Chicagoist

Fake Bomb Suspect Charged

Anthonia Akitunde — 2009-11-21T15:00:00-06:00

Police photo of Roosevelt Billups from Examiner.com

A West Side man now faces three felony charges for allegedly planting fake bombs at two prominent downtown buildings, Chicago Breaking News reports.

Roosevelt Billups, 42, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of planting "hoax bombs" at Boeing's headquarters at 100 N. Riverside Plaza and at One Prudential Plaza. Billups faces two additional charges, according to the report: "one count of felony possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of drug paraphernalia possession."

Earlier the police alerted the community about three separate instances of suspicious packages resembling explosives being placed near "prominent downtown buildings," the report said. Someone recognized Billups as a person of interest from the community alert and called the police.

Police refused to confirm when the crimes occurred or when the phony bombs were planted.

[Chicago Breaking News]

South Side Craigslist Robbers Nabbed

Anthonia Akitunde — 2009-11-21T13:00:00-06:00

Photo by Ciaran McGuiggan

Three men were arrested earlier this week for a rash of Craigslist-aided robberies that began in October, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Twelve victims claim they were robbed of money and/or personal items when trying to meet up with the men who claimed to be selling cheap electronics over Craigslist.

After noting the number of attacks, police searched Craiglist for posts similar to the ones answered by the robbed, would-be customers and "posed as buyers," according to the Tribune. The posts advertised warehouse priced electronics, such as $100 Xboxes and $500 plasma screen televisions, and asked for "serious buyers" only. Potential buyers were urged to call instead of email them. Police say the posts' language lead them to the alleged robbers, the Tribune reports.

Dwayne Williams, 20, allegedly learned the scheme of offering electronic goods on the classifieds website only to rob buyers at a prearranged spot from associates and brothers, Jalmar M. Smalling, 19, and Jamelle M. Smalling, 18, the Tribune reports. Williams is charged with 12 counts of armed robbery on eight separate occasions. The Smallings are charged with five counts of armed robbery and one count of attempted armed robbery, "for trying to rob an undercover arresting officer," the Sun-Times reports. [Sun-Times], [Tribune]

Pedway, First Store Open At Block 37

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-21T11:30:00-06:00

Conceptual Art of Block 37 via

In spite of yesterday's ruling that stripped control of the beleaguered Block 37 project from its developer, the project will see the first store opening today after the city gave the project the green light, according to Crain's. Today will see the opening the opening of both the pedway and the Steve Madden store. A spokeswoman for the developer, Joseph Freed & Associates, LLC, said they expect two additional stores - Zara and Puma - to open early next week and several more will follow suit by Thanksgiving.

Both Crain's and the Tribune have good detailed accounts of the latest goings-on with the project, including analysis of yesterday's ruling.

Morning Box Score: College Hoops

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-21T10:40:00-06:00

DePaul's Will Walker takes a shot against No. Iowa (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

No pro sports last night but there was a trio of area college hoops game.

DePaul moved to 2-0 on the year thanks to a 60-52 win over Northern Iowa. The game was part of the the Paradise Jam basketball tournament being held in St. Thomas. The Virgin Islands: a rough way to spend a weekend. Jeremiah Kelly led all scorers with 18 and Mac Koshwal had a solid 12 points-19 rebounds performance. Next up for the Blue Demons is a match-up with #10 Tennessee in the tourney semis.
NIU cruised past Tennessee State 85-57 to get their first win of the season. Three Huskies scored in double-digits: Sean Kowal (18), Tony Nixon (16), and Mike DiNunno (11).
The Loyola Ramblers moved above .500 with their 76-73 win over Holy Cross thanks to a Aric Van Weelden three-point shot at the buzzer. Loyola's three leading scorers were all off the bench: Walt Gibler (17), Marcus Thomas (16), and Van Weelden (11). The Ramblers were down by 8 with a little over a minute to go, but ran off an 11-0 run to close out the game and snatch the victory.

