Mechanics - Politics Archives

• Sunday, Chicago Animal Care & Control hosts a volunteer orientation session designed to familiarize anyone interested in the organization and caring for their animals. More information here.

• Dr. Jack Kessler of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, and Dr. Samuel Stupp, Professor of Materials Science, Chemistry & Medicine, Northwestern University will be at the Palmer House Hilton Wednesday lecturing on on recent developments in stem cell research and nanotechnology: specifically, those showing regeneration in spinal cord nerve fibers, and how this affects both research and treatment. Palmer House Hilton, 4-6pm. Sponsored by the Chicago Council on Science and Technology (C²ST).

• Give yourself a break from turkey next Tuesday at the Hull House with Re-Thinking Soup, a free weekly lunch of soup made from ingredients found at Hull House's urban gardens. Activists, farmers, doctors, economists, artists, and guest chefs will join the lunch each week to present their ideas and projects. This week's speaker is Terra Brockman, founder of The Land Connection, a nonprofit working to save farmland, train new sustainable farmers, and connect consumers with fresh local foods. 12-1:30pm, 800 South Halsted.

• AREA's spring issue dealt with that not-new problem of money and how it affects our lives. Wednesday, the reading group it's inspired meets at the Mess Hall (6932 N. Glenwood Ave) to talk about the issue, specifically the the Chicago Political Workshop's contribution.

• Non-profit Open Books fights illiteracy with their community programs and volunteers, and this weekend they take it a step further with the grand opening of their used bookstore and literacy center. Events are kid-friendly and include a fairy tale puppet show, young adult authors' panel, and plenty of book-related events for adults too.

• Tomorrow, the Chicago Park District hosts a public workshop regarding the future of Northerly Island at the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies ( 610 S. Michigan Ave): specifically, the Chicago Park District and their consulting team will be present to share ideas and discuss the park's past, present, and potential future.

• The Chicago Chapter of the Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails, or LUPEC, wants you to throw back a Kiki Royale and look at pretty clothing for a good cause: they're teaming up with West Loop boutiques to benefit Greenhouse Shelter, which reaches out to abused women and children. This all happens Thursday, more details here.

• Thursday, the Chicago History Museum's panel discussion series "In the K/Now" examines the events behind the CNN story "Chicago's Deadly Streets". Journalist Laura Washington leads the discussion, comprised of Father Michael Pfleger, Tio Hardiman, Phillip Hampton, and Floyd Brown. More information here, reservations required.

• Former governor Jim Edgar comes to UIC Friday, 12-1pm, to give his lecture, "The Future of Illinois".

• The SAMFund is a non-profit organization that helps young adults recovering from cancer. Wednesday, they're hosting a fund-raising bags tournament at Joe's Bar (940 W. Weed St.), where all but $20 per ticket is fully tax-deductible, and all donations in excess of $35 per ticket are completely tax deductible. Find out more here.

• The Peirce School of International Studies' holds its 3rd annual fundraiser Sunday at the Hopleaf (5148 N. Clark St.). For $25, you get an all-you-can-eat buffet, and either a raffle or silent auction.

• Tuesday, the Metropolitan Planning Council and Openlands discuss the fragile and finite nature of Illinois' water supply, leading into a talk surrounding the publication "Before the Wells Run Dry", which describes a series of strategies to protect our shared water resources. More information here.

• Since 1996, the Eastern Congo has been hit by civil/regional/global war. UIC presents "The Congo Crisis in Perspective" Wednesday night, a panel discussion about this ongoing issue. Free and open to the public, more information here.

• Former State's Attorney candidate and Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica gives his lecture, "Reform of Cook County Government", Friday at 12-1pm. Part of UIC's "Future of Chicago" series. More information here.
  • Also Friday, tutor and mentoring program Cabrini Connections hosts its 4th annual Martini Madness fundraiser at The Store (2002 N. Halsted) from 6:30pm-9:30pm.

• Show how much you don't back the bid tomorrow with No Games Chicago at City Hall (121 N. LaSalle), 5:30pm.

• Learn about your city's inner workings over your lunch hour Wednesday: former City Clerk James Laski's lecture, "Inside the Chicago Machine", runs from 12-1pm. The talk is part of UIC's "Future of Chicago" series, and takes place in UIC's Behavioral Science Building (1007 West Harrison Street), Room 140

• ACORN is getting a lot of attention right now in both the media and politicians, especially given President Obama's long-time ties to the organization (which closed its llinois offices last year), but some of it doesn't make a lot of sense.
• The myth of Olympic benefits rolls on; Meanwhile, some Chicagoans are voting for Rio.
• How are the Olympics like Milton Bradley? Past performance is the best indicator of future behavior, says Steve Rhodes.
• Community activists rallied in support of children with incarcerated parents on Friday, and Sheila Burt covered it for us.
  
