Congratulations to the Best Buddies chapter at Kenwood Academy High School  on Chicago’s South Side. They were presented with the 2010-2011 Overall Outstanding Chapter Award at Best Buddies International’s 22nd Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference on July 23. Kenwood Academy was selected from 953 Best Buddies high school programs throughout the world and 29...
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The editors at TheDailyMeal.com decided to find out what cities love America’s favorite foods–hamburgers, hot dogs, tacos, pizza, ice cream, fried chicken and donuts–the most. The Daily Meal named the top city for these foods based on the highest number of establishments devoted wholly or primarily to each of these American delights So where...
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Sitting, sweltering, or perhaps you’ve got the air-conditioner running, have you thought about your utility bill for this month? We can’t do much about the heat wave, but the Citizens Utility Board and the information on their website can help you lower and control your energy use and costs. The “Energy Saver” provides  free...
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Except for people who exclusively  watch FOX TV, most people have gotten some details of the six-year-old phone voicemail hacking scandal involving the British tabloid News Of The World (owned by media baron Rupert Murdoch and now shuttered) as the story has been evolving. Your 5-Minute Guide to the News Corp phone hacking scandal News Corp...
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Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill on July 7 that has been a long time coming. Community group Southsiders Organizing for Unity & Liberation (SOUL) were the authors of the bill that addressed a simple problem that legislators and bureaucrats hadn’t been able to solve. At last, public transit riders will be able to use the...
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By AustinTalks Chicago’s tax-increment financing program is designed to eradicate blight, create jobs and promote economic development in neighborhoods that need it most. But TIF -  which diverts property tax dollars to private developers in an effort to spur growth – appears to be doing little to help the residents of Austin. Of the 184...
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Chicago Cause, a philanthropic initiative between three local businesses, is underway and now taking entries. The collaborative effort is donating $32,000 in services to one local nonprofit organization, and all Chicago based non-profits are encouraged to enter into the running. The winner of the Chicago Cause will receive a professional video and new website...
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Shred your fears about identity theft with the Better Business Bureau and various government agencies, on June 25th. You  are invited to protect their identities by shredding unwanted personal, financial or confidential documents for FREE. This is the annual “Shred It and Forget It” Shredder Day at the United Center Parking Lot E, in...
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It’s a good media practice to check out how others interpret what goes down on our local streets. This report on Chicago’s extensive network of surveillance cameras links current efforts to protect Chicagoans to episodes in Chicago’s recent past where the law-breakers were the Red Squad, a part of the Chicago Police Department. The...
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You can view the Belmont Central Amended TIF Plan and the Belmont Central TIF Presentation for yourself. Changes in the estimated property tax led to the revisions (see below.) Use Chicagotalks’ interactive TIF map to see how Belmont-Central taxes have been spent, and to evaluate the amended plan. The interactive map and other stories...
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