Extra, Extra

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T17:00:00-06:00

Awesome timelapse video by Joshua Mellin

Police went undercover and arrested three men for using Craigslist to set up a series of robberies.
Block 37 hit a huge snag today as a judge stripped the project from its developer and handed it over to CB Richard Ellis.
A public memorial service will be held for CPS Board of Education President Michael Scott this Sunday at the UIC Forum.
Another convention - the World of Wheels - is ditching McCormick Place but this time, it's relocating within the area to Roesmont.
Someone really has issues with WGN Radio's programming.
Skip the insane crowds and help out local crafters by doing some Christmas shopping at tomorrow's DIY Trunk Show. It runs from 10 a.m. til 5 p.m. at Pulaski Park Auditorium. [via GB]

Asian Carp: 'Nice Try, Suckers'

Prescott Carlson — 2009-11-20T16:05:00-06:00

Photo AP/M. Spencer Green

Is it any surprise that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers couldn't properly maintain a levee to hold up against a hurricane when they can't even seem to keep a fish out of Lake Michigan? New word from the Corps in the fight against the Asian carp is that they've discovered the fish's DNA beyond an electronic barrier that was set up along the Illinois River to keep the fish out of the Great Lakes. The new evidence was found a mere 7 miles from Lake Michigan, and at this point if the carp makes its way through a navigational lock it's home free from there, and its feeding habits will wreak havoc on the Great Lakes native species. Cameron Davis, from the Environmental Protection Agency, said that the DNA evidence is "very accurate" in terms of indicating the fish's presence.

Previously it was announced that Congress was providing $6 million in assistance to bulk up the barricade, and just last week the state announced it would be dumping the poison Rotenone into a canal near Romeoville to kill off the fish, but it looks like these measures have come too late. An order has been issued to "clean out" the Sanitary and Ship Canal in an emergency effort.

Henry Henderson, Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's Midwest Program did not mince words about the Army Corps of Engineers' shortcomings -- in a statement issued this afternoon, Henderson said:

"Today’s announcement that Asian carp have gotten past the electric fish fence is sobering, but predictable. The responsible federal and state agencies have known about this problem for 13 years, but have utterly failed to act with the urgency that this threat requires. The prospect of 100 pound fish off of Oak Street Beach and leaping out at boaters in the Great Lakes should spur action that should have been undertaken years ago. We have seen how zebra and quagga mussels have literally transformed Lake Michigan, and I fear that the Asian carp could do far worse to the ecosystem... The Army Corps of Engineers needs to stop reacting to events, and get ahead of this problem with real solutions...The only thing aggressive about the virtual fish fence has been its multi-million dollar price tag."

Reappointment For Daley's Nephew

aaroncynic — 2009-11-20T15:20:00-06:00

Peter Thompson, another Daley nephew, has been reappointed to the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. According to the Sun Times, Thompson helped the mayor rake in $7 million as his campaign finance chief in less than three months. Thompson will keep his unpaid seat on the ISFA until January 1st, 2012. In 2007, when Thompson was first appointed, he said “Finance and investments are what I do for a living. That's my sweet spot.” The ISFA is the developer, owner and operator of U.S. Cellular Field and renovates stadiums in the state of Illinois. The Sun Times reports some of its upcoming plans include potentially replacing the parking lots where Comiskey Park once stood with an expansion on the Gate 5 entrance.

Cop Arrested For Embezzling

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T14:20:00-06:00

Sgt. John J. Pallohusky, head of the Chicago Police Sergeant's Association, has been arrested for allegedly embezzling over $600,000 from the association. According to the Trib, Pallohusky is accused of spending that money on a variety of things including gambling trips to Las Vegas and to pay for improvements to his own home.

Abortion Law Put On Hold Til 2010

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T12:40:00-06:00

The controversial abortion law that requires doctors to notify a girl's parents or guardians before (if the girl is under the age of 17) before performing an abortion has hit another snag. A circuit court judge has decided to extend a current restraining order on the law through the end of the year. According to WBEZ, the judge, "says he's waiting for briefs from both sides before determining whether the law should stand." Though it was set to go into effect almost three weeks ago, the law, with an already tumultuous history dating as far back as 1984 (before being updated in '95), the law continues to be centered in a tug-of-war.

Today's Transgender Day of Remembrance Honors the Dead

Joseph Erbentraut — 2009-11-20T12:20:00-06:00

The gruesome murder of 19-year-old gay man Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado in Puerto Rico last week has shone new light on the potentially life-threatening dangers facing those who do not easily slide into our society's conventions of gender. He, and 161 others murdered due to anti-transgender violence and prejudice, are memorialized worldwide today as part of Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Mercado was decapitated, dismembered and burned upon murderer Juan A. Martinez Matos's discovery that the "woman" he was propositioning for sex was actually male. In defense of his actions, Matos is reportedly expected to claim a case of "gay panic," i.e. the claim his violence was the result of "a moment of temporary insanity." Speaking on the case, police investigator Angel Rodriguez said, "These types of people, when they enter this lifestyle and go out into the streets know that this could happen." It is not, as of yet, being investigated as a hate crime.

