Chicago -
By Natasha Julius
We always have a lot of success. And we think you know what we mean by that. Right? Huh? Huh?
Market Update
Look, it’s obviously disappointing that CPS will be slightly more shit broke than expected next year. But listen, if Mayor Emanuel uses the same methodology to close a few dozen schools in each of the next 20-odd years, just think of the money we’ll save then!
Posted on May 4, 2013
By Steve Rhodes
“Chicago’s school district will not be saving as much by closing 54 schools as it originally told the public,” Linda Lutton reports for WBEZ.
“When it announced the closings, Chicago Public Schools said it would save $560 million in capital expenses over the next 10 years by closing schools and avoiding repairs and upgrades on those buildings.
“Now, the district is revising that cost savings number downward. It says it was off by $122 million, or 20 percent.”
Or, to put it another way, it was off by $5 million more than the entire Cubs’ payroll.
Posted on May 3, 2013
By Steve Rhodes
“Investigative Reporters & Editors, Inc. is launching a new award – dubbed the Golden Padlock – recognizing the most secretive publicly-funded agency or person in the United States. It is calling on journalists and the public for worthy nominees,” IRE announced this morning.
“This honor acknowledges the dedication of government officials working tirelessly to keep vital information hidden from the public,” said David Cay Johnston, president of IRE, a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting worldwide. “Their abiding commitment to secrecy and impressive skill in information suppression routinely keeps knowledge about everything from public health risks to government waste beyond the reach of citizens who pay their salaries.”
“IRE is now accepting nominations for the inaugural Golden Padlock. Nominations should be e-mailed to goldenpadlock@ire.org by May 24. Submissions should include the name of the agency or individual along with reasons and/or media coverage detailing the intransigence.
“Governments at all levels – from local to federal – are eligible for the award. A list of finalists will be announced in early June and the award will be handed out annually at the IRE’s national conference.
“The winning public agency or individual will be invited to attend the award ceremony to be ‘honored.’ This year’s conference is June 20 – 23 in San Antonio, TX.”
Posted on May 2, 2013
By Steve Rhodes
It’s 1:20 p.m. as I write this and I’ve spent most of my day talking to people about Rahm’s new parking meter deal and the Ricketts’ proposed Wrigley renovation. Here’s my unsurprising takeaway: People are lying to you. Namely, Rahm and Ricketts.
Unfortunately, I no longer have the time to write up a column given my stepped-up efforts lately to figure out how to pay my bills, so you’ll just have to trust me on that at least until tomorrow.
Here’s some awesome new Beachwood material we have elsewhere on the site today, though:
Posted on May 1, 2013
By Steve Rhodes
“Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel may have done the impossible,” the Parking Ticket Geek of The Expired Meter reports.
“He may have actually made Chicago’s reviled parking meter lease deal even worse.”
When the Parking Ticket Geek talks, I listen. No one knows more about the byzantine laws, policies and all-around chicanery of parking-related issues in this city than he does.
So pay heed:
Posted on April 30, 2013
By Steve Rhodes
Yeah, The [Monday] Papers aren’t gonna happen.
Elsewhere on the Beachwood today:
* The Cub Factor: Relegation Avoided.
* The Political Odds: Updated.
* The Weekend In Chicago Rock: It went to 11.
Posted on April 29, 2013
By Steve Rhodes
“State officials have temporarily halted funding to the United Neighborhood Organization, contending the large charter school operator violated terms of a $98 million grant by hiring contractors who are related to one of the group’s top executives,” the Tribune reports.
“A source inside the organization said the board is being reconstituted because some believe [UNO CEO Juan] Rangel had gained too much control over the current board, which is when the problems started to flourish.”
Hmmm, Juan Rangel . . . I’m certain I’ve heard that name before.
Posted on April 26, 2013
By Steve Rhodes
“According to multiple sources at Chicago Public Schools, [GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce] Rauner in 2008 picked up the phone and called [then-CPS CEO Arne] Duncan on behalf of his daughter, who was trying to get into Payton [College Prep],” Greg Hinz reports for Crain’s.
“There only was one problem, the sources say: Her test scores, academic record and other factors weren’t good enough to get her into Payton.
“According to a report by CPS Inspector General James Sullivan that has not been released to the public, the younger Ms. Rauner had good scores, very good scores. But not quite good enough. Her application was denied. So dad called Mr. Duncan, a Duncan aide called the Payton principal and she was admitted, graduating last June.”
Great story. But guess what? It’s backwards. If true, the story really ought to be about Duncan. After all, he’s the U.S. Secretary of Education. And he’s been caught cheating. Rauner is just a two-bit hustler on a pretend “listening tour” as he “explores” a run for governor in which he’s likely to spend millions and not come close to even getting out of the primary.
The tale told here – and it sounds awfully familiar to what we already know – is that clout admissions seem to have been a standard way of doing business under Duncan. How does he square that with his testing and standards rhetoric?
Posted on April 25, 2013
By Steve Rhodes
Just a couple brief math lessons today.
*
More State Poverty Grants Go To Rich Schools.
“At the same time, Chicago Public Schools’ share of the poverty money has declined, while still representing $796 million of the roughly $1.8 billion in poverty grants offered this year. Two dozen of the state’s most impoverished districts also saw drops in poverty funding.”
+
Penny Pritzker’s TIF.
Posted on April 24, 2013
