Results tagged “controversy”

Not one to miss an opportunity to pander to publicity, Mayor Daley had some choice words for the media at the naming ceremony for the newly-minted Willis Tower. Asked if he would be calling the iconic skyscraper 'Big Willie', Daley told the press "'Big Willie', Willis Tower, yeah. You know why? Because they stepped up to the plate." The mayor used the comments as a chance to trumpet his glorius transformations in how Chicago works. "There has to be change in government and business," the mayor said. "And you have to realize that change is good."

The day many have dreaded - and even more have dismissed - will finally arrive tomorrow. The Sears Tower will cease to be and instead, in a ceremony, the building - the tallest in the U.S. of A. - will become The Willis Tower officially. Last week, while Prescott and I were teetering over The Ledge, reader Melody - who works in the Tower - sent us an email saying:

A group of parents at Antioch High School hope to have a Sherman Alexie novel assigned to incoming freshmen for summer reading banned, describing the book as "vulgar" and "racist." The book at the center of the controversy is Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which was good enough to earn accolades like the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, named one of the Los Angeles Times' Favorite Children's Books of 2007, and named New York Times' Notable Children's Books of 2007. But such awards are not enough for some parents who want the book pulled off the list.

Yesterday, we posted the picture of Derrick Rose that's been circulating among smaller sports blog - such as Da Bullz and Black Sports Online - for a week now and that the Tribune picked up on. The photo shows Rose and former Memphis teammate Antonia Anderson flashing gang signs; we're no experts but it's alleged that Rose is flashing the pitchfork signs usually associated with Gangster Disciples Nation. As the controversy has grown, Rose finally addressed the situation via a statement (via the Tribune):

Rev. Jeremiah Wright backpedaled on his controversial comments blaming "them Jews" for preventing him from having any contact with President Obama. According to Politico:

Chicago Bulls player - and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year - finds himself in a new controversy over a photo (above) that allegedly shows Rose flashing gang signs. The photo's been circulating over the last week on several sports blogs and today the Tribune takes up the issue.

After an investigation into the allegations that there was impropriety involved in getting Roland Burris' son, Roland W. Burris II, a job with the state, Governor Quinn's office announced Monday that Burris II received the job fair and square. Quinn's office issued a statement saying Burris II acquired his job with the Illinois Housing Development Authority, "in an appropriate manner."

U.S. District Judge Milton Shadur has come under fire from some for his seemingly light sentence of Edward "Fast Eddie" Vrdolyak (pictured right). With a sentence of up to several years possible, Judge Shadur sentenced Vrdolyak to five years probation and a $50,000 fine, angering those who think Vrdolyak should do jail time. Today, Judge Shadur defended his sentence.