Fifteen questions for Chicago's new mayor

02/16/2011

Dear Mayoral Candidate: Congratulations on your campaign. This is an important election as we choose a new mayor to lead us into the post-Daley era in Chicago. Chicago city government faces its first real opportunity in more than 50 years to shed its notorious reputation for having a culture of corruption.
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Supercali-fragilisticexpiali-SNOW-cious in Chicago

02/09/2011

A lot of people suffered during and after last week’s thunder snow. Businesses lost money, people lost their lives, and for a hot second the mayor lost some credibility.
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Let Chicago firehouses be firehouses

02/03/2011

Several old firehouses surrounding the Loop currently contain everything from an upscale restaurant, a quirky boutique and a Potbelly sandwich shop to chic residences, various business offices, a church and — coming soon — an art gallery.
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A very West Loop inauguration

01/26/2011

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Sylvestre and I went down to Springfield to take in Illinois’ inaugural festivities against the backdrop of the last days of the legislative session.
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Taking the politics out of education

One View

01/19/2011

On Jan. 26, the Board of Education for the City of Chicago will vote on a proposal to open a new magnet school on the Near West Side at the site of the former Jefferson Elementary School.
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More big changes than mayor coming in Chicago elections

01/19/2011

This is the first election of the post-Daley era. Yet, Chicago political change doesn’t usually happen in one step. Rather the transition is a Texas two-step or a three-step waltz.
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Let's hear it for Columbia College

If the South Loop gave out a key to the city, Columbia should hold the master lock

12/29/2010

You hear it all the time: Columbia College Chicago owns more real estate in our neck of the woods than anyone else. And without a doubt, they are good builders, developers, landlords, renovators, restorers and savers of landmarks of all kinds.
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Mayoral battles in Chicago

12/15/2010

The 2011 mayoral campaign is more substantive than in the last 20 years. While petition battles have already cut the field from 20 to 15, arguments continue on whether Rahm Emmanuel legally lives in Chicago. When the theatrics end in court in January, the number of candidates will probably be 10 or fewer.
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It ain't easy trying to serve

12/08/2010

The election petition stories highlighted by Mark Brown in the Chicago Sun-Times this week evoked nightmarish hauntings for me. As a former candidate, the unruly process conjures a sort of fight-or-flight sensation — and a palpitation or two. After all, even the most ethical would-be candidate comes upon problems during petition season.
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Responsible action necessary to solve state's budget crisis

One View

12/01/2010

Much conversation in our state has centered on the budget crisis in Illinois and the possible solution through budget cuts, revenue enhancements or both. Unfortunately, every day that we continue to talk without any resolution to this growing problem, the families of Illinois continue to suffer.
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