Chicago Defender back issues from January 2006:
Dart gains endorsement of Obama
Jan 05, 2006; ... Cook County sheriff candidate Tom Dart hopes the endorsement of a popular senator will propel him into the county's top law enforcement seat. His campaign for Cook County sheriff could become easier with the endorsement Wednesday of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), considered a rising star ...
Black celebs help expose soulful side of Illinois
Jan 05, 2006; ... For actor Henry Lennix, a world of discovery awaited him when as a teen-ager he snuck on CTA buses traveling through various Chicago neighborhoods. The goal for Lennix then was to get a first eye view of such sport sanctuaries as Wrigley Field, or marvel at the wonders inside the Museum ...
City colleges offer course on owning your own home
Jan 05, 2006; ... If the key to the American dream is to own your own home, a free college course may be your best bet to turning the dream into a reality - and preserving some of the city's communities. At a news conference Wednesday, Rep. Danny Davis (D-7th), surrounded by representatives from more than ...
Boy's Public League tourney begins
Jan 05, 2006; ... The 2006 Public League Boy's Christmas Basketball Tournament will tip off today at Chicago State's Jacoby Dickens Center. First round action begins at 9 a.m. with Englewood taking on Phillips; Austin tips off against Hyde Park at 10:30 a.m. Corliss faces Farragut at noon; Kenwood battles ...
Post-Katrina development tops Jackson's Wall Street conference
Jan 06, 2006; ... How to redevelop the Gulf Coast after the devastation wreaked by two hurricanes three months ago will top the agenda of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition's Wall Street Project conference, which begins Sunday in New York. The four-day economic summit will tackle a different issue each day, ...
Beverley, Marshall roll at Public League tourney
Jan 06, 2006; ... Powered by yet another outstanding scoring effort from senior star Patrick Beverley, Marshall rolled to an 88-31 victory over South Shore in the first round of the Public League Boy's Basketball Holiday Tournament Thursday at Chicago State's Jacoby Dickens Center. Beverley scored 43 ...
Keeping the year free of clutter
Jan 06, 2006; ... I don't know about everyone else, but I have big plans for the New Year. There is a counter in our home that accumulates mail, children's artwork, rocks, half-finished books, action figures, keys, and all manner of papers. When walking into other homes in our neighborhood I have noticed that ...
Mind your manners, please!
Jan 06, 2006; ... Did I miss the email, but when exactly did we as a society forget our manners? I can't tell you how many times I've been in the grocery store or the video store, looking on the shelf, and someone just walks right in front of me without saying, "excuse me." The other day, I was ...
Changing of the guard; Black Enterprise founder Earl Graves passes mantle to son
Jan 06, 2006; ... Black Enterprise founder Earl G. Graves Sr., who has always used the pages of his magazine to preach sound succession plans for Black-owned companies, followed his own advice Thursday when he named one of his sons CEO of the media company. Earl G. "Butch" Graves Jr., who was previously ...
Lawsuit claims CTA's Chicago Card lacking in minority neighborhoods
Jan 09, 2006; ... The inability of a South Shore-area public transit commuter to find a Chicago Transit Authority "Chicago Card" prompted the filing of a class action lawsuit Friday that may be amended to a racial discrimination complaint today. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Tiffany Chancellor, an ...
Vocalist Lou Rawls, 72 loses bout with cancer; Chicago native released 60 albums over a 40-year career
Jan 09, 2006; ... Lou Rawls, an enthralling vocalist whose silken-textured voice brought romantic melodies to thousands around the world, died Friday in Los Angeles of lung cancer. He was 72. A native of Chicago who often brought to the life of the neighborhood in which he grew up -- Bronzeville -- Rawls ...
Grant expands video camera program to 30 more squad cars; Sen. Meeks pushed for money after alleged racial profiling
Jan 09, 2006 ... Gov. Rod Blagojevich visited Salem Baptist Church Sunday to announce a $150,000 grant to help the Chicago Police Department install video cameras in 30 squad cars. Cameras in squad cars can protect drivers stopped by police and prevent racial profiling. The idea first surfaced in July ...
