Copyright 2013 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room en-us Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:03:34 -0500 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:03:34 -0500 NBC Owned Television Stations Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:37:40 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Madigan+Pension+Reform+Talks.jpg
According to a poll released by Bill Daley's campaign, voters don't like the idea of Michael Madigan as House Speaker AND Lisa Madigan as governor.]]> Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:27:08 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/CTU-Karen-Lewis1.jpg
Amid her cries of racism, Lewis made important points about a tax system that hits the poor harder than the rich, and gives them back less.]]> Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:22:11 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/schools-march-051413-1.jpg
Today marks the last day of class for many Chicago Public Schools students, but for those at more than two dozen Track E schools, it's the last day there for good.]]> Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:38:17 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/blago-crowd-P1.jpg
It looks like the world is going to have to wait a bit longer for Rod Blagojevich's version of why he deserves a new trial.

Photo Credit: AP]]> Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:09:52 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/illinois-house1.jpg
State Sen. Gary Forby is doing it. Is your senator?]]> Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:23:52 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Barbara-Byrd-Bennett1.jpg
To protest school cuts, demonstrators outside a Barbara Byrd-Bennett speech will collect toilet paper to stock barren bathrooms.]]> Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:17:28 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/jesse+jackson+jr+getty.JPG
Convicted former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. would like to serve prison time ahead of his also-convicted spouse, Sandi Jackson, court filings show.]]> Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:08:29 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/AP159821244059.jpg
In a news release, Quinn's office says the governor signed the bill Monday. Quinn says the law will "unlock the potential" for thousands of jobs in southern Illinois while protecting the environment.

Photo Credit: AP]]> Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:53:55 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Bruce-rauner-campaign.jpg
In an interview, GOP gubernatorial candidate suggests teachers should not be allowed to strike.]]> Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:19:48 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/bill+daley+1113.jpg
In a so-called three-step plan to end Illinois' pension impasse, Bill Daley called out Gov. Pat Quinn on Monday for "failed leadership" and Attorney General Lisa Madigan for making the argument worse.]]> Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:56:12 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/chicago_kids1.jpg
The city of Chicago, which plans to close dozens of schools this summer to save money, has received 11,000 requests for help getting children to their new schools along safe-passage routes.

Photo Credit: AP]]> Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:59:20 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/philly_teachers_angry.jpg
Teacher and staff from closing and turnaround schools let go.]]> Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:15:19 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Parking+meter+1.jpg
Longer weekday meter hours and free Sunday parking in most Chicago neighborhoods start two weeks early as part of a new deal with the private company that owns the city's meters, the mayor's office announced.

Photo Credit: Victoria Coleman]]> Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:31:04 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/205*120/Mark+Kirk+Near+Death+p1.jpg
In 2010, Senate candidate Mark Kirk told the Tribune editorial board he wouldn't support granting legal status to undocumented immigrants unless the U.S. increased security on the Mexican]]> Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:06:49 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/jesse+jackson+jr.+.jpg
Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife, former Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson, are making moves in preparation for their July 3 sentencing in separate corruption cases

Photo Credit: AP]]> Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:59:51 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Rahm-Emanuel48.jpg
The Mayor said he was getting home from the game around 12:30 p.m. central time and he needed to talk to someone about the thrilling come from behind victory. But who would be awake? Oh, yeah,...]]> Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:00:09 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/180*120/generic+smoking+hand+cigarette.jpg
Sponsored by State Representative Iris Martinez (D-Chicago) the legislation, which cleared both the House and Senate, would give law enforcement officers the power to apply littering penalties to...

Photo Credit: Getty Images]]> Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:59:03 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/rahm+blackhawks.jpg
“When I was in the White House, you get a Secret Service code name, my Secret Service code name was Blackhawk," Emanuel told NBC Chicago Wednesday. "I have an affinity, not just as the mayor of Chicago,...]]> Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:59:06 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/obama-hawks-WH.jpg
President smartly stays away from subject while stumping for Massachusetts candidate.

Photo Credit: Getty Images]]> Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:41:07 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/bill+daley+committee.jpg
The candidate for governor suggests getting rid of the flat tax his brother helped write into the state's constitution.]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2013 23:41:12 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/WMAQ_000000003456958_722x406_33175619987.jpg
Chicago police Supt. Garry McCarthy talks about a particularly violent night before a New York Times headline touted a major reduction in Chicago homicides.]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2013 18:22:53 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/lisa+madigan+reporters+0611.JPG
Attorney General Lisa Madigan hasn't made an official decision to run for Illinois governor in 2014, but on the same day Bill Daley all but threw his hat in the ring, she said it's still on her

Photo Credit: Mary Ann Ahern, NBCChicago.com]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:35:04 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/WMAQ_000000003455610_722x406_33148483528.jpg
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel reacts to news that Bill Daley has created an exploratory committee for a possible run for the statehouse. He declines to answer a question about who he may endorse.]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:21:33 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/WMAQ_000000003455565_722x406_33147459585.jpg
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says crime is down since when he took office and says the reduction in those statistics translates to real people not being victimized.]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:22:09 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/pat+quinn3.JPG
Quinn's office said in a release Tuesday that the governor of the losing team's state will volunteer at a food bank of the winning governor's choice. That means Patrick would volunteer at the Greater Chicago Foo...]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:04:16 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/parking_meter1.jpg
Pittsburgh was tempted with a $450 million parking lease to close a pension gap -- but said no after seeing how Chicago had lost its shirt.

Photo Credit: Getty Images]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:07:04 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/205*120/Mark+Kirk+Near+Death+p1.jpg
Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar and local business leaders want Sen. Mark Kirk to get on board with immigration reform.]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:36:25 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/bill+daley+committee.jpg
He hinted at it for months, but former White House chief of staff Bill Daley has officially taken the first step toward running for Illinois governor.]]> Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:57:38 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/CTU-sharkey.jpg
Teachers say they weren't included in the planning, calling her education plan one which will "foster mistrust, alienation and lowered expectations."]]> Mon, 10 Jun 2013 20:15:38 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/WMAQ_000000003447263_722x406_33033795968.jpg
Mayor says new facility will help to revitalize the area.]]> Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:51:26 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/131100587.jpg
Sen. Dick Durbin is the third-most popular guest on morning talk shows since 2010.

Photo Credit: Getty Images]]> Mon, 10 Jun 2013 20:12:29 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/Barbara-Byrd-Bennett1.jpg
While students look a week or two ahead for summer break to start, the CEO of Chicago Public Schools is looking ahead several years to ensure high-quality education.]]> Sun, 09 Jun 2013 16:20:07 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/rahm+blackhawks.jpg
It seems Emanuel wasn't just at the Hawks game to watch his team win, he was also there to watch as he won a mayoral bet.]]> Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:25:32 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/quinin+060713-1.jpg
Gov. Pat Quinn says he has spoken with House Speaker Michael Madigan and they plan to sit down Monday to discuss how to fix Illinois' $97 billion pension crisis.]]> Fri, 07 Jun 2013 17:14:31 -0500 http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/213*120/college-tuition.jpg
Student loan rates set to double on July 1.

Photo Credit: clipart.com]]>