Copyright 2013 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room en-us Fri, 24 May 2013 04:49:30 -0500 Fri, 24 May 2013 04:49:30 -0500 NBC Owned Television Stations http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Meet-the-Kid-Who-Took-on-Rahm/208745581 Thu, 23 May 2013 18:49:57 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/WMAQ_000000003335124_722x406_31216195549.jpg
Nine-year-old Asean Johnson delivered a speech at Monday’s downtown rally opposing school closings that's been seen tens of thousands of times on YouTube.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/illinois-senate-health-exchange-208714601.html Thu, 23 May 2013 15:46:59 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/dfw-generic-health-01.jpg
Lawmakers voted Thursday 37-19 to send the House a bill -- HB3227 -- establishing the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Mayor-CPS-Chief-Discuss-Next-Steps-In-Closing-Plan-208714021.html Thu, 23 May 2013 17:42:53 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/rahm-byrd-brenneman.jpg
Rahm Emanuel and Barbara Byrd-Bennett push forward with school closings plan.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Zachary-Fardon-Nominated-Succeed-Patrick-Fitzgerald-208696721.html Thu, 23 May 2013 18:57:48 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Zachary-Fardon.jpg
A former federal prosecutor was nominated Thursday for U.S. attorney, succeeding Patrick Fitzgerald, Sens. Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk announced.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/The-2015-Mayoral-Campaign-Begins-Tonight-208676971.html Thu, 23 May 2013 16:48:15 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Rahms+Inauguration+10.jpg
The Chicago Teachers Union will begin training registrars to sign up 100,000 new voters, with the goal of defeating Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Photo Credit: Britni Day

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/How-Chicago-Can-Stay-On-Top-208653371.html Thu, 23 May 2013 11:38:57 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/260*120/67a3f68eb0804954a2fa0c65fae80752.jpg
Three experts talk about how Chicago can remain a global city in the 21st Century.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/CPS-CEO-208647221.html Thu, 23 May 2013 10:12:57 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Barbara-Byrd-Bennett.jpg
Barbara Byrd-Bennett, who was Cleveland schools CEO for seven years, misidentifies district she runs, says she understands anger over school closings.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Quinn-Expected-to-Sign-New-Sex-Education-Bill-208635411.html Thu, 23 May 2013 07:33:34 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/birth-control-pills-112012.jpg
Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign a bill that could potentially provide students with information about birth control.

Photo Credit: NBC 5

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=d3c13eb1b6182d7f9f3de34ec24f8460&p=4 d3c13eb1b6182d7f9f3de34ec24f8460 ]]> Thu, 23 May 2013 07:33:34 -0500 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Obama-Campaigns-Tech-Team-Wins-Webby-Award-208560141.html Wed, 22 May 2013 16:49:05 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Obama-tech-team.jpg
Campaign team recognized for its cutting-edge use of data.

Photo Credit: WireImage

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/School-Board-Votes-to-close-49-schools-208547131.html Thu, 23 May 2013 07:48:57 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/AP93333205719.jpg
The Chicago School Board voted Wednesday to shutter 49 elementary schools and one high school in the nation's third-largest school system despite demonstrations and community outrage over the

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/CTU-President-Reacts-to-Closure-Vote/208562781 Wed, 22 May 2013 17:05:09 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/WMAQ_000000003329398_722x406_31106627789.jpg
Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis says Wednesday vote to close 50 schools was made by people under "mayoral control" who are wedded to bad policy.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Reductio-ad-Trotterum-208522991.html Wed, 22 May 2013 13:48:26 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/donne-trotter1.jpg
State Sen. Donne Trotter compares Gov. Pat Quinn and Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Julie Hamos to Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/George-Ryan-Memoir-Not-Likely-To-Be-A-Bestseller-208515581.html Wed, 22 May 2013 12:42:35 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/ryan4.jpg
There are only two Illinois politicians whose names can move a book: Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/George-Ryan-Writing-Tell-All-Memoir-Report-208490441.html Wed, 22 May 2013 10:06:11 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/george+ryan+halfway+house.jpg
Former Gov. George Ryan may spill long-buried Springfield secrets in a tell-all book. Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed reports the once-imprisoned governor is writing his memoir, and Ryan's son calls it...

Photo Credit: NBCChicago.com

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=9172c5591c00346fa516b21ec1320753&p=4 9172c5591c00346fa516b21ec1320753 ]]> Wed, 22 May 2013 10:06:11 -0500 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Third-Grader-Schools-Rahm-on-School-Closings-208473691.html Thu, 23 May 2013 18:50:37 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/asean+johnson.jpg
Nine-year-old Asean Johnson delivered a stem-winding speech calling Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to close 54 schools "racism."

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/cps-closures-manierre-elementary-208432211.html Wed, 22 May 2013 19:43:55 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/school-crossing-082412.jpg
Manierre Elementary, at 1420 N. Hudson Ave., in the city's Old Town neighborhood, has been removed from the list of more than 50 schools district officials proposed closing, according to published reports.