• Local Conservatives and Libertarians Debate the War on Drugs.
• Ben Joravsky is surprised to find out he's a tool of the man.
• Comparing healthcare reform to the post office.
  
• Balloon Juice notices the Force is strong with Conservatives -- rhetorically, anyway -- which contrasts nicely with the photos from last week of Obama with a lightsaber.

photo by Win McNamee / Getty Images - via Huffington Post

• Today at 6pm at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (20 S. Wacker Dr.), the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business present a forum on health care, featuring David Cutler, Otto Eckstein Professor of Applied Economics, Department of Economics and Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He also on the Council of Economic Advisers and the National Economic Council during the Clinton administration, and was senior health care adviser to Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

• Tuesday's celebration of a car-free Chicago is the joint effort of the Active Transportation Alliance and RTA, Pace, Metra, CTA and communities around the region. Pledge not to drive and get a dollar off a large Caribou Coffee at participating locations.

• REI cleans up Montrose Beach (4400 N. Lake Shore Dr.) Saturday at 9am, and you can too. Register by calling (312) 951-6020. Your good deed serves a dual purpose: by cleaning up, you're helping collecting data for a report on the Great Lakes.

• Dr. L. Subramaniam & Kavita Krishnamurti and The Leipzig Philharmonic Orchestra present Freedom Symphony for World Peace Songs of India & Mendelssohn Symphony No. 5 Sunday. Written to honor 60 years of Indian independence, the composition has only been performed in India prior to this. 3pm, Harris Theater; 205 East Randolph Street. Go here for more details.

• ...so, in other words, the Tribune reported that Mayor Daley has the lowest approval rating of his career. He blames it on the economy. I blame it on his not doing things that earn people's approval.
• Meanwhile, the City Council--unbelievably, given the above, which anybody could have explained to them if they listened to anybody--unanimously voted to give the Mayor a blank check for the Olympics, with some minor transparency concessions--that would still let the Mayor do whatever he wanted, but would force us to watch him while he did it. Gross.
• Former City Inspector General David Hoffman officially announced his bid for the US Senate. His clerkships for right-wing judges are easily explainable, and his pledge to not accept corporate PAC or lobbyist money goes pretty far.
• Former Blagojevich fundraiser Christopher Kelly was found dead this weekend. It is suspected that an overdose, and suicide, was the cause of death. The cost of corruption.
• Over at Mechanics, we challenge the conventional wisdom that laying off state workers is a way to solve our budget problems.
• Republicans need to try to build the perfect candidate for governor.
• The Cook County Democratic Party is not making an endorsement for Cook County Board President--though they endorsed Giannoulias for the Senate seat, and Quinn for the Governor's office--and this brought no end to the glee of one former aspirant to that seat. Some inside stories from the slating committee meeting, and some made up ones, too.
• The Trib's Eric Zorn cruelly (or thankfully, depending how you look at it) blogs Blago's book.
  

• Fizz's 6th annual Labor Day BBQ (that's today) has all you can eat BBQ for the meager sum of $10, or $10 in school supplies. 3220 N. Lincoln Ave. from 2-8pm.

• Head down to Pullman (specifically, 111th St. and Cottage Grove Avenue) to take part in a festival and rally to celebrate the workers of America. Starts 2pm, includes music, food, exhibits, and entertainment.

• Tomorrow: Hideout co-owner Tim Tuten moved to Washington DC in April to work under the Obama administration (specifically, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan). Listen in at 9am on www.vocalo.org 89.5 FM to hear him discuss rocking out, education and politics-style.

• The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) hosts a series of free public workshops this summer called GO TO 2040 "Invent the Future", where the feedback you contribute will help them create a scenario that will best reflect the region's desired future. This edition takes place Thursday from 4-6pm at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Student Center East, Cardinal Room 329, 715 S. Halsted St., Chicago. Visit goto2040.org for more information and to register.

• The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) hosts a series of free public workshops this summer called GO TO 2040 "Invent the Future", where the feedback you contribute will help them create a scenario that will best reflect the region's desired future. This session takes place Wednesday, 7-9pm at the Village of Montgomery, 200 N. River St., Montgomery, IL. Head on over here to register.

• The pie-litical is personal Saturday night: Equality Illinois' Pie-Throwing Contest lets you throw pies at local movers and shakers such as Windy City Times publisher Tracy Baim, Ron Huberman of Chicago Public Schools, Alderman Tom Tunney, and state legislators Greg Harris, Sara Feigenholtz and Deb Mell, should you have the winning bid. Proceeds benefit the organization, whose mission is to "secure, protect and defend equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Illinois". 2-5pm at Sidetrack (3329 N. Halsted).

