Banks Aren’t Holding Their Breath for March Interest Rate Hike
By: Katie Murar It’s the beginning of March, and that means more than nice weather is on the way. It’s almost time for the Federal Reserve to decide whether or not to raise interest rates. For America’s banks, the decision will play a big role in near-term profits. On the 15th and 16th of this month, […]
As state’s finances sink, anti-tax group lets barbs, blame fly
By Thomas Vogel Taxpayers United of America President Jim Tobin called Wednesday for Illinois taxpayers to oust Speaker of the House Michael Madigan in the upcoming March primary. As lawmakers continue to grapple with the state’s pension system, which currently has more than $100 million in underfunded obligations, the TUA released its annual analysis of […]
Pilsen gallery workshop creates grassroots artwork with a political twist
By Xiao Lyu Artist Ellen Gradman held a special workshop that combined art with activism in Uri-Eichen Gallery in the East Pilsen Sunday Afternoon. Dubbed as “Paper Protest”, the workshop taught people the technique of collage to translate their political ideas into artwork with simple tools and materials such as newspapers, art clips and computer […]
The road to Rio: Music and meditation help prepare woman wrestler for the Olympic Qualifiers
By Nicole Sedivy Just 25 seconds before the women’s freestyle finals were about to begin, Sarah Hildebrant was still pacing around the mat in her red Team USA singlet, with “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC blasting through the headphones that covered her messy French braids. Her adrenaline was rushing. She felt the rage. Hildebrandt, the two-time Pan […]
Filmmaker, dad finds disability rights cause in plight of lost daughter
By Yixuan Chai Standing at the corner of Adams and Dearborn, Joey Papa and several friends yell at passersby through a loud speaker — for a reason: To raise awareness of people with special needs. On this cold Tuesday in February, between educating people walking by the post office about prejudice against those with special […]
Gridlock on the gridiron: Scouts torn over varied showings at NFL Combine
By Tolly Taylor Some 1,200 journalists tried to tackle the 335 prospects at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. The takeaway: there are so many strong prospects on the defensive line, third rounders will look like first rounders in April’s draft. Wide receivers? Raised eyebrows as well, but for all the wrong reasons. Coachspeak […]
Peter Liang Protest in Chicago: Fighting for Future Generations
By Xuanyan Ouyang Parents who took their kids to the protest march for Peter Liang in Chicago said it was not just for Liang, but also for the equal rights of the future generations of Asian-Americans. Over a thousand people marched in downtown Chicago as a part of the “biggest-ever Asian-American” protest in the U.S. […]
Palestinian music director conducts Persian Concert for packed house
By Vishakha Darbha and Hannah Gebresilassie Emotional, passionate and a musical genius are just a few words used to describe Wanees Zarour. Born and raised in Ramallah, Palestine, director and composer Zarour leads the Middle East Music Ensemble at the University of Chicago, which was established in 1997. His “Persian Concert” at the Reva and […]
Asian-Americans ask Obama to nominate one to Supreme Court
By Colin Mo As the nation waits for President Obama to send the Senate a list of nominees for the Supreme Court, Asian-American interest groups and organizations around the country want the President of the United States to know one thing: In the interest of diversity, they wish to see him include Asian-Americans in that […]
Housing Advocates Pressure the CHA to “Keep Its Promise”
By Alexis Myers and Shen Wu Tan Advocates for affordable housing recently campaigned for the passage of a housing ordinance that aims to reduce homelessness and protect the city’s remaining subsidized housing stock at a City Hall public hearing Feb. 17. The ordinance called “Keeping the Promise” would increase the distribution of housing vouchers, increase […]