jpg
Relive the city's radical history on a June 2 tour of Forest Home/Waldheim Cemetery in Forest Park.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Few-Barriers-Left-For-Black-Politicians-in-Illinois-207721921.html Thu, 16 May 2013 11:21:04 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/obama92.JPG
African-Americans have had more political success in Illinois than any other state -- but there are still a few offices they haven't held.

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Emanuel-Announces-DePaul-Stadium-Navy-Pier-Makeover-207688071.html Fri, 17 May 2013 20:33:21 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Navy_Pier-rehab-1.jpg
Construction on $278 million redevelopment plan will begin this fall.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/chicago-parking-meters-llc-revised-deal-207638671.html Wed, 15 May 2013 20:18:21 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/chicago+meter+pay+to+park.jpg
Several Chicago aldermen are taking a close look at Mayor Rahm Emanuel's revised deal with the private company that manages the city's parking meters and wondering aloud if it's the best deal the city can get.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Rahm-McCarthy-Reassure-New-Chicago-Cops-207622381.html Wed, 15 May 2013 19:57:42 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Rahm-mccarthy-graduation.jpg
Rahm: "You do not bear burden alone of reducing crime."

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Rahm-Touts-Night-Out-in-the-Parks-Initiative/207603081 Wed, 15 May 2013 16:04:54 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/RahmWebArts.jpg
Mayor discusses new summer series offering more than 750 activities throughout the city and the positive affect it will have on children.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Sandack-Withdraws-From-Race-For-GOP-Chairman-207561461.html Wed, 15 May 2013 13:12:39 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/170*120/AP810898300110.jpg
The Downers Grove state representative's withdrawal leaves seven candidates for the party chairmanship.

Photo Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Whos-Running-In-2014-207556801.html Wed, 15 May 2013 13:29:59 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/131100587.jpg
A new website, trialballoons.net, is an essential scorecard for Illinois politics.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Teachers-Union-To-File-Lawsuits-to-Stop-School-Closings-207542651.html Wed, 15 May 2013 19:45:56 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/208*120/Karen+Lewis+p11.jpg
The Chicago Teachers Union plans to file two federal lawsuits Wednesday to stop the city's school district from closing 53 elementary schools.

Photo Credit: NBCChicago.com

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Valerie-Jarrett-Discusses-Life-In-The-White-House/207540061 Wed, 15 May 2013 15:46:29 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/jarrettobama.jpg
One of President Barack Obama's closest advisers talks to Carol Marin about the stress and joy of working with the most powerful man in the world.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=cdcd486083a545af8357534caa141155&p=4 cdcd486083a545af8357534caa141155 ]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 15:46:29 -0500 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/chicago-public-schools-teachers-union-closures-safe-passage-firefighters-207476041.html Tue, 14 May 2013 23:27:49 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/schools-march-051413-1.jpg
Officials with the Chicago Teachers Union say a recent order for Chicago firefighters to provide Safe Passage is an admission the city's school closure plan hasn't been well thought out.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/San-Diego-Eliminates-Red-Light-Cameras--189671371.html Tue, 14 May 2013 16:28:00 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/209*120/20130218RedLightCameras.jpg
Joins Los Angeles among California cities doing away with the program, saying it doesn't improve safety, aggravates residents and discourages tourists.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Daley-Nephew-Trial-To-Begin-Early-Next-Year-207417751.html Tue, 14 May 2013 14:25:42 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/sketch-vanecko-mcintyre.jpg
Former Mayor Richard M. Daley's nephew will face trial in the David Koschman case early next year. Judge Maureen McIntyre told Richard J. “R.J.” Vanecko and his attorneys during a Tuesday hearing to...

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Chicagos-Top-10-Most-Ticketed-Red-Light-Camera-Intersections-207405581.html Tue, 14 May 2013 15:53:43 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Red-Light-Cameras-Enforced.jpg
As part of an Inspector General report looking into the reasons behind Chicago's placement of red-light cameras, the number of tickets was noted per intersection for 2012. According to the report, the red-light...

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Are-Casinos-City-Ruiners-207389871.html Tue, 14 May 2013 12:13:09 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Revel_Casino.jpg
As the General Assembly considers another gambling bill, urban theorist Richard Florida says a casino is a sign of decaying city.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=003e6920bd1bb4720d3c852c87abbaa3&p=4 003e6920bd1bb4720d3c852c87abbaa3 ]]> Tue, 14 May 2013 12:13:09 -0500 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/IG-Report-Questions-Locations-of-Chicago-Red-Light-Cameras-207379221.html Tue, 14 May 2013 23:24:52 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/red-light-camera-0219.jpg
A new report from Chicago's inspector general finds safety might not be the city's main goal for where it chooses to locate red light cameras. In some cases, the report finds, it's not clear why some spots were...

