Clout St

ACLU asks governor to stop police searches of motorists

Newsdesk — 2008-07-24T13:08:19-05:00

Posted by Monique Garcia at 1:10 p.m. The ACLU and several minority rights groups called Thursday for Gov. Rod Blagojevich to end the state police practice of stopping motorists and asking them to agree to be searched. The groups based...

Senate president blames Madigan for budget cuts

Newsdesk — 2008-07-23T19:05:17-05:00

Posted by Hal Dardick and Ray Long at 7:10 p.m. Illinois Senate President Emil Jones said Wednesday that if Gov. Rod Blagojevich's budget cuts for social programs, health care and other statewide offices stand, the blame will fall squarely on...

Daley: no property tax increase for schools

Newsdesk — 2008-07-23T12:33:41-05:00

Posted by Hal Dardick and Carlos Sadovi at 12:35 p.m. Noting people are "struggling to make ends meet" in an economic downturn, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley announced Wednesday that Chicago Public Schools will not raise property taxes to balance this...

Stroger pays state nearly $27,000 in campaign fines

Newsdesk — 2008-07-22T22:00:00-05:00

Posted by Rick Pearson and Hal Dardick at 10:00 p.m. Cook County Board President Todd Stroger’s campaign paid nearly $27,000 in fines to state election officials for violating campaign fundraising reporting rules during his controversial 2006 victory, according to paperwork...

Questions about money, effectiveness of city gun buy-back program

Newsdesk — 2008-07-22T19:39:24-05:00

Posted by Monique Garcia at 7:40 p.m. Mayor Richard Daley on Tuesday implored residents to hand over their guns in exchange for prepaid gift cards despite questions about the program's effectiveness and reluctant corporate sponsorship. Daley was quick to defend...

Cook County Board rejects sales tax increase repeal

Newsdesk — 2008-07-22T14:21:54-05:00

Posted by Hal Dardick at 2:22 p.m. After a lengthy and emotional debate peppered with political accusations against Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica, the County Board voted 10-7 on Tuesday to reject his proposal to repeal the county's new 1...

Blagojevich fundraising pace slows but still likely tops in state

Newsdesk — 2008-07-21T15:05:30-05:00

Posted by Rick Pearson and John Chase at 3 p.m.; last updated at 5:20 p.m. Gov. Rod Blagojevich raised "just under" $2 million during the past six months, which would leave him with between $3.5 million and $4 million in...

State after-school grants go to dubious programs, political supporters

Newsdesk — 2008-07-19T19:13:06-05:00

From today's print edition: TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION The $20,000 question Why are these kids typing on unplugged computers? By Stephanie Banchero and Patricia Callahan Chicago Tribune reporters July 20, 2008 The state is squandering taxpayer money on dubious after-school grants, including...

Daley 'not mad' at Blagojevich but gov will have to 'live with those words'

Newsdesk — 2008-07-19T15:36:13-05:00

Posted by Mary Owen at 3:35 p.m. Mayor Richard Daley said Saturday he isn't mad at Gov. Rod Blagojevich for offering the Illinois State Police to help him with Chicago's "out of control" crime problem. But the mayor, in his...

GOP challenger questions Durbin's patriotism

Newsdesk — 2008-07-17T19:21:05-05:00

Posted by Rick Pearson at 7:20 p.m. Republican challenger Steve Sauerberg said Illinois voters should question the patriotism of Dick Durbin, prompting the campaign of the U.S. Senate’s second-highest Democrat to accuse Sauerberg of "hateful personal attacks." Sauerberg, taping a...

Tribune investigation: hospital thwarts police inquiries; violence festered in silence

Newsdesk — 2008-07-17T13:35:40-05:00

From today's print edition: Tribune investigative reporter David Jackson has a story today that resulted in changes by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services after allegations of a series of assaults on mentally disabled children at a west...

Governor offers Daley help fighting 'out of control' crime

Newsdesk — 2008-07-17T09:09:02-05:00

From today's print edition: CLOUT STREET POLITICS EXPLAINED Governor offers Daley help fighting 'out of control' crime Calling the situation 'out of control,' Blagojevich stuns Daley by offering state police and National Guard resources to help Chicago in its efforts...

House lawmakers verbally spar over loans-for-ex-convicts legislation

Newsdesk — 2008-07-16T18:39:44-05:00

Posted by Jeffrey Meitrodt at 6:40 p.m. House Republicans urged Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan to impose sanctions on a Chicago lawmaker after a testy committee debate on a bill that would create a state lending program for ex-convicts who want...

House takes symbolic votes to override Blagojevich budget cuts

Newsdesk — 2008-07-16T18:08:47-05:00

Posted by Jeffrey Meitrodt at 6:05 p.m. SPRINGFIELD---The House voted to restore more than $400 million in state spending Wednesday that Gov. Rod Blagojevich slashed last week, but the move largely was symbolic because Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) has...

Daley ties in Special Olympics' Chicago roots to 2016 bid

Newsdesk — 2008-07-16T17:40:05-05:00

Posted by Hal Dardick at 5:40 p.m. Mayor Richard Daley on Wednesday highlighted a festival at Soldier Field this weekend celebrating the anniversary of the Chicago athletic competition that launched the Special Olympics movement. "We're celebrating the changed lives, achieved...

Blagojevich suggests state police for Chicago streets

Newsdesk — 2008-07-16T14:09:36-05:00

Posted by Monique Garcia, Rick Pearson and Hal Dardick at 2:10 p.m. Seizing upon the controversy enveloping Mayor Richard Daley over Chicago gun violence and city policing, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Wednesday he's holding discussions with his State Police and...

Daley dodges questions about backing cops

Newsdesk — 2008-07-16T12:37:58-05:00

UPDATED with FOP comment by Hal Dardick and Angela Rozas at 3:35 p.m. Mayor Richard Daley turned on the media Wednesday when asked about police officers' concerns that City Hall doesn't back them up in the face of unfounded brutality...

Senate's absence protects lawmakers' pay increase

Newsdesk — 2008-07-16T00:35:00-05:00

From today's print edition: By Ray Long and Jeffrey Meitrodt Tribune reporters SPRINGFIELD—The House is back this week to fight Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s budget cuts, but the Senate is avoiding the Statehouse in a move that protects lawmakers’ chances of...

Incumbents outraising challengers in suburban congressional races

Newsdesk — 2008-07-16T00:30:00-05:00

From today's print edition: By James Kimberly Tribune reporter Democratic U.S. Rep. Bill Foster continued to raise campaign cash at a fast clip after winning election in March, while two-term Democratic Rep. Melissa Bean continued to far outpace her Republican...

Weis gets lesson in Chicago politics from aldermen

Newsdesk — 2008-07-16T00:20:56-05:00

From today's print edition: Top cop gets lesson in Chicago politics from City Council Chicago's top cop says he's walking a fine line but working on solutions to combat crime spike By Hal Dardick and Angela Rozas Chicago Tribune reporters...