By Steve Rhodes
“The Cook County probation department has lost track of hundreds of convicts, overlooked new crimes committed by offenders and failed to rein in those who violated curfew or used illegal drugs – some who went on to rape or kill, a Tribune investigation found,” the paper reports.
“At a time when county officials have argued for more people to be redirected from jail cells to programs such as probation, the Tribune has found a dysfunctional department that has fallen short of its mission of instilling responsibility in offenders and creating safer neighborhoods.
“Perhaps no case is more emblematic of the problems in the probation department than that of Micheail Ward, who is accused of killing 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton on Jan. 29, a week after she performed with her high school band during President Barack Obama’s inauguration.”
The rest is behind a paywall, but we get it.
Maybe Cut More Spending On Probation
Moody’s: Chicago Pension Fix Not Enough.
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Yes, I know the county and city are not the same thing.Sometimes you have to use an apples-to-oranges comparison to make a point.
Weekend Space Report
* China Carries Out World’s First Soft Landing Of Probe On The Moon In Nearly 4 Decades.
* Iran Sends Second Monkey Into Space.
Advantage: Iran.
Plus: Universe Could Be About To Collapse And Squeeze Into A Tiny Ball.
E-Newman!
Marissa Mayer ‘Very Sorry’ For Yahoo Mail Outage.
Now if users will kindly wait in line for office hours, Mayer will get to you as soon as she can.
As Were We Watching Them
Susan Sarandon Was Stoned At ‘Almost All’ Awards Shows.
Somehow These Do Seem Related
Pension Vote Done, Gambling Next?
Jesus Hong
Apparently Megyn Kelly doesn’t watch Family Guy.
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The Weekend Desk Tip Line: via Bernie’s.
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The College Football Report: Clowneys, Couches & Coaching Carousels.
The Blue & Orange Kool-Aid Report: The Proverbial Josh McCown.
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The Beachwood Holiday Party Report: It’s on.
Please join all manner of Beachwood and Beachwood-affiliated folks and peoples on THURSDAY, DEC. 19 at the affable Beachwood Inn for high jinks, storytelling, drunkardness, jukebox domination, pool sharking, off-key singing, joke-telling, flirtation and all-around good-timery. The tab is on our very own Jim “Coach” Coffman, who asks only that you let him hear a few of his favorite Allman Brothers tunes while regaling you with tales of adult sports figures behaving badly and youth sports adorableness.
I’ll be there co-hosting and there is the possibility of door prizes and other gifts of gratitude. We’ll open the tab at 7 p.m. for early birds and close the tab when they kick us out at closing time. Please at least loosely RSVP so we can make sure our favorite beers are properly stocked. Pizzas will likely be ordered. See you then.
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The Flying Saucer Weekend Brunch Report: Yum.
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The Sound Opinions Weekend Listening Report: “Sound Opinions presents a Christmas special like none other. Holiday music collector and expert Andy Cirzan is back with ‘Rock ‘n’ Pop Xmas’ – Selections from XTC, The Band, The Kinks, The Beatles and more.”
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The CAN TV Weekend Viewing Report: CAN TV brings you local, relevant issues from Chicago’s neighborhoods and communities. See what’s happening around the city in education, the arts, government, cultural events, social services and community activities.
St. Anselm Arts and Talent Show
Young artists express their feelings about violence in the neighborhood through art, song, and dance at this talent show held by the St. Anselm Jim Fisher Development Center.
Saturday at 9 a.m. on CAN TV19.
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Sounds of the Underground: Maiden Chicago
The Iron Maiden tribute band performed live and loud at CAN TV’s studio in one of the last shows before co-founder Eric Babcock leaves the band.
Saturday at 1 p.m. on CAN TV19.
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Nitty Gritty News
This urban news program explores Chicago’s gun culture and new concealed carry laws from a community perspective.
Saturday at 5 p.m. on CAN TV19.
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Perspectivas Latinas: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Ricardo Lopez of CMAP discusses the impact of development plans for the region on the Little Village and Pilsen neighborhoods.
Saturday at 8 p.m. on CAN TV21.
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Education Town Hall Meeting
Community members and experts gather to discuss a wide range of education issues, including early childhood programs, school performance, graduation rates and Safe Passage.
Sunday at 9 a.m. on CAN TV21.
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People’s School Board Meeting
A collection of community groups and residents advocating for an elected school board in Chicago weigh in on issues facing public schools.
Sunday at 11 a.m. on CAN TV21.
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Town Hall on Fracking
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources holds a public hearing in Chicago for the public to voice their opinions on the proposed regulations of Illinois’ new Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act.
Sunday at 1:30 p.m. on CAN TV21.
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Chicago GOP Reveals 2014 Candidates
The Chicago Republican Party introduces 18 candidates for the Illinois General Assembly, selected through what the party calls an American Idol-style vetting process where anyone could apply.
Sunday at 5 p.m. on CAN TV19.
Posted on December 14, 2013