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Chicago is corrupt?? Don’t mind me you’re just preaching to the choir

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I really did not need to read a fancy looking report to tell me what most people already know. Anybody that grew up here in the city already knows that. Ask almost anyone who grew up here in the city. It is what we were told by our parents and great-grandparents. Corruption in Chicago is a spectator sport. According to the anti-corruption report done by the political science department at UIC Chicago is the most corrupt city in America. The report is called  Chicago and Illinois, Leading the Pack in Corruption  .

My only critique about the report is that it did not include how corruption in Chicago has affected everyday people. As city inhabitants we know who is “connected” and who is not. Corruption is part of the life of every Chicagoan. Some more than others. For instance, who all know which streets are plowed first and where exactly city services start and where they might end. Also we definitely know which areas the police will come to first when something happens.  If you have a hard time knowing if Chicago is corrupt ask anyone has to park at a meter downtown. They don’t need a report to tell you if this city is corrupt. Don’t even get me started on the 2016 Olympic bid.

Side note: The video I posted is from an up and coming artist named LockNess Monsta called “Preaching to the choir.” The video is about Chicago corruption.  Preaching To The Choir

 

Evan F. Moore is a Freelance journalist who also is a blogger for Chicago Now. He blogs at Fanning the Flames since 1978.

Retraction regarding the city sticker controversy

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Yesterday I posted a blog condemning City Clerk Susana Mendoza for pulling the drawing that was created by Lawrence Hall Youth Services freshman Herbert Pulgar was the original winner of City Clerk Susana Mendoza’s 2012 Vehicle Art Sticker Design Contest. Mendoza pulled the drawing from the upcoming city sticker due to the resemblance of hand signals made by the street gang Maniac Latin Disciples. You might remember last year when Chicago Police Superintendent Gerry McCarthy made the Maniac Latin Disciples public enemy number 1 before the gang was targeted in a crackdown by Chicago police this past summer after a shooting at park wounded two young girls.

 

So I did some more research and came across a blog called Detective Shaved Longcock, a police officer blog with salty language I can do without.
“Like it or not Herbert Pulgar is a SELF ADMITTED MEMBER OF THE MANIAC LATIN DISCIPLES. Commonly known as MLD. If you need proof of this please ask his mother to release his juvenile police records on file with the Chicago police department or have little Herbert show you all his tattoos including the gang tattoo on his right shoulder.” According the police officer blog Detective Shaved Longcock. 

 

To make matters worst, Pulgar’s father, Herbert Sr. is a wanted by the international law enforcement agency Interpol for the following: Drug-related crimes and Crimes involving the use of weapons/explosives. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree I guess.

Bottom line Pulgar tried to pull a fast one on all of us. I guess there is a reason why this kid goes to a school that takes in at-risk students. I’m glad that there were people out there who caught this before the city began to print out the city stickers. As a journalist, it is my duty to uncover everything in the dark so it can be brought to light. This story can now be used as a precautionary tale for all.

Evan F. Moore is also a blogger for Chicago Now. He blogs at Fanning the Flames since 1978.

The city that works for city clerks who cave into political pressure

Posted on by Evan
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City Clerk Susana Mendoza pulled the drawing from the upcoming city sticker due to the resemblance of hand signals made by the street gang Maniac Latin Disciples. Lawrence Hall Youth Services freshman Herbert Pulgar was the original winner of City Clerk Susana Mendoza’s 2012 Vehicle Art Sticker Design Contest. Now the design of the runner up will now be used on the city sticker. The new city sticker design is a safer version that doesn’t include hands drawn in a way that some gang experts can associate with a street gang.

“For me, as the clerk, it’s not an issue of the individual at all, frankly,” Mendoza said. “It’s an issue of the perception that’s now out in the city of Chicago and, frankly, nationally, that we have a city sticker that some experts believe may provide symbolism related to gangs.”

I get what Mendoza was trying to do here but Pulgar’s drawing was posted online along with the other finalists before a decision was made.  A press release by Pulgar’s school Lawrence Hall Youth Services states that the winner was notified on December 13th of last year. So that means that the City Clerk had at least two months to figure out that the winning drawing could be misconstrued as a drawing that had gang signs in it.

