Copyright 2012 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room en-us Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:59:11 -0600 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:59:11 -0600 NBC Owned Television Stations http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Build-A-Park-Install-A-Speed-Camera-139021324.html Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:10:23 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/179*120/speed_trap.jpg
A Far North Side resident is suspicious of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's motives in pushing for a 21-acre nature preserve in Rosehill Cemetery, near the corner of Peterson and Western.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=a20ef37d7128808c92947fef7e941d67&p=4 a20ef37d7128808c92947fef7e941d67 ]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:10:23 -0600 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Israel-To-Remove-Six-Pointed-Star-From-Flag-Its-a-GD-Symbol-139014394.html Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:59:57 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/160*120/Chicago+Grafitti+p1.jpg
SATIRE ALERT: Now that City Clerk Susana Mendoza has cancelled a sticker design with gang signs, other public officials are following suit.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Mayor-Wants-to-Speed-Up-CTA-Trains-to-OHare-Midway-139009339.html Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:49:19 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/cta-blue-line.jpg
Mayor Emanuel said Wednesday that he wants to trim the amount of time it takes to get to Chicago's airports on CTA trains. The mayor said if he could trim "12 minutes, 10 minutes, eight minutes" from that trip...

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Stroke-Survivors-Share-Advice-for-Kirk/138970689 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:20:14 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/180*120/stroke+survivors+3.jpg
Two stroke survivors share their powerful stories about what it's like to have a stroke at a young age -- just like Senator Mark Kirk -- and the battles you have to fight to recover.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/chicago-city-vehicle-stickers-gang-symbolism-138965709.html Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:00:55 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Caitlin-Henehan-city-sticke.jpg
City officials on Wednesday pulled the original winner after controversy brewed, with many saying it contained symbolism associated with a notorious street gang.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=91092e1b06847c2b5ed2c281f8ffb8b5&p=4 91092e1b06847c2b5ed2c281f8ffb8b5 ]]> Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:00:55 -0600 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Whos-to-Blame-for-Caterpillar-Snub-138971714.html Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:20:33 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/caterpillar_chicago.jpg
Officials from the company sent an email to Peoria politicians, and cited an increasingly hostile business climate in Illinois as a factor in their decision. The chose Cary, North Carolina

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Big-Business-vs-Joe-Moore-138945279.html Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:20:48 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/joe+moore.jpg
A coalition of business groups urges Gov. Pat Quinn and the state senate to reject Ald. Joe Moore as head of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/ThyssenKrupp-Promises-Disciplinary-Action-138954019.html Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:33:26 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/ThyssenKrupp+apology.jpg
Executives of a suburban company apologized again this week for a racially hostile work environment that drove an African American employee to quit.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/City-Writes-399950-Check-To-Gun-Rights-Group-138940944.html Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:21:15 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Rahm-Emanuel26.jpg
For losing the McDonald v. Chicago case, the city has to pay $399,950 to the Second Amendment Foundation. Now, a Texas Senate candidate is displaying the check on his website.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Kirk-Forms-Senate-Veterans-Jobs-Caucus-138935374.html Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:13:54 -0600 Mark Kirk | Senator:
Facebook: 1,740 likes for personal page. Used mostly for links to friendly stories Flickr photos and Twitter posts
Twitter: 4,244 followers. 755 Tweets.]]> http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/kirk.JPG Mark Kirk | Senator:
Facebook: 1,740 likes for personal page. Used mostly for links to friendly stories Flickr photos and Twitter posts
Twitter: 4,244 followers. 755 Tweets.]]>
While he's recovering from a stroke, some of Sen. Mark Kirk's colleagues are helping him carry on his work in the Senate.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Mendoza-to-Meet-with-Gang-Experts-About-Sticker-138943989.html Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:20:56 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/2012-2013-city-vehicle-stic.jpg
City Clerk Susana Mendoza is in talks with Chicago gang experts, including Jody Weis, to discuss the content of the new city sticker and whether it contains gang symbolism.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/unit-5-better-government-association-emanuel-chicago-parking-138909404.html Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:28:23 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/reserved-parking.jpg
NBC Chicago and the Better Government Association, in a joint report, reveal that taxpayers are spending about $1 million each year for government employees to park in downtown garages in Chicago’s Loop.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=6e3f17887cd92589e5fe50e6238627c8&p=4 6e3f17887cd92589e5fe50e6238627c8 ]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:28:23 -0600 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/chicago-city-sticker-emanuel-mendoza-gang-symbols-138898149.html Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:45:59 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/2012-2013-city-vehicle-stic.jpg
Chicago's city clerk on Tuesday said she would mull over what to do about the upcoming vehicle sticker design that purportedly contains symbolism tied to the Maniac Latin Disciples.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/rahm-emanuel-toni-preckwinkle-city-county-collaboration-138882004.html Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:18:49 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Rahm-Emanuel28.jpg
Savings were primarily found in three areas: purchasing, homeland security and revenue/tax collection.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Emanuel,-Preckwinkle-Discuss-Collaboration/138900229 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:18:05 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/webrahmtoniEdlVersion1_7973361_722x406_2193923239.jpg
By looking at ways to collaborate, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Tuesday said they've found nearly $21 million in annual savings for taxpayers.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/ThyssenKrupp-Official-Apologizes-for-Racially-Charged-Workplace-138872839.html Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:55:29 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/214*120/ThyssenKrupp_HQ.jpg
Tuesday, at the behest of Emanuel, and under pressure from Reverend Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Push Coalition, ThyssenKrupp's president and CEO, issued a statement acknowledging the hostile environment.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/senator-mark-kirk-stroke-skull-reattach-138871454.html Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:57:14 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/160*120/110210+ELECTION+DAY+ILLINOIS+3+Mark+Kirk.jpg
Doctors had removed a four-inch-by-eight-inch skull portion to make room for senator's swelling brain.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Judge-Upholds-Conceal-Carry-Law-138861094.html Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:55:47 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/86528782.jpg
Gun fans planning biggest-ever Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day in Springfield next month.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=1861e0f664c5d5d741862f83de08f3b9&p=4 1861e0f664c5d5d741862f83de08f3b9 ]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:55:47 -0600 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Welcome-To-Americas-Largest-Speed-Trap-138857734.html Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:56:15 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/179*120/speed_trap.jpg
Why would any suburbanite in his or her right mind drive into the city once we install speed cameras?

