Gazette covered variety of breaking news events in 2009
January 2, 2010By William S. Bike
Daily and weekly newspapers may be covering fewer stories these days, but that does not mean there is less news—particularly in the areas the Gazette covers. Here are some of the top stories the Gazette brought its readers in 2009.
JANUARY
- The Chicago Board of Education announced plans to build a new Jones College Prep directly south of the current school.
- A new Ninth District police station opened. The Gazette added East Pilsen to its coverage area.
- Skinner Park Advisory Council members met with the Chicago Park District to finalize Skinner Park’s playground design.
- The Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization (IVI-IPO) sought tax increment financing reform.
- Chiarugi Hardware moved to 1412 W. Taylor St. after 44 years across the street.
- The Chicago Department of Transportation decided not to replace traffic signs on the Near West Side whose backs were painted black illegally by a local community group.
FEBRUARY
- Amid community protests, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced plans to close, consolidate, phase out, or replace staff at 22 schools.
- The Randolph/Fulton Market Association sought federal funds for a new Green Line Chicago Transit Authority station at Morgan and Lake Streets.
- Alderman Robert Fioretti (2nd Ward) said he hoped to roll back higher fees for Maxwell Street Market vendors.
- The Chicago 2016 committee acquired land from Michael Reese Hospital.
- New West Realty celebrated its 30th anniversary.
- Taylor Street crossing guard Jennie Esposito passed away.
MARCH
- Illinois Medical District commissioners approved expansion plans for Children of Peace School.
- Arson destroyed part of All Saints/St. Anthony’s Church on 28th Place.
- The City’s practice of making community groups pay for upkeep of public amenities came under scrutiny.
- The City instituted a tougher towing policy for the Randolph/Fulton Market area.
- First Baptist Church Pastor Emeritus Arthur Dedrick Griffin passed away.
- A plan to open the Sheridan Park swimming pool at 9 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. was sunk by citizen complaints.
- Dainava, a Lithuanian-American chorale group, held a concert honoring Lithuania’s millennial anniversary.
- The oldest ABLA Homes resident, Clementine Pettiford, died at 105.
APRIL
- Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias proposed combining the investments of five State pension systems into one.
- Officials announced plans for a Roundy’s Supermarket in Bronzeville.
- The Chicago Christian Industrial League hired Rick Roberts as senior director of strategy and communications.
- The CPS decided to keep open Peabody School and shut down Abbott School.
- Dennis McClendon was elected president of the South Loop Neighbors.
MAY
- Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd) demanded answers from the CPS about unpopular cuts at Montefiore School.
- Bridgeport’s Stearns Quarry Park opened.
- First Immanuel Lutheran Church’s Pastor Emeritus Donald Becker celebrated the 50th anniversary of his installment.
- The Blues Bus, an icon of the old Maxwell Street Market, was featured at Chicago’s annual Blues Festival.
JUNE
- Sheridan Park fundraisers closed in on their $1 million goal; the money will be used to refurbish the park’s sports fields.
- The CPS decided to turn Skinner School from a classical (magnet) school to a neighborhood school.
- A new 12th District Chicago Police station was planned for 14th Street and Ashland Avenue, while the station’s original proposed site on Ashland became part of plans for a Costco.
- Three supermarkets competed to build in West Haven.
- The local real estate market and local companies showed signs of pulling out of the recession.
- The City offeredprograms to help local property owners with house repairs and other maintenance.
- Workers refurbished a former warehouse into a ‘green’ building, which was renamed the Chicago Sustainable Manufacturing Center in the Stockyards area.
- The National Public Housing Museum held two open houses.
The Art Institute opened its new Modern Wing.
A disability activist rights group got the Subway restaurant on Taylor Street to improve handicapped access.
JULY
- Jones College Prep and Roosevelt University decided to expand.
- The Heart of Chicago/Pilsen area saw several shootings, and Alderman Danny Solis’s office organized anti-gang rallies.
- Eleventh Ward Alderman James Balcer ordered a City crew to paint over a mural some perceived as anti-police.
- Ald. Robert Fioretti opposed the name Felony Franks for a new West Haven hot dog stand.
- Plans moved forward for a Chicago Park District fieldhouse and indoor playground at 18th Street and Indiana Avenue.
AUGUST
- Environmentalists questioned plans for artificial turf at Sheridan Park.
- The Chicago 2016 Olympic Committee held community meetings in front of skeptical audiences.
- The Cook County state’s attorney’s office upgraded its technology.
- South Loop School expanded to accommodate the area’s growing population.
- Some West Loop residents questioned the years-long timetable for changing Skinner School from a classical school to a school for neighborhood children.
- The Gazette’s Jean Lachowicz earned an Apex Award for an article about antiquated technology at the state’s attorney’s office.
- Longtime Bridgeport physician Keith Knapp died.
SEPTEMBER
- A Gazette investigation prompted the City to clean up graffiti in Canal Origins Park, but vandals tagged the park with graffiti again after the cleanup.
- A Pete’s Fresh Market announced plans to come to West Haven.
- The park at 18th Street and Calumet Avenue was dedicated and named Battle of Fort Dearborn Park.
- A luxury rental building was planned for a site at Madison and Halsted Streets.
- Saint Anthony Hospital left the Ascension Health network of 67 hospitals to become independent.
- Tax incentives became available to Pilsen residents to preserve their buildings’ historic integrity.
- Berscott Ruiz was named Tenth Police District commander.
- The IVI-IPO sued the City over parking meter privatization.
OCTOBER
- The City’s Central Area Action Plan called for $15 billion in redevelopment and infrastructure improvements.
- A new Chicago Transit Authority station got underway at Lake and Morgan Streets.
- Prairie Onion, Illinois’ first cohousing development, was planned for Bronzeville.
- Dennis O’Neill was named executive director of the University Village Association.
- De La Salle Institute celebrated its 120th anniversary.
- Bridgeport’s Vincenzo Zaffarano won the state championship in bid calling (auctioneering).
- South Loop Neighbors held its annual Loft Walk.
- Sweet Maple Café celebrated its tenth anniversary.
NOVEMBER
- A Gazette analysis showed mixed results for Chicago’s Plan for Transformation for public housing after ten years of effort.
- The U.S. Justice Dept. sued two area power plants over alleged pollution.
- The UIC community became concerned over perceptions of rising crime.
- Officials considered community improvements in Bronzeville and nearby communities despite losing the 2016 Olympic bid.
- The City’s decision to place a dog park in the parking lot of Whitney Young High School drew community criticism.
- Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez presented humanitarian awards to Michael J. Hernandez and Carmen Velaszquez, while Leticia R. Arceo and Abiel D. Martinez received scholarship awards.
- The Rev. Michael P. Caruso was named president of Saint Ignatius College Prep.
- Gazette publisher Mark J. Valentino received a Social Justice Award from the McKinley Foundation.
DECEMBER
- UIC’s year of accomplishments concerning its new master plan were detailed.
- David M. Jarmusz was named commander of the Chicago Police Ninth District.
- The McPier tax, resulting in higher prices in parts of this community, was explained.
- Saint Anthony Hospital named its emergency department for Peter and Patti Fazio.
- A new six-story, mixed use building was planned for Bronzeville.
- Printers Row Park was dedicated.
- Costco got Illinois Medical District Commission approval to build a store on Ashland Ave.
- Groundbreaking was held for a new park at Adams and Sangamon Streets.
- Officer Joseph Valentino, a 37-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, passed away.
