Yesterday's runoff elections ensured a markedly different look to City Council when it's sworn in along with Mayor-elect Emanuel next month. Eight new aldermen were elected last night. Half of those new aldermen defeated incumbents. 50th Ward Ald. Bernard Stone, wide considered the most vulnerable alderman, lost soundly to Debra Silverstein, as expected. Even in conceding, Stone kept it classy. more ›

For voters in 14 wards, it's Election Day again as the polls are now open for the ward runoffs. The city Board of Elections is predicting a low voter turnout - fewer than one in four voters are expected to cast ballots - and that tends to favor incumbents. So if you're wanting to get rid of Danny Solis in the 25th Ward because he took campaign donations from the companies responsible for the elevated lead levels in the air around Perez Elementary in Pilsen; or if you want to Rhymefest to be your alderman in the 20th Ward because he may have some ideas to improve the ward you agree with (and/or because he co-wrote "Jesus Walks"); or if you want to hand old and crotchety Bernard Stone his walking papers in the 50th, today is your opportunity. more ›

When you're as old as Methuselah, as 50th Ward Ald. Bernard Stone is, you're often given a pass for speaking your mind, even when doing so often comes while you're doing your job. Stone may not have that luxury — being alderman, that is — for much longer. more ›

The mayoral race isn't heading to a runoff, but for voters in Wards 6, 15, 16, 17, 20, 24, 25, 38, 41, 43, 45, 46 and 50 the races aren't over. Those races are headed for runoffs; as many as 9 incumbents could lose their seats on April 5. more ›

We all have that one relative in our family who's reached an age where he feels he can speak his mind whenever he wants because he feels he's earned it simply by living as long as he has. more ›

A tearful Democratic Lt. Governor nominee Scott Lee Cohen announced his withdrawal from the Democratic ticket last night amidst increasing calls for him to remove himself from the ticket. Last week's revelations of Cohen's use of anabolic steroids, allegations of domestic abuse, and owing nine months in back child support payments while he pumped $2 million of his pawnbroker's fortune into his successful primary victory had party leaders fearing Cohen's presence could jeopardize the election chances of Governor Pat Quinn and Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias. Cohen came to his decision after a Friday meeting with State House Michael Madigan, who's also state Democratic Party Chairman. According to the Tribune, Madigan told Cohen "very direct and very frank" way to step down from the ticket. Governor Quinn's office released a statement following Cohen's announcement which read Cohen "made the right decision for the Democratic Party and the people of Illinois. Now we can continue to focus our efforts on putting our economy back on track and working to bring good jobs to Illinois." more ›

Thanks to The Reader's Whet Moser (whose Chicagoland blog should be required reading) for sharing this fantastic video from last night's episode of WTTW's Chicago Tonight. The topic? That IVI-IPO lawsuit against the city for the parking meter fiasco. The entire video - featuring Clint Krislov, who is representing IVI-IPO, The Reader's Mick Dumke, and Ald. Bernard Stone (50th) - is worth your viewing, but if you have no attention span, just roll up to about 11 minutes. Mick, we owe you a beer. more ›

Mayor Daley sure is busy. Or at least chatty. more ›

A 14-year-old Illinois girl was on a cruise off the coast of California with her family when her appendix burst. The USS Ronald Reagan was dispatched to rescue her, and they did--including a helicopter transport between the ships. [Trib] more ›

One person is dead and three others are injured after a collision between a car and a Chicago Transit Authority bus. The car hit the bus at a high rate of speed after midnight. Our second favorite ex-President, Bill Clinton went on the Oprah show (aired on Tuesday) and downplayed his role in the presidential campaign of his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. We'd be happy to have him as a first hubby. Walgreen... more ›

A federal judge yesterday upheld Chicago's ban on foie gras, disappointing chefs across the city, and of course, giving renewed energy to both sides to persevere. In dismissing the Illinois Restaurant Association's lawsuit, U.S. District Judge Blanche Manning ruled that the city does have a constitutional right to prohibit the sale of foie gras. On a related note, we were alerted yesterday to a tiny section (Section 123) of the pending USDA Farm Bill that... more ›

Playing a little catch-up this week after our first round of reader contributions. There's no overriding theme this time other than a general lack of foresight. To paraphrase Gov. Rod's campaign commercials, "What were they thinking?" The municipal elections offered their fair share of the ridiculous. We'd like to thank Arenda Troutman, the campaign volunteers in the 16th and 24th wards, and supporters of Bernard Stone for their special contributions. (Thanks Jerry) A Chicago man... more ›

Chicagoist was saddened when Thillens Stadium closed due to insufficient funds, so we are elated to hear that the park will re-open thanks to the Chicago Park District. With its charitable foundation lacking the funds to cover its $200,000 annual operating expenses, the Thillens family announced the closing of the park in March. Under the new deal, the Park District will lease the stadium and invest approximately $2 million to fix up the park. Much... more ›

Alderman Isaac Carothers (29th) has made the controversial and unlikely recommendation that Chicagoans should start paying a trash collection fee. In the face of a $220 million budget gap, Carothers says that we need to start shelling out. more ›