Good Monday morning, Chicago. It's been a long, rough year for Chicago politics so far. The fight over the Olympics, privatization, the special election, the schools poor performance and draconian turnarounds, the state budget. I know sometimes it seemed like you were alone; but just know, when you look back and see only one set of footprints, it was Gapers Block's Mechanics that carried you.

• Hit the ball past the windmill for a good cause: Chicago non-profit Crossroads Fund supports community organizations working on issues of social and economic justice, and is hosting a round of mini golf at the Diversey Mini Golf Course Wednesday, 6-9pm. Top golfers will receive fabulous prizes, and soft drinks and food will be provided.

• The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) hosts a series of free public workshops this summer called GO TO 2040 "Invent the Future", where the feedback you contribute will help them create a scenario that will best reflect the region's desired future. This edition takes place Thursday from 6-8pm at the Evanston Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL. Go here to register.

• We ask: just why is government transparency important? Why should we care about the Freedom of Information Act legislation that Governor Quinn still hasn't signed? And just how is the city doing on TIF transparency?
• Speaking of transparency, the Chicago Reader's Mick Dumke explores the continuing lack of it around the Parking Meter Privatization debacle.
• Oh, speaking of transparency again, Tribune columnist David Griesing says that the Chicago Olympic Bid Committee should open its record for inspection.
  
• And speaking of the Olympics (don't know how long I'm going to be able to keep up these segues) Ben Joravsky (and Steve Rhodes) call out Alderman Manny Flores (1st) for backtracking on a tough ordinance that would have capped Olympic spending.
  
• Alderman Ricardo Munoz lets his fingers do the walking and calls a magnet school principal on behalf of his daughter, the first open admission in the festering Clouting Admissions scandal at the Chicago Public Schools. Was he wrong?
• Mechanics contributor Levois unearths some of the original Chicagoland Town Hall crazies: take that, Rostenkowski.
• What do you think about Urban League president and former Blagojevich aide Cheryle Jackson entering the US Senate race?
• The Chicago Reporter analyzes a study that says that incarceration of blacks in state prison for drug offenses has declined considerably during the Bush era.
• Governor Quinn makes major changes to the Illinois Tollway Board. 
• Progress Illinois covers the "two sides of the street" at the Joliet Health Care town hall.
  
• Speaking of streets (huh? you like that?), the CTA is expanding the El further into the suburbs.

•  Comptroller Dan Hynes, who many of you will know primarily from the name on your checks (state workers, state contractors), from that time you had to double check that Illinois had a comptroller, since you always assumed the Treasurer would probably just do that job (social studies teachers), or from the 2004 Democratic Primaries (the rest of you), made his race for Governor double super official. Hynes is a well respected public official; now he and Pat Quinn prepared for battle.*

*In this instance, "battle" means "arguing about state finances via surrogates and grainy TV commercials; also websites. And Tweets.

• Chicagoans are arguing about just why the GOP hates the Cash for Clunkers program.
• Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky endorsed state Representative Julie Hamos for the 10th District Congressional seat The endorsement came while flanked by some of well known Democratic women in Illinois politics (Dawn Clark Netsch, Barbara Flynn Curie, and Debra Shore, who have eight names for three people),. This likely helped emphasize at least one major difference between state Representative Hamos and her most formidable primary opponent, Dan Seals. Can you guess the difference?*

*He's a dude.

• US Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias responded to an over-the-top smear segment--smegment? yes--with a diary on Daily Kos. The right move?
• A GB writer has a brilliant idea for what we could do with the Old Post Office: give it to entrepreneurs.
• A potential Clouted Admissions scandal in the Chicago Public Schools widens. A federal attorney has released a document detailing to a certain degree what they are looking for and who are persons targeted in the investigation. Were admissions to some of the CPS' best schools inappropriately clouted?*

*Probably.

• Workers at the historic Blackstone Hotel have accused the bosses there of using tactics of "fear and intimidation" to quell their effort to organize. This comes just as the city's hotel workers prepare to renegotiate a city-wide contract. What do you think a hotel workers contract fight would do to our hopes of getting the 2016 Olympics?*

*Dim them.

• The city of Chicago's much anticipated and legislatively mandated TIF Transparency website, to rapt audiences citywide. TIF Transparency critics find it stale, uninspired, mid-summer pablum.

