London Town

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) -- A proposal to add an extra second to yellow lights at intersections with red light cameras has stalled in the Illinois House, and prospects for passage anytime soon appear unlikely.

State Sen. Dan Duffy (R-Lake Barrington) sponsored the measure to require cities that use red light cameras to tack on one more second to yellow lights at "photo-enforced" intersections. Although the measure passed overwhelmingly in the Illinois Senate, it's gone nowhere in the House.

Duffy said a Texas A&M study found longer yellow lights would reduce the number of accidents, but he said House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) is blocking the legislation.

“If it’s about revenue, then I think people in high positions here in Springfield should let us know the facts, and say that it’s about revenue, that they don’t want to cut the revenue,” Duffy said. “Again, there’s no facts to dispute adding one second of yellow time drastically improves safety at intersections.”

Duffy has said that several cities and towns in other states have implemented the system, and significantly improved safety as a result.

State Sen. Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) said he also thinks the potential to reduce revenue from red light cameras could be the reason the proposal has stalled.

But Sullivan said increasing the time for every yellow light in Illinois -- not just those at intersections with red light cameras -- would be going too far.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office does not support Duffy’s idea.

“Lengthening yellow lights has adverse safety implications for drivers and pedestrians,” the mayor’s office said in a written statement earlier this year.

Duffy said "that's mind-boggling."

A recent study by a University of Illinois traffic expert studied 39 Chicago intersections with red-light cameras and found the number of accidents actually increased after they were installed.

South Shore Tells Riders To Avoid Travel During Summit, If Possible
by John Dodge

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A warning for Northwest Indiana commuters: Avoid traveling on the South Shore train line during the NATO Summit.

Riders can expect major delays, several cancellations and restrictions on what they can carry on board.

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) is canceling all westbound trains that arrive into Chicago, between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, the final day of the summit at McCormick Place.

"NICTD advises passengers to postpone travel on NATO summit days if possible," the rail agency said in a statement.

READ: Full List Of Canceled Trains, Security Restrictions

In addition, four trains leaving Chicago on Monday are canceled, including the 5:32 p.m. rush hour train. The McCormick Place and Museum Campus stations will be closed May 19-21 as well.

Commuters can expect significant delays for security sweeps on Sunday and Monday. Each train will be screened by security officials with canine units at the station in Hegewisch.

"Due to the heightened security presence, any significant threat or onboard disruption will result in the train being rejected from the McCormick Place red zone and reversed to its origination with intermediate stops," NICTD said.

On May 20-21, riders will also be limited to a carry on bag no bigger than 15 inches by 15 inches and four inches thick. Riders are prohibited from carrying luggage, boxes or bicycles. No drinks of any kinds are allowed. There will be no alcohol allowed from May 18-21.

Federal Court Rejects Illinois Eavesdropping Law
by John Dodge

CHICAGO (AP) -- A federal court in Chicago has granted a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of Illinois' controversial eavesdropping law.

The law makes it a felony to make an audio recording of a conversation unless all parties agree and sets out a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison.

With the NATO summit coming to Chicago this month, activists had feared protesters and bloggers could run afoul of the law if they used smartphones or video cameras to record police responding to protests.

Tuesday's ruling stemmed from a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union.

In its opinion, the court says "the Illinois eavesdropping statute restricts far more speech than necessary to protect legitimate privacy interests." And the court says it "likely violates the First Amendment's free speech and free-press guarantees."

In addition, I would like to inform you of an exciting leadership change within our community. On April 12, 2012 State Representative Marlow H. Colvin (33rd District) retired from his position after over 10 years of dedicated service to our community. He is now the V.P. of Government Affairs for ComEd, a position that will allow him to positively impact not only our community but the entire state of Illinois.

