FOX Chicago Sunday Reporter's Notebook: North Lawndale
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By Mike Flannery, FOX 32 News Political Editor - bio
In my political notebook, a shout out to a block club in North Lawndale. Their West Side neighborhood has too few jobs and too many empty, abandoned homes. All too often they become havens for drug-dealing gangs and neighbors plead with City Hall to tear those buildings down.
But something went wrong last week at 18th and Troy.
Neighbors had to pull up their chairs to form a human shield to save a home when a wrecking crew showed up to demolish it. City Hall thought it had become a problem. But the neighbors say -- not true. The longtime owner died a couple years ago. The house was inherited by a woman who lives in Mississippi and has only rarely been to Chicago. Credit the Building Department for calling off the demolition once they realized how angry the block was.
Now, City Hall's Law Department tells me they're going to get free legal help for the woman in Mississippi, who otherwise would have been billed up to $20,000. The Block Club and Neighborhood Housing Services have intervened in court to stop any further demolition plans. Bobby Washington, a neighbor who's put in dozens of unpaid hours trying to preserve the property, stands ready with others to keep it secure and clean.
There are millions of people like them in Chicago. We don't see them and thank them often enough.
Tanya Triche with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association says passing the bill to raise minimum wage to $10 an hour would hurt our already fragile economy.
Tanya Triche with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association says passing the bill to raise minimum wage to $10 an hour would hurt our already fragile economy.
Mike Flannery, along with a handful of other Chicago TV journalists, will be inducted Friday into the prestigious "Silver Circle" of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Mike Flannery, along with a handful of other Chicago TV journalists, will be inducted Friday into the prestigious "Silver Circle" of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Chicago Chapter.
Friday, May 10 2013 5:37 PM EDT2013-05-10 21:37:26 GMT
It is Mother's Day and sadly while many people are making plans like dinner and brunch reservations with their children and loved ones, too many mothers have lost a child to gun violence.
It is Mother's Day and sadly while many people are making plans like dinner and brunch reservations with their children and loved ones, here in Chicago, too many mothers have lost a child to gun violence.
Friday, May 10 2013 5:30 PM EDT2013-05-10 21:30:05 GMT
There's plenty of reason to believe Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's preparing to challenge Governor Quinn in next spring's Democratic primary.
There's plenty of reason to believe Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's preparing to challenge Governor Quinn in next spring's Democratic primary.
Some Chicago-area men were arrested in an undercover sting with the Cook County Sheriff's Office this week. Robin Robinson takes an in-depth look at the business of sex trafficking.
Some Chicago-area men were arrested in an undercover sting with the Cook County Sheriff's Office this week. Robin Robinson takes an in-depth look at the business of sex trafficking.
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A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
Monday, May 20 2013 6:30 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:30:03 GMT
Repair work on tracks that were damaged in last week's train collision has progressed quickly enough that the MTA predicts restoring full service along the New Haven line by Wednesday morning.
Repair work on tracks that were damaged in last week's train collision has progressed quickly enough that the MTA predicts restoring full service along the New Haven line by Wednesday morning.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:05:22 GMT
A spate of hate-fueled attacks on gay men in New York, including a killing in the heart of one of its most gay-friendly neighborhoods, is stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage.
A spate of hate-fueled attacks on gay men in New York, including a killing in the heart of one of its most gay-friendly neighborhoods, is stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage.
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As a family prepared for the funeral of a Hofstra junior killed by a cop's bullet during a standoff with an armed intruder, questions remain about how police handled the situation.
As a family prepared for the funeral of a Hofstra junior killed by a cop's bullet during a standoff with an armed intruder, questions remain about how police handled the situation.
Three people have been charged with taking bribes from a Chinese government-supported institution in exchange for restricted research from a New York University lab.
Three people have been charged with taking bribes from a Chinese government-supported institution in exchange for restricted research from a New York University lab.
