Chicago cop/Army Master Sgt. called 'a miracle guy'
When the mortar rounds started exploding around him, Master Sgt. Pedro Medina scrambled for cover. "I needed to get to a solid structure, fast," Medina said. He ran to a building on his military base in mountainous southeastern Afghanistan. But the building proved to be anything but solid. A Chinook helicopter was taking off to escape the attack, and a violent downdraft from the rotors collapsed the building. An iron I-beam landed on Medina.
When the mortar rounds started exploding around him, Master Sgt. Pedro Medina scrambled for cover. "I needed to get to a solid structure, fast," Medina said. He ran to a building on his military base in mountainous southeastern Afghanistan. But the building proved to be anything but solid. A Chinook helicopter was taking off to escape the attack, and a violent downdraft from the rotors collapsed the building. An iron I-beam landed on Medina.
City magnet school admissions get makeover
A greater share of prized Chicago magnet school seats would go to the brothers and sisters of current magnet students -- as well as to neighborhood kids -- under a long-awaited magnet admission plan expected to be unveiled this week.
A greater share of prized Chicago magnet school seats would go to the brothers and sisters of current magnet students -- as well as to neighborhood kids -- under a long-awaited magnet admission plan expected to be unveiled this week.
Artist behind iconic album art struggling to get by
Thick dust covers the gold lame shirt and silver leather coat in Pedro Bell's closet. The clothes are remnants from a brighter time when Bell, a rainbow Afro wig on his head and platform shoes on his feet, strutted through Chicago as a charter member of the '70s funk revolution whose sound is heavily sampled in rap songs today. "It was psychedelic from a black perspective," Bell said.
Thick dust covers the gold lame shirt and silver leather coat in Pedro Bell's closet. The clothes are remnants from a brighter time when Bell, a rainbow Afro wig on his head and platform shoes on his feet, strutted through Chicago as a charter member of the '70s funk revolution whose sound is heavily sampled in rap songs today. "It was psychedelic from a black perspective," Bell said.
Quinn sets stage for sales tax rollback
Gov. Quinn signed into law Saturday a measure that slices away some of Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's authority and sets the stage for county commissioners to slash a controversial sales tax increase as the 2010 elections loom.
Muslim leader found talks with Ft. Hood suspect disturbing
FORT HOOD, Texas--An Army psychiatrist who authorities say went on a shooting rampage at Fort Hood was so conflicted over what to tell fellow soldiers about fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan that a local Islamic leader was deeply troubled by it, the leader said Saturday.
FORT HOOD, Texas--An Army psychiatrist who authorities say went on a shooting rampage at Fort Hood was so conflicted over what to tell fellow soldiers about fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan that a local Islamic leader was deeply troubled by it, the leader said Saturday.
Laid-off workers tapping 401(k) funds to survive
As the last of his severance pay dwindled away in March, Brad Cleghorn of northwest suburban Marengo cashed out his 401(k) plan in order to pay his mortgage and feed his family. Cleghorn is not alone. A Hewitt Associates study shows that 46 percent of workers with 401(k) plans who lost or switched jobs cashed the plans in, a trend that could lead to serious problems when younger generations of people working today reach retirement.
As the last of his severance pay dwindled away in March, Brad Cleghorn of northwest suburban Marengo cashed out his 401(k) plan in order to pay his mortgage and feed his family. Cleghorn is not alone. A Hewitt Associates study shows that 46 percent of workers with 401(k) plans who lost or switched jobs cashed the plans in, a trend that could lead to serious problems when younger generations of people working today reach retirement.
How to beat a Chicago speeding ticket : Challenge it
For at least the past year, speeding tickets produced by Chicago police officers using high-tech LIDAR speed detectors have been routinely dismissed in Cook County Traffic Court for any defendant bothering to show up to contest the case. When challenged, the tickets are being voluntarily waived by the city's Law Department because of legal challenges to the laser technology underlying the LIDAR (light detection and ranging) equipment.
