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Barack Obama
Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
7:34pm
Thu Nov 15, 2012

Emanuel Calendar Shows Mayor Holding On To National Profile

Through a public information request, the Chicago Tribune obtained Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s daily calendar between January and August of 2012. The Tribune’s focus on the hundreds of pages of documents is almost identical to the Chicago Reader, which did a two-part review of Emanuel’s public schedule between January and November of 2011. In a nutshell, the publications noted that Emanuel meets a lot with business leaders.

Emanuel’s ties with business are important given his policy record of ramming the Infrastructure Trust through city council in April, a nebulous effort to use private money for public projects, and expanding his own role as chairman of World Business Chicago, which coordinated the NATO summit in May.

But perusing through the calendar, available on the Tribune Web site, reveals other elements of Emanuel’s tenure including his national profile and approach to the Chicago Teachers Union labor dispute. Read more »

Quick Hit
by Nathan Greenhalgh
3:46pm
Mon Nov 12, 2012
1 comment

Latino, Immigrant Voter Registration Drive Pays Off As Turnout Fuels Immigration Reform Efforts

In a true display of people power, President Barack Obama’s heavy support from Latino and immigrant voters on November 6 is already prompting bipartisan action on immigration reform.

On Sunday, both parties called for immigration reform. In the U.S. Senate, where Republicans filibustered the federal DREAM Act into defeat, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Chuck Schumer (D-New York) announced that they are working on an immigration reform bill that would create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. The same day House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) urged Obama to take the lead on immigration reform. Just before the election, President Obama said he was confident immigration reform would pass Congress in 2013, predicting that Republicans will switch previous votes against immigration reform after seeing the consequences of alienating the voter demographic.

Read more »

PI Original
by Bob Skolnik
9:17pm
Wed Nov 7, 2012

The Golden Ticket: One Audience Member's Experience At Obama's Election Night Party

Election 2012

PI Reporter Bob Skolnik scored a coveted ticket to Obama's election night event at McCormick Place. He paints a picture of what it was like to be in the crowd for the historical night.

Quick Hit
by Michael Sandler
5:23pm
Wed Nov 7, 2012

Thompson Center Viewing Party Attendees Detail What They Want To See In Obama's Second Term (VIDEO)

The chilly November weather didn’t keep about 75 people from gathering at the Thompson Center in what would turn out to be an election night victory party for President Barack Obama.

As part of CNN’s nationwide “Election Night in America” promotion, a jumbo TV screen was erected just outside the building, and the pro-Obama crowd cheered every time it was announced the president won another state.

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Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
2:39am
Wed Nov 7, 2012

Enyart Secures Win To Represent Southwest Illinois

Democrat Bill Enyart will take over for retiring U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello in Illinois’ 12th congressional district.

As of 1:00 a.m. this morning, Enyart had a commanding 50 percent to 44 percent lead over Republican challenger Jason Plummer. Green Party candidate Paula Bradshaw pulled in six percent of the vote.

While the AP gave the race to Enyart and the candidate declared victory, Plummer gave a speech at 10:20 p.m. where he did not concede. Read more »

Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
2:24am
Wed Nov 7, 2012

Schneider Unseats Dold In the 10th Congressional District (VIDEO)

It’s been more than 30 years since a Democrat has held the 10th congressional seat in Illinois, but now it’s Brad Schneider’s turn.

Schneider, a business consultant from Deerfield, beat incumbent Robert Dold (R-Kenilworth).

During his victory speech, Schneider said he’s emerged from the campaign changed for the better, not because of the process, but because of the people in the 10th district.

“Together, we just made history,” he told the crowd of more than 200 supporters at the Northbrook Hilton.

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Quick Hit
by Michael Sandler
1:05am
Wed Nov 7, 2012

Chicago’s Asian American Voters Feeling Alienated, Economic Pain

Fred, a native of India who immigrated to the United States to find work, came to DeWitt Clinton Elementary School in Uptown on Tuesday afternoon to let his voice be heard.

“People still have dreams. They still have hope.” Fred told Progress Illinois. “But we are facing the debt of the last ten years.”

Married with two sons and a daughter, Fred studied to be a medical technologist. But now, he’s looking for work. In this election, Fred said finances are his big concern. “When you have a family, you aren’t looking out for one stomach, you have to feed four people at the house,” he said. Fred also made it clear he doesn’t want to take care of his family by using government handouts. “I want to live off real paid checks,” he said.

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