Yesterday should have been a great day in Englewood, with the official opening of the new Kennedy-King College campus at 63rd and Halsted. Then Arenda Troutman (pictured) and Shirley Coleman showed up to get their natural clowns on. The two deposed and controversial aldermen claimed that they weren't invited to the opening, even though it was due to their lobbying that Kennedy-King relocated to this very part of Englewood (with possibly a little bit of... more ›

A piece that ran in Sunday's Tribune got us to thinking about the ramifications of last week's election here in Chicago. Much has been made about the significance of the nine new aldermen that will take office in May, especially those that had the support of labor. Dorothy Tillman, Madeline Haithcock, and Shirley Coleman all went down, beaten by union backed candidates. Toni Foulkes in the 15th Ward, an actual union member, beat Felicia Simmons-Stoval... 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 ›

In the latest round of skirmishes over power in this city, aldermanic candidates have seen the labor movement in Chicago flex it's muscle. In the 21st Ward, incumbent alderman Howard Brookins is being challenged by Leroy Jones, a community activist and member of SEIU Local 73 and UFCW Local 881 member Toni Foulkes is running against Felicia Simmons-Stovall for an open seat in the 15th Ward. In fact, this election cycle, more than any other... 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 ›

When we were young, we were told to stand up for what we believe in. We would be rewarded with a sense of self, a sense of purpose. Mayor Daley, Aldermen Howard Brookins Jr. (21st), Shirley Coleman (16th), Anthony Beale (9th), Dorothy Tillman (3rd), and Arenda Troutman (20th) stood up for what they believed in by blocking the big box ordinance. Shirley Coleman voted for the ordinance before she voted against it (we've always wanted to put that in a post). Their claim was that so-called big box stores are a necessity, especially in areas where goods are not easily accessible. more ›

If you really think about it, most of the aldermen in Chicago don't do much. They'll make a stink for ten hours in a City Council meeting about how much they hate this or that, or how another street should be named after the guy who founded the Billy Goat Tavern, but in the end, it adds up to them raking in a city salary for being incredibly long-winded. The reason why people care (or, at least, should care) about who they have as an alderman is because they have the power to give jobs to people in their wards. The people who do these jobs, in turn, affect the voters' daily lives, etc. more ›

Under a relaxed liquor law advanced Wednesday over the objections of police and inner-city aldermen, alcohol sales may begin at 10am instead of the current 11am. more ›