Category: Chicago

Would You Kill For Drew Peterson?

Posted on by TL

Drew Peterson’s stepbrother, Thomas Morphey (left), took the stand Thursday in a hearing to decide whether prosecutors can use ‘hearsay’ evidence.

I shudder just to write that headline. Hearing a question like that from someone I’m close to would really give me pause.

Drew Peterson allegedly said something like that to his stepbrother.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

A day before Stacy Peterson vanished, Drew Peterson confided that his fourth wife was seeking a divorce — then asked a startling question, Thomas Morphey testified Thursday.

“How much do you love me?” Peterson asked, according to Morphey, his stepbrother. “Enough to kill for me?”

Their Oct. 27, 2007, conversation left Morphey shaken — and convinced that Peterson was planning to kill his 23-year-old wife, Morphey said.

Those fears grew a day later when Drew Peterson asked for help in moving a 3 1/2-foot-tall blue barrel out of his Bolingbrook home, particularly when Morphey picked up one end of the 140-pound container.

“It felt warm,” said Morphey, whose courtroom statements closely followed information he provided in an exclusive 2008 interview that ran in the Chicago Sun-Times. He said in that interview he believes Stacy Peterson’s body was in the plastic container he helped Peterson carry out of the house on Oct. 28, 2007.

The Sun-Times reports that Morphey acknowledged he was so upset by his actions that he took an overdose of prescription drugs the next day in a suicide attempt. He said he was contacted by police investigators after being released from the hospital and provided them information about Peterson’s alleged actions.

Innocent until proven guilty, and I hope the court does everything possible to ensure this is a fair trial.

Because it’s going to be incredibly ugly.

More here at the Sun-Times.

It’s On: Hynes Calls Quinn a Liar

Posted on by TL

From NBC Chicago:

Gov Pat Quinn says a new television ad from his Democratic opponent reminds him of when President Obama was heckled during an address to Congress.

"I think that just is not a good way to go in a democracy. I believe in civility and decency. I’m going to run a positive campaign," Quinn said Friday.

In the ad, Comptroller Dan Hynes says Quinn "is lying" about the early prison release program.

In the Quinn ad, the narrator says the governor supports moving some non-violent criminals to half-way houses so prison space can be used to house the state’s most violent offenders.

It’s on, South-Park-style.

Let’s remember as this madness continues that both of these guys are good men, both men of good character.

Through February 2, however, they’ll both be acting like characters.

Gentlemen, please, under no circumstances are you permitted to say in an ad, "What’s he thinking?"

If you do, I won’t vote the office at all.

Schools Supt. Charles Flowers Charged With Theft

Posted on by TL

Charles Flowers, superintendent of the Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education, is led toward the Cook County sheriff’s office this afternoon after being arrested by Cook County state’s attorney investigators in Maywood.

"Lead us not into temptation." –The Lord’s Prayer

Kudos to the Southtown Star:

Regional Supt. Charles Flowers was charged today with theft by the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.

The arrest comes after a yearlong investigation by the Southtown Star into operations of Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education.

Flowers turned himself in about 1 p.m. to sheriff’s police in Maywood. He was accompanied by his attorney, Tim Grace.

At a news conference this afternoon, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez said Flowers is charged with felony theft and official misconduct. She said he faces a prison term of four to seven years if convicted.

"Just when you think you may have seen it all, along comes a case like this one today that just shocks you with the level of egregious conduct that is involved," Alvarez said.

Flowers is in custody pending a bond hearing Friday morning in a Maywood courtroom.

Temptation is an ugly thing. It’s so hard to resist. No doubt that’s one of the reasons mention of temptation found its way into The Lord’s Prayer.

There’s an old Christian teaching about an ‘occasion of sin.’ While often associated with Catholic sisters and priests on dance floors telling dancing teens to separate, there’s actually a lot of wisdom to this one. There’s a lot of wisdom is setting up boundaries in an office to isolate oneself from temptation. In generic accounting terminology, we might talk about setting up internal audits.

It may be too late for Regional Supt. Charles Flowers. He is innocent until proven guilty. For anyone else in elected office, this is a sobering lesson.

Set up checks and balances so neither you, or those you hire, will be tempted, and, heaven help us, give in to temptation.

More at the Star.

Chicago Tribune Endorses Toni Preckwinkle … For Reform; I’m Listening

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I was persuaded by Dorothy Brown, but I am fearful that she is just too much part of the old pseudo-Democratic order: Those Who Just Want To Be Elected.

