In a 43-6 vote, the Chicago City Council voted to create a new Office of Compliance to police city hiring. Critics have charged that the new office will compete with, and therefore undermine the effectiveness of, the city Inspector General. Daley lauded the vote while reassuring critics, telling the Tribune, "it is the primary responsibility of the inspector general to investigate allegations of misconduct. ... At its core, this department is about assuring that the... more ›

Consider these three scenarios. You want to eat some Indian or Pakistani food, but you don't want to make the trek to Devon. You are tanked after a night of drinking in River North or the Gold Coast and you want to go out for some post-drinking nosh, but aren't in the mood for a burger. You've been doing some shopping downtown, and want to grab a quick dinner, but don't want to either... more ›

For some Chicagoans, today’s World Music Festival Chicago 2005 kickoff validates our town's role as ambassador of global culture. For many more of us, this week will serve as an introduction to a glut of inventive musical stylings prompting a pledge to continue broadening our musical horizons. The most adventurous music fans can see dozens of performers from five continents at venues spanning every corner of Chicago. If you'd like a low-risk introduction, check out... more ›

Today is Independence Day in India and Pakistan. In 1947, the independent nations of India and Pakistan were born after a decades-long struggle for freedom against colonial rule. Finally it was time to shout: The British Are Leaving! The British Are Leaving! Chicagoland's Independence Day celebrations will take place tomorrow, Tuesday the 16th, at Daley Plaza downtown, from noon to 3pm. Join the celebrants for food, vendors, and speeches galore. Hopefully someone will recite... more ›

The tsunamis that swept across the Indian Ocean from Thailand to Somalia and killed more than 44,000 people so far may seem like a world away, but they are affecting people around the Chicagoland area in many ways. A couple of stories we've read with local ties - Dipak Jain, the dean of Northwestern's business school, has been in Thailand since December 15 to teach at a school in Bangkok. Jain, his wife, and his... more ›