Other victims memorized this year include names like Tyli'a "NaNa Boo" Mack, 21, who was stabbed to death in broad daylight blocks away from a transgender support center in August. Paulina Ibarra, 24, was stabbed later in the same month in her East Hollywood, Calif. home. Andrea Waddell, 29, was strangled before her flat in Brighton, U.K., was set on fire in October. Jeva Padilla, 23, was tortured with burns and mutilated genitals before being shot 40 times in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The gruesome crimes - many left unsolved - span nearly every continent and speak to the transgender community's undeniable position as the most vulnerable component of the LGBT community.

In commemoration of the lives of those lost, Chicagoans are gathering in candlelight vigils today (Friday), including one at the University of Illinois at Chicago's East Campus Quad, 750 S. Halsted, 12:30-2 p.m. and another at the University of Chicago's Bartlett Quad, 5600 S. University Ave. The Day of Remembrance is also central to the Center on Halsted's Night of Fallen Stars, held Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The gala event will feature the talents of many of the city's best transgender performers.

Mercado's death is also being specifically memorialized with a vigil and march Sunday, Nov. 22, from 4-6 p.m., held in solidarity with similar demonstrations nationwide. The march will assemble at the intersection of Division & California before proceeding to the Humboldt Park Boat House.

Don't know much about transgender issues? These events offer a fantastic opportunity to change that. Educate yourself, get out and speak out against gender persecution.

Ethics Committee Shakes Finger At Burris But Clears Him

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T11:40:00-06:00

"Told ya!" (AP Photo)

While we were watching Oprah, the Senate Ethics Committee charged with investigating alleged shenanigans pulled by Sen. Roland Burris leading up to his appointment to his current Senate seat by then-governor Rod Blagojevich officially cleared Burris. Issuing a Public Letter of Admonition (read the full letter after the jump), the committee cleared Burris of wrongdoing but before shaking its finger at him for actions that reflected "unfavorably" and scolded, "...you should have known that you were providing incorrect, inconsistent, misleading, or incomplete information to the public, the Senate, and those conducting legitimate inquiries into your appointment to the Senate." They then sent him to his room without supper and asked him to think about what he did.

Burris' office issued a statement which included a quote from Burris [via Progress Illinois]:

“I am pleased that after numerous investigations, this matter has finally come to a close. I thank the members of the Senate Ethics Committee for their fair and thorough review of this matter, and now look forward to continuing the important work ahead on behalf of the people of Illinois.”

Burris dodged any charges of perjury from his shady testimony before a state house committee last winter because there simply wasn't enough evidence.

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Stevenson High School Paper Spiked By Administrators

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T11:00:00-06:00

There's more trouble brewing over the student newspaper over at Stevenson High. Already having been through one controversy last winter over a gossip edition - an incident which led to the resignation of the paper's adviser - this week's edition of the paper has been spiked by school administrators over more controversial stories that were to run. The trouble began with plans for a front-page story about the National Honor Society and freshmen mentors program which included references to students admitting they drank and smoked, behavior that's a no-no for members of those programs. Administrators threatened the paper's staff that they would seek the names of those students and discipline them accordingly. So rather than give up the sources, the staff decided to run a blank front page with a simple note explaining why the story had been pulled. But it didn't end there. The Trib explains:

On Wednesday, the paper's advisers told staff the administrative review board had problems with the blank front page -- plus the pregnancy and shoplifting stories -- and would spike the issue. Administrators said the teen pregnancy story lacked balance, [the paper's editor Pam] Selman said.
The story by Selman quoted a boy and girl at the school who are expecting a child together, she said. The school has seen an increase in student pregnancies this year, Selman said.

Frank LoMante, executive director of the Virginia-based Student Press Law Center, is advising the paper's staff on their legal options and had no issue with the stories that caused the trouble, telling the Trib, "They are balanced, responsible and mild...They carry positive messages: Don't shoplift, and get counseling if you get pregnant."

