My Blog

Author: Jimmy

  • Daley: Fewer Police Next Year

    Even on the way out Mayor Daley cannot be straight with us.  After weeks and weeks of hammering away telling us that crime is down — when anyone west of the lake knows it’s not — along comes this half-truth. The city at the end of this year will have about 950 vacant police officer…

  • Illinois Schools Screw it Up

    Thousands of Illinois schools are like mediocre students: Most of their pupils are passing — but not distinguishing themselves — on state achievement exams. Illinois Standards Achievement Test results set to be released Friday reveal that pushing students to think and perform at higher levels has been elusive for the vast majority of public schools,…

  • SECOND WARD ALDERMAN

    The decision has been made:  I’m throwing my hat into the ring for Second Ward Alderman. There are other candidates running I highly respect and believe would make excellent public representatives.  However, I believe that I can and will, simply, do better. I will begin revealing details about my campaign and how I plan to…

  • State Borrows Another $3.4 Billion

    Clout Street is carrying a short story about Quinn standing at the bond counter selling your future and mine. As of today the State of Illinois is about $120 Billion in debt.  That’s around $9,400 for every man, woman, and child in the state.  And the Governor’s passing out paper making the whole situation worse. I’m…

  • CPD May Scrap Entrance Exam

    Local NBC is running with this story that the Chicago Police Dept. may Scrap Entrance Exam.  Hello insanity my old friend. Dropping the exam would bolster minority hiring and avert legal battles, according to one source, while others confirm that the exam could be scrapped to open the process to as many people as possible. I’m…

  • We’re moving on out…

    Today’s Tribune has a story about Hookah bars closing in Worth and Palos Hills.  Seems the local town folk don’t want anyone smoking anywhere in public in their town. Here’s the money quote: Havana Cafe owner Ray Salem said he’ll likely reopen as a sandwich shop, although he estimates he’ll lose 50 percent of his business.…

  • Relocate To Make It

    Have you heard of this? According to a recent Pew Research Center study, one in 10 adults between the ages of 18 and 34 said the poor economy has forced them to move back in with mom and dad. Tribune has a story about it here.  It’s pretty straightforward, kids leave home trying to make it…

  • The Body Scan Scam

    Let the dance begin.  Security gurus versus privacy rights advocates are starting the new year off with a very loud public argument on the use of millimeter wave body scans at U.S. airports.  The problem is that they’re not even debating the right question.  Like many things, this would be funny it not for the potential deadly…

  • Chicago Homicide Reality

    Ok, I have this theory.  It’s a theory about the homicide rate in Chicago and how it’s being touted by everyone from the Mayor to the media but the truth is that we’re being sold a bill of goods. “Chicago homicides drop for 2009” screams the Tribune headline and when I read it my jaw…

  • The Overton Window

    Something not out of the paper today but that’s been on my mind for awhile.  I sometimes feel like I’m nuts; like I’m the only one who’s still clinging to the past with my old fashioned notions of working hard, saving money, living within your means, treating people fairly, not eating with my elbows on…