Carol Marin is "a little worried about Chicago being a world-class city," given that that status tends to equal corruption and bullshit. No joke. You know what we're worried about? The phrase "world-class city." The term — which means what exactly? — has been all over the place recently. RTA boss Stephen Schlickman's saying it. A "Chicago Reader driver." An Olypmic committee guy. Edward Keegan. The Sun-Times can't get enough. Mayor Daley says it, that... more ›

A couple of years ago, Alderman Gene Schulter of the 47th ward (and Chairman of the License Committee) was made aware of some scummy kennel operators in his area and was disgusted by what he found going on at their operations (e.g., dogs without food and water). He headed up a task force of sorts to ensure that kennels, grooming and other dog day care facilities would be held to some sort of standard in... more ›

The plot got a little thicker yesterday, as it was revealed that the piece of real estate that the FBI used in its bribery case against Arenda Troutman isn't even in her ward. One thing you can say about her, though, she's definitely willing to work to earn her bribe money. Free on bail as she awaits trial, Troutman went to the city council meeting yesterday, earning breathless reports from Bernie Stone about what he... more ›

Let's say you come from a family that enjoys good conversation while sharing a bottle of wine on the holidays. Or maybe you come from a family where you need a stiff shot of Glenrothes in order to get through the unwrapping of presents. But you live in Chicago, both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve fall on a Sunday this year, and you can't buy liquor until 11 a.m. Let's take solace in... more ›

Chicagoist is a big fan of chips – chocolate chips, potato chips, ChiPs – so when we heard that Chicago dogs may soon have to be implanted with indentification microchips, we figured it had to be a good idea. Alderman Gene Schulter proposed the ordinance, which would also include limits on tethering, stiff fines for unleashed dogs and higher license fees for non-neutered pets. In addition, grooming, boarding and day-care facilities would have to be... more ›