Metering is ON

sneed

Michael Sneed biography

Michael Sneed has been a Chicago journalist for nearly four decades covering everything short of war.

Among the stories Sneed has reported on in her …

Read More

Search recent columns

More Columns

  • President raising a bundle from Chicago

    $$$$$Obamarama$$$$ List ’em: The Chicago bigbucks bundlers who have assembled megacash via fund-raisers for President Barack Obama’s campaign include: a real estate mogul who owns casinos (Neil Bluhm); a rich media czar who drives old cars (Fred Eychaner); a former student activist who once pelted …Read More

    • Living in the past with Shirley MacLaine

    Yikes ... Will legendary actress Shirley MacLaine, who has written about her past lives, disclose she once lived in the Edwardian era — now that she’s joining the cast of the hit PBS series: “Downton Abbey?” ◆A past life: Gareth Neame, the series managing director, …

    President meets with two Bushes — but one takes a pass

    Ambush ’em ... Top tip: President Barack Obama had a private White House meeting Friday with 41st President George Herbert Walker Bush — who arrived in a wheelchair — and son, Jeb Bush, the popular former Florida governor who GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is …

  • Gov. Pat Quinn to propose tax cut for families with children

    The Quinn bin: Sneed has learned Gov. Pat Quinn plans to make life a lot easier for Illinois households with kids. ◆Translation: Watch for Quinn to propose a tax cut targeting families with children at his State of the State address on Wednesday. “This tax …Read More

  • Bill Daley has a surprise before returning to Chicago

    In an exclusive chat with Sneed this week, former White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley sounded relieved and happy his tour of duty was finally over. “I can’t wait to come back,” said Daley, whose abrupt resignation earlier this month flummoxed President Barack Obama. …Read More

  • ‘Good job!’: The secret behind Panetta’s system

    The Panetta System... “Good job tonight! Good job night!” Thus spoke President Barack Obama to U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta minutes before Obama’s State of the Union Tuesday evening. ◆The backpat: Obama’s praise of Panetta, who masterminded Osama bin Laden’s demise, sent the press scurrying …Read More

    • Sneed Exclusive: Police shake-up

    Sneed hears a massive shake-up in the Chicago Police Department’s Youth Division is coming. ◆To wit: “Getting kids to stay out of crime is imperative,” Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthytells Sneed. ◆Upshot: “We have an entire cadre of people involved with working with kids, and …

    The last will and testament of the city’s beloved former first lady

    Motorcycle maintenance? The last will and testament of the city’s beloved former first lady Maggie Daley, which was dated shortly before her death, bequeaths everything to her hubby, former Mayor Richard M. Daley, which includes . . . “my automobiles, boats, motorcycles and other transportation …

  • Pen pals aid Drew Peterson as he nears 1,000th day in jail

    The Peterson case . . . Sneed is told ex-cop Drew Peterson, who will mark his 1,000th day of imprisonment on Jan. 31 as he awaits trial in the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, has three sympathetic male pen pals — who are …Read More

  • Newt and the 1st wife

    Good Newt/bad Newt . . . Dateline: The Gingrich Grime — Is the real reason Newt Gingrich’s first wife, Jackie, has rarely spoken on the record about her marriage — because she started dating Newt when he was only 16 — and she was his …Read More

  • Will taxpayers eventually pick up the tab of G8/NATO summits?

    Protest ’em . . . Mayor Rahm Emanuel may be shaking down the private sector for millions to shore up the expenses of the upcoming G-8/NATO summits this spring, but will taxpayers have to eventually open up their wallets? ◆ Consider: Police Supt. Garry McCarthy …Read More

    • 35,000 to over 100,000 expected at G-8/NATO summits

    The security issue . . . ◆ Hmmm: The official number of protesters expected thus far by Chicago Police at the G-8/NATO summits here this spring: 10,000. ◆ The unofficial number: “Anywhere from 35,000 to 100,000,” according to several Sneed sources familiar with Chicago’s security …

    Herman Cain accuser can’t catch a break

    The Cain file . . . Zzzzzzzzzzz: As the nation awaits former GOP presidential hopeful Herman “I wanna be a member of the White House Cabinet” Cain’s announcement (yawn) Thursday before the South Carolina primary, the Chicago woman he allegedly wronged continues to have a …

  • Is top cop arrogant and aloof?

    The police blotter . . . Top cop shop: Is new Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy developing a rep amongst the rank and file for being being aloof and arrogant? “I would say with great confidence he is more [disliked] than [former Supt.] Jody Weis,” …Read More

  • Obama during visit makes it clear he adores his wife

    The Obama visit . . . The message: The president adores his wife. ◆ Translation: President Barack Obama is not letting anyone doubt his devotion to wife, Michelle, who is none too happy about her portrayal in a new book titled The Obamas. ◆ Explanation: …Read More

  • Natalee Holloway’s dad wants daughter declared legally dead

    The Murder File ... A cruel twist: The sensational Natalee Holloway disappearance from Aruba in 2005 just got a new footnote. To wit: David Holloway, Natalee’s father, was awaiting a court date Thursday in Alabama to legally declare his daughter dead, while the chief suspect …Read More

    • Desiree Rogers mum on new book on early days in Obama White House

    Desiree’s desire ... Dingalings & earrings: President Barack Obama and his White House minions may be pooh poohing New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor’s glitz & glam book The Obamas — but ousted former White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers is zipping her lip. ◆ …

    < Previous
    • 1
    • 2
    Next >