With the vacancy existing an appointment was necessary. On April 13, the 33rd District Democratic committee, including all of the committeemen of the 33rd District and I, selected a hard working replacement for Marlow H. Colvin. That individual is the Deputy of Chief of Staff of my 8th Ward Aldermanic office, Mr. Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

Marcus Evans

Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr. worked for my 8th Ward office since 2006, is a cancer survivor, health care advocate, youth activities director sports official and 8th Ward resident.

He is dedicated to our community and has already hit the ground running in his short time in Springfield representing us.

Learn more about our new Representative by clicking the following links:

Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr - ILGA

Really, who does this? The guy's who brought the storage locker tried to get in touch with Todd(ler).

April 24, 2012 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- A storage unit filled with photos, awards, and mementos that belonged to late Cook County Board President John Stroger was sold to the highest bidder last week.

"We were amazed. We jumped around, gave each other a few hugs," Chris Amer said. He bought the items at auction last Wednesday at a South Side storage facility. He and a handful of other collectors had only a minute at the locker to glance over the items before bidding.

"Even the auctioneer was like, can you imagine if that was really Stroger's locker? He said, 'Ahh it couldn't be,'" Amer said. Amer, who's from Michigan, had never heard of John Stroger, the former Cook County Board president who died in 2008. But his business partner, Warnell Dickson, knew the name.

"Somebody that didn't know who Stroger was might have bought this and threw it in the garbage can. Because they'd feel like they couldn't do nothing with it," Dickson said.

With a winning bid of $450, Amer and Dickson bought a treasure trove of memorabilia- autographed photos from sports stars, photos of Stroger as a young man in his native Arkansas, souvenirs that may have been gathered overseas, a gavel and other official-looking items, and commemorative fan rings from the Bulls Championships during the 90s. They've now hired a company to authenticate and auction off the items...

Amer and Dickson say for a week they've tried to contact Stroger's son, Todd, who lost his bid for re-election as Cook County Board president in 2010. The storage facility sits across from WVON-Radio, where the younger Stroger used to host a radio show.

"I feel bad because his son should have been able to protect this, you know what I mean. Something your father struggled for, and he was the first to do it. It should have been protected," Dickson said.

(Crain's) — Commonwealth Edison Co.'s newly hired chief lobbyist in Springfield will have some explaining to do as he spins his former House of Representatives colleagues on the utility's top priority this legislative session: killing the bill authorizing construction of a new coal-fired power plant downstate.

After all, Marlow Colvin, who recently resigned his South Side House seat to take the job as ComEd's vice president of governmental affairs, was a co-sponsor of an old House-passed version of the controversial bill to require ratepayers to finance the Taylorville “clean coal” plant proposed by Omaha, Neb.-based Tenaska Inc.

Now, Mr. Colvin will be the lead man urging House members to vote against a bill he's consistently supported.

In a statement, ComEd says Mr. Colvin's stance has changed because the Tenaska measure — and circumstances — have changed since he voted for it.

“Mr. Colvin will help us educate lawmakers, consumers, business owners and municipal leaders about the difference between the legislation he co-sponsored in 2010 and the current bill and how it would negatively impact Illinois,” the company said. “Also, since last fall, market circumstances have changed and the cost of Tenaska power today is substantially above market. Since this legislation requires that all customers pay this higher price, customers will not be able to take advantage of lower market prices for energy.”

The awkward situation highlights the recent unsuccessful effort to pass a state “revolving door” law restricting lawmakers from immediately taking positions as lobbyists. A state Senate subcommittee failed last month to approve a proposal requiring lawmakers to wait a year before lobbying their former colleagues after neither of the two Democrats on the three-member panel would second a motion to pass the bills.

What does this new ordinance mean for the liquid stores in the 8th Ward, particularly Happy's on 79th Cottage Grove?

With Chicago’s murder rate up 60 percent over last year, Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday launched a coordinated crackdown aimed at shutting down liquor and convenience stores that serve as magnets for crime.

“These locations often harbor drug dealers and street gang members and become a cancer on the community,” the mayor told the first graduating class of police recruits since he took office.

