Win & Ride
If you're willing to give Metra a try for your commute (assuming there's a station near you), you could win a couple of free tickets. [via]
Gapers Block has ceased publication.
Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
✶ Thank you for your readership and contributions. ✶
TODAY
Wednesday, September 17
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Monthly Archive
February 2013
CEO Mason Out at Groupon
Following reports of a severe stock downturn at Groupon, the company's CEO Andrew Mason was replaced today by two executives.
Bad Case of the Clap
Cook County's gonorrhea and syphilis stats are pretty bad, but they're not the worst in the nation.
Let's Move (This Healthy Stuff Off the Menu)
While FLOTUS advocated for healthier living in the city's kids earlier today at McCormick Place, McDonalds announced that they are taking its low-selling (and reasonably healthy) fruit and walnut salad off its menu (along with chicken strips) later this year.
Grant for Art Makers
The Chicago Artists Coalition and OtherPeoplesPixels have launched the Maker Grant, a $3,000 grant available to innovative Chicago artists. Apply by March 31.
$3 Ticket to Ride
As Ventra, the new "open fare" system for CTA and Pace, rolls out this summer, the cost of a CTA single-ride ticket could rise to $3 if a new plan is approved.
Save the Date: The Chicago Music Summit
Coming in September, a new music-oriented team with the City is planning the first-ever Chicago Music Summit to promote local music.
Going Up to Go In
Studio Gang is tweeting project updates for the new Clark Street Boathouse. Here's the latest.
Charter Revoked
CPS is finally cracking down on underperforming charter schools, closing two and putting six more on a watch list.
A Particularly Imbalanced Race?
While a seasoned Democrat will be running for Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s seat, the likely Republican candidate is "a convicted felon who served nearly 20 years in state prison for burglaries, armed robberies and aggravated battery."
Lessons from Salt Removal
Michael Moss's Fresh Air interview about his new book, Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us, references intriguing experiences with suburban Kraft's food science team.
The Shipwreck on Morgan Shoal
In 1914, the Silver Spray wrecked on Morgan Shoal, a rocky reef near the 49th Street Beach. The remains are one of the easiest of Lake Michigan's shipwrecks to explore, but now the wreck and Morgan Shoal are in danger of being covered over by a shoreline restoration project.
Ask a Cubs Fan
Some brave soul took the infamous sausage costume that the Milwaukee Brewers use during game breaks.
The World According to Nick
Nick Offerman will be appearing at the Music Box next Saturday, March 9, for twoa special screenings of Somebody Up There Likes Me. Tickets are on sale now.
Catholic School Closures Announced
Chicago Public Schools aren't the only ones contracting. The Chicago Archdiocese announced it is elimintaing 75 jobs and closing or consolidating five schools.
Watching Crime Happen
The CTA plans to add cameras to train cars, increasing its already impressive number of surveillance cameras. But crime has been up on CTA tracks the past two years despite the extra eyes.
We've reported before on the questions as to whether the CPD's "blue light" cameras in high crime neighborhoods actually reduce crime (short answer: doesn't look like it), so this news doesn't come as much of a surprise.
Trapped in the Subplot
R. Kelly released "Trapped in the Closet: the Confessionals, Part 1" today, which focuses on the stories of specific characters of the endless, often pointless soap opera. Wake me up when it's over.
Groupon's New Deal
Is Groupon turning itself around? If they can wean everyone off emails, maybe. UPDATE: Groupon stock dropped 24% Wednesday on weak quarterly earnings.
Gay Marriage House Vote Soon
The same sex marriage bill passed out of committee, so it's headed for a full House vote.
Our New Congresswoman (Probably)
Robin Kelly won the Democratic primary race to replace Jesse Jackson, Jr. in the 2nd Congressional District. Here's the final tally.
Caution: Scientists At Work
A local documentary film house, 137 Films, followed some FermiLab scientists around for a day in a new doc called Science at Work. (No need to head to the box office, either, as you can watch the film on You Tube.)
"There's no wrong way to consume alcohol."
That vaportini from "Parks & Recreation"? It exists, invented by Julie Palmer, owner of Red Kiva.
Hint: it's not Good
The Trib evaluates how the city and state will be affected by looming sequestration cuts. The White House has its own assessment [PDF].
I Tumbl for You
It might be a little early to start booking hotel rooms, but if you're a fan of Tumblr (follow ours!), you'll be excited to hear about the Tumbl-CON now in the works for July 2014 in Tinley Park.
Where Satire and Real Life Collide
The Ononeon curates actual news headlines that might make you think you're reading another site that curates fake headlines.
Heck of a Job, Garry?
When Mayor Daley said he had 100-percent confidence in someone, it was often a kiss of death. We'll have to see if Mayor Emanuel's endorsement of Garry McCarthy will be the same.
Enjoy the Hyde Park Herald Online
After years of slow online adoption, the Hyde Park Herald's redesign is fully functional, with individual article posts and social media integration.
