Fioretti misses the mark with Homebuyers Bill of Rights

10/13/2010

As an aldermanic candidate who won office in 2007 in part on an anti-developer campaign, 2nd Ward leader Robert Fioretti last week missed the mark with his Homebuyers Bill of Rights as a balanced answer to hundreds of his now-displaced constituents, who have lost access to affordable housing as gentrification ran through his ward.
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South Loop vice, historically

09/29/2010

I’ve been perusing a new book by Chicago tavern expert Sean Parnell, "a drinker with a writing problem," according to the cover of the book. Parnell has compiled a little tome called "Historic Bars of Chicago." But out of the "Historic 100" saloons, only five are in the South Loop. Read more...

The devil is in the details

09/29/2010

Being alderman is a tough job; Second Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti has shared that thought with me on occasion. He did so most recently when I found him studying a new LAZ parking pay box near Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant on West Jackson Boulevard. Read more...

'Under America' gets to the heart of housing

One View

09/22/2010

It's an odd experience when you go to see a play that so closely mirrors your own life that it’s like seeing yourself, dressed in costume, spouting lines on a stage in front of you. That's how I felt when I attended the premiere of Mortar Theatre's Under America, a play running this month at the Athenaeum.
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Post-Daley era

Beyond the campaign sound bites, Chicagoans will be looking for new leaders with a positive vision.

09/15/2010

Mayor Daley’s surprise announcement that he will not run for reelection has let loose a flood of would-be mayoral candidates. Even more candidates have come out of the woodwork to run for alderman now that the city council may no longer be a rubber stamp.
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Enough already

Chicago Bears need to step up

09/15/2010

It’s been 25 years. Give us what we want! It’s the Chicago Bears obligation as Chicago’s football team to stand up and provide victory at all cost. Nothing less will do! We’re long overdue for a replacement the Super Bowl Shuffle with a 21st century ditty.
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CPS must be more transparent

09/08/2010

Chicago Public Schools and Chief Executive Officer Ron Huberman must be more open with parents and neighborhood leaders seeking solutions at their neighborhood schools.
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Support Chicago's dance floor

Help rebuild it

09/01/2010

After 14 seasons of Summer Dance, the large public outdoor dance floor in Grant Park, near the corner of Michigan Avenue and Harrison Street, is in need of replacement.
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Good list

09/01/2010

I am a resident of the University Village (I live on Fillmore) and I teach at Smyth Magnet School. I was particularly saddened (as were about 1,500 other staff, students, and parents) to read your article about Smyth “not being good enough” for families in our community.
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More access

09/01/2010

I know about Smyth. Smyth is a low performing school and always have been. Smyth was the lowest performing school when Ris, Jefferson, Medill, and Gladstone was open.
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