I’m intrigued by the Chicago Tribune’s endorsement of Toni Preckwinkle for Cook County Board President.

Hmmmmm.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Most of the Illinois Democrats who endorsed Stroger in 2006, from Congress to state government to City Hall, wriggled away long ago. They’re frantic to forget that they wholly own Stroger and his reign — even if they didn’t formally sign off on his Friends and Family Hiring Extravaganza, that felonious steakhouse busboy included.

This year’s primary gives Democrats a do-over. We hope they dump Stroger and instead nominate the honorable and no-nonsense Chicago alderman — yes, there are some — who offers her party its best hope of redemption after the Stroger humiliations.

Toni Preckwinkle, a University of Chicago-educated history teacher turned South Side politico, isn’t a household name in much of Cook County. But she has built an impressive city-suburban alliance of African-American, Latino and white supporters. And on the signature issue in this campaign for many voters, yes, she says she would retire the second half of the 2008 sales tax increase that Stroger engineered.

We think Preckwinkle has the best potential of the three Democrats challenging Stroger to deliver on his badly broken promises for a streamlined and modernized County Building. Appearing before our editorial board, she was the only one of the four to say she would fully protect the independence of the panel that now runs the county’s health care system. That’s crucial: Keeping that system out of the mitts of County Board members, the board president and other bosses is the only hope that patients and taxpayers have for good health services delivered economically.

Interesting.

Read the rest here at the Trib.

Interesting.

Chicago’s Center On Halsted to Host Men’s and Women’s ‘Speed Dating’

Posted on by TL

Chicago, IL– Center on Halsted will host an evening of SPEED DATING for lesbians on Thursday, February 11 and gay men on Thursday, February 25, 2010. Not finding that special spark across the Internet? Long, wasted evenings with those just-not-happening blind dates? It’s time for some real-time, fun-time SPEED DATING at Center on Halsted located at 3656 N. Halsted Street in Chicago.

SPEED DATERS should arrive between 6:45pm -7pm. The first round of SPEED DATING will begin at 7:15pm. Rounds will continue until everyone has had a chance to meet, or until 8:45pm, whichever comes first. Be sure to bring your agenda book! “Like to get together for coffee” cards will be matched after the last round ends.

Tickets for SPEED DATING at Center on Halsted are $12 at the door, and $10 if you purchase in advance. A cash bar will open at 6:45pm. To purchase tickets in advance, please email [email protected] or call 773/661-0763.

For more information about Center on Halsted, please visit our website, www.centeronhalsted.org.

Center on Halsted is the most comprehensive Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) and Allies community center in the Midwest. View an art exhibit, see a theatrical performance, use the free WI-FI or take part in one of our social services programs. Perhaps just relax with a cup of coffee in the glass lobby of the Center’s “green” certified building. Find YOUR Center at Center on Halsted. www.centeronhalsted.org, 773.472.6469, open 8am – 10pm daily.

Study Says Chicago Wal-Mart Bad for Area Jobs

Posted on by TL

According to a new study, Wal-Mart is bad for jobs in Chicago, ABC 7 Chicago reports.

From WLS:

A new study out shows the one and only Wal-Mart in the city of Chicago may not be a job-generating machine like many supporters claim. But some question the conclusions reached by local researchers.

As early as next week, the City Council is expected to revive the debate over plans for a new Wal-Mart on the South Side. But a conveniently timed study says the retailing giant leaves less of an economic footprint than you may expect.

"Usually by this time of year we have a lot. But, as you can see, it’s empty," said Mike Ramirez, thrift store assistant manager.

Mike Ramirez says given the recession, business at his West Side thrift shop should be booming. It’s not. And he blames his new neighbor.

"This new Wal-Mart is taking a lot of my customers away," said Ramirez.

The city’s one and only Wal-Mart opened in the Austin neighborhood in 2006. A new study study by researchers from Loyola and UIC claims 82 businesses within a four-mile radius of the store have closed, thanks -at least in part- to the mega retailer’s presence. That, the study’s authors say, has cost the community nearly 300 jobs, about as many as Wal-Mart added.

The WLS report says the Chicago City Council will probably consider concerns of organized labor, however, Chicago should also consider Walm-Mart’s pitiful record on diversity. The Human Rights Campaign gives Wal-Mart a low 40/100 on the Corporate Equality Index criteria. Go here for the HRC’s complete analysis.

