Cabrini Green residents: Property's gates not inspected each wee

Residents of the Chicago Housing Authority's Cabrini Green Rowhouses refute the claim by its property managers that the iron gates on the complex's grounds have been inspected weekly. The claim comes in the wake of 3-year-old Curtis Cooper's June 27 death where he was crushed after one of the gates crashed down on him as he and other children played nearby in the 900 block of North Cambridge Avenue.

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Activists, pols disappointed by U.S. Supreme Court gun decision

A young church musician was gunned down two years ago as he loaded musical instruments into a car in a church parking lot. In 2007, 34 Chicago Public Schools students were felled by gun violence, and this year, nearly 30 students were slain by guns. Now, last week's controversial U.S. Supreme Court ruling to overturn Washington, D.C.'s ban on gun ownership prompted several lawsuits to strike down Chicago's 26-year-old ban on handguns.

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The Second Ward: The first year under new leadership

The first four hours of his day--from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.--and the last three hours of his day--from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.--are spent cruising the ward and assessing its needs. The time in between is spent at various City Council committee meetings and talking with his constituents. On the weekends, the cycle repeats, but he tries to head home sooner than the wee hours of the morning.

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Chicago teens grade adults on issues affecting youth

Last week, Chicago-area teens from Uhlich Children's Advantage Network and the National Runaway Switchboard met at Francis Scott Key Elementary School, 517 N Parkside Ave., to let city officials know how youth feel about the continued violence in the city.

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Beasley Academic Center proud of Rose

When the Bulls selected former Simeon high school star Derrick Rose with the top pick in the June 26 NBA draft, cheers could be heard throughout the city. Perhaps, many thought, the young man who led his high school team to two straight state titles could also lead the Bulls back to NBA dominance.

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Turn on the Life!

Washington Park flourishes with the 16th Annual African Fest

When Ephraim Martin first settled in Chicago from Jamaica, West Indies, he discovered that the Caribbean culture was very popular in the city. Martin told the Defender that his vision was to popularize reggae. Eventually he met other Jamaicans and brought them together throughout the North Side of Chicago.

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Housing plan may hurt local businesses

The upcoming Lake Meadows redevelopment project in the Bronzeville community would not only displace tenants but also local businesses. “I know change is upon us. Barack Obama has been saying that for a year now,” said Ricardo Williams, owner of Mississippi Rick's, a fast-food barbecue restaurant at the Lake Meadows Shopping Center at 35th and King Drive.

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Experts say flood terminology misleads the public

ST. LOUIS--Fifteen years ago, after the Midwest was swamped with what was pronounced a "100-year" or even a "500-year" flood, some folks figured they would never again see such a disaster in their lifetime. Some even dropped their flood insurance. Big mistake.

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D.C. officials to reluctantly abide by gun decision

The 5-4 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a lower court ruling to invalidate the D.C., handgun ban was met with disappointment by government officials in the District and, according to some officials, would not affect most handgun laws in the U.S. District officials pledged to abide by the court's ruling and iterated the desire to keep handguns away from criminal elements.

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A misguided Supreme Court ruling

It is always amazing that some people put more credence in certain parts of the U.S. Constitution over others. That is true of journalists and artists regarding the First Amendment, and it is certainly true of the gun owners and enthusiasts who cite the Second Amendment as the penultimate amendment to the Constitution.

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