Chicago Archives - Page 7 of 24

Chicago Teachers Union Elects Socialist Leadership

Posted on June 12, 2010 by TL

I know the word "Socialist" was dragged through the mud during the last presidential campaign. Barack Obama is showing himself to be quite the centrist — I know my friends in the right will disagree with that, but it’s the truth.

I try to avoid extremes. Strict socialism is too far to the left for my tastes. There are those who would call all public education systems exercises in socialism.

I disagree. Just because an organized governmental entity is running something, that does not mean that particular endeavor is socialism. If that were so, one could argue that government doing anything is socialism: street repair, police, fire, or paramedics.

Socialism is much broader, "a centrally planned economy in which the government controls all means of production," where "private property and the distribution of income are subject to social control."

Socialism is too far to the left to me.

It appears, however, that Socialism is not too far to the left for the Chicago Teachers Union.

Incoming Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis and incoming Vice-President Jesse Sharkey are strongly affiliated with the Socialist Worker Party. In fact, Sharkey is scheduled to speak at the Socialism 2010 convention in Chicago beginning June 17.

Did the rank and file know they were electing socialists?

Too late now.

Chicago Blackhawks Drink Lord Stanley’s Cup

Posted on June 9, 2010 by TL

Park Foresters celebrate the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup victory at the Holiday Star Theater. (Photo: ENEWSPF)

The Chicago Blackhawks drink from Lord Stanley’s Cup, ending professional hockey’s longest drought. Patrick Kane sealed the slim 4-3 overtime victory with a slam that just kissed net after passing under Flyers goalie Michael Leighton. After brief hesitation while officials and television comentators comprehended the winning goal, fans at Park Forest’s Holiday Star Theater, and throughout the rest of the Chicagoland area, erupted in cheers.

Chicago drinks the cup again at last.

Richard Roeper had the honor summarizing the game at the Sun-Times:

Victory!

The enigmatic half-smile of Chief Blackhawk has widened to a full-out expression of joy. OK, so there might be a few teeth missing in that smile in honor of Duncan Keith, but oh what a satisfying grin it is.

Let that signature horn of victory blare deep into the night, as Chicago celebrates its first major championship in a half-decade, brought to us by the best team in their sport — a team that outlasted, outsmarted and outplayed Nashville, Vancouver, San Jose and finally, Philadelphia, home of the nastiest fans and the most weirdly-bearded players in all of hockey.

It seemed as if the playoff marathon lasted nearly as long as the regular season. (Do the Bears kick-off tomorrow?) When it was finally over, there was one team left standing, one team hoisting the fabled Stanley Cup. After decades of watching the Oilers and the Islanders and the Red Wings and the Penguins and so many other franchises have their day, it’s finally Chicago’s turn.

Let “Chelsea Dagger” and “Here Come the Hawks” play until your iPod explodes and your ears bleed.

Rattle your windows as if you were a fan in the front row celebrating a goal by Patrick Kane or a bell-ringing hit by Dusty Byfuglien.

Drink out of your own cup to celebrate the first Stanley Cup to be claimed by the Chicago Blackhawks since John F. Kennedy was a freshly minted president, Roger Maris was making a run at Babe Ruth’s single season home run record and a band called the Beatles was performing for the first time at the Cavern Club.

At this moment, it doesn’t matter if you’re an Original Six diehard who saw Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita skate in the glory days, or a newbie whose feet still feel the sting from jumping on the bandwagon. You have the right to cheer as much as you want for as long as you want.

Job Market Thaws Slightly for 2010 Grads

Posted on May 31, 2010 by TL

This year’s graduates may find a few more jobs than last year’s grads..

No, this is not the news we had been waiting for. The economy is still in recovery mode, but some indicators are looking better.

From the Sun-Times:

The National Association of Colleges and Employers spring job outlook survey revealed employers plan to increase college hiring by 5.3 percent this year from 2009. A separate NACE student survey found 24.4 percent of responding graduating college seniors who applied for jobs said they had jobs waiting this year. That is up from 19.7 percent who said so a year earlier, but still no major turnaround.

Staff at local universities said they have not yet completed their surveys of students’ job search results. But job postings are up at some. Still others have seen dropoffs in employer interest as the shaky economy continues to make it tough for graduates to launch their careers.

Still, the numbers are all over the place in Chicago:

The University of Chicago has seen a 36 percent increase in job postings this year compared to last, and the number of recruiters on campus rose 23 percent, said Marthe Druska, senior associate director, Career Advising & Planning Services.

At DePaul University, April job postings — the most recent data available — were up 37 percent. Still, that was 40 percent below April 2008, notes Carol Montgomery, associate vice president of career and money management at DePaul. The university meanwhile saw an 11 percent drop in the 2009-10 year in the number of employers attending job fairs this year compared to last, she said.

Job postings and internships at the University of Illinois at Chicago fell 10 percent, and employers attending job fairs declined 33 percent, said Katherine Battee-Freeman, assistant director for recruitment.

Graduating seniors here expected a tough time in their job search. Among them was DePaul business student Jacqueline Scharf, who majored in operations management.

To the grads, remember, any job "in the meantime" is better than sitting on mom and dad’s couch. So suck it up, get over yourself, and get out there. Work fast food or drive a cab, whatever it takes. Stay active and show employers you want to work and can do so dependably.

Jewel-Osco: Where Have All the People Gone?

Posted on May 16, 2010 by TL

I ran to Jewel-Osco this morning before mass for dish detergent, and left with everything but.

After forgetting the item I really needed, I debated on waiting for a cashier, or trying to negotiate one of the so-called “self-checkout” lanes. Been there before, and the self-checkouts can be quick. More often than not, they’re simply annoying as the simple recorded voice reminds you to “place your item on the belt,” or “in a bag.”

