Posts by Adrian G. Uribarri

 

It didn't work out as William Kelly had planned. Read more...

Update | 3:49 p.m. Robyn Ziegler, spokeswoman for Attorney General Lisa Madigan, said the attorney general’s office doesn’t have primary jurisdiction over criminal investigations and prosecution: That’s left to the Cook County state’s attorney.

Randall Samborn, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, declined to comment. Read more...

Update/Wrap-Up | 10:05 a.m. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes began what was billed as a gubernatorial candidate "forum" this morning, and it was best that organizers used a word other than "debate."

The rivals, fellow Democrats and sitting officials in Springfield's executive branch, offered little clash and often vague descriptions of policy proposals, differing more on their records than on their positions regarding policy issues. Read more...

He wants you to want him.

For William J. Kelly, Republican candidate for Illinois comptroller, just listening to Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen wasn't enough. Read more...

Running for president can't be easy, but we're pretty sure no one has described it quite like Barack Obama's campaign manager.

"I would, you know, compare it to going through a very painful proctological exam," David Plouffe told Chicago Public Radio's Alison Cuddy. "That's — that's what it is."

Plouffe, 42, was in town last week on a tour to promote his new book, "The Audacity to Win."

Obama praised Plouffe during his victory speech in Grant Park last year, calling him " the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best political campaign in the history of the United States of America."

Plouffe stopped in on the folks at WBEZ before heading to the University of Chicago. The interview on "Eight-Forty-Eight" is worth a listen.

At least he's not texting while driving.

Robert Zadek, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois, has a Web site with a mission statement, a biography and details on his platform. In many ways, it's a standard-looking site for an aspiring elected official. Read more...

She came, she left, and Oprah Winfrey aired her show.

Yet nary a word did Sarah Palin speak of Mark Kirk.

Several weeks ago, the Republican Senate candidate wrote a letter to a Republican operative suggesting that Palin offer a few words of support to his campaign during her visit to Chicago. Read more...

You would think the locals know best.

Yet the news last week about possibly housing terrorism suspects in Thomson, Ill., has only given state candidates another issue to debate. Read more...

Months after a deadline for a new employment contract, unionized hotel workers in downtown Chicago are still pressing for better working conditions.

This afternoon, labor organizers in Chicago plan to join a wave of actions in the United States and Canada against the Hyatt Corp., protesting the company's treatment of 100 housekeepers in three of its Boston-area hotels.

In August, managers at the Boston hotels replaced nearly 100 staff housekeepers with an outside firm. Hyatt officials backtracked in October, offering the workers their old jobs at the same wage — but through another outsourcing agency.

Many of the workers rejected the proposal and continue to protest the company. According to labor organizers, hundreds of their supporters will meet at 5 p.m. today outside the Park Hyatt at Water Tower Square.

In Chicago, union contracts between hotel managers and workers prevent such outsourcing. But labor activists say the Boston case underscores how hotels in Chicago and other parts of the country are unfairly trying to cut costs by slashing jobs and benefits.

Annemarie Strassel, spokeswoman for Unite Here Local 1, which represents about 15,000 hotel workers in the Chicago area, pointed to last month's initial public offering of Hyatt Corp. stock, which netted Chicago's wealthy Pritzker family more than $900 million.

"For the Hyatt Corp. to be asking for concessions from our workers when their ownership has made nearly a billion dollars in a single day is unforgivable," Strassel says.

Hyatt representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

Earlier this month, Unite Here workers picketed The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago, signaling what organizers call "a deepening crisis" in contract negotiations between area employers and thousands of workers. Read more...

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Chicago) gave a ringing endorsement of Gov. Pat Quinn this morning, pointing to Quinn's work on consumer, Latino and immigrant issues.

"Governor Quinn understands that every day in Illinois, families are sitting at their kitchen tables making tough decisions about how to make ends meet," Gutierrez said. "Pat Quinn is the person I want in the Governor’s office helping those families." Read more...

Yesterday was fortuitous for "hair today" candidate Andy McKenna.

The gubernatorial candidate and Chicago businessman picked up the endorsement of Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross. Read more...

Update: If determined eligible, William "Dock" Walls will appear first among Democrats on the ballot.

Original Post: The only black candidate in the state's gubernatorial race publicly condemned Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn this afternoon. William "Dock" Walls accused Quinn of using a surrogate to undermine his campaign. Read more...

Gubernatorial candidate William "Dock" Walls is hitting the streets with an allegation of racism against rival Gov. Pat Quinn.

The Current reported on Walls' accusations yesterday, after an interview with my colleague Alex Parker. Read more...

 

"It's a brand-new day." Read more...

 

Chicago Transit Authority riders will not face fare increases during 2010 and 2011, according to Gov. Pat Quinn and transit officials who unveiled a new agreement this afternoon. Read more...