By Steve Rhodes
1. Illinois’ (alleged) packaged ice conspiracy.
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“The scam worked, the state suggested, because ice is the ultimate commodity – frozen water – sold in practically identical 7- and 22-pounds bags for such a low price that no one cared about brand names or noticed the lack of real competition. Uniformity, the state said, made it easy to swap customers and monitor pricing.”
2. “Charlie Sheen LIVE: My Violent Torpedo Of Truth/Defeat Is Not An Option Tour” stops at the Chicago Theatre on April 3rd. Tickets available here.
3. Quinn Back To Normal: Part One.
4. Quinn Back To Normal: Part Two.
5. “Sometimes you look up at a flagpole and see Old Glory waving in a stiff breeze and that female aide in your office smiles, and the next thing you know, you’re getting your patriotism on,” John Kass writes. “Newt? Is that the Constitution in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?”
6. “The [Millbury, Ohio] Press has confirmed that its website poll has been hacked by someone seeking to control the voting results.
“The Press has determined the IP address of the person or entity involved, and it is from Woodstock, Illinois, just outside Chicago, according to The Press’ website provider. The situation happened from 3:55 p.m. until 4:20 p.m. on March. 8. During this time, the individual used an exploit to vote 3,071 times for the ‘No’ answer. The Press removed those votes to change the vote back to 39 (as of that day) for ‘No’ and the IP address was blocked.
‘The question, which still remains on the website, reads ‘Do you think Ohio should pass a bill that bans collective bargaining in state employees, similar to the one in Wisconsin?'”
7. Winning Isn’t The Only Thing For Robotics Team In Duluth From Chicago.
8. 38 American Cities Are More Socially-Networked Than Frumpy Chicago.
9. The Tao of Stella: “CONGRATS TO Gov. Quinn on signing the bill abolishing the death penalty. I am sure up-and-coming murderers now will have no fear of being sentenced to a dirt nap no matter how heinous the crime.”
10. The Tao of Sneed: “Bow Wow: Leave it to our irrepressible state Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka to time her knee replacement surgery to coincide with leg surgery on ‘Jack,’ one of her three adopted dogs. The Scotty came to visit Judy at a Chicago rehab center this weekend ‘and we hobbled around together,’ she told Sneed.”
I give up.
11. Rahm the Reformer: “Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White gave a crucial endorsement to Rahm Emanuel’s mayoral bid in the waning days of the campaign. Soon after Emanuel won, the mayor-elect sent a check to White’s ward organization.”
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Note to Early and Often and the Chicago News Cooperative: In a democracy you shouldn’t have to pay to find out what your elected officials are up to; essential journalism should never be only for those who can afford it.
12. Horse Racing Is Dead. Long Live Horse Racing.
13. As Seen On TV in Chicago.
14. The Week in Chicago Rock.
15. The Week in WTF.
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The Beachwood Tip Line: As seen on TV.
Posted on March 11, 2011