Given that the "worst president ever" was re-elected in 2004, and that the man being dubbed as "Bush 3.0" isn't that far behind Obama in the most recent polls, I would say they have about as much influence as someone handing out hand printed fliers at Michigan and Randolph.

Published by Chicago Reader on June 21, 2008.

The organization has staged the show at McCormick Place since 1999. Last year, about 250 vendors exhibited for about 9,000 buyers.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

The CTA says the final phase to eliminate 32,000 track feet of slow zones between Jefferson Park and Addison will be done by year-end.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

A man and his dog were rescued by firefighters from a burning Humboldt Park apartment building Friday after the two took turns saving each other's lives.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

Ortiz said Smokey woke him up shortly after the blaze broke out at 6:45 a.m. in the four-story building at 1641 N. Humboldt. Then, Smokey disappeared in the smoke. Ortiz "felt around and felt his fur'' and found the dog as a fire ladder landed on his window.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

Believed to be an abandoned pet, White Sox was first spotted by Midland Metal Products employees enjoying the river view near their factory at 1200 W. 37th St. on Friday morning.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

"Sox fans are all crybabies," barked Wrigleyville T-shirt vendor Rick Callow, before Friday's opening game in the Crosstown Showdown. "I'll never become a Sox fan. Never. I don't care if they win 22 championships."

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

A 15-year-old boy was shot early Saturday in the South Side’s Englewood neighborhood.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

An unidentified gunman shot the boy about 1:05 a.m. in the 2100 block of West 70th Place, police said.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

A 35-year-old man is dead following a shooting Friday night in the West Side's Humboldt Park neighborhood. Juan Torres was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital at 7:50 p.m., according to a Cook County Medical Examiner's office spokesman, who said Torres suffered multiple gunshot wounds at Campbell and Potomac avenues. Torres' home address was not immediately available.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on June 21, 2008.

Juan Torres was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital at 7:50 p.m., according to a Cook County Medical Examiner's office spokesman, who said Torres suffered multiple gunshot wounds at Campbell and Potomac avenues.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on June 21, 2008.

Brown and Clay were allegedly involved in a fight on May 28 that broke out in Cook County Judge Nicholas Ford's courtroom, Room 307 of the Criminal Courthouse at 2600 S. California Ave., after the defendant in a murder case was acquitted, according to Cook County Sheriff's Dept. spokeswoman Penny Mateck.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on June 21, 2008.

The organization has staged the show at McCormick Place since 1999. Last year, about 250 vendors exhibited for about 9,000 buyers.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on June 21, 2008.

The family of a Chicago teacher who's been missing since Sunday is asking for help. His friends put up fliers Friday night at some of the Lincoln Park bars Hosty's been known to visit.

Published by ABC News (Channel 7) on June 21, 2008.

The family of a Chicago teacher who's been missing since Sunday is asking for help. Hosty is a teacher at Roberto Clemente High School in Chicago. And the search is now moving from Michigan to the city.

Published by ABC News (Channel 7) on June 21, 2008.

A 15-year-old boy was shot early Saturday in the South Side's Englewood neighborhood. An unidentified gunman shot the boy at about 1:05 a.m. in the 2100 block of West 70th Place, police said.

Published by NBC 5 on June 21, 2008.

A 15-year-old boy was shot early Saturday in the South Side's Englewood neighborhood. An unidentified gunman shot the boy at about 1:05 a.m. in the 2100 block of West 70th Place, police said.

Published by NBC 5 on June 21, 2008.

Three men crossed in front of the train in an area between Highwood Avenue and Bloom Street, where there was not a designated crossing, said Mark Davis, a spokesman for Union Pacific, which operates the train. The train typically travels between Kenosha, Wisc., and Union Station in downtown Chicago.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 21, 2008.

3328 N Kenmore #3

Published by The Chicago Real Estate Local blog on June 21, 2008.

A group of Chicago area pastors gathered Saturday in the 5900 block of South Peoria, hoping to have an impact on that sad situation by allowing kids to be kids. First, they said, parents must regain control. They also said pastors could play a part too, by opening the doors of their churches and taking nonviolent ministries to the streets.

Published by ABC News (Channel 7) on June 21, 2008.

"It's very sad in this day kids can't go outside and just be kids. To be killed over a bike, if that's the case, that's a sad situation," said Beverly Queen-Thomas, a teacher at Beasley Academic Center.

Published by ABC News (Channel 7) on June 21, 2008.

After a yearlong search, the 110-story tower's largest tenant, Ernst & Young U.S. LLP, has narrowed its options to renewing its lease — at a greatly reduced rent — or anchoring a 40-story building proposed for 222 W. Randolph St. by Chicago developer John Buck, sources say.

Published by Crain's Chicago Business on June 21, 2008.

Saturday afternoon, Fire Commissioner Raymond Orozco was among the fire department's top brass to celebrate the city's oldest firehouse at 1123 West Roosevelt.

Published by ABC News (Channel 7) on June 21, 2008.

A Level 2 Hazmat was called for the Jewel-Osco at 1341 N. Paulina St. about 5:55 p.m., according to Fire Media Affairs Chief Kevin MacGregor.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on June 21, 2008.