Daley Blames - Who Else? - The Media For Oprah-geddon

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T10:20:00-06:00

Mayor Daley, making the sad trombone face; Photo by our old friend, WBEZ's Kate Gardiner

Mayor Daley, fresh off his smackdown of the media over a question regarding Michael Scott on Wednesday, has wasted no time in lashing out once more. Remember Oprah's big party downtown to kick off her new season and the hubbub the local media - us included, admittedly - caused over it? Daley is saying it was that backlash that's contributed to Oprah's decision to pack up and move out in a few years. Speaking at a United Negro College Fund fundraiser last night, CBS 2 reports Daley said:

"I think she was the most successful woman that we will ever know in the history of this country...That became a big rhubarb in the Chicago press -- beat up Oprah...So you keep kicking people, people will leave, simple as that....I'm just saying that when someone's doing something like that, most cities would love it. … It's just amazing. I don't know why it became so controversial."

We'd like to take this opportunity to revel in our new-found power. If we have the power to force Oprah to leave town, why, we could possibly harness these powers to get other people to leave town! Maybe even, say, elected officials! Hmmm....

Morning Box Score

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T10:00:00-06:00

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Blackhawks Scorch Flames
The Blackhawks are off to a hot start on their Circus Trip as they exploded for five second period goals on their way to scorching the Calgary Flames 7-1. Troy Brouwer opened the scoring with a power play goal halfway through the first period. Calgary answered with a goal in the opening seconds of the second period and then it was all Blackhawks. Kris Versteeg got a power play goal; Dustin Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd followed with even-strength goals; Patrick Kane scored a power play goal late; and Versteeg brought the period full circle by scoring another power play goal in the closing seconds of the period. Whew. Ben Eager scored a late third period goal just for good measure. The 'Hawks were efficient as they were actually out-shot by the Flames 28-26; Cristobal Huet got 27 saves, including 6 of 7 on power plays. Next up for the 'Hawks is a trip to Edmonton Saturday night (9 p.m., CSN).

Lakers Overpower Bulls
The Bulls ran into the buzzsaw that is a full Lakers team as Pau Gasol made his season debut with the Lakers and helped them overpower the Bulls by a 108-93 final. All five Laker starters scored in double-figures while the Bulls struggled a bit to keep up. Luol Deng only scored six and Taj Gibsion scored only four in less than 19 minutes on the floor. If there was a silver lining, it was Derrick Rose scoring 20 points, making good on his promise to improve his play. Joakim Noah also recorded a 12-15 line. The Bulls will try to bounce back in Denver Saturday night (8 p.m., WGN).

College Basketball
Long Beach State played Notre Dame tough in the first half, but the Irish, paced by Luke Harangody's 29 points, cruised to an 82-62 victory to remain undefeated.

Oprah-geddon, Day 2: The Announcement

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T09:55:00-06:00

So now the news has sunk in and...well, now what? There's plenty of speculation, mainly around the idea that Oprah will simply relaunch her show on OWN once she closes down shop here. Kind of what Nikki Finke suggested a few weeks ago. So who knows what we'll find out in a few minutes when her show goes on the air, the last live taping of the calendar year (new taped episodes will still be shot). She'll address her audience and we're guessing it'll be mostly the same as what we've already her. But maybe we're wrong. Maybe we'll get specific details about what she plans on doing when that mystical date of September 9, 2011 flips over on the calendar.

Love her or hate her, Oprah has been a big draw for the City of Chicago, perhaps not as big as the ~~Sears~~ ~~Willis~~ Whatever Tower, but she does loom large, as does the economic impact of the jobs at Harpo, Inc. If she does indeed leave Chicago as has been speculated, will she keep the Chicago studio open? What happens to those jobs? While the future of Oprah herself may not seem immediately relevant to many readers, the impact of her departure from Chicago is.

We know most of you are stuck in an office, so below we'll do our best to keep up with what she says about her leaving and her future. But we're not live-blogging Ray Romano. This we promise.

Update: Here we go. "After much prayer and months of careful thought." She mentions the speculation to come from the media. "I could have never imagined the yellow brick road...that led me to this moment." And Oprah gets emotional.

"For some of you...you have literally grown up with me...I want you all to know that my relationship with you is one I hold very dear...and has brought me the greatest joy I have ever known."

"So why walk away: here is the real reason. I love this show, this show has been my life and I love it enough to know when it's time to say good-bye. 25 years feels right...the perfect time."

She wraps up with, of course, no mention of future projects or OWN. No surprise there. A tearful Oprah bids adieu, bowing to a standing ovation from the audience.

Let the guessing game as to what comes next begin.