1,700 foreclosure cases halted by court

Judge suspends 1,700 actions after law firm admits affidavits were changed By Mary Ellen Podmolik, Tribune reporter A Cook County Circuit Court judge has taken the unusual step of temporarily halting at least 1,700 mortgage foreclosures after a law firm told the court that the cases contained altered documents, the …

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In Small Illinois Towns, Not Enough Candidates Running For Municipal Office

By TAMMY WEBBER CEDAR POINT, Ill. — Michael Mahar was the big winner in this month’s village election, but it had nothing to do with his popularity. He was the only candidate on the ballot. He soon had to start calling friends and neighbors in this northern Illinois hamlet of …

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Tea Party Rallies In Daley Plaza

Hundreds of demonstrators who feel Taxed Enough Already turned up to Daley Plaza yesterday to express their discontent with taxes, big government and other assorted socialist encroachments on America. Steve Stevlic, coordinator for the Chicago Tea Party organized the rally, which featured Tea Party darling Joe Walsh (R-IL) (who leads …

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New Chicago schools chief has record of reform, but irked teachers

By Amanda Paulson Amanda Paulson – Mon Apr 18, 4:22 pm ET Chicago – The man Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel has selected to lead the Chicago Public Schools has a track record of improving graduation rates and test scores in his current job in Rochester, N.Y., but has also had conflicts …

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‘Amazon Tax II’ passes Illinois Senate — to furious opposition from city, county, RTA

Posted by Greg H. at 4/15/2011 12:34 PM CDT on Chicago Business You might call it Amazon Tax II — a proposed sales tax “simplification” measure with potentially massive financial implications. Chicago-area officials say the bill could cost them hundreds of millions, and maybe billions, of dollars a year. But …

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How Rahm Retaliated Against Bad Press

So the day after the “Mini White House Inaugural” was reported, the Emanuel team refused to notify NBC of rare one-on-one interviews allotted to our competitors. The TV business is competitive, but typically politicians and public figures who are involved with big events grant the same access to all-comers. When …

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Chicago police sergeant accused of brutality

April 15, 2011|By Divina Mims, CNN A Chicago police sergeant is facing brutality charges stemming from an October incident caught on surveillance tape showing him repeatedly slapping a unresisting, handcuffed man across the face. At a hearing Friday, a bond $20,000 was set for Sgt. Edward Howard Jr., 48, on …

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Cops dodge questions in David Koschman homicide case

We’ve hit what I call the “FOIA Stone Wall.” “FOIA” stands for the Freedom of Information Act, one of the most important tools in a reporter’s toolbox when it comes to finding out what government knew and when it knew it. Authorities, by law, are obligated to respond. But in …

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Chicago alderman proposes vehicle sticker hike

Associated Press A Chicago alderman says he has come up a plan that could produce more revenue for the city. Alderman Joe Moreno says owners of gas-guzzling cars should pay more for city vehicle stickers. At the same time, owners of electric cars and hybrids should see the cost of …

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Pesek resigns GOP post after ties to gang member, drug dealer revealed

BY STEVE WARMBIR Staff Reporter A young, once rising figure in the Illinois Republican party has quit the committee that runs the state party after the Sun-Times revealed the man’s ties to an Outlaw motorcycle gang member and a convicted wholesale drug dealer. Craig Pesek, 34, is a key supporter …

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Surveillance Cameras in Chicago: Extensive, Pervasive and Unregulated

Yesterday, the ACLU of Illinois released a new report detailing the threats to privacy Chicagoans face under the watchful eyes of that city’s growing surveillance camera system. The report is the first large-scale, independent study of the city’s integrated surveillance system — a system former Department of Homeland Security Secretary …

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Illinois House Passes Smoking Exemption for Casinos

Kyle Hillman: Always Bet on Money It is one of those bills the average person finds hard to believe. In a state controlled by Democrats at all three levels, the corporation still finds a way to win. This wackiness can’t be blamed on a Republican overreach, like we’ve seen on …

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Reporter Mick Dumke Sues City Of Chicago Over FOIA Rejections

The Huffington Post Jen Sabella For years, the Chicago Reader’s Mick Dumke has been reporting on everything from the city’s misuse of TIF funds to its lack of recycling. Shedding light on the city’s shortcomings is definitely a way to get on Mayor Daley’s nerves (as most Chicago journalists know) …

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Radiation from Japan found in Will County

By Bob Okon bokon@stmedianetwork.com Mar 31, 2011 2:19AM Radiation believed to be from the Japanese nuclear disaster has been found in Will County, state officials said today. State emergency management officials emphasized that the radiation is at levels so low that it poses no risk. “These findings are not surprising …

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Big-money donors wanted for Emanuel inauguration

Posted by Kristen Mack and Hal Dardick at 2:01 p.m. Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel is looking for private donors to bankroll his inauguration, offering potential donors yet another way to show their appreciation as he prepares to take office next month. Individuals who give $50,000 can garner “co-chair” status on Emanuel’s …

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