Marshall wins Public League tourney
Jan 09, 2006; ... Marshall captured the 2006 Public League Holiday Boys' Basketball Tournament Saturday at Chicago State's Jacoby Dickens Center with a 66-51 victory over Von Steuben. The Commandos rolled to the tourney title with consecutive victories over South Shore, Washington and Simeon before ...
'God knows why this happened'; Pilgrim Baptist Church members lean on their faith in the wake of longtime home destroyed by fire
Jan 09, 2006; ... As Mildred Tyson watched on television as her beloved Pilgrim Baptist Church go up in flames on Friday, she was stunned by the fierceness of the fire, which engulfed the 115-year-old structure and destroyed it in a few short hours. At one point, the 60-year church member said she just ...
President Bush: Economy moving in the right direction
Jan 09, 2006; ... Says small businesses are doing well; some owners disagree Business at Laurel Stradford's Hyde Park gift shop has all but slowed to a halt now that the holiday season is over. With the first week of January behind her, Stradford is considering changing the nature of What the ...
Hoop legend Bedford dies
Jan 09, 2006; ... The "Godfather" is gone. Former Marshall High head boys' basketball coach Luther Bedford died Saturday night at Resurrection Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park. Bedford was 69. "He was just a great, great person," Bedford's close friend and Marshall girls' basketball coach Dorothy ...
City's top doc wants report card for council members
Jan 11, 2006; ... When Dr. Terry Mason is likely sworn in today as the city's Public Health Commissioner, the very people who will vote him into the position are the very first group he wants to see get into shape. During Tuesday's hearing before the City Council's Committee on Health, the urologist said ...
State lottery unveils breast cancer ticket
Jan 11, 2006; ... When you step to the counter to purchase a lottery ticket, not only could you be a lucky winner, but the proceeds from a new scratch-off game could also lead to a cure for breast cancer. Illinois lottery officials, along with breast cancer advocates, unveiled the $2 "Ticket for the Cure" ...
Rush to sponsor seminars on Medicare prescription rules
Jan 18, 2006; ... If one word could describe the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, which went into effect Jan. 1, it would be "confusion," Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-1st) said Tuesday. With that in mind, Rush will host two educational seminars on the Medicare program from 8:45 a.m to 11:30 ...
Simeon steamrolls Harlan
Jan 18, 2006; ... After sleepwalking at times during the early part of the season, Simeon appears to be wide awake and focused. Tuesday, the Wolverines were on their game, rolling to a decisive 102-35 victory over Harlan in a Public League boy's basketball Red-South mismatch. The victory improved ...
Daley, Blagojevich renew call for assault weapons ban
Jan 18, 2006; ... Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich said he is cautiously optimistic the General Assembly will pass a bill banning military-style assault weapons this session. Though a ban on assault weapons was narrowly defeated last year, the governor, joined by Mayor Richard M. Daley and more than a dozen city ...
Baker still in sheriff's race
Jan 18, 2006; ... The Cook County Sheriff candidate backed by several Black elected officials is still in the race despite a challenge to his nominating petitions. The Cook County Clerk's office last week overruled a challenge to Sylvester Baker's candidacy based on the validity of his nominating papers ....
Proposed bill to make state data available to used car buyers
Jan 19, 2006; ... For some potential used car purchasers, deciding on the right pre-owned vehicle is like playing a game of Russian roulette. The Illinois Department of Transportation annually collects data on cars that have been involved in serious accidents, yet the information is never disclosed to ...
An unhappy new year for seniors on Medicare
Jan 19, 2006; ... The New Year should bring hope and joy to everyone, but unfortunately, 2006 is proving to be unhappy for many African American seniors who hoped to receive the prescription-drug benefits of the new Medicare Part D law on Jan. 1. Part D, supported by President George W. Bush and forced ...
Seen on the Scene; Cong. Jackson keynotes PUSH-EXCEL King Breakfast
Jan 19, 2006 ... In a voice reminiscent of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr. read excerpts of Dr. King's acceptance speech when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Dec. 11, 1963 in Oslo, Norway. Jackson, of course, interspersed his own remarks amid those of Dr. King's as he ...