Photo Credit: NBC 5

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/rahm-emanuel-political-fallout-cps-closures-208404281.html Wed, 22 May 2013 06:14:33 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/rahm+emanuel1.jpg
Mayor Rahm Emanuel says he's so sure his plan is the right one that he said not taking the action would have far greater consequences for the students he said would be robbed of a quality education.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Rahm-Pledges-With-Tornado-Recovery-If-Needed/208404071 Tue, 21 May 2013 19:35:03 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/rahm+emanuel1.jpg
Mayor expresses sympathy for Oklahoma following massive tornadoes.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=31087e10a197dd77143b91fb39924a0e&p=4 31087e10a197dd77143b91fb39924a0e ]]> Tue, 21 May 2013 19:35:03 -0500 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Politician-Need-Supporters-Hire-em-208335121.html Tue, 21 May 2013 14:51:49 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Student-Protest-Budget.jpg
Crowds on Demand will produce supporters for your political event, starting at $5999. It's only available in California now, but we need it in Chicago.

Photo Credit: NBC10.com

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/How-The-Death-of-the-Steel-Mills-Led-to-the-Birth-of-the-Hispanic-Democratic-Organization-208320531.html Tue, 21 May 2013 16:51:15 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/160*120/WR_USSteel.jpg
Ald. Edward "Fast Eddie" Vrdolyak used the desperation of laid-off steelworkers to build his own political machine -- which morphed into the HDO. An excerpt from Ward Room blogger Edward McClelland's new book.

Photo Credit: DePaul Univ. Archives

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/How-To-Marry-Your-Gay-Cousin-208305281.html Tue, 21 May 2013 10:18:31 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/AP722450340362.jpg
According to the Religious Freedom and Marital Fairness Act, gay cousins can marry -- as long as one is incapable of having children.

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Bill-Clinton-Backs-Gay-Marriage-in-Illinois-208308401.html Tue, 21 May 2013 09:54:54 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/bill-clinton-add-P3.jpg
Former President Bill Clinton threw his weight behind stalled legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois, calling on the state House to approve the bill.

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Sen-Kirk-Uncertain-on-Pritzkers-Confirmation-208300371.html Tue, 21 May 2013 12:40:58 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Mark+Kirk1.jpg
Commerce Secretary confirmation hearings scheduled for Thursday.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/illinois-senate-committee-ammunition-limit-208202941.html Mon, 20 May 2013 18:09:25 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Bullets1.jpg
Legislation to ban magazines that hold more than 10 rounds advances with 12-3 vote.

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Parents-of-Sandy-Hook-Victims-Join-Quinn-in-Quest-for-Gun-Control/208077831 Mon, 20 May 2013 18:08:58 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/WMAQ_000000003303843_722x406_30789187645.jpg
Parents of children killed in the tragic Sandy Hook massacre last year spoke at a conference alongside Governor Quinn in support of banning high-capacity ammunition magazines.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=ab89745493c041d8f6ab3d7acd8fa065&p=4 ab89745493c041d8f6ab3d7acd8fa065 ]]> Mon, 20 May 2013 18:08:58 -0500 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/cps-city-hall-school-protest-chicago-208193811.html Mon, 20 May 2013 18:04:20 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/city-hall-protest-1.jpg
Rally was part of the Chicago Teachers Union's three days of marches and protests demanding a moratorium on school closures.

Photo Credit: Mary Ann Ahern

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/More-Poor-In-The-Suburbs-Is-Good-News-For-Rahm-208154911.html Mon, 20 May 2013 13:11:14 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/rahm+mccormick+reno.jpg
Poor people are moving to the suburbs, where they can't vote against the mayor.

Photo Credit: Charlie Wojciechowski

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/blogs/ward-room/Quinn_-Pension-Reform-Before-Gaming-Bill/208146131 Mon, 20 May 2013 18:08:21 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/WMAQ_000000003309005_722x406_30839363855.jpg
Gov. Pat Quinn told the City Club of Chicago that the state must get its finances in order before he will consider gaming expansion legislation. "That means pensions," he said.

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/The-Stevenson-Familys-Hereditary-Case-of-Politics-208143381.html Mon, 20 May 2013 11:28:18 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/160*175/REP-History-Add-P5.jpg
Former Sen. Adlai Stevenson III says Illinois's political dynasties are afflicted with "an incurable, hereditary case of politics." Adlai IV broke the chain by becoming a reporter for NBC5, and McLean...

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Expert-Crack-Smoking-Toronto-Mayor-Should-Be-More-Like-Rahm-208135641.html Mon, 20 May 2013 10:45:18 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/rahm-toronto-mayor.jpg
Rahm Emanuel is the only American politician to have been seen publicly with Rob Ford, the mayor of Toronto who was allegedly seen smoking crack on a cell phone video. A Toronto columnist wishes their...

]]> http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Rahm-Appoints-Desiree-Rogers-to-Choose-Chicago-Board-208128081.html Mon, 20 May 2013 10:15:59 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/desiree-rogers-hob.jpg
Rogers, Rahm previously worked together in Obama White House.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> 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.

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