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Pro-Gay-Marriage-Robocalls-Go-Out-To-Black-Voters-207373721.html Tue, 14 May 2013 10:38:44 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/180*120/shutterstock_72457825.jpg
Illinois Unites For Marriage gets former Bear Brendon Ayanbadejo and civil rights leader Julian Bond to make calls for same-sex marriage.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/alderman-brendan-reilly-chicago-parking-meters-207319501.html Tue, 14 May 2013 02:33:43 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Parking+meter+1.jpg
Ald. Brendan Reilly (2nd) acknowledged Monday that he's been meeting with municipal bond experts in hopes the city could buy back the meters leased to Chicago Parking Meters LLC four years ago under...

Photo Credit: Victoria Coleman

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/chicago-fire-department-school-closures-safe-passage-207295461.html Mon, 13 May 2013 19:42:35 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/CFD-Chicago-Fire-Dept..jpg
As the debate continues over guaranteeing the safety of Chicago school children whose elementary schools are being eliminated, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration has quietly assigned Chicago firefighters...

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/DePaul-Building-300-Million-McCormick-Place-Arena-Report-207271071.html Tue, 14 May 2013 00:08:38 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/mccormick+place+deal.jpg
Mayor Rahm Emanuel expected to announce plans this week.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=0f51d4793593547dd039110818ed95a1&p=4 0f51d4793593547dd039110818ed95a1 ]]> Tue, 14 May 2013 00:08:38 -0500 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/McCarthy-Pushes-For-Stronger-Gun-Laws-207266241.html Wed, 15 May 2013 08:39:04 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/garry-mccarthy-5-13.jpg
Police superintendent says stronger methods needed to decrease flow of illegal guns.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Kirk-Running-For-Re-election-Says-Pat-Brady-207234691.html Mon, 13 May 2013 16:00:15 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/mark+kirk+romney.jpg
"We are already planning fundraisers," says the outgoing Illinois Republican Party chairman.

Photo Credit: NBCChicago.com

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Durbin-More-Clinton-Testimony-on-Benghazi-Would-Be-Political-207216081.html Mon, 13 May 2013 11:05:09 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/dick-durbin1.jpg
On "Face the Nation," Sen. Dick Durbin says Republican attempts to connect former Secretary of Hillary Clinton to the deaths of four Americans in Libya are aimed at undermining her presidential campaign.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/illinois-lieutenant-gov-sheila-simon-medial-marijuana-207119231.html Sun, 12 May 2013 13:45:52 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/160*120/Sheila-Simon.jpg
Simon told The Associated Press her initial reaction wasn't in support but after hearing from people with illnesses she changed her mind. She said it's a tightly-restricted plan.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/chicago-mayor-rahm-emanuel-second-term-207118821.html Sun, 12 May 2013 13:39:37 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Rahm-Emanuel48.jpg
Rahm Emanuel wants a second term as mayor of Chicago. And he's adamant he won't bow out early or eventually seek a higher office.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/obama-del-pearson-top-cops-206670361.html Sat, 11 May 2013 16:36:35 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/212*120/AP224975799166%281%29.jpg
Del Pearson is among 43 recipients of the 2013 National Association of Police Organizations' TOP COPS award.

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/obama-quinn-federal-aid-illinois-april-flooding-207017041.html Fri, 10 May 2013 22:15:23 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/chi-nw-side-flooding.jpg
The president's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry, and Will.

Photo Credit: Joe Amigleo, NBC Chicago

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=c650c695787476be32aab66be0b213d8&p=4 c650c695787476be32aab66be0b213d8 ]]> Fri, 10 May 2013 22:15:23 -0500 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Move-Your-Business-To-Texas-Watch-It-Blow-Up-206934331.html Fri, 10 May 2013 12:02:39 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/rick-perry-west.jpg
Illinois is second to Texas in high-risk sites, but Texas has four more accidents, injuries and deaths.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/outside-shot/Chicago-Bulls-Dennis-Rodman-Kenneth-Bae-206922161.html Fri, 10 May 2013 11:36:38 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Dennis+Rodman+N+Korea.jpg
“I'm gonna try and get the guy out." --Dennis Rodman

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/The-Next-Chairman-of-the-Illinois-GOP-206923921.html Fri, 10 May 2013 10:40:01 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/170*120/AP810898300110.jpg
State Rep. Ron Sandack, who wants to focus on fiscal issues, not social issues, has a big lead in a Sun-Times poll for Illinois GOP chairman.

Photo Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

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