Steele: Stroger Hospital can absorb Bethany patients
Jan 19, 2006; ... It will be at least a week before Cook County commissioners know how the change of service at Advocate Bethany Hospital will impact services at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital. But in the meantime, one West Side commissioner said some of her colleagues may be turning changes at Bethany into ...
Hillary's 'plantation' remarks not amusing
Jan 19, 2006 ... When Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) told a group of African Americans at a King Day speech that Republicans were running the U.S. House of Representatives like a "plantation," she drew the outrage of the other side of the aisle. Demanding that she apologize, the GOP - from the ...
Celebrating Dr. King through serving
Jan 19, 2006; ... "If you want to be important--wonderful. If you want to be recognized--wonderful. If you want to be great--wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness. And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that ...
Education comes first at North Lawndale Prep
Jan 19, 2006; ... Most basketball coaches will tell you that education comes first for their teams. However, at North Lawndale College Prep on the West Side, they not only talk the talk, they walk the walk. "There are a lot of very talented basketball players in this school that really want to play on our ...
Flowers: Mandatory HIV testing could save lives
Jan 23, 2006; ... Proponents of a House bill that will require mandatory HIV testing of newborns say the measure could save lives -- and the state money. Rep. Mary Flowers (D-21st) introduced the amendment to a 2003 bill regarding HIV testing for pregnant women, she said, to fill loopholes in the law that ...
Marshall upends Crane
Jan 11, 2006; ... When Marshall plays Crane in Public League boy's basketball, it's usually a hard-fought, emotionally-charged game. It remains that way. Tuesday, the two Red-West Conference rivals battled in yet another West Side barnburner at Marshall with the Commandos pulling out a 74-70 victory ...
Rawls sought groovy, down home people
Jan 11, 2006; ... Her name was Vivian and she worked in circulation for the News-Press, a newspaper in Fort Myers, Fla. Vivian took it upon herself to make a young journalist smile every day, as she knew I was suffering from a bad case of homesickness and trying to adjust to the blistering sun that seared ...
Black lawmakers ready to tackle state's priorities
Jan 11, 2006; ... Black state officials expected to arrive in Springfield today for the spring session of the 94th General Assembly see the abbreviated session as an opportunity to advance legislation on education funding, energy assistance and balance the state budget. Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich's State of ...
Jones must kill Halverson's airport legislation
Jan 11, 2006 ... When the Illinois General Assembly convenes today in Springfield, there will be many pressing issues, with finding additional funds for education at the top of the agenda. There is no doubt that nothing can get done without the involvement - and approval - of Senate President Emil Jones ...
City Services, but no money from City Hall for Pilgrim
Jan 12, 2006; ... Pilgrim Baptist Church didn't get a promise of city funds to help rebuild its church, but several city departments will help the church in its rebuilding process. Mayor Richard M. Daley met with Pilgrim's board Wednesday morning and plans to assess the building destroyed in Friday's ...
State candidate says police illegally raided office
Jan 12, 2006; ... A candidate running for state representative of the 6th District said his political office was illegally raided Friday, and that Chicago Police officers also mistreated some of his workers. Darryl Smith, political activist and candidate, said he was holding a strategy meeting Friday ...
Beverley finds a home at Marshall
Jan 12, 2006; ... There have been plenty of stories about high school basketball players leaving the inner city to prosper in the suburbs. Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas is just one. It's just the opposite, though, for Marshall High basketball star Patrick Beverley. After beginning his high school years in ...
Civil racketeering charges filed against Dolton mayor
Jan 12, 2006; ... Dolton Mayor William "Bill" Shaw, served with a federal racketeering lawsuit Tuesday, said the suit was in retaliation for his efforts to protect Black motorists from illegal towing, a spokesman said yesterday. The mayor, the village and two police officers were named as defendants in ...
South Side teen missing since day after Christmas
Jan 12, 2006; ... The family of a mentally-challenged teen missing since Dec. 26 is asking for the public's help to get the girl back home. Shauna Lynn Brown, 19, was believed to be with her father's family since just after the holidays, but family on her mother's side discovered Wednesday the girl never ...
