"'Cause it's Friday, you ain't got no job ... and you ain't got shit to do." Well, you can go check out the New Orleans Social Club at Millennium Park. If you aren't, here's some stuff in the news. Buckingham Fountain is slated to undergo a complete overhaul in autumn 2008. Near West Side businesses get $1.5 million in TIF money intended for keeping manufacturing jobs in the area. Does Manny Flores have the... more ›

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois is trying to do its part to solve the crisis of uninsured employees in the state. Yesterday they proposed legislation that would require small businesses to offer basic health plans, which of course, wouldn't be so bad for their business either. The proposal calls for businesses that employ two to 50 workers to offer group health plans, although there would be no requirement for the companies to pay part of the premiums. Theoretically, this would cut costs for those workers currently paying for their own insurance because they would be covered under group rates. more ›

The Blue Cross Blue Shield building at 300 E. Randolph will be expanding by another 25 stories by 2010, over a decade since the original building was finished. The 32-story building was initially designed with strong enough foundations to support an addition if BCBS ever decided to expand. At the time, people said, "Hooey. How is a health care insurance company ever going to do enough business to need more office space? It'll never happen." Chicagoist would personally like to say, "You're welcome" to Blue Cross for funding this venture. We started paying for our own health insurance last year, and feel like the last three monthly premiums alone could cover the estimated $270 million in construction costs. more ›

Maybe the Cubs should have sold the naming rights to the bleachers to Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and instead of a "batters' eye" lounge, the should have installed a medical clinic. Because the Cubs just cannot seem to stay healthy. No sooner does the media report that Kerry Wood may be close to beginning his minor league rehab, the Cubs see two players injured on the same play! They didn't even run into each other, so this kind of fate takes special talent. more ›