• The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) hosts a series of free public workshops this summer called GO TO 2040 "Invent the Future", where the feedback you contribute will help them create a scenario that will best reflect the region's desired future. This edition takes place Thursday from 1-3pm at the Bethel New Life Center, 1140 N. Lamon Ave., Chicago, IL. Go here to register.

• Come learn something Tuesday at "Chicago Visionaries: From Burnham to Today and Beyond", a free panel discussing how Chicago can remain dynamic and relevant in the 21st century. Speakers include Carl Smith, author of the current One Book, One Chicago selection Plan of Chicago: Daniel Burnham and the Remaking of the American City, Nichole Pinkard of the University of Chicago's Urban Education Institute, architects Sarah Dunn and Martin Felsen, and Angela Hulock of Claretian Associates, developers of green and affordable housing on the Southeast side. 6pm, 400 S State St, Cindy Pritzker Auditorium. Call (312) 747-4300 for details.

• The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) hosts a series of free public workshops this summer called GO TO 2040 "Invent the Future", where the feedback you contribute will help them create a scenario that will best reflect the region's desired future. This edition takes place from 7-9pm at the Harvard Public Library, 900 E. McKinley Rd., Harvard, IL 60033. Go here for more information and to register.

• Governor Quinn signs a bill raising the cap on charter schools in Chicago from 30 to 45, reports the Chi-Town Daily News. The privatization of public education marches on.
• Republican candidate for Senate Rep. Mark Kirk (IL-10) is apparently back-pedaling on his much-reviled-by-the-right vote on Cap'n Trade. Cap'n Trade is a magical sea captain that plunders carbon credits.
• Should the police get an expansion of their deadly force powers?
• For those of you with plenty of time on their hands and an allergy to sunlight, consider a fun experiment: compare how many local political stories in Chicago start with "feds investigate" to the average for the next ten metropolitan area. 
• Speaking of which, feds investigate potentially clouted CPS admissions.
• The Big Blue Big Box That Dare Not Speak Its Name conducts a bald-faced push poll to demonstrate support for a new South Side store. Levois says let them in.
• Governor Quinn made some Tough Choices(tm) and outlined $1bn in spending cuts.
• Good thing everybody's clamoring for social service cuts, since more and more Illinois children are slipping into poverty.
• Angela Caputo and Progress Illinois have a few questions for City CFO Gene Staffold. About what? I'll give you a hint: it rhymes with "Gudget bortfalls".
• University of Chicago unionized hospital workers are considering rejecting a contract proposal, to which the University brass responded, "Mua hahahahahha" as lightning crashed and they played organs.
• State Representative Julie Hamos announces her run for the 10th Congressional District open seat.
• Do people tacitly accept racial profiling by the police because the numbers justify it? Because the numbers don't justify it, either.

• The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) hosts a series of free public workshops this summer called GO TO 2040 "Invent the Future", where the feedback you contribute will help them create a scenario that will best reflect the region's desired future. Takes place Wednesday from 6-8pm at the Transportation Research and Analysis Computation Center (TRACC) DuPage Airport Authority Flight Center, 2700 International Drive, West Chicago, IL 60185. Go here for directions, and here to register.
• Also Wednesday: Laurie Zoloth, Ph.D., Director of Northwestern University's Center for Bioethics at Northwestern University and Mark Siegler, M.D., Director of The University of Chicago's MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, discuss the at times ambiguous boundaries of bioethics, and how the implications of this affect our everyday lives. 6-7:30pm, Thorne Auditorium, Northwestern School of Law, Arthur Rubloff Building (375 E. Chicago Ave.). Free, but register (recommended) by calling (773) 947-3150 or e-mailing rsvp@sciencechicago.com.

• The Reader's Ben Joravsky was not the only Olympics skeptic out there giving the 2016 Bid Committee the business.Their marketing effort and staged events have not been going particularly well--though the bid is still steaming along, at least according to Greg Hinz.
• The community group fighting the massive development at Wilson Yards in Uptown are preparing to file a new lawsuit to stop it.
• Comptroller Dan Hynes will be running for Governor, and has already traded barbs with Governor Quinn; state Representative Julie Hamos may be preparing for a run for Congress in the 10th District, where candidates are lining up on both sides; and Giannoulias makes his bid super-double-no-backsies official and tries to bait Kirk.
• Cook County takes steps to decriminalize marijuana to some degree, reducing possession of small amounts to a fine. Meanwhile, County Board President Todd Stroger vetoes a partial repeal of the sales tax increase.
• Another Big Box retailer fight is brewing, for the 83rd and Stewart site.
• The Chicago Public Schools organizes a secret job fair that CEO Ron Huberman didn't know about. Meanwhile, they may be illegally failing special needs kids.
• Saint Boniface Church on the city's near northwest side loses a column. Which then crushes a car.
• Voices for Illinois Children predicts a $10bn+ budget deficit next year.
• Oh--and celebrate! The minimum wage increased last week, improving the financial situation of more than 10m Americans.