A New NOI Land
Among Louis Farrakhan's pronouncements at the annual Saviours' Day event is that he wants the Nation of Islam to buy large amounts of land in the Midwest.
As the World Turns
Social history photographer Camilo José Vergara is developing a personal website to share more of his repeat photography work. Included are four Chicago sites: 4434 W. Madison, 4337 W. Madison, 1117 N. Cleveland and 5134 W. Madison. Each series starts in the 1980s and continues to present day.
Still Talking on TV
NPR takes stock of Chicago talk shows now that Oprah isn't around so much these days.
Bad (and Dumb) as He Wants to Be
Former Chicago Bull Dennis Rodman is visiting North Korea as part of a "basketball diplomacy" trip; he hopes to meet the country's ruler Kim Jong Un, who reportedly was a huge fan of Rodman's old teammate Michael Jordan.
Time to Vote
The special election for the 2nd Congressional District (Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s old district) is today. Voter turnout is expected to be low.
Buy Something from the U of C Library
If you're looking for something new to read or unusual books for collaging, the U of C library's annual book sale kicks off today. The "good" books tend to go during the first couple of days, but what's left for free by March 1 is usually pretty interesting.
Five Months in Harper High School, Continued
This American Life's second installment of its exploration of youth violence in a Chicago high school is online. If you missed the first part, listen to it here.
So it's Come to This
How are we going to fix our city budget problems? Apparently, we're going to crowdfund our budget, like the Windy City Hoops program. There are 54 days and $450,000 to go ... to reach $480,000.
Bye, Bye, Services
The Washington Post compiled a table showing how the sequester will affect each state. Make sure to select the "Illinois" profile in the drop down menu.
Shapes of the Windy City
Chicago finds a place in designer Yoni Alter's poster series Shapes of Cities. Buy a print on Etsy.
The Future of the River
Onearth magazine tours the Chicago River and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, asking: "Can Chicagoans save the waterway that made their city great?"
Skate Grant Park!
The park district is creating a new, permanent skate park in Grant Park at 11th and Michigan. Preliminary plans will be released during Wednesday's Grant Park Conservancy/Advisory Council meeting.
Go Back in Time for Art
The Art Institute launched a new online exhibition of its staging of the 1913 International Exhibition of Modern Art, a.k.a. The Armory Show. The site includes everything from interactive gallery images to the programs.
That Good, Huh?
The boy band Mindless Behavior's concert at Ford City Mall seems to have prompted 100 teenagers to riot.
Just Buy It
Grid Chicago (not to be confused with Grid Chicago or The Chicago Grid), reports on athletic company endorsements in Chicago high schools.
Riding a Ravenswood B Train
WBEZ's history blogger, John R. Schmidt, narrates a 8mm film of a ride on the Brown Line in 1981.
Bertrand's Shells in a Box
Brennemann School in Buena Park once had a secret hiding behind its simple street-side facade: shell-like Bertrand Goldberg-designed classrooms. Sadly, they've since been enclosed in a box to protect them from the elements. [via]
Sequester is a Flight Risk
Yet another potential effect of the sequester: more delays at O'Hare and Midway, says outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Drug Arrests Down, but not Evenly
The Reader's Mick Dumke goes over recent drug arrest data, and relates it to his excellent story about the New Breeds gang last week and our new Public Enemy No. 1, Joaquín Guzmán Loera -- who the LA Times reports may have just been killed.
Influencing the Moral and Economic Might of Universities
In other student activist news, Chris Bentley surveys the current divestment campaigns on Chicago-area university campuses.
RIP Cleotha Staples
Cleotha Staples, founding member of the Staples Singers and oldest sister of Mavis, passed away Feb. 21 after a 12 year battle with Alzheimer's.
A Last Look at "Loop Tattoo"
GB flickr pool contributor Ann Fisher photographed "Loop Tattoo," a 2006 mural that will be hidden by a new high rise.
Digging Up the Skeletons in Northwestern's Closet
It turns out that Northwestern's planned demolition of Goldberg's Prentice Women's Hospital isn't its only public relations mess. In the face of mounting criticism, the university is launching an investigation to determine how to assess its historical relationship with John Evans, a university founder and namesake of Evanston implicated in the Sand Creek Massacre.
Chicago: Still Miserable
Forbes ranks Chicago as the fourth most miserable city in the US, apparently based primarily on our real estate woes. Detroit, Flint and Rockford top the list.
RIP Magic Slim
Chicago blues great Magic Slim passed away Feb. 21 at age 75. He released his last album, Bad Boy, last August.
Balmier Winters Ahead?
Illinois winters have warmed 0.88 degrees over the past four decades, making it the 12th fastest warming state according to research by Climate Central.
Fomenting Filmmaking
The Chicago Film Institute, a new conservatory dedicated to "educating, inspiring and championing the Chicago film and new media community," announced its launch today in the Cíbola incubator space in Pilsen.
