The sentencing hearing for former Chicago Police lieutenant Jon Burge enters its second day. Yesterday saw testimony from both victims of Burge's torture practices when he was at Area 2 Headquarters and from colleagues and friends of the man who's come to epitomize police brutality in Chicago. more ›

Let the tough talk begin: after news broke earlier this week about the sole bid for privatizing Taste of Chicago included possible fees for admission and the main concert stage, 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett, chairman of the City Council's Committee on Special Events and Cultural Affairs, says that there should be public hearings about the proposal. more ›

Logan Square Kitchen has had a tough first year. Despite their immense success, the support of their alderman and lots of love from the Chicago food press, the shared-kitchen concept simply doesn't fit in with current Chicago zoning laws, which can't seem to decide whether the spot is a shop, a restaurant or a production space. In reality, LSK is all three, and provides an important space in Logan Square for community organizing. It also allows start-up businesses who cannot afford their own store a place to manufacture products. The Chicago Reader ran an excellent profile of the owner, including her troubles with inspectors, multiple licenses, and the general incoherence of the city's response to these issues. The ridiculous rules and regulations (Can they have tables? Must they provide parking? What about event permits) have led the owner, Zina Murray, to predict that she will be out of business by January, regardless of her success as a business owner. more ›

32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waugespack is set to introduced his tweaked food truck legislation to City Council today, according to the always-with-his-ear-to-the-ground Mike Sula. The legislation is also available to read online (PDF). more ›

Seven months after they approved Mayor Daley's parking meter privatization deal, the City Council held a hearing to angrily express their outrage over the deal. This from the same City Council that voted 45-5 to approve the deal and, when one alderman complained about the lack of time for review, prompted the classic response from Ald. Mell (33rd), "How many of us read the stuff we do get, OK?. I try to. I try to. I try to. But being realistic, being realistic, it's like getting your insurance policy. It's small print, OK?" Small print, indeed. more ›

Some legal wrangling went down this week in the case against Drew Peterson, set to stand trial for the murder of wife #3, Kathleen Savio. Among the more notables moves made, Judge Stephen White asked prosecutors to cut their witness list down from a mind-boggling 805 to 50. One battle prosecutors did win was an attempt by Peterson's defense team to make the large amount of discovery evidence "easier to navigate." John Connor, the chief of the major crime unit for the state's attorney, claimed, "I think what the counsel is asking us to do is give them CliffsNotes on this," and said all the information the defense was seeking was available in the evidence. Another issue raised by Peterson's attorney - whether three key state witnesses received compensation for their testimony - will be reviewed and ruled on by Judge White at a July 10 hearing. [Sun-Times] more ›