Open government in Chicago? Rahm’s tech and data chiefs swear it’s coming

Posted by Mick Dumke on Thu, Jun 2, 2011 at 11:02 AM Among his many promises to change the way Chicago operates, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has vowed to bring an unprecedented level of transparency and technological innovation to city operations. “I understand that sounds crazy coming out of a City …

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State pollution board orders Chicago River cleanup

By Michael Hawthorne Tribune reporter 2:42 p.m. CDT, June 2, 2011 The Illinois Pollution Control Board today took the first step toward designating stretches of the Chicago River, Cal-Sag Channel and Little Calumet River safe for “primary contact,” a legal term that includes activities such as kayaking, canoeing, boating, wading …

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City: Expansion of gambling would be bad bet for Aurora

AURORA — The city of Aurora expects gaming tax revenues to be seriously impacted if all the casinos in the state’s proposed gambling expansion bill are built. “It would make it difficult for existing casinos like the one in Aurora to compete,” said city spokesman Kevin Stahr about Hollywood Casino …

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Prepare for More Money Printing: Analyst

By: Jessica Hartogs Assistant Producer, CNBC.com Investors should prepare themselves for a third round of quantitative easing, Simon Maughn, co-head of European equities at MF Global, told CNBC Wednesday. “The bond market is going in one direction which is up-falling yields which is telling you quite clearly the direction of …

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State senator says he was hit by fellow lawmaker

Associated Press 8:02 a.m. CDT, June 1, 2011 An Illinois state senator says he has filed a statement with police alleging he was punched in the chest by a fellow lawmaker. Republican Sen. Kyle McCarter says he was punched by Sen. Mike Jacobs on the Senate floor after a debate …

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FOI Act not meant to expose citizens to risk

The Daily Herald editorial “Stop dimming transparency efforts,” failed to understand the crux of the Freedom of Information Act argument. The Herald correctly stated that the point of the law is to help citizens keep government accountable so as to limit corruption. This is a valid goal, and indeed, should …

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Illinois House votes to add 5 casinos, including land-based casino in Chicago; measure now goes to Senate

John Garcia May 30, 2011 (CHICAGO) (WLS) — The Illinois House has approved a major expansion to legalize gambling, and it includes five new casinos, including one in Chicago. The bill is expected to move on for a vote in the Senate Tuesday before the legislative session is scheduled to …

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Chicago Scanner broadcasts LIVE Chicago Police and Fire communications.

Listen to all the action streaming live right to your computer. Get “in the know” of what is happening in and around the City of Chicago and Cook County. Hear breaking news as it happens and before it’s broadcast on local news channels. Know what is happening in your neighborhood. …

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Notary Public Chicago

Notary Public in Chicago Notary $1 & up ….. We come to your location for additional charges!!! Notary Service Chicago can notarize documents of conveyance, Quitclaim deed, passports & residential real estate documents authorized by a State-appointed Illinois Notary Public Official. Notary Public Chicago

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Chicago’s tech guru envisions ‘smart’ services

Tolva is counting on his chief data officer, Brett Goldstein, to expand upon Goldstein’s work developing a Chicago Police Department program that aims to predict when and where crime will happen. “We want to apply analytics to sets of data to identify patterns,” Tolva said. That could mean comparing a …

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Bartlett police add mental-illness response team

By Dave Gathman dgathman@stmedianetwork.com May 24, 2011 6:22PM BARTLETT — The Bartlett Police Department has become one of only a handful of area departments to have a Crisis Intervention Team, or CIT. It is composed of five law enforcement officers who received intensive specialized training on dealing with people who …

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GMO debate: Consumer activists seek labeling of genetically modified foods

They have become so common that even organic retailer Whole Foods says it can’t avoid stocking some Protesters demonstrate against GMOs in food at the Whole Foods Market on North Kingsbury Street in Chicago earlier this month. (Alex Garcia, Chicago Tribune / May 24, 2011) By Monica Eng, Tribune reporter …

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Aquaponics taking root in Chicago

Startup companies bet locally sourced fish, produced in self-sustaining habitats, can win over city-dwellers By Christopher Weber, Special to the Tribune May 25, 2011 Amid the worst economy in decades, Andrew Fernitz, 23, thinks he can raise fish and organic produce for a living. While his classmates are searching for …

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Illinois Treasurer Warns Against Lending to Illinois

Here’s one for the truth is funnier than fiction column. The Illinois Treasurer says he would call bond houses, warn against lending to Illinois Illinois chief fiscal officer said Monday he is willing to dial up the bond houses and finance companies to alert them that lending the state more …

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500 Cops to Be Moved to High-Crime Areas from Specialized Units

500 Cops to Be Moved to High-Crime Areas from Specialized Units 90 day plan will be test period for McCarthy Updated: Tuesday, 24 May 2011, 7:43 AM CDT Published : Tuesday, 24 May 2011, 7:43 AM CDT By Joanie Lum, FOX Chicago News Chicago – There will be more Chicago …

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