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Quick Hit
by Adam Doster
5:00pm
Mon May 3, 2010

"The Heart Of Chicago"

This week, lawmakers in Springfield will debate how to revamp and revitalize Chicago's struggling convention business. House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) says he's looking into privatizing the public authority that runs McCormick Place, a move supported by the General Assembly's chief adviser on the topic. (Check out his full list of recommendations here.)

Members of UNITE HERE Local 1 -- still locked in a bitter contract dispute with the city's major hotel operators -- are taking matters into their own hands. Below is a slick video featuring local hospitality workers promoting Chicago as a vacation and convention destination. Watch it:

The union is sponsoring a contest to name the video, which will "involve the public ... in promoting Chicago." Click here for more information.

Quick Hit
by Josh Kalven
9:53am
Mon May 3, 2010

Second Time's The Charm?

Regular readers will remember our coverage of the city of Chicago's attempt -- ultimately unsuccessful -- to acquire $153 million in federal funds to build a small network of dedicated bus lanes.  Well, the Tribune's Jon Hilkevitch reports today that more federal money is available and the city is giving it another shot:

The CTA and city transportation officials envision bus rapid transit as a tool to transform Chicago's transit grid and spark a long-term surge of new riders who enjoy the advantages of being whisked ahead of traffic on bus-only lanes.

Definitely something to keep an eye on.

PI Original
by Adam Doster
1:47pm
Thu Apr 29, 2010
2 comments

Walmart Workers Struggle More Than Most

Wages

New research conducted for Progress Illinois reinforces the argument that Walmart employees are considerably worse off financially than workers at comparable big box stores.

Quick Hit
by Josh Kalven
11:50am
Wed Apr 28, 2010

Public School Asks Parents For Kindergarten Cash

In recent weeks we've noted some individual stories stemming from the state budget crisis, including a Lombard social service provider who has stopped depositing her own paychecks and a Henry County hospital that will soon refuse to deliver babies.  Here's the latest, as reported by Chicago Talks:

Parents of South Loop Elementary students blasted school board officials Wednesday after they proposed a voluntary fee [of $2,500 per family] to keep the school’s kindergarten program running.

Yep. Due to the looming Chicago Public Schools budget cuts, South Loop Elementary needs "a donation of $73,600 to employ a full-time teacher, which means at least two-thirds of parents will have to pay."

(H/T @chitownpolitics)