Peterson Sentenced to 38 Years
Drew Peterson's request for a new trial was denied, so sentencing is now underway. Hopefully that will mean the end of this story soon. Keep an eye on the #DrewPeterson hashtag for live tweets from the courtroom, and/or peruse Craig Newman's Storify of coverage. UPDATE: 38 years.
Infighting at the Gender Society
There's trouble brewing with the transgender advocacy group the Chicago Gender Society, whose president survived a call for impeachment and subsequently proposed dissolving the group.
Connecting with Art
The Art Institute now has free wifi in the galleries -- all the better to use the free tour app just released for iOS. All the better to tour the new Picasso and Chicago exhibit that opened yesterday.
Bad Job, Rahm
Mayor Emanuel's job approval rating is way down -- just 19 percent of respondents to a Crain's/Ipsos poll think he's doing a good job, vs. 50 percent who disapprove of his performance.
Hip-Hop on the Down Low
"There's more than one way to be a black gay man," and hip-hop artist Tim'm West is exhibit A, says David Zarley in this week's Reader.
Ending Life Behind Bars
Prisons are becoming old folks homes as mandatory sentencing, life sentences without parole and longer life spans have kept prisoners in and around for longer and longer stints, Edward McClelland reports in Time Out.
My Money's on Beeno
The trailer for the upcoming episodes of R. Kelly's neverending story Trapped in the Closet has been released.
Marathon Registration Reset
If you tried to register for the Chicago Marathon and were thwarted by server problems, you'll get your opportunity sometime Sunday ...or possibly a little later. Register here to get an email update about it.
"X" Marks the Spot
GB flickr pool contributor Gabriel X. Michael is photographing Chicago buildings marked with Xs warning first responders of hidden dangers [PDF].
CITY RECEIVES GRANT FUNDING TO IMPROVE FIRST RESPONDER SAFETY by Gapers Block
I Didn't Dream This, So Please Don't Build It
Billy Corgan and his wrestler posse filmed a cred-killing commercial with the Smithe Brothers for charity.
Ambulances in Need of Intensive Care
The fire department's fleet of ambulances is in poor shape, the BGA reports. At least one has lost a wheel while carrying a patient. The City is in the process of buying 25 new vehicles, but in the meantime the entire fleet is at or near 100,000 miles.
More on The Area
Lee Bey interviews GB's David Schalliol about his short documentary for The Grid about a neighborhood in Englewood that's being torn down to make way for a Norfolk Southern railyard.
Colors for Hardworking Hipsters & Paranoid Preppers
Lunchbreath illustrates the latest Mantone color forecast.
Helix Camera Shutters
Helix Camera is closing after 49 years; owner Paul Schutt is retiring. The store's last day is Saturday.
Soup & Bread Goes West
If you've always wanted to go to Soup & Bread at the Hideout but live off in the western suburbs, Soup & Bread: Forest Park, tonight at Skrine Chops, might be up your alley. (The Hideout edition's still on, of course.)
The Factory is the Desktop
Are we in the midst of a third industrial revolution? Inventables CEO Zach Kaplan thinks we are, and that Chicago is poised to be at the center of it.
Go Make Babies... or Not
WBEZ's "Go Make Babies" ad campaign and pseudo dating app have drawn some criticism from the LGBTQ community for its heteronormative messaging. WBEZ blogger took those concerns marketing director Vanessa Harris with and got some answers.
Where to Stay, What to Eat, Etc.
About.com's Chicago travel page relaunched today, with 312 Dining Diva's Audarshia Townsend as editor.
Pinball: Rise of the Machines
Chicago suburbs-based Stern Pinball is seeing a surge in business with the rise of "barcades" and nostalgia gaming. They're doing so well that they have competition again -- until 2011, they were the only company still making machines.
Welcome to "Gangsterville"
The National Review invokes memories of old Cabrini-Green in its cover story about Chicago's gang problem in the context of the gun control debate. (Beware, plenty of blatant racism in the comments.)
Aging on the Spectrum
Autism is on the rise, but how society will help and handle autistic adults is not yet clear. Chicago magazine covers a growing issue.
Fighting for Sex Workers
End Demand Illinois and Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation are working to shift the focus in prostitution from prosecuting the sex worker to going the johns and traffickers.
Hungry for Beats
This Here's Overrated, but I Love Your City Baby is a collection of Chicago's finest rap videos that are fully or partially filmed in or near restaurants.
Motels by the Lake
Forgotten Chicago continues its series on the city's shoreline motels, this time focusing on downtown lodging.
Beard Award Semi-Finalists Announced
Kevin Pang has this list of Chicago-based semi-finalists in the 2013 James Beard Foundation Awards. The finalists will be announced March 18.
First Me So Far Event for the 40+ Crowd!
It's Me So Far's first-ever 40-plus event. Hear the slideshow stories of singles on or around their 40th, and see how Me So Far is reimagining singles events.
The Wrong Thing
The St. Louis-based Preservation Research Office blog uses Chicago's battles over Prentice and Michael Reese to evaluate each city's hospital preservation experiences. The verdict: "Alas, Chicago has done the wrong thing while St. Louis years ago made a wise choice."