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Jesses-Girl-138850889.html Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:56:33 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Jesse+Jackson+Jr.jpg
Jesse Jackson Jr. needs to learn the difference between ethics and morals -- or, in more earthy terms, acting like a weasel and acting like a dog.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Quinn-Defends-Speed-Cameras/138802359 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:17:37 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/webquinnspeedcamsEdlVersion1_7963956_722x406_2193539095.jpg
Governor signed a bill Monday morning to retrofit Chicago red-light cameras with speed sensors at intersections near schools and parks.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Quinn-to-Decide-Monday-on-Chicago-Speed-Cameras-138771114.html Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:05:18 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Pat+Quinn4.jpg
Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a bill to retrofit Chicago red-light cameras with speed sensors at intersections near schools and parks.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/mark-kirk-stroke-super-bowl-138798579.html Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:47:42 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/mark+kirk+romney.jpg
Sen. Mark Kirk's medical condition was upgraded Monday to "good" condition, two weeks after having an ischemic stroke.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=ecc55d6cf567307bc29c6484763aa8d0&p=4 ecc55d6cf567307bc29c6484763aa8d0 ]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:47:42 -0600 http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Durbin-on-Kirks-Recovery/138802074 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:48:13 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/webdurbinonkirkmonday_7964005_722x406_2193540521.jpg
At a press conference Monday, Sen. Dick Durbin repeated news he told NBC Chicago last week: that he hasn't yet seen Kirk personally but continues to be in touch with Kirk's office.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Obama-Imposes-Kirks-Iran-Sanctions-Early-138790834.html Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:04:26 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/State-of-the-Union-Obama.jpg
Months ahead of the deadline, President Obama imposed the sanctions against the Central Bank of Iran required by an amendment sponsored by Sen. Mark Kirk

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/How-Chicago-Legislators-Voted-On-Speed-Cameras-138783819.html Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:21:45 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/illinois+state+capitol.JPG
Here's a list of the 34 Chicago representatives who voted "aye" on the speed camera bill -- and the three who voted "nay."

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/CPS-Spent-Millions-on-Unused-Sick-Days-Report-138634589.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:30:22 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/arne+duncan+0908.JPG
A new report shows Chicago Public Schools spends millions every year on employees' unused vacation and sick days, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants it to stop. Data obtained by the Better Government Association...

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=805fe76ce18ebb912436fe187970eb0b&p=4 805fe76ce18ebb912436fe187970eb0b ]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:30:22 -0600 http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Ward-Room----The-TV-Show/138692834 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:07:38 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/wardroomtv_722x406_2192880009.jpg
In our debut episode, Carol Marin and Mary Ann Ahern have extended interviews with Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, veteran political reporter Peter Nolan, Congressional candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi...

