Consumer price index dips in December, thanks to falling oil prices
By H. Will Racke Consumer prices declined by 0.1 percent in December, held down by lower food prices and a sharp decline in energy costs. The seasonally-adjusted overall inflation rate was dampened by sagging commodity prices and a saturated global oil market, which caused the food and energy categories to sink by 0.2 and 2.4 […]
Overtime Policy Leaves Home Care Patients and Workers Fretting
By Shen Wu Tan David Conn was only 22 years old in 1990 when he was hit by a car in Nashville, Tenn. Rushed to Nashville Memorial Hospital, Conn suffered both physical and mental injuries from the accident. He lay in a coma in a hospital bed for more than six months. “It’s not like […]
Illinois pays Wall Street millions despite budget deadlock
By Harvard Zhang The state of Illinois should take legal action against bank holding companies to cancel investment deals that are costing the state $6 million every month while it skips social services payments amid its continuing budget impasse, according to a research report released Tuesday. Co-authors and supporters of the report, dubbed “Turned Around: […]
Man versus lake: Chicagoan drinks Lake Michigan straight
By Claire Donnelly Tim Mack stepped toward Lake Michigan and dipped his ceramic mug into the freezing water. Blindfolded and fueled by the cheers of dozens of onlookers, Mack chugged the entire unfiltered beverage.
With the spotlight comes criticism for cop-staring activist (video)
By Jasmine Cen A few young African-American activists in Chicago became well known late last year during a series of protests following the release of a video showing police shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, but along with recognition for these young protesters came some criticism. Among the thousands of young people led by Black Youth Project 100 was Lamon Reccord. On the day after Thanksgiving, while protesters […]
Uptown homeless endure cold in tent city
By Rebekah Frumkin Chicago’s homeless struggle to survive the bitter cold in tents. Medill reporter Rebekah Frumkin spent time talking with residents of the Uptown Tent City, an encampment under Lake Shore Drive where 20 of Chicago’s roughly 125,000 homeless live.
Chicago’s soda tax debate bubbles over
By Talia Beechick Sweetened beverage sales decreased in Mexico by 12 percent after the country added an extra tax for the products, reigniting the debate in Chicago on the proposed “soda tax” before the City Council. Mexico’s tax on sugar-sweetened drinks also spurred increased sales of untaxed beverages such as bottled water, according to a […]
Foxx wins key endorsement from Cook County Dems, tightening state’s attorney race
By Max Greenwood Kim Foxx, the former chief of staff to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle running for state’s attorney, won a key ally in the Cook County Democratic Party on Thursday, five months after the party said it wouldn’t endorse a candidate for the office. The endorsement could pose a significant challenge for […]
Dinosaurs in heat: the original lovebirds
By Kathleen Ferraro The first physical evidence of dinosaur lovefests–long grooves likely created by amorous dinosaurs in the throes of a courtship ritual–has been discovered in Western Colorado, researchers are reporting. Paleontologist Martin Lockley, of the University of Colorado at Denver, along with an international research team, discovered scrapes likely made by two-legged, meat-eating theropod […]
The Hive: A New Beekeeping Resource on the West Side (Video)
By Patrick Martin A new store in North Lawndale is creating quite a bit of buzz. Unique products are available, but there is also an opportunity for small business owners.