Author Archives: Ken

About Ken

Ken's the host of Chicago Newsroom. A former news director, reporter and radio program host, he's also a past Vice President of the Chicago Headline Club.

The Bloomingdale Trail in 2008

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Ken

Spent an absolutely charmed day today at the grand opening of the 606. About 7-1/2 years ago, I was asked by WBEZ to do a report on what was just emerging as a big idea- the Bloomingdale Trail. There were … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Ben Helphand, Beth White, Bloomingdale Trail, Rahm Emanuel, The 606 | Leave a comment

CN June 4, 2015

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Ken

In a week that saw the Mayor summarily dismiss four of his CPS Board members and replace them with different people from similar backgrounds, and, oh, yes, the resignation of his hand-picked Schools CEO, there wasn’t a lot of good … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Newsroom past shows | Tagged "Say no to Noble", Barbara Byrd Bennett, Becky Vevea, Community Media Workshop, Dropout Rates, Grauation Rates, Live From the Heartland, Mike Madigan, Rahm Emanuel, Thom Clark, WBEZ | Leave a comment

CN May 28, 2015

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Ken

It all just seems so hopeless. Unfunded pensions are everywhere. A billion dollar hole here, a half-billion one there. A hundred-billion shortfall in Springfield. Junk bond ratings. There doesn’t seem any way out of it without giving up hard-earned … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, CPS, CTU, Governor Rauner, John Cullerton, junk bond rating, Mike Madigan, police and fire pensions, Rahm Emanuel, Ralph Martire, teacher pensions, transaction tax | Leave a comment

CN May 21, 2015

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Ken

The situation in Springfield looks dire. There’s at least four billion less coming in next year due to the reduction in the income tax that just went into effect, and billions more due to help plug the various pension … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Newsroom past shows | Tagged Chicago Police. Garry McCarthy, Chicago Tribune, City Club of Chicago, Governor Rauner, Kristen McQueary, Mike Madigan, Paul Green, Roosevelt University, state budget. CTU | Leave a comment

CN May 14, 2015

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Ken

The Illinois house today voted 72-0 (with 37 Republicans voting “present”) against a proposal Governor Rauner’s been promoting to create so-called opportunity zones in Illinois – zones where union membership would be optional, along with the payment of union … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Newsroom past shows | Tagged Chicago Sun-Times, Chiraq, Father Pfleger, Governor Rauner, junk bond status, Laura Washington, Moody's, Natasha Korecki, Obama Foundation, Obama library, opportunity zones, Right-to-work, Spike Lee | Leave a comment

CN May 7, 2015

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Ken

Mayor Emanuel thanked a lot of people for helping bring about the Jon Burge torture settlement yesterday at City Council. But he didn’t get around to thanking the guy who, perhaps more than anyone, drove the legal battle and devoted … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Newsroom past shows | Tagged Burge settlement, Chicago City Council, Chicago Police Dept, Deep Badge, Flint Taylor, Homan Square, John Conroy, Mayor Emanuel, Peoples' Law Office, reparations, The Guardian, torture, Tracy Siska | Leave a comment

CN April 30, 2015

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Ken

“We have had for decades in Illinois a consensus from both parties that what they want from state government is health care, human services, education and public safety,” explains Shriver Center President John Bouman on today’s show. “In fact over … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Newsroom past shows | Tagged Chicago Tribune, DePriest Voters' Chronicles, Glenn Reedus, Governor Rauner, Illinois State budget, John Bouman, Lolly Bowean, Responsible Budget Coalition | Leave a comment

CN April 23, 2015

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Ken

Stop the presses. Flint Taylor, the prominent human-rights attorney who has for decades dogged former Commander Jon Burge for torture of prisoners at his South Side police district, had kind words for a Chicago Mayor today. After negotiating with … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Newsroom past shows | Tagged ACLU, Chip Mitchell, Dante Servin, Flint Taylor, Jon Burge, LaQuan McDonald, Peoples' Law Office, Rahm Emanuel, Rekia Boyd, Steve Patton, stop and frisk, WBEZ | Leave a comment

CN April 16, 2015

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Ken

Sarah Karp and Catalyst broke a big story back on July 30, 2013. It took a while, but today, as a result of that story, the FBI is investigating a north suburban company and the CEO of Chicago Public … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Newsroom past shows | Tagged alternative Schools, Barbara Byrd Bennett, Catalyst-Chicago, Edison Learning, Magic Johnson, Sarah Karp, SUPES | Leave a comment

CN April 9, 2015

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Ken

Rahm Emanuel had a ground game after all. At least for the runoff. He saw how it worked out for him in the February general election, not having one, and he apparently didn’t like what he saw. In fact, now … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Newsroom past shows | Tagged Bill DeBlasio, Chicago Tribune, David Schaper, Hal Dardick, NPR, Shakman Decree | Leave a comment