Stirring the pot in 42nd Ward GOP committeeman race

23-year-old newcomer says current leadership is 'ineffective'

03/14/2012

When asked how he views the cohesion of fellow Republicans in his downtown ward, Tom Smithburg admitted that the term “apathetic” comes to mind.
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Sales of new condos in Chicago plummet in 2011

The Home Front

03/14/2012

Chicago’s new-construction condominium sales downtown over the past four years have looked like a roller-coaster on a downhill run. More than 40,000 new condo units were constructed downtown over the past 15 years. The market peaked in 2007 when developers completed a whopping 4,800 units.
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State rep charged with taking bribe

Feds say Derrick Smith took $7,000 in exchange for grant support

03/14/2012

State Rep. Derrick Smith (D-10th) was arrested Tuesday on bribery charges for allegedly taking $7,000 in cash in exchange for writing an official letter of support for a local business seeking a state grant, according to a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s office.
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Powering forward

What happens after Pilsen's Fisk power plant unplugs in December

03/14/2012

Pilsen’s longstanding coal-fired power plant, Fisk Generating Station at 1111 W. Cermak Road, is set to finally close this year after prolonged battle between the plant’s owners and local residents.
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Downtown bank robbed

03/07/2012

A man wearing a safety vest, a mask and yellow gloves or mittens robbed Chicago Community Bank on Thursday, March 1 without showing a weapon. Police said a man came into the bank at 52 E. Lake St. at around 10:30 a.m. March 1, and approached a teller, saying “Give me everything you have and don’t press any safety buttons.” Police said the teller, a 21-year-old Bolingbrook woman, thought the man had a weapon in his coat pocket and gave him $3,670, police said, before he fled east on Lake Street.
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Fulton Market's new dance

Latin dance school co-owned by alderman's daughter looking to expand

03/07/2012

A West Loop Latin dance school is hoping to make a big expansion, giving an old Fulton Market building a facelift and livening up the area. Latin Rhythms Dance Studio, currently located at 210 N. Racine Ave., is hoping to move around the corner to 1245 W. Fulton Market, a move that would double its overall space, allowing them to move from three dance studios to five, among other amenities.
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Ping Tom field house moving forward

Pool confirmed, city sets timeline for construction at 18th and Wentworth

03/07/2012

Ping Tom is Chicago’s park that just won’t stop growing. Just a few months after the new expansion of the park was completed north of 18th Street along the Chicago River, the city is officially moving forward on plans for a new field house, complete with a pool.
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Chiditarod ho!

A report back from Chicago's favorite slapdash charity fun-run

03/07/2012

A brief patch of sunlight split through the clouds and interrupted what would be an otherwise grey and chilly Saturday afternoon as Drew Kelly and his team surveyed their meticulously styled shopping cart.
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Rescues of the Week

03/07/2012

Gale is a 3-year-old brown tabby cat that has a lot of love to give. Gale was brought to Chicago Animal Care & Control as a stray and now has a second chance at life at PAWS Chicago. This sweet girl had a rough past and came in with burn scars on her back. She also received a much needed surgery to repair her spine. Despite her past, Gale is very trusting and loves to cuddle and have her belly rubbed. She is very social and loves to play with fellow felines. Gale would love to find a loving home and a family to spend some time with.
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Monkeeing around in heaven

Heart of the 'hood

03/07/2012

One of my very first loves died last week, a jokester of a guy who melted my heart with his mischievous smile, puppy-dog brown eyes and sexy British accent — The Monkees’ Davy Jones.
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