When You Need Fido Most
Rush University Medical Center has established visiting hours for pets of hospital patients.
Signs of Spring: a Lolla Leak
Like the first buds on the trees, spring must be on the way if we're getting the first little Lollapalooza lineup leaks. @TheLollaLeaker is doling stuff out slowly, while @AgentOfLolla is playing the spoiler.
In the Wake of Hadiya
Several more teenagers were shot over the weekend. Eighteen-year-old Janay McFarlane a new mom whose sister was in the audience for Obama's speech on gun violence, was killed in North Chicago on Friday; Frances Colon was also killed on Friday, the third Clemente High School student to die this year.
Three teens were shot and one was killed in two separate incidents on Saturday evening. Meanwhile, a student brought an unloaded handgun to Foreman High School on Monday.
Black History on the Plate
What do Chicago's African-American culinary elite think of Black History Month? Audarshia Townsend gets a variety of answers at DiningChicago.com, along with some recipes.
Tickets to Athleticism & Gluttony
By coincidence, registration for the Chicago Marathon and Baconfest are on successive days: Register for the marathon beginning at noon Tuesday, and get your Baconfest tickets at noon on Wednesday.
The Making of the Chicago Auto Show
If you've ever wanted to know what it takes to put together a major auto show, you can check out Cars.com's time lapse video of the installation. (But turn off your sound; the music is terrible.)
Buying Guns Elsewhere
By now, it's clear that but Indiana's weak gun laws allow would-be criminals easy ways to circumvent Chicago's tough laws. The Trib documents how it's done.
MJ at 50
ESPN's Outside the Lines has a great profile of Michael Jordan as he turns 50 that feels a little like "Michael Jordan Has a Cold."
No More Cubs on WGN?
Cub owner Tom Ricketts was noncommittal when asked about the team's relationship with WGN-TV beyond 2014. The network has broadcast Cub games for over six decades, but may be dropped in favor of more a more lucrative deal.
The Grid: The Area
"The Area," the newest installment of our documentary film series, features Englewood residents who are struggling to maintain friendships and traditions while a freight yard is expanding into their neighborhood.
Last Thursday, Mayor Emanuel proposed that City Council approve the sale of 105 city owned properties to the company, Norfolk Southern, [pdf] for an average of just under $10,500 a parcel. While the press release trumpeted the creation of 300 jobs, it did not mention the remaining or displaced residents.
Five Months in Harper High School
This American Life has already posted part one of their epic Chicago youth violence episode.
Part two will air this coming Friday, Feb. 22.
Publicizing a Baptism
Among the strangest tweets in the last few days is certainly the announcement that rooftop minister Corey Brooks is going to baptize Chief Keef when he's released from prison.
Check Out Charlie's Auction
The online auction for Charlie Trotter's restaurant is now open, with nearly everything starting at $10. Pick up anything from an "Viennese Secessionist" bar stool to Reidel wine glasses to a whole lot of steam pans. The auction closes Feb. 25. [via]
Who's Worth a Puck
Now that the NHL lockout is behind us, professors at UofC's Booth School of Business tried to determine if hockey salaries are worth it. According to the researchers, a little Moneyball-style stats analysis could work wonders to find diamonds on the ice.
Estimating Player Contribution in Hockey With Regularized Logistic Regression by Gapers Block
JJJr Charges Filed
Federal charges were filed today against former Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. and his wife, former Ald. Sandi Jackson. Jesse was charged with conspiracy, making false statements, mail and wire fraud in connection with diverting $750,000 in campaign funds for personal use, while Sandi was charged with filing a false tax return. Don't miss the expenses list after the jump, which includes a lot of Michael Jackson memorabilia and even a mink cape.
United States of America vs. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. by Gapers Block
Obama Delivering Address in Chicago
The President is back in town and at Hyde Park Academy High School, where he will deliver a speech linking inequality and violence.
From Bloodshot to Beer
Former GB contributor JP Pfafflin writes about her decision to leave the music industry to go make beer. (Bloodshot Records is now hiring to replace her, by the way.)
Vivian Maier on Film
The first trailer for Finding Vivian Maier, a documentary coproduced by John Maloof, one of the people who discovered Maier's work at an auction in 2007, was just released.
70mm of Fun at the Music Box
As previously mentioned in A/C, the Music Box Theatre's 70mm Festival kicks off tonight with some rare, high-quality films including 2001: A Space Odyssey, Vertigo, and West Side Story, to name a few. One 70mm print, for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, has had an interesting wrinkle, however.
The only 70mm print of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in left in circulation hasn't aged well at all (it's a tad pink) and, rather than show a Blu-Ray version at the fest, the Music Box has decided to show the pinkish print, at a reduced price ($3/ticket, with credits to those who bought in advance). Other festival tickets are $9.25/film or $70 for a festival pass.
Get a Kick out of These
Bent wood furniture, a Pilsen tamale shop, a super-thin watch and a documentary about the n-word are among the currently funding projects on Gapers Block's Kickstarter page.
