We're still a month away from NBA free agency season and there's plenty to talk about with the big upcoming market (a bit more on that tomorrow) but already, eyes are not only turning towards LeBron James but also to the trail of green that might follow. University of Illinois at Chicago economist John Skorburg tells Crain's that if LeBron were to make the United Center his new home for six years, he could bring in as much as $2.7 billion to the city. Well, provided he leads the Bulls deep into the playoffs and wins a ring or two. And in the category of "getting ahead of ourselves," Crain's speculates further: more ›

Since his election in 2008, the city has spent $3.5 million on security for President Obama, including police escorts and the security detail outside his South Side home. While the feds claim the city is being reimbursed, ABC 7 reports that the city is still owed almost $1.6 million. The city turned over security duties for the Obama home to the Secret Service. more ›

A little over a month before the Illinois primary elections, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, who is running for U.S. Senate, announced that the state had reached a settlement with OppenheimerFunds Inc. to partially reimburse about 65,000 account holders - at about 50 cents on the dollar. The state's Bright Start Fund was created under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, and allows Illinois residents to set up a college tuition fund without paying taxes on earnings. Giannoulias came under fire for his management of the $2 billion fund after investments made in Oppenheimer's Core Plus Fixed Income Strategy fund lost 38 percent of its value. Core Plus was supposed to be a conservative option for investors, but sustained heavy losses in the financial collapse last year. The bond index that was used to benchmark Oppenheimer's fund rose 5.24 percent in the same period. more ›

Interview: The Hood Internet more ›