For at least the past year, speeding tickets produced by Chicago police officers using high-tech LIDAR speed detectors have been routinely dismissed in Cook County Traffic Court for any defendant bothering to show up to contest the case. When challenged, the tickets are being voluntarily waived by the city's Law Department because of legal challenges to the laser technology underlying the LIDAR (light detection and ranging) equipment.
Chicagoans to get first seating at Millennium Park?
Fed up with suburbanites who park their fannies in Millennium Park’s 4,000 seats, a Northwest Side alderman on Wednesday suggested preferential seating for Chicago residents. “You have people from the suburbs who get there earlier and glom onto all the seats. ... They’re putting their blankets across rows and rows of chairs,” said Ald. Eugene Schulter (47th).
Fed up with suburbanites who park their fannies in Millennium Park’s 4,000 seats, a Northwest Side alderman on Wednesday suggested preferential seating for Chicago residents. “You have people from the suburbs who get there earlier and glom onto all the seats. ... They’re putting their blankets across rows and rows of chairs,” said Ald. Eugene Schulter (47th).
Chicago’s inspector general’s office sues the city
NBC5 and the Chicago Sun-Times have learned the city Inspector General’s Office is taking the Daley administration to court after issuing a subpoena last month. The IGO is demanding the city Law Department and its boss, Mara Georges, turn over documents and records concerning an unspecified no-bid contract awarded in 2006.
NBC5 and the Chicago Sun-Times have learned the city Inspector General’s Office is taking the Daley administration to court after issuing a subpoena last month. The IGO is demanding the city Law Department and its boss, Mara Georges, turn over documents and records concerning an unspecified no-bid contract awarded in 2006.
How moms make ends meet
Moms are cutting back on household spending, making more home-cooked meals, sacrificing quality for everyday value for themselves and making special shopping trips to save money, according to a survey on how the recession is changing family habits. While mom is buying herself lower-quality clothes -- if she's buying any at all -- and cutting back on the quality of cosmetics and health products she buys for herself, she's not scrimping on the quality of food or clothing for her kids, the survey showed.
Moms are cutting back on household spending, making more home-cooked meals, sacrificing quality for everyday value for themselves and making special shopping trips to save money, according to a survey on how the recession is changing family habits. While mom is buying herself lower-quality clothes -- if she's buying any at all -- and cutting back on the quality of cosmetics and health products she buys for herself, she's not scrimping on the quality of food or clothing for her kids, the survey showed.
Half of all kids on food stamps at some point
If she didn't get food stamps, Angie Minix and her two boys would have had to survive on the peanut butter-and-jelly diet. The Sauk Village mom isn't alone. In fact, nearly half of all U.S. children and 90 percent of black youngsters will be on food stamps at some point during childhood, and fallout from the current recession could push those numbers even higher, researchers say.
If she didn't get food stamps, Angie Minix and her two boys would have had to survive on the peanut butter-and-jelly diet. The Sauk Village mom isn't alone. In fact, nearly half of all U.S. children and 90 percent of black youngsters will be on food stamps at some point during childhood, and fallout from the current recession could push those numbers even higher, researchers say.
Health-care insurance cheaper in the suburbs
Why would people who live in inner-ring suburbs such as Berwyn, Evanston, Oak Lawn and Oak Park be able to obtain health-care insurance quotes that are 14.6 percent, on average, lower than their Chicago neighbors?
Why would people who live in inner-ring suburbs such as Berwyn, Evanston, Oak Lawn and Oak Park be able to obtain health-care insurance quotes that are 14.6 percent, on average, lower than their Chicago neighbors?
Faulty doors at Cook County Jail lead to fights
A Sun-Times/BGA Investigation: Accused murderers, robbers and rapists in Cook County Jail's oldest maximum-security complex often use toothpaste caps and toilet paper to jam their cell doors and sneak out. Sometimes, they don't even need to resort to such tricks. The aging locks in the doors malfunction on their own.