I opted for the human being, telling her the self-checkout lanes cost real people jobs, and I prefer to work with people.

“Really? I hadn’t heard that side before,” she replied. “It takes three people to run those.”

There are seven self-checkout lanes at this particular store in Olympia Fields. Even using conservative figures for staffing of one cashier and three baggers for those seven lanes, that still means seven human beings are out of work.

Do the math with all Jewel-Osco stores in the Chicagoland area and beyond, and, well, you get the picture. They have 185 stores nationwide. Multiply that by the two to three shifts of people who are not working because of these shopping ports, and we’re suddenly talking real people without real jobs, or health care, etc. etc. etc.

Jewel-Osco: great savings every week, at a price.

Betty Loren-Maltese Will Now Take Your Call

Posted on May 14, 2010 by TL

Betty Loren-Maltese is done with the pizza business. Now, she wants a talk radio program.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Betty Loren-Maltese says she has quit her job as hostess at an Oak Park pizza restaurant because she did not make enough money and would like to pursue a career as a radio talk show host.

The former Cicero town president said she enjoyed her time at Salerno’s Pizza and Pasta restaurant, where she began working on April 7.

But she said she did not make enough money to live on. She said one of her paychecks for four nights’ work totaled $216.75.

"It worked out to about $3 to $4 an hour," she said. "I cannot survive on that."
Loren-Maltese says she took the job because she is strapped for cash after being released from a federal prison for her role in a scheme that bilked the town of more than $12 million.

Loren-Maltese said she needs money to prove to a judge in Alabama that she is financially sound so she can regain custody of her 13-year-old daughter.

Loren-Maltese said she is doing computer research on foreclosed homes while she pursues other opportunities.

One job she said she would like is to host her own radio show. Last month, Loren-Maltese was guest co-host of "The Cliff Kelley Show" at WVON radio.

Here we go.

Free Rides May Finally End for Illinois Seniors

Posted on May 5, 2010 by TL

First, Illinois’ senior citizens must realize that Rod Blagojevich was practicing cheap politics when he railroaded free rides for seniors through the legislature. The state of Illinois simply can’t afford this for every senior in the state.

For those of you tuning in from other states, this has meant free rides on the CTA, Metra and Pace. Public transportation.

Generally, it’s easier to get something past the House of any legislature. Senates, state and the big one in D.C., can be more temperamental.

Well, today, the Illinois Senate took a vote:

The days of all Illinois seniors riding free on the CTA, Metra and Pace could be numbered. On Wednesday, the state Senate voted to limit those free rides to seniors who need them most. CBS 2’s Mike Parker reports it’s all about money.

Transit agencies have been complaining that the free ride program is costing them millions in lost revenue every year.

Some estimates have gone as high as $60 million a year in lost fare money. Those losses have affected the CTA, Metra and the RTA. Now the Senate has voted to limit free transit for seniors.

Single people over 65 who make more than about $41,000 a year could no longer ride for free. In a two-person household, the income limit would be about $55,000.

CBS 2 Chicago reminds us, " The free rides were inserted into legislation two years ago by then-governor Rod Blagojevich, who used it as a bargaining chip in a budget battle with the legislature."

It was a ploy — and a bad idea — from the start.

I recall a conversation with one Chicago legislator after Rod pushed this through the legislature. At the time, there was no know way to pay for the free rides. But the bill passed.

Thank you to the Illinois senators for working to plug the gap.

Governor Quinn, sign the bill.

Summer of Blagojevich Unfolds: Judge Will Not Subpoena Obama

Posted on April 30, 2010 by TL

From the Chicago Tribune :

The judge overseeing the corruption case against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich has denied a defense motion to issue a subpoena for the testimony of President Barack Obama.

U.S. District Judge James Zagel said he does not believe Obama’s testimony would be material to the charges.

The Trib promises that details will follow.

This is the correct decision. Blago wants a show. All the judge needs to do is guarantee justice.

Some Ass Shoots 21-Year-Old Man in Buttocks on Chicago’s South Side

Posted on April 30, 2010 by TL

From the Chicago Sun Times:

A man was shot in the buttocks Thursday night in the South Side Calumet Heights neighborhood.

The man, 21, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition after being shot in his left buttock about 10:15 p.m. Thursday in the 8900 block of South Houston Avenue, according to a police News Affairs release.

More foolish and cowardly men with guns.

It’s us. It’s the men who are doing the shooting.

What’s up with that?

Summer of Blagojevich Unfolds: Ex-Aide Lon Monk Pleads Guilty to Extortion

Posted on April 30, 2010 by TL

From the Chicago Sun Times:

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s onetime chief of staff and running buddy Lon Monk pleaded guilty today for a second time to crimes tied to the Blagojevich administration.

Monk, 51, admitted to attempting to extort a horse-racing businessman for a campaign contribution in exchange for getting a bill signed.

Monk has agreed to serve 24 month in prison and is cooperating with investigators.

The clock is ticking in Blagoland.

Dolton Man Charged in Death of Park Forest Woman

Posted on April 22, 2010 by TL

Dana Hayes disappeared January 25. (PHOTO SUPPLIED)

From the Southtown Star:

A 33-year-old Dolton man was charged with murder today in the death of his ex-girlfriend, Dana Hayes of Park Forest.

Terrence Coulter was charged with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death.

Coulter "violently attacked" Hayes at a South Holland motel Jan. 25, causing numerous injuries that resulted in her death, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez said today.

More here at the Star

Related at ENEWSPF: