Archive for May, 2011

Rod Takes a Stand

By Jim Matsumoto | Published May 27, 2011 | Comments Off

Another cold, windy and wet, Chicago spring morning found me at 6:55 am, last in line. Until we got into the building at 7:00 am, there was not a soul behind me. Professor Dave was first in line, having arrived at 5:00 am, waiting and cold in his folding chair for two hours. These court [...]

Posted in Blagojevich Blog, Blagojevich Trial 2011 | Comments Off

Porgy and Bess at the Court Theatre

By Diana Novak | Published May 26, 2011 | 4 Comments »

It doesn’t take much more than the first few notes of “Summertime” to conjure up the 1935 folk opera, Porgy and Bess. On Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm, catch a live performance from the opera by actors in Chicago’s latest production of the George and Ira Gershwin classic. Porgy and Bess tells the story of [...]

Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Media, More on the Story, News & Public Affairs | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Blagojevich Takes the Stand

By Elizabeth Brackett | Published May 26, 2011 | 2 Comments »

“I’ve waited 2 1/2 years to tell my story,” a visibly nervous Rod Blagojevich told the packed courtroom as he took the stand this morning. He was uninterrupted by the government as he told of growing up in a 5-bedroom apartment on the Southwest Side of Chicago. The son of a Serbian immigrant father and [...]

Posted in Blagojevich Blog, Blagojevich Trial 2011 | 2 Comments

For The Defense

By Jim Matsumoto | Published May 26, 2011 | 1 Comment »

I arrived at the courthouse a few minutes before 7:00 am Wednesday morning. In a stormy gloom I saw two lines formed in front of the entrance. The doors open at 7:00 am. One line was the media shooters, the video camera people. The other line was for those of us who had no reserved [...]

Posted in Blagojevich Blog, Blagojevich Trial 2011 | 1 Comment

A Nose for Bacteria

By Diana Novak | Published May 25, 2011 | 1 Comment »

On Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm, the Scientific Chicago segment discusses a number of advancements in science and technology, including a chemical “nose” that can smell and diagnose bacterial infections. We caught up with Ken Suslick, the scientist who developed the “nose.” Suslick is the Marvin T. Schmidt professor of chemistry at the University of [...]

Posted in Health, Media, More on the Story, News & Public Affairs, Science & Technology | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tavis Smiley: ‘Fail Up’

By Yasmin Rammohan | Published May 25, 2011 | Comments Off

Award-winning broadcaster Tavis Smiley is on Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm. He will discuss, among other things, his new book: Fail Up. Based on Smiley’s own experiences over the years, the book is about 20 lessons he learned on how to build success from failure. The following is an excerpt from the book: By the [...]

Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Media, More on the Story, News & Public Affairs | Tagged , , , | Comments Off

Chicago River’s New Direction

By Paris Schutz | Published May 25, 2011 | Comments Off

Venture along the banks of the Chicago River in certain areas, and it’s like you’re miles away from the city. At River Park, near Foster and California Avenues, the scene is bursting with wildlife and recreational activity. Kayakers are paddling down the waterway. Mallards and geese are floating around. An angler reels in about a [...]

Posted in Environment, Health, Media, More on the Story, News & Public Affairs | Tagged , , | Comments Off

Short and Sweet

By Elizabeth Brackett | Published May 25, 2011 | Comments Off

After all the hype, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s testimony lasted only 6 minutes. Blagojevich’s attorney Sheldon Sorosky asked him first about the alleged shakedown of the Chicago Academy School in his district. “Were you ever asked, ‘in order to receive that grant, would you and your brother agree to do a fundraiser?’” “No.” Then Sorosky asked, [...]

Posted in Blagojevich Blog, Blagojevich Trial 2011 | Comments Off

Congressman Jackson on the Stand

By Elizabeth Brackett | Published May 25, 2011 | Comments Off

Good news and bad news for the defense from Congressman Jackson’s testimony. Jackson did say clearly he had not offered campaign funds for the Senate seat. “I’ve never directed anyone else to raise campaign funds for another politician in my life.” But the prosecution then asked about a 2003 incident where Jackson had hoped his [...]

Posted in Blagojevich Blog, Blagojevich Trial 2011 | Comments Off

Squabbles Over Evidence

By Elizabeth Brackett | Published May 25, 2011 | Comments Off

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. will testify today. But not before Judge Zagel rules on what they can testify about. Blagojevich’s attorney Aaron Goldstein told the Judge that Jackson will testify that he never offered or directed anyone to offer campaign contributions in exchange for a Senate seat. The government objected saying [...]

Posted in Blagojevich Blog, Blagojevich Trial 2011 | Comments Off

Muddled over Jury Instructions

By Jim Matsumoto | Published May 25, 2011 | Comments Off

I’ve been reading the Government’s and the Defense’s version of the jury instructions. Parts of it seem very familiar and others not so. The middle of the Government’s instruction seems to have been reworked from that of the first trial’s instructions. The Defense has objections to many of the instructions. The very first one, which [...]

Posted in Blagojevich Blog, Blagojevich Trial 2011 | Comments Off

Sources: Blagojevich Will Testify

By Yasmin Rammohan | Published May 24, 2011 | Comments Off

According to sources, Rod Blagojevich — as well as Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. — will be called to testify in the corruption retrial of the former Illinois governor. That’s what our Carol Marin will report in her Chicago Sun-Times column Wednesday. Defense attorneys begin their case tomorrow. It’s been previously reported [...]

Posted in Blagojevich Blog, Blagojevich Trial 2011 | Comments Off

Will the Defense Present a Case?

By Jim Matsumoto | Published May 24, 2011 | Comments Off

I wonder what the defense will present tomorrow. What possible defense would hold up to cross-examination? Is there anyone who was connected with the governor who hasn’t testified for the prosecution, that has anything that could give a different interpretation to the events, other than he was doing things that were clearly illegal? Could Rahm, [...]

Posted in Blagojevich Blog, Blagojevich Trial 2011 | Comments Off

Mayor Emanuel Announces Redeployment of 500 Chicago Cops

By Yasmin Rammohan | Published May 24, 2011 | Comments Off

On Tuesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the redeployment of 500 Chicago police officers to the beat, enhancing the capacity to protect Chicago streets and build strong relationships with community members in the neighborhoods they serve. “Without the security and safety of our streets we cannot have successful, thriving communities where people want to live and [...]

Posted in Rahm Emanuel | Tagged , , , | Comments Off

Sculptor Alfonso Iannelli

By Yasmin Rammohan | Published May 24, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Alfonso Iannelli created sculptures with Frank Lloyd Wright, and for 50 years worked on Chicago area landmarks that still showcase his creativity. Today, Iannelli is best known by collectors and historians, who rank him as a valuable contributor to American art made in Chicago. On Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm, we take a look at [...]

Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Biography & Profiles, Media, More on the Story, News & Public Affairs | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment