Chicago Sun-Times

Thousands march to mark May Day

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:30:40 -0500

Thousands of May Day protesters marched through downtown Wednesday afternoon, calling for support for everything from workers rights to immigration reform.

Police: City murders down by 42 percent for first four months

Wed, 01 May 2013 20:17:20 -0500

The Chicago Police Department released figures showing a 42 percent decline in murders between January and the end of April, compared to the same period of 2012.

Ricketts: New Wrigley Field revenue needed for Cubs to stay

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:59:28 -0500

Cubs’ Chairman Tom Ricketts spoke so softly Wednesday when he uttered the dreaded “M” word, that some in the audience wondered if they’d heard him correctly. “If it comes to the point that we don’t have the ability to do what we need to do in our outfield, then we’re going to have to consider moving,” said Ricketts as he made a pitch for a planned $300 million Wrigley Field renovation. The city’s mayor says he’s not worried.

Joe Walsh, ex-wife squabble over child support

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:14:00 -0500

Former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh visited a Cook County courtroom Wednesday as lawyers for the fiery Tea Party Republican and his ex-wife continue to sort out his final few months of child-support payments before their youngest child graduates high school.

Mayor’s floor leader blasts Catholic Church over water squabble

Wed, 01 May 2013 17:38:03 -0500

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s City Council floor leader lashed out at the Catholic Church on Wednesday for rejecting the mayor’s compromise offer on water fees for nonprofits even after, the alderman claimed, failing to clean its own house on the priest sex abuse scandal. “They’re clearly not owning up to the fact that there are people out there damaged by the church and they’re talking about free water. Really?” said Ald. Pat O’Connor (40th).

Work is stopped on UNO high school after state halts funding

Wed, 01 May 2013 02:22:32 -0500

Construction was halted Tuesday on a new, state-funded charter high school being built on the Southwest Side for the state’s largest charter-school operator, the politically influential United Neighborhood Organization, after the project’s general contractor said UNO has fallen behind in its payments for the work. The move came five days after Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration suspended funding to UNO following Chicago Sun-Times reports on insider deals.

Conflicting testimony offered at city hearing for Congress Theater

Wed, 01 May 2013 02:22:41 -0500

The Chicago Liquor Control Commission ended its disciplinary hearing Tuesday targeting drug-related and other alleged violations at the popular venue. They include allegations staffers didn’t call 911 to report a large fight during a Chief Keef concert and didn’t cooperate with police when seven underage concertgoers were let into a concert.

Wrongly accused or greedy killer? Case of man accused of tossing mother over railing goes to judge

Wed, 01 May 2013 02:23:46 -0500

Gloria Weinke’s videotaped deposition — taken as she lay injured in her hospital bed — was the cornerstone of the murder trial of her son Wayne. During final arguments, prosecutors and the defense sparred over Gloria Weinke’s ability to identify her son as her attacker.

Payton coach returns to the dugout after controversial cancellation of baseball game

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:50:03 -0500

The coach of Payton College Prep’s baseball team remained in his post Tuesday night while school officials tried to sort out a controversial situation that arose this week when the North Side coach said he was forced to cancel a game on the South Side because parents feared for their children’s safety.

Parking meter settlement: Free Sundays, extended night hours

Wed, 01 May 2013 11:16:57 -0500

Chicago motorists will pay to park for three hours longer each day in River North and one extra hour elsewhere under a deal negotiated by Mayor Rahm Emanuel that, he claims, will save the city $1 billion.

Quinn surprises Englewood teacher with Golden Apple

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:16:42 -0500

Freshman English teacher Katherine Dube encourages her students to yell insults at each other during class. Those would be Shakespearean insults.