Todd Stroger dismissed a 54-page report (PDF) on patronage yesterday. The report, filed last week by retired Cook County Circuit Judge Julia Nowicki, the federally appointed hiring monitor for the county, documents allegations by more than 220 people that illegal patronage practices occurred over two years ending February of last year. more ›

Yesterday the Illinois House approved legislation regarding how customers will be able to buy their wine. It's a story we've been keeping tabs on here at Chicagoist for a while. Supporters of the bill champion HB 429 as a victory for Illinois consumers. They claim that the uniform 12-case limit shared by in- and out-of-state wineries, and the establishment of a permit system allowing smaller out-of-state wineries to sell their product directly to retailers,... more ›

Oh, we enterprising gays. First we gentrify the gayborhood. The next thing you know we’re creating gay sports leagues and gay churches. And Tuesday Mayor Daley will join us hand-in-hand as we cut the ribbon to our brand new Center on Halsted, a gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community center that blows the door off the closet for GLBT centers across the country. There are about 160 GLBT centers in the U.S., but none are... more ›

While Topinka and G-Rod tried desperately to link each other to convicted former Governor George Ryan in last night’s debate, the Executive Director of Chicago’s Board of Ethics was handing in her resignation. More time with the retiring husband, she says. more ›

In North Lawndale, you’re more likely to notice the massive billboards peering over the Eisenhower and the flashing police surveillance cameras than the 100-year-old greystone homes, industrial towers, and boulevards. Too bad the neighborhood’s architectural legacy often gets lost over concerns for public policy and public safety. Roebuck built the original Sears Tower here a century ago, and Magic Johnson might bring new business here soon. more ›

Yesterday the National Association of Attorneys General met here in Chicago to discuss how to end public corruption. High in the minds of those attending the one-day summit were the recent conviction of former Governor George Ryan, and the ongoing investigations into the administrations of Mayor Daley and Governor Blagojevich. The goings on in our fair state led Cynthia Canary, Executive Director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, to conclude, "Illinois is apparently a... more ›

Note: Part 1 of this series is here. The Chicago Sketchfest brings some of the country’s finest comic troupes to town this weekend and next. Fitting really, since a mid-January Chicago vacation requires a hearty sense of humor. Yesterday, Chicagoist profiled a few up-and-comers but we didn’t want to leave out the veteran performers, the very backbone of the festival itself, and the uniquely wacky groups, the pickled liver of the festival itself. Many of... more ›

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is the state agency charged with ensuring citizens have reliable and affordable utilities, as well as regulating utility companies. This job seems more important than ever since energy energy prices are expected to soar this winter. more ›

One of the most inexplicable inequities in Chicago public transit are the differences between Metra heavy rail service and the Metra Electric Line. The Electric Line, which terminates at the Randolph Street station and runs mostly through Chicago's South Side African American neighborhoods and suburbs, has continually been plagued by some subtle, and not so subtle differences that grate the patience of riders, and regularly attract charges of racism. Enter recently-appointed State Senator Kwame Raoul. more ›

If you're that guy (with the thinning, greasy hair and the stuffed animals in the back seat of your red convertible) that waits outside convenience stores and tries to impress minors by buying them alcohol, watch your back; the Illinois State Crime Commission (and maybe the Chicagoist) is after you. more ›

Because the elderly just are not shat upon enough in today's youth-obsessed culture, Scott Pfiel decided it was about time to hit Grams where it hurts. Right in the mouth. You know, where she puts the food delivered to her by the only human she sees all day from the city's meals on wheels program. more ›

Over the weekend the Greater Chicago Food Depository opened a new facility on Chicago's southwest side, near Pulaski Road and 42nd place. The $28.6 million, 216,000 sqaure foot food bank and training center will double the Food Depository's capacity to feed those in need, allowing it to distribute up to 80 million pounds of food each year. The new food bank is among the largest in the United States. It houses an array of programs that food depository officials say is unmatched in the nation. "This is the most exciting day in the 25-year history of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, as we break new ground in the fight against hunger," said Executive Director Michael Mulqueen. "We are opening a facility that will serve this community for the next 25 years as we aggressively attack the underlying causes of hunger and poverty." more ›