Public Enemy No. 1
Chicago has a "Public Enemy No. 1" for the first time since Al Capone. He's Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, head of the Sinaloa drug cartel. Loera is believed to be in hiding out in Mexico City.
The New Breed of Dealers
The Reader's Mick Dumke dissects a West Side heroin ring, starting with its leader.
The Grace of Curtis Duffy
Kevin Pang spent a year and a half working on this long, engrossing profile of Chef Curtis Duffy -- as well as a documentary film that will debut later this year.
United States of X: Population Equality Edition
Chicago gets its own state in Neil Freeman's Electoral Reform Map, which creates 50 new states of equal population size. Oddly, the collar counties and Milwaukee end up in the state of Gary. [via]
Prentice Preservationists Give Up
The National Trust for Historic Preservation and Landmarks Illinois have announced they will drop their lawsuit against Northwestern University over the planned demolition of Prentice Women's Hospital.
All the Single Ladies
Guys, if you're looking for love, start your search in Woodlawn, which has the highest proportion of single women in the city. (Ladies, you should look in Washington Park.)
Love at the Opera
Frank Lloyd Wright fell in love at first sight with his last wife, Olgivanna "Olga" Milanoff Hinzenburg at an opera at the Eighth Street Theater, which once stood under the Conrad Hilton Hotel.
Free Wifi About to Cost
"Patent troll" Innovatio IP Ventures can go right on suing hotels, cafes and other places offering wifi, after a lawsuit by Cisco, Netgear and Motorola accusing the company of racketeering was thrown out last week.
129 Schools on Closure List
Chicago Public Schools released a list of 129 schools recommended for closure yesterday. The Sun-Times editorial board things CPS should "continue listening" -- which it will do in the next round of community meetings; CPS released a set of criteria for determining whether to close a school. The Tribune has a map of the schools on the list. CPS will release a final list on March 31.
Break the Cycle of Violence
Time Out focuses on stopping the violence this week, and suggests 30 ways you can get involved.
1 Day to V-Day
Still a little more time to get half-price tickets for the Reader's Anti-Valentine's Day party tomorrow. (We've got a few other ideas for you in Drive-Thru, both traditional and unconventional.)
Oh, Wrigleyville Nights
The Cubs want more night games this season, but Ald. Tom Tunney may be standing in their way.
No More Charters?
Four aldermen called for a moratorium on new charter schools during the 2014-15 school year so that the effects of pending school closures can be assessed. Meanwhile, the second in command at charter school operator UNO resigned after the Sun-Times found he had paid state grant money to businesses run by family members.
Your City, Judged
This Judgmental Map of Chicago covers plenty of neighborhood stereotypes, and just as stereotypically leaves out the South Side. (Thanks, Marc!)
One and Done for Simon
Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon says she won't run for reelection next year. Meanwhile, Gov. Pat Quinn is trailing Attorney General Lisa Madigan in (really early) polls.
The Ballad of Tobi & Bruce
Roger Ebert pays tribute to the Old Town Ale House as only he could. (He mentions resident artist-raconteur Bruce Elliott's blog, The Geriatric Genius, but doesn't link to it.)
Bipartisan Fist Bump
Before giving his State of the Union address, President Obama crossed the aisle to share an exploding fist bump with Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, who is back in Congress after suffering a major stroke.
The Innovation & the Room
Alinea and Avec appear on Bon Appetit's list of the 20 most influential restaurants in America.
"No Degrees. None of them."
"Just a few years ago, I had no idea what cold felt like, and no way to know how to prepare for it." A-J Aronstein talks about February in Chicago in the Paris Review.
What Would You Do with a Firehouse?
49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore is requesting proposals for the adaptive reuse of the former Greenleaf Avenue Firehouse. Here's the listing [PDF].
Joe Walsh is No Deadbeat
Ex-congressman Joe Walsh has asked to reduce his child-support payment since he's out of a job, the Sun-Times reports. The story, which noted that he caught flack during his reelection campaign for allegedly getting behind on payments, prompted Walsh to threaten to sue the Sun-Times for defamation.
The Who of Guns & Gun Control
WBEZ's series "Our Guns" introduces you to people for whom guns are an important part of their life and identity. Meanwhile, in Mechanics, Jeff Smith notes that attitudes about gun control are "as much a geographic and cultural divide as anything else."
Valentine, You're Out of this World
Chicago-based cartoonist Mark Anderson loves to build LEGO spaceships -- and his latest is piloted by Capt. Val N. Tine. [via]
The Great Debate
While it's paczki mania in some parts of the city, at UofC it's all about the Latke-Hamantash Debate, the 66th edition of which occurs tonight. Watch it live online at 7:30pm.
190 North Goes South
ABC7 has canceled its long-running Chicago-centric lifestyle program "190 North." The last episode will air March 31, though it might return for occasional specials.
Chicago 100 Ways
The Local Tourist's second annual 100 Days of Chicago photo contest is now open for submissions.