Bedford remembered at memorial services
Jan 12, 2006; ... Coach. Teacher. Friend. Those are just a few of the words used to describe Luther Bedford during a memorial service for the former Marshall basketball coach at the school auditorium Wednesday. Bedford died Saturday at the age of 69. "He always wanted to keep all the focus on the ...
Oral historian receives Jarrett fellowship
Jan 13, 2006; ... When Vernon Jarrett, a former journalist of the Chicago Defender and founding member of the National Association of Black Journalists, died in May 2004, he left a rich legacy of literature, political activism and education. In keeping with the spirit of the noted journalist, Julieanna ...
Earl's World; Black Creativity awards art prizes at the Museum of Science and Industry
Jan 13, 2006; ... Seven artists who exhibited their works in the Museum of Science and Industry's 35th Black Creativity exposition won prizes Wednesday at the show's premiere. The Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition, entitled "Architecture: Pyramids To Skyscrapers," continues through Feb. 28 at the ...
Martin Luther King Holiday Classic set for Whitney Young
Jan 13, 2006; ... Chicago will become the center of the high school basketball world this weekend when the fifth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Dream-Classic takes place at Whitney Young High School. Sixty teams from Chicago and across the nation featuring more than 500 boys and girls players will ...
Daley: More schools, programs in 2006
Jan 13, 2006; ... City and Chicago Public Schools officials have big plans for the coming year despite limited funding from the state and federal governments. Speaking to a group of educators Thursday morning, Daley said he's instructed officials at Chicago Public Schools to remain focused on providing ...
Former U.N. ambassador says peace process continues in time of war
Jan 13, 2006; ... As the U.S. continues to press its war policy in Iraq, and unstableness grips the Gaza Strip, the process of seeking peace still reigns for many nations today, said former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young. Young was the first guest speaker Thursday night at St. Sabina Church, located at 1210 ...
Bottom Line; An Innovative Program Innovate Illinois provides capital to high growth companies
Jan 13, 2006; ... A year ago, Annette Ricci, chief executive officer of Reel EZ Display in Lake Forest, believed a device her company initially developed for Walgreen had a place on the international market. Ricci's company had created a tool that allowed Walgreen's employees to change signs hanging from ...
Hispanics don't have 'dibs' on next city clerk
Jan 16, 2006; ... It's pretty much a foregone conclusion that James Laski will have to resign his city clerk's position after being indicted for bribery and obstruction of justice charges. But who in the hell do Hispanic advocates think they are to declare that they have first "dibs" on the ...
Blacks falling short of King's ultimate goal: economic parity
Jan 16, 2006; ... It's considered by many to be the greatest speech ever given in the history of mankind. Strangely enough, however, the first two-thirds of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech seems to be discounted when the great orator's words are dissected and discussed. The first ...
Maestro Paul Freeman & Sinfonietta celebrate King's birthday
Jan 16, 2006; ... Dr. Paul Freeman, musical director of the Chicago Sinfonietta, again presents its annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's National Birthday Celebration today at 7:30 p.m. in Orchestra Hall, 220 S. Michigan Ave. For nearly a decade, the Sinfonietta has been providing ethnic ...
Bears fans' Super Bowl hopes clawed by Panthers
Jan 16, 2006; ... It hurts. That was the general reaction of Bears fans to their team's 29-21 loss to the Carolina Panthers Sunday at Soldier Field in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. "I just don't know what to say," a disappointed Rick Ackerman of suburban Downers Grove told the Defender as he rode a ...
Despite criticism, more money flows in for Pilgrim
Jan 16, 2006; ... A group of religious leaders Friday donated more money to the fund to rebuild Pilgrim Baptist Church and denounced those who criticized the efforts to help the historic house of worship. Members of Clergy Speaks Interdenominational presented Pilgrim leaders Friday with a $7,500 check, ...
Bears poised for a Super Bowl run - next year
Jan 16, 2006 ... Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers surely dampened the spirits of Bears fans, but in all honesty, we all should be proud of what this team accomplished. No one really expected the team to be as good as it was, especially in light of the injury to Rex Grossman at the outset of the ...
