February 2010

Man found fatally stabbed in Chatham

By Admin on February 28, 2010

A 54-year-old man was pronounced dead this morning after he was found stabbed in the Chatham neighborhood, officials said.

Willie Anderson, of the 9400 block of South Michigan Avenue, was pronounced dead at 8 a.m. at Jackson Park Hospital and Medical Center, according to a spokesman with the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Police responded to a call at 7:09 a.m. to the 600 block of East 79th Street where they found Anderson on the sidewalk with multiple stab wounds, said News Affairs Officer Daniel O’Brien.

No one is in custody and police are continuing to investigate, O’Brien said.

– Carlos Sadovi

Senate’s cap on scholarships leaves loopholes

By Admin on February 28, 2010

When the Illinois Senate voted to restrict the legislative scholarship program last week, it left enormous loopholes that would not have prevented some of the most questionable grants in the previous five years, according to a Tribune analysis of state records.

For nearly a century, legislators have been allowed to give taxpayer-funded scholarships using almost any criteria they like. The new measure, which must go before the House, would ban lawmakers from granting waivers to the children of campaign donors from the previous five years, and it would forbid relatives of scholarship recipients to return the favor with a contribution for another five years.

But legislators could still award scholarships to the children of elected officials, lobbyists, campaign workers, office staff and party loyalists. Students whose relatives donate to powerful ward and township organizations also would remain eligible.

A Tribune analysis of scholarship and other public data shows that lawmakers gave free rides to the relatives of at least 35 elected officials from 2005 to 2008. An additional 87 went to the children of people who contributed to the lawmakers’ ward committees, township organizations or county parties.

Each of those waivers would be permitted under the proposed reforms.

“I don’t think (the Senate measure) went far enough,” said Sen. Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign), whose efforts to abolish the waivers failed. “There are some abuses it doesn’t address, but it’s a good first step.”

The program has raised repeated questions about lawmakers’ doling out scholarships as political plums — most recently in September when the Tribune found legislators gave at least 140 scholarships to relatives of their campaign donors from 2003 to 2008.

DuPage County Board member J. R. McBride said those news accounts prompted him to rethink his stance on the scholarships, which two of his three college-age children have received — one from Sen. Dan Cronin (R-Elmhurst) and one from Rep. Sandra Pihos (R-Glen Ellyn).

As a father of five, he considers the scholarships — worth about $20,000 combined — a welcomed way to help pay for college. But as a GOP official, he acknowledges there could be a perception of special treatment.

McBride insists he did not involve himself in the selection process. Both legislators have stated they use independent committees to select the winners. Still, the Glen Ellyn Republican now says he would support broad restrictions, including a ban on giving them to immediate family members of other elected officials.

“Anything to avoid a perceived conflict of interest would be good,” McBride said.

Legislators receive two four-year scholarships each year, which they can carve up any way they choose. Most divide them into eight one-year awards that waive tuition and fees at state schools.

In 2008, the lawmakers awarded 1,509 scholarships totaling $12.5 million, or an average of $8,300 apiece.

Though previous efforts to address the scholarship program have failed, lawmakers last week said they decided to renew efforts following investigations by the Tribune and other media.

“As long as this program exists, it has the potential for abuse,” said James Nowlan, a senior fellow at the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois. “It embarrasses the legislature every so many years because someone abuses it.”

Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard, a former state senator, said any reforms should include eligibility requirements based on financial need and academic merit. He also wants the waivers to be for undergraduate tuition only, as they are a financial burden on the state’s medical, law and dentistry schools.

The General Assembly does not allocate money for the scholarships, so universities, reeling from the recession, must cover the costs.

House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) has not said whether he would back the reforms. A review of public data shows Madigan has granted seven scholarships to students whose relatives contributed to his mighty 13th Ward Democratic Organization, including the children of two precinct captains.

Madigan has said he favors abolishing the program, which the House twice has voted to end. His spokesman said Friday that ending the program guarantees the legislature will “not get caught up in this nickel-and-dime conversation” about loopholes.

–Stacy St. Clair and Jodi S. Cohen

Dillinger, Capone items to be auctioned

By Admin on February 28, 2010

Who will draw more interest?

Nearly 200K still without power in Northeast as utility crews continue post-storm restorations

By Admin on February 28, 2010

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Nearly 200,000 homes and businesses were still without power Sunday as restoration efforts continued days after a slow-moving storm battered the Northeast with heavy snow, rain and high winds.

RFK’s grandson decides against possible campaign for US House seat from Massachusetts

By Admin on February 28, 2010

BOSTON (AP) — Joseph P. Kennedy III, the son of a former congressman and the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, said Sunday he had decided against running for the U.S. House from Massachusetts this year.

Kane notches assist, Canada leads 2-1

By Admin on February 28, 2010

With Patrick Kane leading the way, cruising in circles with the puck in the Canada zone, working shots from the side of the circle, the U.S. suddenly began to control the play for lengthier stretches.

Vancouver Olympics end with a big finish: US-Canada in men’s hockey, closing ceremony

By Admin on February 28, 2010

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Only one thing mattered to most Canadians on the last day of the Vancouver Olympics, and it had nothing to do with who performs what in the closing ceremony.

Chicago woman charged with hitting trooper on Dan Ryan

By Admin on February 28, 2010

Scene of the crash that injured a state trooper. (Tribune / Chris Sweda)

A 19-year-old Chicago woman was charged with felony reckless conduct today after hitting an Illinois State Police trooper who was conducting a traffic stop on the Dan Ryan Expressway Saturday night.

Kimisha Moore, of the 12500 block of South Wallace Street, was charged after police took her into custody after the accident, said Trooper Michael Bobko. Moore is expected to appear in bond court on Monday, he said.

Meanwhile, the female trooper underwent surgery and was in the intensive care unit at Stroger Hospital listed in “stable condition.”

The trooper suffered two broken legs and a broken pelvis, Bobko said.

The accident happened in the northbound express lanes of the Dan Ryan (Interstate Highway 90/94) at roughly 66th Street, where multiple emergency vehicles responded.

The trooper, who is in her 20s, was outside her vehicle on a traffic stop when she was struck by a gold Toyota driven by Moore who was taken into custody while the investigation continued, according to Sgt. Joe Stangl.

The northbound express lanes were shut down to traffic around the crash site and were later reopened.

– Carlos Sadovi, Jeremy Gorner and Jared S.Hopkins

Checkup finds Obama ‘fit for duty,’ but hasn’t kicked smoking habit, should eat better

By Admin on February 28, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama hasn’t kicked the smoking habit, takes anti-inflammatory medication to relieve chronic tendinitis in his left knee and should eat better to lower his cholesterol, his team of doctors concluded Sunday after the 48-year-old’s first medical checkup as commander in chief.

Peavy confirms recruitment of Padres’ Gonzalez to Sox

By Admin on February 28, 2010

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