Boy oh boy, the shit is starting to fly! Now that the Aldermen and their challengers have taken the gloves off, you better believe it's game on in your neighborhood! This week, we dedicate this edition of the Hump Day Political News Roundup to kickin' ass and talkin' shit. Yee Haw! 32nd Ward Candidate Sues Incumbent. That's right, Scott Waguespack has had it with Steady Teddy's bullshit. So he's filed a $5 million lawsuit against... more ›

The race in the 25th Ward has been making the news a lot lately, with both Danny Solis and Ambrosio Medrano taking shots at one another, and each camp doing the backstage maneuvering that goes on in Chicago politics. This is what happens when two experienced politicians take each other on for an important seat in the city council. Although largely associated with Pilsen, the 25th Ward encompasses parts of Chinatown, Tri-Taylor, and Heart of Chicago, and the six challengers to Danny Solis reflect more on the power struggle going on in the Mexican community in that ward (and to a lesser extent in the 22nd Ward) than any specific discontent by residents. more ›

The Sun-Times is reporting on the labor movement's most recent moves in city politics. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has compiled a researched list of "targeted" wards where it will rally its resources to oust incumbent aldermen, or try to fill vacant seats with candidates that are sympathetic to its point of view. Further exacerbating this threat to the entrenched are the alliances that SEIU has made in the past 5 years. more ›

The Chicago Tribune is reporting today on plans by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce to transform itself into a piece of the machine. Citing recent developments in the city council, such as the passage of the Big Box Ordinance, the Chamber wants to make sure that its interests aren't threatented. By taking down Aldermen that work against their interests. The most shocking part of the plan isn't that business feels it needs to protect its... more ›

Mayor Daley put up a proverbial middle finger in the face of all the lah-dee-dahing about him losing his grip on City Council today and vetoed the Big Box ordinance. The controversial ordinance, which aldermen approved at the end of July would raise the minimum wage mammoth retailers like Target and Wal-Mart would have to pay employees in the city. more ›

Chicagoist hopes you’re busy celebrating Labor Day the way most folks do: by sitting around on your fat ass and drinking some beer (BBQ called on account of rain). Admit it: you deserve a break. Even though Federal, state, city and county offices will be closed along with banks and the post office, many people are spending the day working in our fair city, so it’s only right that we take a brief look at... more ›

TECH UPDATE: The Gothamist Network is still experiencing off-and-on technical difficulties. Bear with us, and believe us when we say we're doing the best we can with posting and comments. We're trying to get this wrapped up ASAFP. more ›

Everyone not living under a rock for the last few weeks has heard that the so-called “Big Box” ordinance, which hits major retailers like Wal-Mart and Target with a hefty living wage requirement, was passed by Chicago’s city council. As the ordinance was being debated on (as the aldermen simultaneously gave themselves a raise), requiring $10 an hour and $3 benefits for employees by 2010, these mammoths of retail – or stores grossing $1 billion or more in annual sales – made some pretty mighty threats. Like, you know, not building stores in Chicago anymore. more ›