King's 'Dream' was more about economics
Jan 16, 2006; ... I've always dreaded the annual coverage of the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Not because I'm not in favor of the holiday, but because my media brethren contribute to the annual ritual of only defining King based on a single speech, and even in that, only focus on 568 words, and ...
Crane wins in overtime at MLK Dream Classic
Jan 16, 2006; ... With a big Public League showdown with Whitney Young on Wednesday, the Crane High girls' basketball team couldn't be blamed if they were looking past a non-conference game with Cleveland (Tenn.) High at the fifth annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Classic at Whitney Young ...
ICC: Approve ComEd auction; demand lowest price possible
Jan 23, 2006 ... For the past decade, Illinois electric customers have seen their rates frozen in place thanks to a smart decision by the state following deregulation. Not only has that been a boon for customers, but it has also greatly benefited Commonwealth Edison, which has made enormous profits over ...
Unfulfilled Promises; Critics say Public Building Commission hasn't done job in getting Blacks working on community's development site
Jan 23, 2006; ... It's a tale of a new college, the development of a blighted community and possible job opportunities for many who believe they have been disenfranchised for far too long. When Mayor Richard M. Daley and other city officials participated in the Nov. 9th groundbreaking for the new 40-acre ...
Smith leads North Lawndale to win
Jan 23, 2006; ... Sparked by the play off the bench of senior guard Cordero Smith, North Lawndale notched a 60-49 victory over Illinois Valley Central at the Great Western Shootout Saturday in downstate Abington. The win improved North Lawndale to 18-2 on the season. North Lawndale head coach ...
Time to get your laugh on; Jokes and Notes comedy club opens Friday in Bronzeville
Jan 25, 2006; ... Mary Lindsey is in the business of making people laugh. The irony of Lindsey's chosen profession, however, is that she has no ability in any shape, form or fashion to tell a joke. "But I am pretty good at being silly," Lindsey explained. Thursday night, however, Lindsey ...
Gaters ties career record for wins
Jan 25, 2006; ... The last couple of weeks haven't been easy for legendary Marshall girl's basketball coach Dorothy Gaters. With the death of Luther Bedford, she lost not only a fellow coach at the West Side school, but also a close personal friend. Monday night, though, Gaters had a reason to smile as ...
City, state agencies to partner with CHA on transformation
Jan 25, 2006; ... The Chicago Housing Authority, more than halfway through its decade-long Plan for Transformation, hopes a formal partnership with city and state human services departments will serve more of its families in need. A new pilot project will link the CHA with services offered by the Illinois ...
Simeon baseball coach Franklin to Hall of Fame
Jan 25, 2006; ... Simeon High baseball coach Leroy Franklin will be inducted into the Illinois Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame during ceremonies in Lisle Feb. 5. "This is just a great feeling," Franklin told the Defender. "Being recognized for your accomplishments by the rest of your peers is ...
Jackson calls for repeal of federal prescription drug plan
Jan 26, 2006; ... The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. called on the U.S. Congress to repeal the Medicare Plan D for prescription drugs because the program is confusing and has been costly for some low-income seniors and disabled citizens. At a news conference Wednesday at Rainbow/PUSH Coalition headquarters, ...
Crane, Marshall meet again
Jan 26, 2006; ... When it comes to boy's high school basketball rivalries in this city, it doesn't get much better than Crane and Marshall. When the two long time West Side rivals meet, you can be sure it will be a true battle on court. Today at Crane, the two will meet for the second time in two weeks ...
Change in courts campaign process key to Black progress
Jan 26, 2006; ... If Blacks are to receive fair treatment in the court system, the process should begin with a retooling of the election process that sends judges to the bench, according to a panel of legal experts. During a discussion Monday at the University of Chicago, the panelists said that ...
Governor's All Kids health program begins pre-registration drive
Jan 26, 2006; ... Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced Tuesday that families in Illinois can now preregister for his All Kids health insurance program. "Sadly, children are lacking in the healthcare coverage they need in every community in Illinois," said Barry Maram in a prepared statement. Maram is ...