A Chicago Blog

I had no idea Spielberg was working on a Lincoln movie. But I guess he is. It should be awesome except that Abe will be played by Liam Neeson, a choice I just can’t figure. Question is, who SHOULD play Lincoln?

My gut reaction? Bleh …
I understand that it is getting harder and harder to make money in the media business and that the consequence of this fact is major changes in the newspaper business. Last week the Sun-Times laid off dozens of staff in an effort to avoid going belly-up. And they still might. These [...]

Julie Keller has a terrific column in today’s Tribune. I don’t often gush about anyone over at the Trib, but this is perhaps the most intelligent article I’ve read since I moved to Chicago nine years ago. Keller explores both the vacancy and the potency of the concept of “change.” She closes on the eternal [...]

There’s a good thread over at CapitolFax about whether or not the Sun-Times is going under. I think the answer is a definite … maybe. But I have a plan that could divert their disaster: give the paper away for free. The Tribune’s RedEye is cleaning up the free paper market and it’s a joke [...]

I’m still a little confused by the pursuit of lead-off man Brian Roberts. Don’t get me wrong, I understand why the Cubs are interested in Roberts: .290 AVG, .377 OBP. But they’re looking at trading Sean Marshall, who is one of the more consistent Cubs starters. They obviously hope that Dempster can take the fifth [...]

The Reader’s Ben Joravsky has a terrific article explaining the possibility of the state purchasing Wrigley Field.
If it happens…and I wouldn’t bet against it, prepare to pay more not just at the ballpark, but in property taxes within the city.
If the deal goes through as Joravsky details, this is yet another example of the state [...]

So now Daley is supporting Blagojevich’s horrible plan to purchase Wrigley Field. Why? Read between the lines. From the Sun-Times:
“Well, I think they realize it’s much more complicated . . . and that’s very, very important. We have a crisis at the CTA, and we have to get that crisis over with for both the [...]

The Chicago Tribune is upping the price of its daily newspaper to $0.75. Now we know who’s paying for the RedEye.

Harold Henderson is no longer writing for the Chicago Reader. I am not sure what happened, but I’m sure it has something to do with the recent management change. At any rate, you can still read Harold at http://harolddaily.blogspot.com/. Good luck H.

From the Clout Street blog:
Blagojevich also appeared to try to put some pressure back on Mayor Richard M. Daley, saying he planned to discuss with Daley the idea of tapping into the city’s cash reserves from selling the Skyway as a way to stave off the Jan. 20 CTA cuts.
“Perhaps the mayor and I could [...]