“By taking aggressive enforcement action, we can send a clear message that the streets of Chicago belong to the children and the law-abiding residents of Chicago — not drug dealers and gang bangers.”

Until now, Emanuel said the city has relied on consumer complaints before moving to suspend or revoke the licenses of liquor and convenience stores.

Under the new and coordinated approach, City Hall will no longer wait for a major incident, such as a shooting, to trigger enforcement action.

Information will be pulled from 311 calls and from all city departments involved with enforcement including Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, Police, Streets and Sanitation, Health and Buildings.

Whenever there’s a string of problems, arrests or a pattern of complaints against an establishment, the city “will move to revoke the liquor license and any other city business licenses,” officials said. The city may also ask the Illinois General Assembly to “strengthen legislation so the city’s authority in this area is strong,” officials said.

State Rep. Marlow Colvin (D-Chicago) has announced he will resign from his seat in the House to take a job as vice president of legislative and external affairs for ComEd. The timing of the announcement, only a week after Colvin won a primary election in which he was unopposed, seems strange to me.

Democratic committeemen will now meet and hold two votes. In the first, by weighted vote based on the turnout in the gubernatorial election in the old 33rd House District, Chicago ward committeemen will select a person to serve out the unexpired portion of Colvin’s term.

Then Democratic committeemen in the Chicago wards and suburban townships in the newly configured district will select someone to run in the November general election based on weighted votes from the primary.

The same person could be named Colvin’s replacement in the House and the party’s candidate in November.

Who is the Committeemen for the 8th Ward - Ald. Michelle Harris.

PAY ATTENTION PEOPLE!

Looks like the Aldermen have heard you say you want more information about those new Speed Cameras. Now it's time to CALL YOUR ALDERMAN to say you want forums so you can learn and voice your opinion BEFORE these cameras show up.

Speed-camera hearing stalled
Aldermen want time to take residents' pulse

A City Council hearing on Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s speed-camera plan has been canceled as aldermen try to figure out how constituents will react to them supporting the proposal.

A City Council hearing on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's speed-camera plan has been postponed as aldermen try to figure out how constituents will react to them supporting the controversial proposal.

Ald. Margaret Laurino, 39th, called off the Monday meeting of the City Council Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, which was slated to consider Emanuel's proposal for cameras to catch speeders near parks and schools around the city.

Committee member Howard Brookins, 21st, said aldermen need time "to figure out where all the skeletons are buried" in the speed-camera plan.

"We need to know where we're vulnerable to criticism by the public, based on perception or reality," Brookins said.

Laurino spokesman Manuel Galvan said the meeting was canceled in part because of scheduling conflicts with committee members but also because she wanted to give them more time to take the pulse of voters. Laurino wants to hold the hearing before the next City Council meeting April 18, Galvan said.

Emanuel expressed confidence Tuesday the speed-camera plan would pass.

"People will talk to their constituents. That's the responsibility of the aldermen," Emanuel said. "I know it's going to happen because as I said before, the cameras are part and parcel of making sure our kids are safe."

While he thinks the camera plan "is generally a good idea," Colon said the majority of residents he has spoken to oppose it. "Most people on the street, they think it's a scam," Colon said.

The FOP's State Rep is proposing that Cops be excluded from the provision in the Firearms Identification Owner ID Card Act that would remove their gun card If they have been committed to a mental institution for less than 30 days. Do we really want cops that have been in a mental hospital for 29 days carrying guns? Couldn't we at least ask for a Doctors note declaring them fit?

Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the prohibition on issuance of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card and the grounds for revocation of such Card for being a patient in a mental institution within the past 5 years or for being adjudicated as a mental defective do not apply to an active law enforcement officer employed by a unit of local government. Effective immediately.

House Committee Amendment No. 1
Provides that an active law enforcement officer employed by a unit of local government is not disqualified from obtaining or retaining a Firearm Owner's Identification Card if the officer has been an inpatient in a mental institution for not more than 30 days.