A Sun-Times/BGA Investigation: Accused murderers, robbers and rapists in Cook County Jail's oldest maximum-security complex often use toothpaste caps and toilet paper to jam their cell doors and sneak out. Sometimes, they don't even need to resort to such tricks. The aging locks in the doors malfunction on their own.
Ricketts outline game plan for owning Cubs
Thomas Ricketts spent $845 million for, among other assets, a baseball team that in a good year will record a profit of around $30 million.
Chicagoans taxes up 9 percent, Obama's taxes up 1 percent
Many Chicago homeowners will see their property taxes rise sharply in the tax bills going out this week. But not President Obama. His taxes on his Kenwood mansion are up just 1 percent, records show.
Many Chicago homeowners will see their property taxes rise sharply in the tax bills going out this week. But not President Obama. His taxes on his Kenwood mansion are up just 1 percent, records show.
Police shortage a growing problem; city 2,000 shy
Heading into year No. 2 of a hiring slowdown, the Chicago Police Department is now nearly 2,000 officers short of its authorized strength of 13,500, counting vacancies, medical leave and limited duty, records show -- with 36 percent of police jobs at O'Hare Airport unfilled. After hiring only 46 police officers this year, Mayor Daley's 2010 budget counts on federal stimulus funds to boost manpower next year.
Heading into year No. 2 of a hiring slowdown, the Chicago Police Department is now nearly 2,000 officers short of its authorized strength of 13,500, counting vacancies, medical leave and limited duty, records show -- with 36 percent of police jobs at O'Hare Airport unfilled. After hiring only 46 police officers this year, Mayor Daley's 2010 budget counts on federal stimulus funds to boost manpower next year.
Targeted Danish cartoonist feels safe, but angry
When FBI agents at O'Hare arrested David Headley en route to Pakistan earlier this month on charges he plotted to kill a newspaper cartoonist in Denmark, authorities say he held an additional airline reservation -- to Copenhagen. He was to depart Thursday.
When FBI agents at O'Hare arrested David Headley en route to Pakistan earlier this month on charges he plotted to kill a newspaper cartoonist in Denmark, authorities say he held an additional airline reservation -- to Copenhagen. He was to depart Thursday.
Whose property taxes went up most in Chicago?
Four out of five Chicago homeowners will see their property taxes go up when they get their bills later this week, Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan said Monday. In the West Garfield Park neighborhood, the median tax bill will jump 46.4 percent, the highest spike in the city, according to the numbers compiled by Houlihan's office. "I think it's outrageous. It doesn't seem fair," said Latonya Nelson, 39, who rehabbed a 100-year-old graystone opposite the park with her husband.
Four out of five Chicago homeowners will see their property taxes go up when they get their bills later this week, Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan said Monday. In the West Garfield Park neighborhood, the median tax bill will jump 46.4 percent, the highest spike in the city, according to the numbers compiled by Houlihan's office. "I think it's outrageous. It doesn't seem fair," said Latonya Nelson, 39, who rehabbed a 100-year-old graystone opposite the park with her husband.
City puts breaks on red-light camera project
Red-light cameras have hit a red light in Chicago -- and it's all because of a shortage of green. Chicago's worst budget crisis in modern history has put the brakes on plans to expand the city's Big Brother network of red-light cameras to more than 330 accident-prone intersections by 2012.
Red-light cameras have hit a red light in Chicago -- and it's all because of a shortage of green. Chicago's worst budget crisis in modern history has put the brakes on plans to expand the city's Big Brother network of red-light cameras to more than 330 accident-prone intersections by 2012.
At least 2 teens questioned in McClendons' slaying
At least two teenagers were questioned by police Saturday in connection with the murders of CLTV talk show host Garrard McClendon's parents, a source said. The suspects, who were taken into custody Friday, were positively identified as being seen in Milton and Ruby McClendon's car, the source said.