Click here to read the study.

It Is Now Illegal to Text and Drive in Illinois

Posted on by TL
texting

From the Chicago Tribune:

Take your thumbs off the keypad and put your hands on the wheel — it’s now illegal to text-message while driving.

A state law that takes effect Friday also bans checking e-mail, updating Facebook and Web surfing while driving, though using your phone’s GPS is still OK.

“We want everyone to keep their attention on the roadway,” said Capt. Scott Compton, an Illinois State Police spokesman. “Texting and cell phone use is a distraction that not only takes your eyes off the road, but often takes more than one hand to do.”

The texting ban is one of nearly 300 new laws taking effect with the new year, ranging from ethics reforms in the wake of ex- Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s ouster to how credit card companies can market on college campuses.

According to ENEWSPF, police are expected to aggressively enforce the no-texting while driving ban. Police now have authority to subpoena your mobile phone records after an accident to see if you were texting while driving.

Restaurateur Nick Sord Charged with DUI in Crash that Killed Girlfriend

Posted on by TL

An absolute tragedy.

From the Chicago Tribune:

A business partner of a Blackhawks legend and former coach has been charged with drunk driving after a crash early Thursday near Oak Forest that killed his girlfriend, Cook County sheriff’s officials said today.

Nick Sord’s blood-alcohol level was 0.236, three times the legal limit for driving, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office. Sord, 22, of the 10600 block of Churchill Drive, and Denis Savard are partners in a venture to open a restaurant, Savard’s Hall of Fame, in Munster.

Sord has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence.

His girlfriend Jessica Mejia, 20, of the 700 block of Brookwood Road in New Lenox, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which happened near 147th Street and Oak Park Avenue in unincorporated Cook County.

Once again, according to police, Nick Sord’s blood-alcohol level was 0.236, three times the legal limit for driving.

Read more at the Trib.

Suspect Shot by Police on Chicago’s South Side

Posted on by TL

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Police and fire crews remain at the scene of a police-involved shooting Tuesday night in the South Side Fuller Park neighborhood.

Independent Police Review Authority spokesman Curtis Tarver confirmed a police-involved shooting happened at 54th and Indiana Avenue about 7:40 p.m. He said a suspect was shot by a police officer.

Fire crews remained at the scene in the 7800 block of South Shore Drive at 9 p.m., according to Fire Media Affairs Cmdr. Will Knight, who said no transports had been made.

This is a developing story.

Read more here at the Sun-Times.

Chicago Bears Shock Vikings 36-30 in Overtime

Posted on by TL

Here’s the last play from the NFL Game Center:

1-10-MIN 39 (9:21) J.Cutler pass deep right to D.Aromashodu for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

I don’t know where this team has been for most of the season, but they were incredible tonight. Jay Cutler played the game of his career, and even looked a bit choked up when it all finally ended.

I got choked up too.

From the Chicago Tribune:

For the first time this season, the Bears had a balanced and potent offense with Jay Cutler leading the way in a 36-30 overtime upset of the Minnesota Vikings.

Cutler hit Devin Aromashodu on a 39-yard touchdown pass in overtime to give the Bears the victory and raise their record to 6-9 going into the season finale Sunday at Detroit. Aromashodu had seven catches for a career-high 150 yards on the night.

The winning score was set up when Bears linebacker stripped the ball from Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and the Bears recovered on the Minnesota 39.

The Bears had taken a 30-23 lead with 4:55 to play in regulation on a Cutler-to-Earl Bennett 20-yard touchdown pass, only to see Brett Favre march the Vikings back for a game-tying, six-yard

TD pass on fourth-and-goal to Sidney Rice with 16 seconds  remaining in regulation.

The Bears received the kickoff to open the overtime period and moved into field-goal range, but Robbie Gould missed a 45-yard attempt wide right.

Entering the game, the Vikings appeared to be unraveling at the worst possible time,having lost three of their last four. And the Bears took it to them when the only thing they had to play for was pride and the chance to leave a late impression on the decision-makers.

Frankly, Cutler played an awesome game, completing 20 of 35 for 273 yards, 4 touchtowns and 1 interception. Brett Favre completed 26 of 40 for 321 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. Bears Wide Receiver Devin Aromashodu had 7 receptions for 150 yards, including the end-of-game winning touchdown.

Nicely done.

Read more from the Tribune.