"Chicago Tribune" Reader

"Chicago Tribune" Reader

Blagojevich critics see alternate reality

Posted: 24 Apr 2011 03:31 PM PDT

Former governor cites big successes, but critics cite big talk — and costly missteps

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich talks about defending his life's work as his second trial gets underway. But for many, Blagojevich's sunny assessment of his accomplishments conflicts sharply with what they see as a pattern of fiscal recklessness.

House Republicans face backlash at home over budget

Posted: 23 Apr 2011 04:08 PM PDT

The lawmakers, back in their districts during the Congress recess, are confronted with tough questions from constituents about the GOP proposal that would turn Medicare into a voucher system and reduce taxes for the wealthy.

Standing in a brightly lit bingo hall off a wooded road, a space that doubles as the dining room for Danny's Friday night fish fry, Republican Rep. Charles Bass should have felt a long way from the pressure-cooker of budget politics in Washington.

Illinois to start tracking bicycle 'dooring' collisions

Posted: 24 Apr 2011 03:09 PM PDT

Dangerous collisions caused by the doors of parked vehicles opening into the path of bicyclists will for the first time be counted as crashes in Illinois, under a change ordered by Gov. Pat Quinn.

Hawks trying to force a Game 7

Posted: 24 Apr 2011 05:38 PM PDT

The Blackhawks must win Game 6 at the United Center tonight to extend their season. Vancouver turned to backup goalie Cory Schneider to stanch the bleeding against the Hawks after two straight throttlings of Roberto Luongo. It's worked so far as Vancouver leads after one period.

"I miss Tucson," says recovering Rep. Giffords

Posted: 24 Apr 2011 04:22 PM PDT

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords still struggles to piece together lengthy sentences, but one short phrase she repeats is: "I miss Tucson," the Arizona Republic newspaper reported on Sunday.

Sox swept in Detroit, off to worst start since 2001

Posted: 24 Apr 2011 04:08 PM PDT

3rd straight game Guillen's crew fails to get a hit in 1st 3 innings

DETROIT — Unless general manager Ken Williams decides to make a change, a reversal of the White Sox's tailspin must come from within their current roster.

With 300 protesters dead, group seeks Syria sanctions

Posted: 24 Apr 2011 01:18 PM PDT

Human Rights Watch has called for travel bans, the freezing of assets and other international sanctions against Syrian officials who allegedly had a role in killing hundreds of protesters. Activists say 120 were killed by Syrian security forces in two days alone.

A major human-rights organization took the unusual step Sunday of calling for international sanctions against Syrian government officials for their alleged role in the killings of hundreds of peaceful protesters during weeks of anti-government rallies.

Chicago at top as gas prices jump

Posted: 24 Apr 2011 02:10 PM PDT

The average U.S. price of a gallon of gasoline has jumped about 12 cents over the past two weeks to $3.88 and Chicagoans are paying the highest average price ($4.27) in the country.

Rose in precautionary walking boot on way to MRI

Posted: 24 Apr 2011 12:12 PM PDT

Derrick Rose wore a walking boot on Sunday at the Berto Center and headed to an MRI exam on Sunday afternoon, which the team expects merely to confirm his sprained left ankle.

Sox swept in Detroit, off to worst start since 2001

Posted: 24 Apr 2011 12:25 PM PDT

DETROIT -- The batting averages of the Chicago White Sox are starting to dip below their weights, and manager Ozzie Guillen hopes that players aren't looking at the scoreboard to see sinking marks when they try to salvage the final game of a three-game series Sunday at Detroit.

Review: Next, Grant Achatz's stunning new restaurant

Posted: 24 Apr 2011 07:38 AM PDT

For the lucky few with tickets to Grant Achatz's stunning new restaurant, sublime food — and history — are theirs

For the lucky few with tickets to Grant Achatz's stunning new restaurant, sublime food -- and history -- are theirs

Cubs rally for win over Dodgers

Posted: 23 Apr 2011 09:18 PM PDT

Dodgers bullpen can't hold on as Quade goes against book

From the what-a-difference-a-day-makes category, the sun was shining brightly and the wind was blowing out for Saturday's matinee at Wrigley Field between the Cubs and Dodgers.

Weather service lauded for Mo. storm warnings >> Video

Posted: 24 Apr 2011 03:57 PM PDT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Debris from splintered homes covered the ground in neighborhoods around St. Louis, while topped trees and overturned cars littered lawns and driveways. From the air, one home looked like a dollhouse that had had its roof lifted off. Looking down, the dining room table and other contents could be seen, damp in lingering rain.

Report: Giffords standing on own, walking a little

Posted: 24 Apr 2011 04:15 AM PDT

PHOENIX (AP) — Doctors say Rep. Gabrielle Giffords can walk a little and is even trying to improve her gait. But the report Sunday in The Arizona Republic adds the congresswoman herself is planning to "walk a mountain."

Mistakes aplenty in Sox's loss

Posted: 23 Apr 2011 06:23 PM PDT

Tigers too tough to get anything going against hitting, pitching or fielding

DETROIT — After another collection of shortcomings Saturday, manager Ozzie Guillen called on the White Sox to snap out of their current malaise.

Extra-alarm blaze injures Berwyn firefighter

Posted: 23 Apr 2011 08:38 PM PDT

One firefighter was injured and 13 families displaced when an extra-alarm blaze struck a Berwyn apartment building Saturday.

Quenneville set tone to get Hawks going >> Photos

Posted: 23 Apr 2011 07:45 PM PDT

Former Indian president draws eager crowd

Posted: 23 Apr 2011 07:07 PM PDT

Standing on her tiptoes, Tanza Habeeb reached above the standing-room only crowd at the Indo-American Center Saturday, cell phone camera in hand, for a clear photo of the soft-spoken, silver-haired man at the microphone.

Grant Park crowd cheers Mideast revolts >> Video

Posted: 23 Apr 2011 06:50 PM PDT

Pro-democracy movements across Mideast strike a chord with local Syrian-Americans

With each news update, the dramatic series of events in the Middle East on Saturday fueled a demonstration in downtown Chicago that attracted about 300, many of them cheering on what they see as a democratic revolution sweeping across the Arab world.

Few positives for area home prices

Posted: 24 Apr 2011 12:05 AM PDT

Analysis by ZIP code shows mostly slipping values

At best, Chicago-area home prices are bouncing along the bottom or getting less bad as the depreciation rate slows. At worst, they continue in a free fall.