At least two teenagers were questioned by police Saturday in connection with the murders of CLTV talk show host Garrard McClendon's parents, a source said. The suspects, who were taken into custody Friday, were positively identified as being seen in Milton and Ruby McClendon's car, the source said.
Jeanine Nicarico's parents testify at Dugan sentencing
Almost 27 years on, Tom Nicarico is no longer tormented day and night. Instead, the anguish visits unexpectedly, as when a giggling, brown-haired girl passes him on the street.
Almost 27 years on, Tom Nicarico is no longer tormented day and night. Instead, the anguish visits unexpectedly, as when a giggling, brown-haired girl passes him on the street.
Five Chicago assets that could be sold off next
After draining reserve funds generated by city asset sales, Mayor Daley has hitched Chicago's financial future to continuing the Great Chicago sell-off. If that's his rabbit in the hat, there are several viable alternatives, provided aldermen vilified for the parking meter fiasco are willing to go along with it. Daley could revive the $2.5 billion Midway Airport deal that collapsed for lack of financing or he could privatize other city assets.
After draining reserve funds generated by city asset sales, Mayor Daley has hitched Chicago's financial future to continuing the Great Chicago sell-off. If that's his rabbit in the hat, there are several viable alternatives, provided aldermen vilified for the parking meter fiasco are willing to go along with it. Daley could revive the $2.5 billion Midway Airport deal that collapsed for lack of financing or he could privatize other city assets.
THE DUGAN MURDERS The girl who escaped
The last time Opal Horton saw Melissa Ackerman, her best friend was pounding frantically on a window of the rusty blue car from which Horton herself had just escaped. Horton wept Wednesday as she described hiding behind a tractor tire after her escape, then looking out to see her childhood friend still banging on the glass as the car driven by Brian Dugan pulled away.
The last time Opal Horton saw Melissa Ackerman, her best friend was pounding frantically on a window of the rusty blue car from which Horton herself had just escaped. Horton wept Wednesday as she described hiding behind a tractor tire after her escape, then looking out to see her childhood friend still banging on the glass as the car driven by Brian Dugan pulled away.
Jury spares Brown's killer
In the first poll, eight Cook County jurors were ready to sentence James Degorski to death, while the remaining four leaned toward a life sentence. The margin narrowed on the next vote -- 10 jurors wanted to impose the death sentence -- but it never disappeared. After nearly five hours of deliberations Tuesday, the jurors agreed to disagree and sentenced Degorski to life in prison for the 1993 slayings of seven people at Brown's Chicken & Pasta in Palatine.
In the first poll, eight Cook County jurors were ready to sentence James Degorski to death, while the remaining four leaned toward a life sentence. The margin narrowed on the next vote -- 10 jurors wanted to impose the death sentence -- but it never disappeared. After nearly five hours of deliberations Tuesday, the jurors agreed to disagree and sentenced Degorski to life in prison for the 1993 slayings of seven people at Brown's Chicken & Pasta in Palatine.
Freed Fenger suspect's mom: I knew it wasn't him
He was supposed to have delivered the knockout blow to Derrion Albert, the Fenger High School student whose beating death on video has been viewed around the world. But a smiling Eugene Bailey, 18, walked out of Cook County Jail Monday evening after charges against him were dropped, calling "Mama! Mama!" for his mother, who always insisted he was innocent.
He was supposed to have delivered the knockout blow to Derrion Albert, the Fenger High School student whose beating death on video has been viewed around the world. But a smiling Eugene Bailey, 18, walked out of Cook County Jail Monday evening after charges against him were dropped, calling "Mama! Mama!" for his mother, who always insisted he was innocent.
4 recommended by topless bar owner hired by Blago
Perry Mandera might not be a well-known name in most circles. But when he tried to get people a job in then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration, it seems his name carried weight, according to records kept by Blagojevich aides.