• The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) hosts a series of free public workshops this summer called GO TO 2040 "Invent the Future", where the feedback you contribute will help them create a scenario that will best reflect the region's desired future. takes place Thursday from 6-8pm at the South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association, 1904 W. 174th St., East Hazel Crest, IL. Registration information here.

• Relive the Lincoln-Douglas debates in honor of the Lincoln Bicentennial Saturday with the Newberry Library's Bughouse Square Debates. This year's soapbox speakers include Jorge Mujica on immigration rights, "The Parking Meter Geek" on Chicago's parking meter troubles, Nora Rowley on Burma, and more. Take your heckling to Washington Square Park from 1-4pm. Free.

• The news of the weeks was that the state legislature and Governor Quinn finally came to a budget deal, passing a $26bn budget that "relies heavily on borrowing" and made absolutely nobody happy; among the critics was state Representative Jack Franks, who is considering a statewide run for governor.
• Meanwhile, some public employees organized "send-offs" for legislators in Chicago and elsewhere, to urge them to support state Senator James Meeks' HB 174. Sen. Meeks said he did not support the budget deal reached by Quinn and the General Assembly.
• Violence on the streets of Chicago was noticeably bad last week, with at one point four murders in six hours.
• Joblessness in Illinois spiked up above 10% last week, nudging us ahead of the national average. Finally, Illinois gets ahead.
• The Chicago Journal's Micah Maidenburg reported on a federal court case that could threaten the Chicago City Council tradition of "aldermanic privilege."
• In another Illinois court case, the question of just how the government can regulate speech has made life difficult for one engineer.
• In a face off that could have serious repercussions for Mayor Daley's relationship to the city's labor movement, a face-off between the Mayor and union leadership over Mayoral demands for concessions from workers ended with the unions not budging and the Mayor laying off an additional 400+ Chicagoans.
• Congressman Mark Kirk made his bid for the US Senate seat currently held by Roland Burris official, and Congressman Danny K. Davis spoke with Carol Marin about his now nearly certain pursuit of the County Board Presidency.
• GOP Gubernatorial candidate Dan Proft stuck up for the U of I officials accused of clouting students into the school.
• Senate candidate and current State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias poked his potential 2010 opponent Mark Kirk by telling the press that all candidates should reveal how they would vote on the Judge Sonia Sotomayor confirmation.
• Chicago statistician (and proprietor of FiveThirtyEight.com) Nate Silver issues a challenge to climate change deniers.

• Emmy Award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and senior news analyst for NPR Cokie Roberts Cokie Roberts will speak at Harold Washington Library about her new book, We Are Our Mothers' Daughters. Free, 7pm, Cindy Pritzker Auditorium, 400 S. State St.

• The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) hosts a series of free public workshops this summer called GO TO 2040 "Invent the Future", where the feedback you contribute will help them create a scenario that will best reflect the region's desired future. Tonight's workshop takes place Wednesday at Waubonsee Community College (Route 47 at Waubonsee Dr., Sugar Grove, IL) from 6:30-8:30pm. Registration information here.

• Governor Pat Quinn returned the budget sent his way by the legislature, demanding that legislators come up with more cuts; some say that increasing revenue is the only "real" solution.
• Meanwhile, the budget stalemate leads to real-life consequences for families that use state services. Progress Illinois tracks these service providers who aren't being paid.
• After months of speculation that she would be running for either the US Senate or the Governor's mansion, Attorney General Lisa Madigan surprised everybody, particularly down-ticket politicians ready to make a move up, by announcing that she would run for re-election as Attorney General. (To face a rematch with her 2002 foe, Joe Birkett).
• Roland Burris, citing the high cost of political campaigns what with all these new fangled advertisements and what-nots, announced he would not be seeking re-election; speculation that businessman and Kennedy clan scion Chris Kennedy would not pursue the nomination either must have left Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias feeling pretty good.
• The Chicago 2016 bid committee kicked off its 50-in-50 tour (fifty wards in fifty days) to sell the idea of a publicly-backed Olympic bid to the people of the city.
• Congressman Mark Kirk will--or will he!?--pursue the Republican nomination for US Senate. But can he win?
• Local journalist Kari Lydersen released a book of the Goose Island Republic Windows & Doors workers' factory occupation that gained national attention.
• Last week, rumors were flying about violence at the Taste of Chicago--and a possible cover-up of that violence.
• Last week the public got its first view of the concepts for boutique charter schools.