- Why Scary Larry may be right. Part 2 of the Tribune’s disturbing portrait of pension perils in the city focuses on risky investments with poor returns since 2000. Half of the investments have lost money, and the overall return of less than 5 percent is just a fraction of what super-safe T-bills would have returned.
- Blinded by the light? Barrington Hills considers limits on the brightness of lights in its bucolic northwest suburban enclave. Showdown between environmentalists/quality of life advocates on the “dark” side, and the rights of individual homeowners on the “bright” side.
- A transit watchdog with teeth? Illinois Senate approves a compromise plan that would put Metra, Pace and CTA under the jurisdiction of the state’s executive inspector general. That seems to ensure independent oversight as long as the executive IG gets enough additional dollars to add transit to his portfolio.
- Slippery Deal? Chicago cancels city sticker contract because many of the decals didn’t stick.
- “How many trucks, cars and workers does it take to hang a Christmas wreath on a Chicago bridge?” Greg Hinz has the answer.
What I’m Watching—Nov. 18, 2010
