February 11, 2004

Ashcroft Turned Down

A federal judge turned down a request by John Ashcroft's Department of Justice for the medical records of 40 patients at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Citing Illinois' strict patient privacy laws, a federal judge told Justice Department lawyer's they would not be receiving the medical records of patients who had received abortions by Dr. Cassing Hammond before the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 was passed. Why does Ashcroft want these records? To find out if Dr. Hammond's claim that the women's health was jeopardized was true. Oh! Dr. Hammond also happens to be a participant in a New York lawsuit regarding the constitutionality of the ban.

- | 11.02.04 ~ Politics/Activism

More Wrigley night games

The city council today approved a measure allowing the Cubs to play more night games at Wrigley Field. The council also conferred landmark status on Wrigley, but with provisions that allow expansion of the bleachers section and the addition of about 200 new box seats.

- jma | 11.02.04 ~ Sports/Recreation

Chicago: Rise Up

Following the #1 debut of Twista's album, Kamikaze, producer-turned-rapper Kanye West drops his new album this week, College Dropout. Super producer to the stars, and creator of Twista's big hit "Slow Jamz", Kanye is heavily favored to drop in at #1 next week - somewhat of a phenomenon for Chicago artists. A product of the South Side, Kanye experienced a life-changing accident in October 2002 which helped him move from beat-maker extraordinaire to a full-fledged MC.

- eh | 11.02.04 ~ Music/Clubs

Fresh-sliced Ts

T-Shirt Deli Co. in Bucktown makes custom shirts while you wait. Free bag of chips with every order! (Nice write-up in the Feb. issue of Chicago Magazine.)

- ah | 11.02.04 ~ Business/Shopping

Where you'll be sitting in traffic this year

The Sun-Times has a list of this year's road projects, giving us all an idea of where not to be driving this summer. Near the top of the list: a stretch of I-88 from Naperville Rd to Route 59 that's apparently like driving on a roller coaster. 

- jma | 11.02.04 ~ Transportation

Meet your local music critic

The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop 2003 critics' poll has been released. In the spirit of Brandon's rock crit essay, I thought it might be educational to learn something about the tastes of our local critics by viewing their ballots: Jim DeRogatis and Lloyd Sachs (Sun-Times); Greg Kot (Tribune) and regular Trib freelancers Allison Stewart and Rick Reger; Kiki Yablon, Keith Harris and Peter Margasak (Reader); Keith Phipps (Onion AV Club); and Steve Forstneger (Illinois Entertainer).

- kv | 11.02.04 ~ Music/Clubs

The return of Carol Marin

You might remember, way back in 1997, that WMAQ news anchor Carol Marin left her job after the station hired Jerry Springer to do commentaries on the news program. Well, Carol Marin returns to WMAQ tonight, as a "special assignment reporter." Tune in to the 10:00 newscast to see her return.

- jma | 11.02.04 ~ People/Sightings

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