I wonder if Pulgar has to give back $1000 savings bond he got for winning the contest.  I hope not because if that is the case the City Clerk should pay for it out of her own pocket and the family should exempt from paying for the city sticker this upcoming June.

 

Evan F. Moore is also a blogger for Chicago Now. He blogs at Fanning the Flames since 1978.

Black History Month is for everyone

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Gas mask, fire extinguisher, lawn mower, peanut butter, traffic light, cell phone, air conditioner, pencil sharpener, stove, refrigerator and an ironing board. They all have one thing in common– African Americans invented them. Black History month highlights the achievements of African-Americans. These achievements have had an effect on everyone in America. It is not just a celebration just for African-Americans but a celebration of the human spirit.

A man named Carter G. Woodson created Black History Month. Woodson was the son former slaves who received his bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Chicago. In 1912, Woodson became only the second African-American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University.

Black History Month was first called “Negro History Week.” Woodson chose the second week in February because both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born in the month of February. He viewed the two men as visionaries who influenced the lives of African-Americans. In 1976, the week was extended to one month to allow for more activities and programs.

Like the events that celebrate the Latino culture, Black History Months is about remembering the past by looking forward to the future.

Evan F. Moore is also a blogger for Chicago Now. He blogs at Fanning the Flames since 1978.

SoxFest 2012 wrap up

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Last weekend, I got the esteemed honor of covering Sox Fest 2012 for. As a lifelong White Sox fan I relished the opportunity to be a part of Sox Fest as a member of the media. Not only did I see some of the players I idolized as a kid, I also got to meet two reporters from my favorite radio station, WSCR 670 The Score. Also I met a gentleman who has been covering the team since the 1950’s. Also this person gave me some sound advice since I am just starting out in the world of journalism.

As the media reception started, current and former players came into the room and most of the media went to get sounds bites from the notable team members like Paul Konerko, Jake Peavy, and A.J. Pierzynski. I interviewed two players who are very important to the team, Alexei Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo.  I interviewed the team’s new manager Robin Ventura.  I asked shortstop Alexei Ramirez about  the clubhouse will be a lot quieter now that Ozzie Guillen is no longer the manager. “Things are where they need to be right now.” Ramirez said. Also I asked the team’s new manager Robin Ventura about how he plans to run the team as opposed to his predecessor Ozzie Guillen. “We have alot of things in common. We were teammates and we had the same approach to the game.” Ventura added. Lastly, I spoke with Dayan Vicedo, the starting left fielder about how he plans to contribute to the team this season. ” I want to help the team where ever I can since I’ll be on the field on a full time basis.” Vicedo said.

After the media reception, I went over the opening ceremonies. As I was waiting for the festivities to start, I asked a couple of White Sox fans what were their expectations of the team this season. The responses I got were of the “cautiously” optimistic variety. White Sox fans want the team to do well but they know that the season will be an uphill battle after what happened last season.

The ceremonies began with a procession of current and former members of the team led by the team’s public address announcer (I thought he would be bigger). The most polarizing reaction from the White Sox faithful was for general manager Kenny Williams.  The reaction was a mixture of cheers and jeers. The reaction sounded just about right after how the team under performed last season.

After taking in the atmosphere and gauging the expectations of the season, I think the Chicago White Sox fans will have the type of year that fans will never forget.

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Strange placement of a billboard in Pilsen

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So I was on a CTA bus last week when I saw a billboard promoting tourism in Arizona. In any other situation I wouldn’t think twice about a billboard promoting tourism. But this particular billboard was at the corner of Ashland and Cermak. The billboard was in Pilsen, a predominately Latino neighborhood that has strong feelings one way or another about immigration. To make matters worse, Arizona has very strict laws regarding illegal immigration.

So I got in touch with someone from the Arizona board of tourism to find out why the billboard was placed in that neighborhood. I spoke with Kiva Couchon, Communications Manager and Public Information Officer.

”According to our agency’s marketing research, Chicago is a top visitor demographic for Arizona. We focus many of our traditional and digital advertising efforts throughout the greater city of Chicago. From Cactus League spring training excitement to the state’s amazing weather and outdoor adventures, Arizona appeals to visitors from Chicago. And that is something that we certainly appreciate!”

