Chicago Sun-Times

Clout-heavy Chicago businessman: Aim of airport deal is to boost Gary’s economy as much as his bottom line

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:06:00 -0500

THE WATCHDOGS: Elzie Higginbottom Jr., a clout-heavy Chicago real estate developer, is set to land a long-term deal to provide aircraft storage, fueling, maintenance and other services at Gary’s government-owned airport. The deal with Higginbottom’s East Lake Management & Development comes after he put $10,000 into Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson’s political fund in September 2011 — her biggest campaign contribution. But a company official says East Lake primarily is hoping to give a boost to Gary’s economy and doesn’t expect to turn much of a profit.

Inquiry finds suburban cop lied when asked about sex abuse case

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:12:30 -0500

An internal police inquiry into Justice police officer Carmen Scardine, accused in a federal lawsuit of forcing a woman to perform oral sex in his squad car, found that he broke department policy, abused his police powers, lied about the incident and may have violated the law, according to documents.

Former detective accused of coercing testimony invokes 5th Amendment rights

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:16:28 -0500

A former Chicago detective accused of coercing testimony from witnesses and making the notorious former police Commander Jon Burge “look like small potatoes” spent Monday morning invoking his Fifth Amendment rights on a witness stand. A pair of defense attorneys did their best to interrogate retired Det. Reynaldo Guevara as they fought to overturn their clients’ convictions for the 1993 murder of Rodrigo Vargas. But the elderly, bespectacled Guevara answered each of their questions with the same refrain. “I remain, my Fifth Amendment rights,” Guevara answered. The lawyers representing Armando Serrano and Jose Montanez questioned the former detective about alleged …

Ex top aide to Todd Stroger to go on trial Monday in public corruption case

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:54:11 -0500

Nearly three years after she was arrested while pulling out of a downtown parking garage, Carla Oglesby – a top aide to former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger – is expected to go on trial on public corruption charges Monday.

Second City co-founder Bernard Sahlins dies at 90

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:09:58 -0500

The Chicago native created an empire, helped shape his hometown as a hub of comedy and nurtured comic greats including Alan Arkin, John Belushi and Bill Murray.

Some Chicago businesses welcoming free Sunday parking

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:12:50 -0500

Free Sunday street parking in Chicago neighborhoods is being welcomed by some Chicago area businesses and drivers. Parts of a dozen Chicago wards got free parking two weeks ahead of schedule on Sunday. The full switchover date to give drivers a reprieve from paying Chicago Parking Meters LLC on Sundays, had been slated for July 1. The freebie is part of a deal negotiated by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in exchange for giving the company extended time for paid parking during the week. Sarah Kraus, who stopped in Bronzeville to visit her daughter Sunday, is happy with the change. “It should …

Police shoot, kill man in North Lawndale

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:54:56 -0500

The shooting happened in the 1700 block of South Springfield Avenue about 2:30 a.m., according to a statement from the Chicago Police Department. The officers got out of their vehicle and approached the man, who looked at the officers and grabbed the weapon while trying to stand up, according to Chicago Police. One of the officers discharged his weapon and fatally wounded the man.

Soldier, back from Afghanistan, surprises nephew at youth baseball game in Homewood

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:16:00 -0500

Gino Maldonado, a soldier back from a tour in Afghanistan, surprised his 7-year-old nephew Landen Sesol by showing up unnanounced Saturday at Landen’s youth league baseball game in Homewood.

Family asks for help finding U. of C. student missing since Wednesday

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:30:58 -0500

Austin Hudson-LaPore had just finished his last final exam Wednesday at the University of Chicago. He spent some time browsing sports scores, then sometime between 8:30 and 10 p.m. he went for a walk and never came back. Friday, his family appealed for help from anyone who might have seen the 20-year-old biochemistry student that stormy night.

Expedition aims to find La Salle’s long-lost ship

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 22:58:00 -0500

Divers began opening an underwater pit Saturday at a remote site in northern Lake Michigan that they say could be the resting place of the Griffin, a ship commanded by the 17th century French explorer La Salle.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez cuts ties with Chicago lobbyist after news report

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:18:00 -0500

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) has cut his ties to Chicago lobbyist Doug Scofield after a newspaper report revealed the lobbyist had paid more than $500,000 over the past 10 years to work in his congressional office.