AltWeeklies Wire
Gambling on the Fairgroundsnew
Step right up! Welcome to the Illinois State Fairgrounds, where kids can milk cows, and cows can win ribbons and anyone 21 years and older can contribute to an electronic, press-a-button, hear-a-beep, wait-to-(probably)-lose-while-it-looks-like-you’re-winning casino king’s cash cow – the slot machine.
Illinois Times |
Rachel Wells |
07-14-2011 |
Economy
Another Try to Legalize Medical Marijuana in Illinoisnew
Illinois residents tell their stories of need.
Illinois Times |
Holly Dillemuth |
05-10-2011 |
Drugs
Lawyers, Asian Carp and Money in Illinoisnew
Nothing was normal about this fishing expedition. The water, not a natural pond or stream. The temperature, well below freezing. We weren't allowed on the fishing boats, our guides told us, because it wasn't safe today.
Chicago Reader |
Ryan Chew |
03-29-2010 |
Environment
Illinois Judge Says Autistic Child Can Bring Service Dog to Schoolnew
An Illinois judge decided last week that Kaleb Drew, a 6-year-old with autism, can bring his service dog Chewey to school. The Drew family and their local school district have battled over the issue in court since July. It's the first time the issue has been tested in court in the state.
Illinois Times |
Amanda Robert |
11-20-2009 |
Civil Liberties
Is it Too Easy to Clobber a Cabbie in Chicago?new
Walid Ziada's fellow cabbies say his attackers are getting off lightly -- despite a new Illinois law intended to protect taxi drivers.
Chicago Reader |
Kari Lydersen |
10-19-2009 |
Crime & Justice
After Mentally Ill Prisoner Dies in Illinois 'Supermax' Prison, Reforms Are Promisednew
As human rights organizations stepped forward to speak for Robert Foor, a 33-year-old who died in June after nearly 11 years in isolation at the Tamms Closed Maximum Security Unit, the Illinois Department of Corrections announced its plans to reform the southern Illinois “supermax” prison.
Illinois Times |
Amanda Robert |
09-24-2009 |
Crime & Justice
The Economic Argument for Legalizationnew
Advocates have long supported reforming current state and federal prohibitions against growing, trading and consuming marijuana. But existing evidence of the economic benefits of legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana is even more compelling, particularly in today's trying times.
Illinois Times |
R.L. Nave |
03-02-2009 |
Drugs
Cop Charged with 49 Felonies Pleads Guilty to Two Misdemeanors, Goes Freenew
Was David Lewis a pervert who used his police powers to terrorize vulnerable young women? Or was this case coldly concocted -- as Lewis insists -- in retaliation for his sniffing around the a strip club for information possibly linking the state's attorney's office with gangs, prostitution, and cocaine?
Illinois Times |
Dusty Rhodes |
08-14-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Some Illinois Residents Push to Get State to Overturn a Mine Permitnew
Richard Fuller, who described himself as a "75-plus-year-old" farmer, suggested that Capital Resources Development Co.'s plan to strip-mine a 430.6-acre tract near Banner -- a village 25 miles southwest of Peoria in Fulton County -- would destroy the area's topsoil and make future planting nearly impossible.
Illinois Times |
Amanda Robert |
07-31-2008 |
Environment
Illinois Gov's Cuts to Drug-Treatment Programs Will Have Wide-Reaching Effectsnew
Under Blago's ax, drug-treatment centers around the state will lose $55 million in state funds. This amount might sound like pocket change in the context of the state's big fat coffers. To the network of drug-treatment service providers, however, it's about half of their budget -- and that's just the first domino of many that will fall.
Illinois Times |
Dusty Rhodes |
07-21-2008 |
Drugs
Hell in a Cell: Inside Tamms Supermax Prisonnew
The prison near the southern tip of Illinois was built to punish disruptive inmates with temporary solitary confinement. Yet Reginald Berry spent the better part of eight years there -- and he was luckier than many.
Chicago Reader |
Jeffrey Felshman |
04-28-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Hard Way Outnew
Marty Dwyer didn't tell, and the Guard didn't ask -- until the day they listened to the wrong guy.
Illinois Times |
Dusty Rhodes |
04-19-2006 |
LGBT
Naming Names: A New HIV/AIDS Reporting Systemnew
On Jan. 1, Illinois will abandon its practice of reporting HIV cases by code and instead adopt a name-based system like that used by many other states.
Illinois Times |
R. L. Nave |
01-03-2006 |
Science
Justice Delayed Becomes Justice Deniednew
For more than a decade, Lisa Weisser pursued a claim against the state of Illinois, arguing the state should have protected her from a known sex offender who raped her. On Saturday, Dec. 3, she gave up.
Illinois Times |
Bruce Rushton |
12-12-2005 |
Crime & Justice
A Predator on the Loosenew
Michael Redpath is a danger to women and children, so why does he keep getting breaks?
Illinois Times |
Bruce Rushton |
12-12-2005 |
Crime & Justice