Believe it or not the numbers back her up. Outside of California and Texas the most visitors to Arizona come from the state of Illinois. Also, I have seen different version of the Arizona board of tourism billboard by Midway Airport and by the Magnificent Mile.

You could say that either the Arizona board of tourism just didn’t know better or placing that billboard in Pilsen was an aggressive way of spinning damage control. We’ll see.

Evan F. Moore is also a blogger for Chicago Now. He blogs at Fanning the Flames since 1978.

 

SoxFest 2012

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Yes, I am covering Sox Fest this weekend. You might ask yourself why after how last season turned out. Well someone has to do it. The Chicago White Sox had a subpar season in 2011 (Read my blog about it). There are more subtractions than additions. Many players from last season are no longer with the team and outspoken manager Ozzie Guillen was not brought back. Expectations are low from the media and the team’s passionate fan base.

This is what you need to know about Soxfest

 

Where: Palmer House Hilton, 17 East Monroe St. Chicago, IL 60603
When:                                                January 27-29

Friday, January 27
4:00-9:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 28
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 29
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

 

How Much: Two-Day Passes are $70.

Saturday-Only Passes are $50

Sunday-Only Passes are $35

Who will be there:  New White Sox manager Robin Ventura along with Jesse Crain, Adam Dunn, Tyler Flowers, Gavin Floyd, Phil Humber, Paul Konerko, Brent Lillibridge, Brent Morel, Jake Peavy, A.J. Pierzynski, Alexei Ramirez, Chris Sale, Matt Thornton, Dayan Viciedo and other current team members will be joined by members of the 2005 World Series winning White Sox team – Neal Cotts, Joe Crede, Pablo Ozuna, Cliff Politte and Frank Thomas are scheduled to appear.

 

Evan F. Moore is also a blogger for Chicago Now. He blogs at Fanning the Flames since 1978.

For-profit college:the slippery slope and student loan debt

Posted on by Evan
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As much as the general public wants to blame for-profit universities for false promises, the people who apply to these schools should shoulder some of the blame. People should look into the school that they apply to before they are crushed by student loans. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is suing local for-profit university Westwood College for providing false hope and rising student loans to students in the criminal justice program. When these students graduate, they are hit with the harsh reality: Their degree is from a university that is not accredited.

Accreditation is the act of granting credit or recognition to educational institutions that maintains suitable standards.

I have heard the stories of people who went to for-profits schools only to be crushed by student loan debt. It is sad.

However, it is hard to sympathize with someone who did not find a job because they later found out that the school they went to was not accredited. As someone who will soon have a Master’s degree from a for-profit university, before I signed up I checked to see if the school was accredited and looked to see if I could handle the course load.

The elephant in the room about for-profit universities that no one like to talk about is some of the people who apply to the school get overwhelmed by the coursework. These people usually drop out owing money to a school they obviously had no business being in the first place.

 

Evan F. Moore is also a blogger for Chicago Now. He blogs at Fanning the Flames since 1978.

This isn’t just a day off

Posted on by Evan
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“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”- Martin Luther King, Jr.

A lot of people out there think that this day is either just a day off from school or holiday pay or an excuse to sleep in.  This day is about a man who saw something wrong with this country. A man who stood tall in the face of racism and other types of injustice. This day is about a man who believed that people could put aside their differences for the common good. Most importantly, this day is about a man who strongly believed that a man or woman should be judged on their merits alone. Not because of their skin color, or gender, or sexual orientation, or their accent.

Think about it! In this day and age we can do whatever we want (for the most part). We can go wherever we like. Update our facebook statuses and send tweets to our friends.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed that people should be able to have a shot at the American Dream. No matter the color of your skin. Some people come from places near and far to have a shot at that dream. So when Dr. King was getting shot at, rocks thrown at him, and death threats he was fighting for you. Dr. King was making sure that you get judged on your merits. Nothing else.

So on the birthday of one of the greatest leaders of our time please think about that. Think about the people who sacrificed to make sure you could do whatever you like. Please take time out of your busy schedules to think about that.

 

Evan F. Moore is also a blogger for Chicago Now. He blogs at Fanning the Flames since 1978.