The Plays are the Thing
Chicago Theatre Week begins today -- get $15 or $30 tickets for shows all over town.
The City's Power
Chicago magazine has published its annual ranking of the city's 100 most powerful people, from Rahm Emanuel (#1) to Andrew Mason (#100).
Some quick stats on the list:
• 22/100 are under 50 years old
• 18/1000 are female
• 12/100 are black
• 6/100 are Latino
• 21/100 are directly involved in government (22 if you count former Mayor Daley)
• 8/100 are in education
• 7/100 are in the arts
• 6/100 run sports teams/organizations
• 6/100 are in the media (7 if you count Sam Zell)
• 3/100 are in technology (and all are involved in Groupon)
• 3/100 are restaurateurs (7 if you count McDonald's and Kraft)
2 Arrested in Hadiya Pendleton Murder Case
Two men were charged Monday with the murder of Hadiya Pendleton. Police say they had fired into the group Pendleton was walking with after mistaking one of her friends for a rival gang member. One of the suspects had been arrested three times for various crimes while already on probation for weapons charges. Meanwhile, Pendleton's parents have been invited to the State of the Union Address.
This is Family Business
Read a deep dive into the history of hip hop in Chicago in, of all places, Crain's Chicago Business.
Bridge Out: Brown & Purple Liners Screwed
The CTA will begin repair work on the Wells Street Bridge in March, seriously messing up Brown and Purple Line riders' daily commutes. Disruptions will occur March 1-11, then again April 26-May 6. [via]
Outguess Ebert 2013
It's Oscar season, and if you can out-pick him for who will take home the awards, Ebert's offering a trip to the premiere of Iron Man 3. A tall order -- he's pretty sure he's got them all right.
The New Alderman
Mayor Emanuel has selected Natashia Lynnette Holmes, a former IDOT employee and current project manager for a civic policy and planning agency, to be the new 7th Ward alderman, replacing Sandi Jackson. WBEZ has a copy of Holmes' application.
EveryBlock Attracting Buyers?
Poynter reports that EveryBlock, which abruptly closed late last week, has attracted interest from potential new owners. EveryBlock founder Adrian Holovaty is not impressed with how owner NBC News handled the closing, stating that the site is now "damaged goods."
State Slows Bike Lanes
The state put a moratorium on buffered bike lanes in Chicago after IDOT voiced concerns about not having enough data about how the configuration affects traffic flow and accident rates.
Williams' Journey to Recovery
The New York Times Magazine details former Bull point guard Jay Williams' new career as a sterling basketball analyst. A few years before Derrick Rose's leg made the city hold its breath, Williams crashed his motorcycle and ended an unremarkable one-year career in the NBA.
Brand New CAR
Chicago Artists Resource recently relaunched with a new design and more robust platform.
Cameras on Board
The CTA hopes new high-definition cameras on board train cars will curb crime. The announcement comes on the heels of news about armed robberies of passengers waiting for trains and buses.
Sex is Funny
Gozamos interviews Melissa DuPrey about her show SEXomedy, onstage Wednesdays this month at the Greenhouse Theater.
On the Violent Crime Beat
Nearly all of the 42 newly minted police detectives will focus on violent crimes.
Go Elephant Hunting
Elephant Mixtapes is a new project in which mixtapes have been hidden all over the city, and it's your job to find them.
Red Light Ruination
The CEO of Redflex Holdings resigned amid allegations of bribery connected to Chicago's red light camera contract. The City now says it will end the company's contract.
Better than Winging It
The wings at Belly Shack and Yusho made Food & Wine's list of the best chicken wings in the country.
Jenny McCarthy gets a Show
If you're not getting enough of Jenny McCarthy in the Sun-Times, you can watch her on VH1 starting tonight. "The Jenny McCarthy Show," which she says is modeled off of the old "Playboy After Dark" series, will feature go-go dancers and randomly paired celebrities.
Beware of Girl Scouts Hawking Cookies
It's National Girl Scout Cookie Day, which kicks off the selling season. If you don't have a connection, you can find one here. Or you can make your own.
Is Phone Time On the Clock?
A Chicago police officer is suing the City over whether being required to check email on one's smartphone after hours counts as overtime.
JJJr. to Sign Plea Agreement
NBC reports that Jesse Jackson, Jr. will sign a plea deal that will include no more than five years in jail on charges of mishandling campaign funds, confirming Michael Sneed's exclusive from yesterday.
Cut Through App Crap
Are you into civic apps? Sign up for SmartChicago's Civic User Testing Group, which will pay you to test this stuff out.
Prentice Loses Landmark Status (Again)
The landmarks commission revoked the landmark status of Prentice Women's Hospital for the second time, likely paving the way for Northwestern University Medical Center to tear it down. Another court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 15.
Countdown to V-Day
No surprise that the Reader and Time Out are all about love and dating this week, what with Valentine's Day just around the corner. (And yeah, consider this your one-week warning -- don't forget to make some plans!)
Trains, Trains and Automobiles
WBEZ's Curious City tackles several questions about Chicago's trains, bridges and streets.