Perry Mandera might not be a well-known name in most circles. But when he tried to get people a job in then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration, it seems his name carried weight, according to records kept by Blagojevich aides.
2 suspended after cop left to fend for self
Two employees at Chicago’s 911 emergency center have been slapped with lengthy suspensions without pay for their roles in an Aug. 28 dispatch delay that left an off-duty police officer to fend for himself while being shot at by a car filled with alleged gang members.
Two employees at Chicago’s 911 emergency center have been slapped with lengthy suspensions without pay for their roles in an Aug. 28 dispatch delay that left an off-duty police officer to fend for himself while being shot at by a car filled with alleged gang members.
Inside Rod Blagojevich's jobs machine
A Sun-Times special report: On his first full day as governor in 2003, Rod Blagojevich ordered a freeze on state hiring. Only essential jobs would be filled, he said, promising to rein in a record state budget deficit and put an end to what he called "taking care of insiders first and taxpayers last." Behind the scenes, though, Blagojevich aides flouted the supposed freeze, forging a patronage machine that -- despite their boss' public promises -- eventually would provide state jobs or promotions to nearly 2,500 people.
A Sun-Times special report: On his first full day as governor in 2003, Rod Blagojevich ordered a freeze on state hiring. Only essential jobs would be filled, he said, promising to rein in a record state budget deficit and put an end to what he called "taking care of insiders first and taxpayers last." Behind the scenes, though, Blagojevich aides flouted the supposed freeze, forging a patronage machine that -- despite their boss' public promises -- eventually would provide state jobs or promotions to nearly 2,500 people.
Daley: No more taxes, fines or fee hikes in 2010
Arguing that Chicagoans are "suffering" and can't stand to pay any more, Mayor Daley said Thursday he would hold the line on all taxes, fines and fees in 2010 and find another way to plug a revised, $550 million budget gap. Two days after the Chicago Sun-Times reported Daley's decision to keep his hand out of taxpayers' pockets, the mayor confirmed that decision and said "everything is on the table" to eliminate the shortfall—except raising taxes.
Arguing that Chicagoans are "suffering" and can't stand to pay any more, Mayor Daley said Thursday he would hold the line on all taxes, fines and fees in 2010 and find another way to plug a revised, $550 million budget gap. Two days after the Chicago Sun-Times reported Daley's decision to keep his hand out of taxpayers' pockets, the mayor confirmed that decision and said "everything is on the table" to eliminate the shortfall—except raising taxes.
Kennedy reopens, normal commute expected
All lanes of the northbound Kennedy Expressway are open for Thursday's morning commute after a pavement buckle closed two lanes Wednesday afternoon.
Body buried between couple at Burr Oak Cemetery
After his July 10 death, William Scott's body was kept in storage for three months so he could be laid to rest alongside his late wife, Lorraine, in scandal-scarred Burr Oak Cemetery once it reopened for business. But when cemetery workers tried to dig Scott's grave last week on the deeded burial plot, they unearthed an unpleasant surprise -- a casket and remains that weren't supposed to be there.
After his July 10 death, William Scott's body was kept in storage for three months so he could be laid to rest alongside his late wife, Lorraine, in scandal-scarred Burr Oak Cemetery once it reopened for business. But when cemetery workers tried to dig Scott's grave last week on the deeded burial plot, they unearthed an unpleasant surprise -- a casket and remains that weren't supposed to be there.
Mercy Medical Center: Chicago's clout hospital
Four years ago, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center -- Chicago's first hospital -- was facing bankruptcy and on the verge of closing. The hospital run by the Sisters of Mercy, whose mission is to serve the poor, was bleeding money.
Four years ago, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center -- Chicago's first hospital -- was facing bankruptcy and on the verge of closing. The hospital run by the Sisters of Mercy, whose mission is to serve the poor, was bleeding money.