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/carmelia-johnson-lawsuit-cook-county-morgue-138679454.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:05:03 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Carmelita-Johnson.jpg
The family of a woman whose body went missing for 14 months in the Cook County morgue filed a lawsuit Friday alleging the body was mishandled.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Durbin-on-NATO_G8-Summits_-Dont-Panic/138662654 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:33:03 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/webdurbinong8_7946806_722x406_2192759753.jpg
Sen. Dick Durbin says Chicago will have the resources it needs to be safe and orderly during May's dual summits.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=d92a16587c87a49bf1e24190f2fc675f&p=4 d92a16587c87a49bf1e24190f2fc675f ]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:33:03 -0600 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Libraries-To-Reopen-on-Mondays-138659399.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:51:04 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/chicago+public+library+getty.JPG
Beginning next Monday, all branch libraries will be open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/senator-durbin-kirk-stroke-138660814.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:26:59 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/dick-durbin1.jpg
Sen. Dick Durbin said Friday he's been working with Sen. Mark Kirk's office to advance bills his colleague proposed before his medical emergency.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Chicagos-Cultural-Plan-Get-To-NY-or-LA-ASAP-138653339.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:40:31 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/180*120/Film_Critics_08.jpg
SATIRE ALERT: We didn't really call New York, Los Angeles and London to ask well-known Chicago artists for advice on the city's cultural plan.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Madigan-Claims-Opponent-Slashed-Own-Tires-138646179.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:42:16 -0600 Michael Madigan | Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
Facebook: None
Twitter: None
]]> http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/michael+madigan3.jpg Michael Madigan | Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
Facebook: None
Twitter: None
]]>
Michele Piszczor says her car has been dented and her tires slashed since she entered the Democratic primary against House Speaker Michael Madigan. Madigan's spokesman calls the vandalism "self-inflicted."

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/High-Rise-Fire-Evaluations-Made-Public-Online-138646499.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:13:22 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/edgewater+fire.jpg
Property owners will have to submit Life Safety Evaluation reports online for Over 600 buildings starting in February.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Deep-Dish_-Feb.-2,-2012/138606134 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:07:14 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Chi-Deep-Dish.jpg
Carol Marin and Mary Ann Ahern talk through the best political news of the week.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Legendary-German-War-Profiteers-Open-Chicago-Office-138581364.html Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:23:26 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/214*120/ThyssenKrupp_HQ.jpg
ThyssenKrupp, an amalgamation of the two companies most responsible for building the German war machine, will open a North American headquarters in Chicago. (It's OK! They don't make weapons anymore.)

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/rahm-emanuel-thyssenkrupp-ag-chicago-jobs-138588809.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:37:46 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Emanuel+Torsten+Gessner.jpg
The announcement gives a bit of a boost to Emanuel in the wake of a one-two punch of bad news on the job front.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Mayor-Touts-Chicago-in-ThyssenKrupp-Announcement/138592164 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:55:16 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/webrahmTKjobs_7938828_722x406_2192454511.jpg
Following an evaluation of about 20 worldwide cities, German technology and materials group ThyssenKrupp selected Chicago as it's North American regional headquarters, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced...

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=46c962d34036afbb6a2da188c75c1a16&p=4 46c962d34036afbb6a2da188c75c1a16 ]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:55:16 -0600 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Walsh-Tea-Partiers-Give-Back-Unused-Office-Funds-138569679.html Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:33:28 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/WEB+Tax+extension.jpg
Rep. Joe Walsh, Tea Party-Ill., asks House Speaker to send his unused office funds back to the Treasury immediately, instead of waiting two years.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/The-Not-So-Mighty-Quinn-138574024.html Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:08:20 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/PatQuinn.jpg
Gov. Pat Quinn's State of the State speech proves the Democratic Party is out of new ideas.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Quinn-New-Chrysler-Jobs-138561454.html Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:10:46 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/chrysler-belvidere.jpg
About 1,800 new jobs will be coming to the Chrysler plant in Northwest suburban Belvidere.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Quinn-Announces-New-Chrysler-Jobs/138587419 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:43:20 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/quinnjobsWEBEdlVersion1_7938397_722x406_2192438309.jpg
Gov. Pat Quinn announced Thursday the Chrysler plant in Belvidere will add 1,800 new jobs to create the Dodge Dart.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/County-Changes-Lollapalooza-Tax-Exemption-Rules-138558554.html Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:29:23 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/crystalcastleslolla.jpg
After seven years of being exempt from Cook County's amusement tax, Chicago's biggest music fest will need to ask for its waiver this year.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Quinns-2012-State-of-the-State-Address/138525229 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:30:44 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Pat+Quinn4.jpg
In the face of potentially crippling state debt, Gov. Pat Quinn spent most of his State of the State address Wednesday reflecting on the year, pushing for lawmakers to invest in education and, a...

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/illinois-8th-congressional-walsh-duckworth-krishnamoorthi-138521884.html Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:13:35 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/160*120/Joe-Walsh-resized.jpg
Winner of March 20 Democratic primary will face incumbent Joe Walsh in November.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Toni-Preckwinkle-Mixes-Up-Her-Daleys-138517574.html Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:08:12 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/217*120/preckwinkle+p11.jpg
The Cook County Board President mistakenly refers to commissioner John Daley as Mayor Daley during a session Wednesday. Everyone laughed.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Who-Quinn-Missed-in-Speech-Thank-Yous-138515899.html Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:13:35 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/quinn+state+of+state.jpg
“Thank you,” said Governor Pat Quinn. It was the phrase heard over and over again Wednesday as he addressed a joint session of the Illinois legislature. But missing in the “thank you’s” were Republicans and...

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/County-Board-Tables-Morgue-Reform-138506619.html Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:46:19 -0600 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/fritchey+county+board.jpg
A motion by Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey to make firing the county medical examiner easier was re-directed Wednesday to the Finance Committee.

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