We just heard about a spa that recently opened in Uptown. It's called "Le Petite Spa" and is located at 4058 N. Sheridan, just a block north of the Sheridan El stop. Check it out if you are in need of some pampering or know someone who is.

Published by Uptown Update on June 21, 2008.

During opening ceremonies, landlord Peter Holsten tore up next month's rent check. ... Contributions can be mailed to Shiller 's ward office at 1138 W. Montrose, 60613.

Published by Uptown Update on June 21, 2008.

And on November 14, 1991, when the Inspiration Cafe opened at 1319 West Wilson:

Published by Uptown Update on June 21, 2008.

Developer Peter Holsten of Oakwood Development; Alderman Helen Shiller (46th); a downtown banker, and a neighborhood investment center all pulled together on the project at 1325 W. Wilson. "I already have a waiting list for these SRO units," Holsten said.

Published by Uptown Update on June 21, 2008.

"Returning your Garbage - Stop dumping in our yard." Our own Uptown Hatfields and McCoys!Where did the junk causing the feud end up? In the middle of the new and beautiful landscaping at El Pollo Loco. Nothing says "Welcome to the Neighborhood!" like a ripped couch and a couple of nasty mattresses.

Published by Uptown Update on June 21, 2008.

Danelo Solis of the 3400 block of West 37th Street, is accused of raping Taylor and then bludgeoning her and her dog to death, police said.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

The victim, identified by the Cook County medical examiner's office as Juan Torres, 35, was shot multiple times in the 1300 block of North Campbell Avenue about 7:20 p.m., said Officer David Banks.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 21, 2008.

Johannes Brahms intermezzo floats from a grand piano out a first-floor window in Little Village and floods the front stoop.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

Simeon Wilson opened his first business, a Family Dollar, in Gage Park, one of the South Side's most crime-ridden stretches. He wasn't afraid. The neighborhood around 59th and Maplewood reminds him of his teenage days, back when he was a Gangster Disciple in Cabrini-Green.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

The corner of 115th and Union doesn't look so dangerous in the afternoon. But nobody at Miracles Barber & Beauty Shop is taking chances, especially not after April 18.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

South Chicago needs more places kids can feel safe, Perea says, so she has asked local store owners to mark their shops as havens for kids when trouble brews.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

Sitting on her brother's porch near Lake and Avers -- next door to where paroled felon Michael Giles was murdered April 19 -- Charlene Sanders sighs, and tears fall.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

The pastor knows poverty weighs heavily on South Shore kids. Only 16 percent of residents of Chicago's 60649 ZIP code are high school graduates.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 21, 2008.

Annie Mae Davis, 59, died of blunt-force trauma to the head in the kitchen of her home in the 7600 block of South Clyde Avenue. About three weeks later, Everleana Brame, 74, was bludgeoned to death in her home in the 7700 block of South Oglesby Avenue, officials said.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 21, 2008.

Annie Mae Davis, 59, died of blunt-force trauma to the head in the kitchen of her home in the 7600 block of South Clyde Avenue. About three weeks later, Everleana Brame, 74, was bludgeoned to death in her home in the 7700 block of South Oglesby Avenue, officials said.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 21, 2008.

Police arrested Solis on Friday afternoon in the 3400 block of West 38th Street after receiving tips from his family and friends, Bond said.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 21, 2008.

Dorothy Brown Taylor, 71, was strangled in the 7200 block of South Coles Avenue, officials said. The Cook County medical examiner's office also collected evidence of sexual assault, a spokesman said.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 21, 2008.

Danelo Solis, 25, of the 3400 block of West 37th Place was charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated sexual assault and one count of aggravated animal cruelty, said Monique Bond, spokeswoman for the Chicago Police Department.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 21, 2008.

These buildings are decorated in a wide variety of styles, but far and away the most elaborate one I've found to date is the Casa Bonita, on Ridge Avenue just north of Touhy.

Published by A Chicago Sojourn on June 21, 2008.

Hitchcock repeatedly swooped near and squawked at a Tribune reporter and photographer Friday near Grand and Rockwell, across from Smith Park.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 21, 2008.

Christopher Dorsey of the 12000 block of South Lafayette, Chicago, was driving eastbound on I-80 when he lost control of his vehicle at about 5:15 p.m. Friday near the northbound exit ramp for Interstate Highway 57, said Master Sgt. Alfred Gentile of the Illinois State Police.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 21, 2008.

The victim was shot multiple times in the 1300 block of North Campbell Avenue at about 7:20 p.m., said Officer David Banks. Police said it was a possible drive-by. There were no witnesses and no one is in custody.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 21, 2008.

A 35-year-old man was shot and killed Friday evening in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, police said.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 21, 2008.

The alligator discovered Friday was 4½ feet long and about 45 pounds. At full maturity, she would grow to 10-12 feet. The alligator, a native of the southeastern U.S., was found in Bubbly Creek in a woodsy area near 37th Street and Racine Avenue, which at one time was one of the dirtiest parts of the river.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 21, 2008.