Mayor Daley has a little more than two weeks left in office. While he does have some post-mayoral irons in the fire, His Elective Majesty is wasting no time in collecting his pension. Daley decided to start collecting his pension under the Illinois Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act, effective May 17. That's the day after he leaves office, y'all. more ›

Mayor Daley took the time to discuss his post-mayoral plans last night at the White House State Dinner for Chinese President Hu Jintao. His answers indicate a man who may have some short term problems handling not running a city. “For 30 years, I’ve had a schedule," Daley told the Sun-Times. But he does plan on writing a book and maybe teaching. more ›

To say it's been a roller coaster year for Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano would be something of an understatement. So it's understandable that he's thinking of hanging up his spikes come the end of his current contract with the team following the 2012 season. After a year that saw him get shelled on opening day, go back and forth between starting rotation and bullpen, throw a hissy fit at a teammate in the dugout during a game, then sent packing to the restricted list (and therapy), and then finally back on the rotation where he's returned to his former, sharp self on the mound ... yeah, we'd be tired and thinking about retirement, too. more ›

As the challengers line up for the chance to take his place, Mayor Daley broke his silence, speaking for the first time since Tuesday's shocking announcement that he would not seek a seventh term as mayor next year. Daley sat down with WFLD Fox's Bob Sirott for a looooong chat. more ›

In the wake of today's shocking news, here are two of our favorite MayDay rants. more ›

Over the weekend, Chicagoland's own (and current Fire player) Brian McBride announced his retirement effective at the end of this season. Over 17 years, across major leagues including the English Premier League and MLS as well as multiple World Cup appearances for the US Mens National Team, McBride has proven to be one of the hardest working, most consistent U.S. players to hit the world stage. Taking bumps and bruises and coming up bloodied more times than we can count, McBride has never been afraid to throw his whole body into the game. We'll save our official retrospective of McBride's outstanding career for when he hangs his spikes up for good later this fall, but the below video compilation is a great way to celebrate one of the toughest men in soccer. (One downside to the video? The awful soundtrack. We suggest muting the video and playing this more appropriate song in another tab instead.) [via] more ›

We're a few days past Lou Piniella's bittersweet farewell (emphasis on bitter, thanks a lot, bullpen) to the Cubs but tributes and thoughts on Lou's departure are still trickling out. From ESPN debating whether or not Lou should be in the Hall of Fame (we say "yes" and most others agree) to You Tube user bobjrj101's reminiscing, everyone is weighing in one form or another. GawkerTV has this little video compilation of some of Lou's (in)famous tirades while the Tribune runs down readers' favorite Lou moments. more ›

Mayor Daley's rubber stamp continues to lose members as Ald. Ginger Rugai (19th) has announced she will not seek reelection for her spot on the City Council. Rugai becomes the fourth female alderman to announce she won't be coming back next year, joining Vi Daley (43rd), Helen Shiller (46th) and Mary Ann Smith (48th); Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th) could also be leaving if she wins the race for Cook County Board President in November. Rugai said she wasn't worried about any backlash and is confident she'd win another term but felt it was time to step down: “I’ve served the community now for almost 36 years — 20 of those as alderman. I’ve always known when it’s time to make a change." She's putting her support behind Committeeman Matt O’Shea in the upcoming election to replace her. more ›

48th Ward Alderman Mary Ann Smith told Fran Spielman at the Sun-Times yesterday that she would not be seeking re-election in the upcoming municipal elections. “You have to be vigilant about crime, buildings enforcement and education. Everything within the borders of the community [is] your responsibility. Flooding, business development, beautification, schools, clinics and so on. If you do it right, it’s an enormous responsibility. I’ve loved doing, but it’s also 24/7,” Smith told Spielman, acknowledging that she was tired of being "all things to all people." Smith joins 46th Ward Alderman Helen Shiller in retirement this year, leading what could be as many as eight-to-ten of the city's aldermen retiring this year. more ›

Forever known as The Kid, Ken Griffey Jr. announced his retirement from baseball Wednesday night at the age of 40. A sure thing first ballot Hall of Famer whose 630 homers place him fifth all-time, Griffey played 22 seasons for the Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds and a half season on the South Side. Coveted for years by GM Kenny Williams, he finally acquired the outfielder at the trading deadline in 2008. Griffey played in 41 games for the Sox before returning to the Mariners in '09. Griffey retires as the subject of the most popular baseball card of all time and one of only three Springfield Nuclear Power Plant ringers that play for the Yankees at some point in his career (the others being Ozzie Smith and Mike Scioscia). more ›

After weeks of rumors and conjecture, Supreme Court Justice (and Chicago native) John Paul Stevens announced he will retire this summer, in late June or early July. Stevens is the oldest member of the SCOTUS - he turns 90 in less than two weeks - and leads the liberal group of SCOTUS justices, so his departure and subsequent replacement will not likely change the current conservative-liberal balance of the SCOTUS. Stevens' timing will mean the Obama administration will be able to name a replacement and hold confirmation hearings before the November mid-term elections. It'll be the second SCOTUS appointment for President Obama after appointing Sonia Sotomayor last year to replace David Souter. more ›

For local dogs, a round of good news hit the papers. Let's take a look: more ›

If Carlos Zambrano struggles next season like he did this season, he says he'll quit. The pitcher, who's only 28 years old, told the Tribune, "Look, this is the only season I haven't won 16 or 18 or 14 games. If it happens again next season, two seasons in a row, I'll quit. Believe me, I'll quit. I just have to put this behind me." Of course, we all know Zambrano is prone to emotional fits from time to time, so maybe it's just the disappointing 2009 season getting to him. Besides, next year is his contract year so we expect big things out of Big Z. Zambrano has previously hinted at retiring at the end of his contract, which runs through 2013. more ›

There was a bit of controversy earlier this week when a proposed "retirement" party for allegedly outgoing Ald. William J.P. Banks (36th) raised eyebrows regarding the ethical nature of the $200 per ticket price-tag and the alleged "gift" Banks was to receive. But now that party has been canceled. The Trib, who originally broke the news of the party, is on the case: more ›

While he's yet to officially announce his retirement, it seems Ald. William J.P. Banks (36th) is preparing to step down and his apparent successor is throwing him a party but it costs $200-a-ticket. According to the Tribune: more ›

Former Cub, dangerous sneezer, and corker - not to mention prolific home run hitter - Sammy Sosa claims he will soon announce his formal retirement from baseball. Sosa hasn't played a game since 2007 when he was with the Texas Rangers. As to the question on everyone's minds - did he use performance-enhancing drugs - Sosa side-stepped the issue, saying: more ›

In an effort to tackle the $11.6 billion budget deficit, Gov. Quinn proposed a pension reform plan that, according to Fox Chicago, would cut in half the amount of money put into retirement systems for state employees over the next five years. more ›

Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet reports that Robert Novak has announced his immediate retirement in the wake of his brain tumor diagnosis, which Novak says is "dire." more ›