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Tom Butala

Q+A with Chicago Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz

Mon, 04/13/2015 - 4:04pm

Chicago Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz helps oversee a school system with 400,000 students and 24,000 teachers.

Since Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed him to the board in 2011, Ruiz and his fellow Chicago Public Schools administrators have found themselves in a number of contentious battles as they work to address fiscal issues facing the school district. While making tough decisions that included the closure of 50 CPS schools in 2013, Ruiz said his focus has been on ensuring all young Chicagoans have access to a quality education.

Navy Pier Flyover project moving forward

Fri, 04/10/2015 - 2:46pm

Next Wednesday, Chicago aldermen will consider a measure allowing the Chicago Department of Transportation to begin construction on phase two of the Navy Pier Flyover project.

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City planning this year’s Taste of Chicago

Thu, 04/09/2015 - 3:29pm

Pursuant to a measure Chicago aldermen gave preliminary approval to on Thursday, the city will continue Taste of Chicago reforms that helped return the festival to profitability in 2013.

On Thursday the City Council Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation approved an ordinance giving the Department of Special Events the authority to organize and operate the city’s 35th Annual Taste of Chicago festival. This year’s Taste is scheduled take place in Grant Park from July 8 to July 12.

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Results of 5 aldermanic races still uncertain

Wed, 04/08/2015 - 4:29pm

Aldermanic runoff elections in five Chicago wards remained too close to call as of Wednesday afternoon as the Chicago Board of Elections began processing previously uncounted votes from Tuesday’s runoff elections.

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Election official: Low Election Day turnout so far after high participation in early voting

Tue, 04/07/2015 - 4:45pm

A Chicago Board of Elections official suggested high participation in early voting for the city’s runoff elections may have been a factor in the low Election Day turnout so far on Tuesday.

Board Chairman Langdon Neal told reporters during a morning press briefing that polling places had “been very quiet.” Election officials later confirmed that Election Day turnout remained low through the afternoon.

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Q+A with state Sen. Chris Nybo

Mon, 04/06/2015 - 4:13pm

State Sen. Chris Nybo (R-Elmhurst) is looking forward to being part of the new wave of Republican leadership in Springfield during his first full term in the Illinois Senate.

In a recent conversation with the Daily Whale, Nybo said he was enthusiastic about the opportunities for bipartisan cooperation that will be necessary to find solutions to difficult issues facing legislators this year.

State to consider adding conditions to medical marijuana program

Mon, 04/06/2015 - 4:03pm

The Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory Board has scheduled a May 4 meeting to consider adding 14 ailments to the state’s list of conditions eligible for treatment under the state’s Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act.

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Q+A with Foley & Lardner managing partner Myles Berman

Fri, 04/03/2015 - 3:25pm

As the managing partner of the law firm Foley & Lardner’s Chicago office since August 2012, Myles Berman combines his leadership role with a government relations and corporate transactions and counseling practice.

Founded in Milwaukee in 1842, Foley & Larder now has offices in 20 cities that include New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Shanghai and Tokyo. Berman described Foley & Lardner’s Chicago office as an “epicenter” of the firm’s Midwest practice.

Elections Board chairman announces plans to leave

Fri, 04/03/2015 - 3:18pm

Langdon Neal on Friday announced the city’s April 7 runoff election will be the last he oversees as chairman of the Chicago Board of Elections.

Neal’s resignation likely will not take effect until later this year to allow for a “transition” period, board spokesman Jim Allen told the Daily Whale. A third-generation Chicago lawyer, Neal was appointed to his post in 1997. He served on the State Board of Elections from 1985 to 1997, including three years as the state board’s chairman.

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Sen. Kirk will vote for Loretta Lynch as new AG

Thu, 04/02/2015 - 4:40pm

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) announced during a Thursday City Club of Chicago event that he plans to vote for President Barack Obama’s appointment of Loretta Lynch to the position of U.S. attorney general.

Kirk said he made the decision to support Lynch’s appointment after meeting with her to discuss the prosecution of gang members in the Chicago area.

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