Prentice Before Landmarks Commission ... Again
Bertrand Goldberg's Prentice Women's Hospital is currently before the city's Commission on Chicago Landmarks. If you're interested in real time updates, you can follow the Save Prentice coalition on twitter and facebook. UPDATE: Prentice no longer has preliminary landmark status, allowing another step towards demolition. Next: another court date.
Driving to McCormick Place
The Chicago Auto Show opens this weekend; if you're willing to pay, you can get a "first look for charity" tomorrow night.
First Lady to Attend Pendleton Funeral
Michelle Obama will attend the funeral for Hadiya Pendleton on Sunday; still no word on whether the president will attend.
How the City Once Was
Chicago is The City to See in '63. A recent preservation project from the Chicago Film Archives. [via]
Say Goodbye to EveryBlock
EveryBlock has shut down, effective immediately. The news caught even its founder and former president by surprise. Poynter has more details, and Adrian Holovaty reflects on his blog.
rellerpS esreveR noipmahC
Chicagoan Krishna Pandey is going for a world record in "reverse spelling," or the spelling of words backwards.
Salon Bandit had a Coke Habit
Police say Jason Logsdon, who was arrested last week after allegedly robbing hair salons in the city and suburbs (previously), was paying for his addiction to cocaine.
Wesley Willis, Wonder Woman's Half-Brother
In a shocking revelation, dearly departed outsider artist and rock star Wesley Willis is revealed to be the half-brother of Wonder Woman, Milan, in an upcoming comic book. This doesn't explain why he whupped the asses of both Spider-Man and Batman. [via]
Ezra Stoller and the John Hancock Center
In other architecture news, a New York exhibition of Chicago-born photographer Ezra Stoller is a good reason to revisit some his iconic photographs of Chicago buildings, including these stunners of the John Hancock Center under construction. If you like those shots, you may be interested in his book documenting the building's construction. The NYTimes offers some context.
One Billion Will Rise
On Valentine's Day, the Chicago edition of VDAY's One Billion Rising will hold a rally and dance party to protest violence against women and LGBTQ people. Join in.
Chicago in Buffalo
ArchitectureChicago PLUS highlights some of the deep architectural connections between Chicago and Buffalo, NY. A few additional photographs of Buffalo buildings by Chicago-related architects are after the jump. [via]
The State of Our State: Marriage, Money and Guns
Governor Quinn's State of the State speech went as planned today, in which he called for actually dealing with the state's fiscal woes, increasing the minimum wage, legalizing same-sex marriage and controlling guns. Read more from the Trib, Sun-Times, WBEZ and Chicago Business, or read it yourself.
Break Up the Pride
Beginning this summer, Lakeview's Pride Fest and the Chicago Pride Parade may take place on separate weekends due to congestion concerns.
Capturing the Sound
Sound City, Dave Grohl's new documentary about the legendary LA recording studio by the same name, screens at the Patio Theater this weekend, Feb. 8-10. Tickets are available here.
Pinups and Puppy Dogs
Boing Boing has a preview of Mitch O'Connell's new book, Mitch O'Connell the World's Best Artist. You can see some of the original artwork from the book at Rotofugi.
Bleed Wildcat Purple
The Cubs and Northwestern have worked out a deal that will bring football back to Wrigley Field -- along with baseball and lacrosse.
No Kids on OKCupid
Comedian Joe Kwaczala is banned from OKCupid due to his unorthodox profile. [via]
RIP, Cardiss Collins
Former Rep. Cardiss Collins passed away at age 81. Collins was the first African-American woman to represent Illinois in Congress, taking over in 1973 for her husband George, who died in a plane crash.
"Yes, I know where you're going to stay."
Expat Ed Hirsch has some sage, profane advice for friends visiting Chicago like a Chicagoan. [via]
Muslim Chicago
Islam is alive and well -- and growing -- in Chicago, even as religious affiliation in general is on the decline in the US.
Better Judge Retention?
There may be a fix to election law that would avoid situations like Judge Cynthia Brim, who was retained despite years of "unqualified" ratings from legal organizations and being charged with battery on a court security guard. Brim was found not guilty by reason of insanity yesterday.
What the Baby Boom did to Chicago
Bill Rankin of Radical Cartography created maps of racial distribution in Chicago and the suburbs during the 1940s, '50s and '60s, in connection with a journal article on how the Baby Boom affected population here.
Help Make a CTA App
Greater Good Studio is looking for feedback to help further develop their CTA app, which I interviewed them about last year. The next brainstorming session is Feb. 11.
Messing with Sheriff Joe
Controversial Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who's facing a recall campaign, has another headache on his hands: identity theft. Someone used his credit card number to buy nearly $300 in groceries here in Chicago.
The Joy of Driving
According to a new Urban Mobility Report, Chicago-area drivers should quadruple the amount of time it would take to get somewhere in free-flowing traffic, because "If you plan only for average traffic conditions... you are going to be late at least half the time."
