We've been proud to see small, neighborhood-based farmers markets spreading rapidly throughout the city over the past several years. But this is Chicago, and eventually a market would run into the harsh reality of city politics. We've discussed the bureaucratic obstacles to creative foodspaces before, but Gaper's Block reports a new twist - Logan Square Alderman Rey Colon is trying to pull the permit for the Logan Square Farmer's Market. Allegedly, Colon is angry about political campaigning (for his opponent in the last election) at the market, by an employee of the managing organization, the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce. reports a new twist - Logan Square Alderman Rey Colon is trying to pull the permit for the Logan Square Farmers Market. Allegedly, Colon is angry about political campaigning (for his opponent in the last election) at the market, by an employee of the managing organization, the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce. reports a new twist - Logan Square Alderman Rey Colon is trying to pull the permit for the Logan Square Farmer's Market. Allegedly, Colon is angry about political campaigning (for his opponent) at the market, done by an employee of the managing organization, the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce. more ›

Judge Joan Lefkow handed 28 aldermen their asses today, denying their request to force the City to disclose the names of the police officers accused of brutality. Lefkow said that the case is currently being appealed (busy day at the 7th Circuit), but if the aldermen want to sue the City, they can. Have you been wondering which 28 aldermen signed the petition? We sure have. We called Manny Flores's office and were told there... more ›

This election has been one of the most significant in recent memory. With seven new aldermen set to take office in May, including the wife of Jesse Jackson Jr. in the 7th Ward, the stage is set for a new power struggle in Chicago. This year, more than any other, saw the city's labor movement — especially the service-sector unions — flex their political muscle. The result? A record-low turnout in the mayoral vote, and... more ›

Now that all the aldermanic candidates are rested and refreshed, and the runoffs are coming quickly upon us, there is a renewed sense of hatred and mudslinging in the wards that are still contested this year. In the 49th Ward, Alderman Joe Moore is pointing to the $60,000 that his opponent Don Gordon took from money manager David Herro of Harris Associates, a major Wal-Mart stock-holder. While connecting those dots requires a bit of a... more ›

It seems the mail at our abode goes through phases, occasionally we get everything in a timely manner and other times we receive our last three issues of The Week all at one time. Our mail is delivered by a sweet lady, so we tend to let things slide, even though our entire building has to sort out the mail that isn't theirs and drop it in front of doors. If anything, the post office... more ›

Well, another municipal election has come in Chicago, and in many wards (but not all) it's gone. As expected, Richard M. Daley sailed to re-election, set to eclipse his father as the Chicago's longest-serving mayor, in spite of Ben Joravsky's best efforts. At the time of this writing, a few things are clear: there will be a few runoffs this year, including Madeline Haithcock - Bob Fioretti (2nd), Dorothy Tillman - Pat Dowell (3rd), Shirley... more ›

It seems like everyone is running for their old seat this year. Ambrosio Medrano in the 25th, Virgil Jones in the 15th Percy Giles in the 37th, and Wallace Davis Jr in the 2nd, all want their old jobs back. Add to that list former 35th Ward alderman Vilma Colom, (the only one, at least on this list), that didn't lose her job to a corruption conviction. more ›