News 
- Created on 21 May 2013
Police: Perception Not Reality On Mag Mile Safety
Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy reiterated Monday that his department has safety and security under control in the North Michigan Avenue area.
McCarthy spoke to reporters at his weekly news conference held to showcase the amount of illegal guns seized in the city.
On Saturday evening, 11 juveniles and one adult were arrested for allegedly causing a disturbance in the Gold Coast neighborhood.
The suspects were part of a larger group of up to 70 young people were seen disrupting and running through traffic along North Michigan Avenue.
But McCarthy says that intelligence sources had tipped off police that the group was on the Red Line and headed downtown, and they were met with a contingent of officers.
"We met them when they came off the train. We walked them around like we did the NATO protestors, and when they crossed the line into what could be criminal-type activity, from just being kids, we took effective action," McCarthy said.
Recent incidents along the Magnificent Mile have prompted concerns from many area residents and visitors, including last month when more than two dozen teens were arrested after groups began randomly attacking each other and pedestrians.
But McCarthy says its being blown out of proportion by the media, creating a perception that there's a problem.
Read more at NBCChicago.
(Photo: Screen shot NBCChicago)
Add new comment
- Created on 21 May 2013
Mayor Taps Desiree Rogers to Chair Chicago Tourism Group
The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Monday appointed former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers as board chairman of Choose Chicago, as has been expected.
From the Chicago Tribune:
Rogers, now CEO of Ebony and Jet parent Johnson Publishing Co., steps into the volunteer post vacated recently by venture capitalist and Emanuel ally Bruce Rauner, a Republican who is exploring a run for governor. Her appointment is effective immediately.
"I am confident that she will help Choose Chicago reach the next level as it continues to find creative ways to lure tourists and convention business," Emanuel said in a written statement. "I am excited at the prospect of working alongside Desiree again."
Emanuel was chief of staff in President Barack Obama's White House during Rogers' stint.
Rogers said, in a statement, that she looks forward to helping Choose Chicago "further elevate Chicago so that the city can reap the economic, job creation and investment benefits that come from increased tourism and convention business."
Choose Chicago is a government-supported not-for-profit that markets the city as a destination for tourists, business travelers and conventions.
Rogers also has worked for AT&T, Allstate and Peoples Energy. She previously ran the $2 billion Illinois State Lottery for six years. She serves on two local non-profit boards -- Keep a Child Alive and DonorsChoose.
She has a bachelor's degree in political science from Wellesley College and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
- Created on 21 May 2013
Chicago Native Breaks World Wide Ferris Wheel Record
CHICAGO (AP) -- A manager of Chicago's Navy Pier rode the tourist spot's Ferris wheel for more than two days - 384 times, up and around - bringing the world record for the longest ride to the birthplace of the amusement park favorite.
"I thought Chicago should have that title," Clinton Shepherd said after finishing his record-breaking ride on Sunday. Shepherd, the park operations manager, spent 48 hours, 8 minutes and 25 seconds riding Navy Pier's Ferris wheel over the weekend.
The first Ferris wheel was built in 1893 in Chicago for the World's Columbian Exposition.
Guinness World Records allowed him to have one five-minute break each hour. He played hours of videogames to stay awake during the ride, and watched James Bond and Batman movies. His gondola on the wheel was specially outfitted with a big-screen TV, cushions and curtains.
Supporters followed him on Twitter. A video camera recorded the feat while volunteer timekeepers documented Shepherd's activities.
Fans could join Shepherd for a spin by making a donation to the USO. Shepherd's girlfriend rode with him Saturday for a candlelight anniversary dinner with food from a Chicago restaurant owned by Michael Jordan.
The 32-year-old Shepherd called his adventure "a very overwhelming experience" that was made easier by the support of friends, family and the city of Chicago.
"I was thrilled and honored to be able to have all the love and support I did," Shepherd said.
Read more at the Associated Press.
(Photo: News One)
- Created on 21 May 2013
CTU Protesters Arrested at City Hall
Roughly two dozen protesters were arrested Monday afternoon during a demonstration at City Hall aimed at preventing the planned closure of more than 50 Chicago schools.
The rally was part of the Chicago Teachers Union's three days of marches and protests demanding a moratorium on school closures.
Several of those arrested Monday, including CTU Financial Secretary Kristine Mayle, were blocking elevators at City Hall, where demonstrators were intent on delivering petitions to Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
"We are fighting for our children. We shall not be moved," many of the protesters chanted.
Emanuel and CPS officials say closing schools is a bold but necessary step to improve education and get the nation's third-largest school district on a better financial footing. But many teachers and their supporters say the closures are based on fuzzy math and are altogether unfair because they disproportionately affect students of color and put them in harm's way.
"We are going to continue to put pressure and put pressure on the people that are going to make the decision," Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis, who was just re-elected to a second three-year term on Friday, said over the weekend.
Read more at NBCChicago.
(Photo: Screen shot NBCChicago)
- Created on 21 May 2013
Crews Dig Through Night After Deadly Okla. Twister
MOORE, Okla. (AP) -- Spotlights bore down on massive piles of shredded cinder block, insulation and metal as crews worked through the night lifting bricks and parts of collapsed walls where a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood. At least 51 people were killed, including at least 20 children, and those numbers were expected to climb, officials said Tuesday.
The storm stripped leaves off trees and left scores of blocks in Moore barren and dark. Rescuers walked through neighborhoods where Monday's powerful twister flattened home after home, to listen for any voices calling out from the rubble. A helicopter buzzed above, shining lights on crews below.
As Monday turned into Tuesday, the town of Moore, a community of 41,000 people 10 miles south of the city, braced for another long, harrowing day.
"As long as we are here ... we are going to hold out hope that we will find survivors," said Trooper Betsy Randolph, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Read more at the Associated Press.
(Photo: Steve Gooch/AP)