He's Just Like the Rest of Us
Mayor Emanuel is sitting in the Daley Center right now, on jury duty.
He's lucky the smart phone ban hasn't gone into effect yet. (Actually, the Daley Center is exempt from the ban.)
Basketball Diplomacy on Gun Violence
A Chicago high school basketball star himself, former CPS chief/current Secretary of Education Arne Duncan connects to Chicago's gun violence and its toll on the city's youth through basketball, as Rick Telander tells it, and he's enlisted friends Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah to help formulate a plan to combat it.
Thinkers & Doers Live Here
The Atlantic Cities mines census data to figure out where the creative class -- and the service class -- live.
Doored? Your Fault
If you get doored while riding your bike, you could get a ticket depending on whether the police know about an obscure state law that puts responsibility for the accident on the cyclist.
Reagan Home Ridiculousness
While most people would tell you that the impending demolition of a Hyde Park apartment building where Ronald Reagan briefly lived is part of the University of Chicago Medical Center's long-planned expansion, at least one Fox News columnist is doubling down on the theory that it's to make way for an Obama presidential library.
A Little Vintage Dance
Danielle Colby, star of "American Pickers" and a former local crafter and burlesque dancer, is back in town with a "Pickers"-related shop that's now open -- and is back onstage as well.
Skating Blind
Glenview teenager Tommy Carrol has been blind since he was 2 -- and skateboarding since 10.
The Rosemont Corridor
O'Hare Airport is officially part of Chicago, thanks to a narrow strip of land south of Rosemont. WBEZ's John Schmidt explains how it came to be.
Mistakes Were Made
Several of the city's best pastry chefs discuss their biggest dessert flops (although with the right protective gear, I would have happily eaten most of these).
Pencil Shavings & Heartbreak
On a recent episode of WTF with Marc Maron, John Hodgman discusses his love for Malort. Chicagoist has pulled some quotes.
South Deering, Archer Heights, West Town...
How quickly can you place Chicago neighborhoods on a map? Click That 'Hood tests your strength.
Bulls, Bears & Blackhawks, Oh My
Chronology Clothing's "The Beast" is the perfect Chicago sports t-shirt -- as long as you don't like baseball. [via]
$86 Million in the Pocket
In 1999, Gary Comer, the founder of Lands' End, began investing in his childhood neighborhood of Pocket Town. Chicago magazine takes a look at what $86 million has done for the tiny South Side neighborhood.
More Places to Ride
Illinois received nearly $29 million in federal funding for bike and walking trails in Chicagoland, including several within the city.
Finally Some Good Waterway News
Rare freshwater shrimp were discovered in the Des Plaines River this summer, which bodes well for its cleanliness, experts say.
Recording Hip-Hop History
Chicago is a city marked by the spirit of entrepreneurship and independent vision. Here, dedicated, innovative thinkers reinvent the collaborative processes that elevate ideas from daydreams to reality. So close, yet so far from the shiny Magnificent Mile, artists like Alexander Fruchter, owner and operator of local hip hop record label Closed Sessions, challenge traditional practices to make way for more exciting forms of magnificent creative expression.
Closed Sessions creates not only music but short documentary films, shown on their website, that give insider peeks into the stories behind these local artists. Fruchter says they are "genuine about wanting to capture the story in this historic period." They just signed their first flagship artist, Alex Wiley, who will perform Feb. 9 at 4pm at Reggie's Rock Club for just a dollar.
Wee Nip of Art
Lillstreet opens its latest exhibition, Neat: the Art of the Whiskey Vessel, with a whiskey tasting tonight. And like all good parties, there's an afterparty down the street at Fountainhead.
Sun-Times Takes on Crain's
Keep your eye out for Grid, a new weekly business magazine inserted in the Sunday Sun-Times starting this week -- and produced by former Crain's editors.
Big Hurt "Bad" at Twitter
Steve Bogira thinks we should all be following Frank Thomas on Twitter -- for the unintentional comedy.
The Murder Toll Marches On
Rick Kogan interviewed Shirley Chambers, the woman who lost four children to gun violence in the city, on "The Afternoon Shift" yesterday. Meanwhile, a woman was shot while driving a van on the ramp from Lake Shore Drive onto I-55 this morning. Police Chief Garry McCarthy appeared on Channel 7 this morning to talk about efforts to stem gun violence.
Pitchfork Headliners Announced
R. Kelly, Bjork and Belle and Sebastian are headlining the next Pitchfork Music Festival, which will be held July 19-21 in Union Park. Tickets are on sale now. More details in Transmission.
Closing up the Mess Hall
Mess Hall, Rogers Park's "experimental cultural center," is closing at the end of March. Between now and then, though, will be many events and discussions about how to keep the space's legacy alive elsewhere.
Totally Our Bad, Indiana!
For some reason, a convicted murderer from Indiana was mistakenly released from custody after appearing in a Chicago court yesterday. Hoosier State authorities are not happy! Steven Robbins was convicted of murder in 2002 in Indianapolis.
