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Archive of Illinois on Tuesday May 13, 2008
Zell no to state bid for Wrigley
Tribune Co. Chairman Sam Zell has rejected former Gov. James Thompson's secret plan to acquire and renovate Wrigley Field for at least $400 million without raising taxes and now plans to package the Cubs and their landmark stadium in a private transaction, sources said Monday. Read More
Rezko lawyer savages Levine
CHICAGO ? Political fundraiser Antoin ?Tony? Rezko?s defense attorney ripped into the government?s star witness against his client Monday, describing him as an admitted lifelong liar and swindler whose brain was all but rendered useless by three decades of abusing powerful narcotics. Read More
The promise of prisoners
THOMSON, Ill. ? Construction workers completed a $140 million state-of-the-art maximum-security prison here seven years ago. But today the prison remains mostly empty, filled only to a fraction of its capacity. Read More
Ill. lawmakers return with long list of unfinished business
The calendar says Illinois lawmakers are supposed to finish their spring session in just three weeks, but it may take far longer. Read More
Court clears path for O?Hare expansion
Ending years of litigation, the U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for Chicago to acquire and relocate a cemetery needed for the continued expansion of O'Hare International Airport. Read More
RTA chief chastises state leaders for failure to fund transit and roads
The chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority lashed out at state politicians Monday for failing to work aggressively toward completing a capital spending plan for mass transit and repairing deteriorating roads. Read More
Lawmaker wants state to cancel lease with firm linked to Rezko
A state senator on Monday called for the state to cancel its office lease with a firm linked to political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko and seek the return of $3.4 million in rent the state has paid since 2004. Read More
States, locals swamp immigration program
Sudden demand by state and local police to join the federal 287(g) initiative, which lets local police start deportation proceedings for suspects and criminals who are illegal immigrants, is overwhelming the federal government. That means long waits and alternative programs offered to police departments that want to join. Read More
Lawmakers hear, see diabetic study
If lawmakers can see the prevalence of diabetes in their communities on a big screen, they may be more motivated to set aside dollars necessary to better prevent the disease. Read More
Petition -- BP air permit hurts poor, minorities
Two groups claiming a breach of environmental justice have called for a stop to BP Whiting Refinery's $3.8 billion expansion, according to the first appeal of BP's controversial air permit. Read More
Young workers flee midwestern states
Upper Midwestern states are in danger of losing a precious economic commodity: young people. Many are leaving for other parts of the country after finishing school. Read More
Why all the potholes? City blames the state
Chicago is fighting a losing battle against potholes because arterial street re-surfacing has been put on hold for the last two years, aldermen were told Monday. Read More
Zell rejects Wrigley sale to ISFA
The Tribune Co. has reportedly spurned plans by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority to buy Wrigley Field and instead intends to sell the Chicago Cubs ball club and the historic field together, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday. Read More
Protecting Michigan's water wonderland
State lawmakers are carefully maneuvering Michigan toward joining a historic international compact reserving Great Lakes water for the states and Canadian provinces around them. Read More
U.S. Supreme Court will not hear church's appeal on O'Hare cemetery plans
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal filed by a church attempting to save a cemetery in the path of planned runways at O'Hare International Airport. Read More
Corrupt mastermind or victim of frame-up?
Antoin "Tony" Rezko was attacked by the prosecution as the mastermind of an elaborate fraud scheme but excused by the defense as a total bystander as closing arguments began Monday in the trial of the Blagojevich administration insider. Read More
Rezko defense rips Levine as 'Pinocchio'
The star witness in Tony Rezko's corruption trial unwittingly stole the spotlight in Monday's closing arguments, with prosecutors admitting Stuart P. Levine is the "embodiment of corruption," while the defense disgustedly tossed him onto the government's doorstep. Read More
In school sports, who makes the call?
A shot at the buzzer of a high school championship game — was it in time or not? — led the South Carolina Legislature to consider a bill to require referees to watch video replays. It was hardly the first example of armchair quarterbacking by lawmakers.
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WORTH NOTING: Illinois treasurer shows his knowledge of charges
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) endures a bruising charge from Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D). A new Utah law stirs Salt Lake City bartenders to create a new drink. And Louisiana prison guards get outside help to prevent escapes. In case you missed those stories this week, Worth Noting fills you in. Read More
Neutral govs to remain on sidelines
 In the homestretch of an unprecedented presidential primary season, spinning with competing sound-bites and endless rhetoric, voters still heading to the polls in four states can’t look to their governors for any pre-election advice. These governors plan to wait until after their states vote to make their own endorsements.
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Silver Alert helps rescue lost seniors
(Updated 9:30 a.m EST, May 8, 2008) When an elderly person with dementia is lost, eight states can trigger an alert to let the community know. Proposals in Congress would expand the successful missing persons program to all 50 states. Read More |
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