Chicago is My Home

17
Apr

Village of Deerfield in Suburban Chicago Files Class-Action ComEd Lawsuit

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Utilities

DEERFIELD, Ill. – Claiming unfulfilled services and broken promises, the Village of Deerfield in suburban Chicago on Thursday filed a class-action lawsuit against local energy provider Commonwealth Edison (ComEd).

According to ComEd, only 13 percent of the 1,377 outages in Deerfield between 2000 and 2007 were related to weather. Deerfield mayor Steve Harris says the utility has repeatedly failed to provide the residents of Deerfield with satisfactory service.

“After years of patience while listening to ComEd’s unfulfilled promises to fix these problems, we now town to the courts to adjudicate our claims,” Harris said in a Thursday statement. “ComEd has given us no other option than to seek a legal remedy to its gross and willful dereliction of duty.”

By Megan O’Neil

16
Apr

With Rising Fuel Costs, United Airlines Raises Fuel Surcharge to $20 Per Flight

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Travel

CHICAGO – Rising fuel costs are hitting Americans not only at the gas station but at the airport as well. As oil prices climbed to a record $114 a barrel on Tuesday, UAL Corp.’s United Airlines announced it raised its domestic fuel surcharge to $20 per round-trip flight.

Fuel prices have been driving up airfares and eating away carriers’ profits all year. United’s announcement is the second such increase for the Chicago-based airline in two weeks. Last week, the Chicago-based airline raised ticket prices by $4 due to “record-breaking fuel costs”.

United spokesperson Robin Urbanski says United anticipates a $2 billion jump in its fuel costs in 2008. Other carriers are also expected to announce higher fares.

By Megan O’Neil

16
Apr

298-Room Downtown Chicago Hotel theWit Promises to Wow With Wit, Whimsy

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Business

CHICAGO – Looking for a little more than a stodgy concierge and a complimentary mint with you next hotel stay? Chicago’s up-and-coming boutique hotel theWit promises to entertain with its bold architecture and whimsical style.

The deluxe, 298-room construct is already taking shape in Chicago’s Loop at State Street and Lake Street. Famous sayings from admired figures decorate the construction site fencing and give pedestrians a taste of the intellectual humor guiding the project.

“theWit is destined to be an important link in the chain that ignites excitement for State Street and brings people back to the Loop for nighttime fun,” said Scott Greenberg, president of development company ECD Company, in a Wednesday statement. “Everything about theWit will be filled with humor, sophistication and a touch of whimsy.”

Scheduled to open in May 2009, the boutique hotel will stand 300 feet tall. It will feature two destination restaurants and a rooftop lounge.

By Megan O’Neil

15
Apr

Tribune CEO Sam Zell Named to Associated Press Board, Others Also Added

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Business

CHICAGO – Taking one step deeper into the media world, Tribune Co. CEO Sam Zell on Monday was named to the board of directors of the Associated Press (AP).

The Chicago billionaire – who took control of Tribune Co. in December after a major buyout – was one of four new board members announced on Monday. Zell will be joined on the AP board by media power players Rupert Murdoch of News Corp., Donna Barrett of Community Newspaper Holdings and Craig A. Dubow of the Gannett Co.

The Associated Press maintains a board of 18 directors elected by AP members at their annual meetings. Board members serve three-year terms and are permitted to serve up to nine years.

By Megan O’Neil

15
Apr

Closure of Goose Island on Clybourn Leaves Chicagoans Crying in Their Beers

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Leisure

CHICAGO – The looming shuttering of the popular Goose Island Beer Co. pub at 1800 N. Clybourn Ave. in Chicago has left local fans crying in their beers.

Company founder and CEO John Hall says he was unable to negotiate a new lease with property management company CRM Properties Group, which owns the site. Mounting real estate prices in the Clybourn area have garnered the attention of commercial developers in recent years. The pub will close when the current lease expires at the end of 2008.

Founded in 1988, Goose Island Beer Co. rapidly grew into Chicago’s signature craft beer. Now largely focused on retail sales, Goose Island Beer Co. brews – including Honker’s Ale and 312 Urban Wheat – are sold in 14 different states and in Europe. In 2007, the company sold interests to Oregon-based Widmer Brothers Brewing, which is partly owned by Anheuser-Busch.

Hall says the move gave Goose Island access to the massive Anheuser-Busch distribution system and boosted sales by 50 percent in 2007. He says the brewery will seek a new location for the Clybourn pub and continue to operate its Wrigleyville pub at 3535 N. Clark St.

By Megan O’Neil

14
Apr

St. Xavier, Other Chicago Schools Close on Monday; Malcolm X Evacuated

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Education

CHICAGO – St. Xavier University, which has campuses in Chicago and Orland Park, Ill., cancelled classes on Monday due to vandalism incidents on April 5 and 10. Law enforcement officials suggested that the school close both campuses due to a message found that read: “Be prepared to die on 4/14.”

“During this process, we have relied heavily on the advice and direction of our dedicated law enforcement agencies to ensure that actions and communications regarding this matter protect the safety of all involved,” said Judith Dwyer, president at St. Xavier, in a statement on the school’s Web site.

Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, Brother Rice High School, Queen of Martyrs School and Evergreen Park Southwest Elementary School also closed on Monday due to the St. Xavier threat. Malcolm X College on Monday was also evacuated after a threat was found on a bathroom wall.

By Stephanie Huls

11
Apr

Obama Joins Olympic Boycott Bandwagon; Impact on 2016 Bid For Chicago?

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Business

CHICAGO – Presidential hopeful Barack Obama on Wednesday said President George Bush should boycott the Olympic opening ceremonies in Beijing.

“If the Chinese do not take steps to help stop the genocide in Darfur and to respect the dignity, security and human rights of the Tibetan people, then the president should boycott the opening ceremonies,” Obama said on Wednesday in a statement.

That begs the question: How will an Illinois senator joining the boycott bandwagon affect Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympics? Sen. John McCain and Sen. Hilary Clinton have both called for a boycott of the opening ceremonies.

“Regarding the Beijing Olympics this summer, a boycott of the opening ceremonies should be firmly on the table, but this decision should be made closer to the games,” Obama said in the statement.

By Stephanie Huls

10
Apr

Chicago ComEd Opponents Speak Out on Wednesday Against Rate Increases

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Utilities

CHICAGO – While ComEd wants Chicago utility consumers to reach further into their pockets for more cash, consumer advocacy groups question the need for more rate increases.

The electric service provider has proposed that the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) grant a $361.3 million delivery rate increase that would amount to bills increasing 8 percent. For the average consumer, this is about $6 more on a $75 monthly bill.

ComEd, which is owned by Chicago-based Exelon Corp., is asking for consumers to endure two additional surcharges – also called riders – which are additional costs to consumers apart from the amount of electricity used. ComEd says the surcharges are necessary to cover costs from storm damage and maintenance.

ComEd says the surcharge is also needed because the company is seeing marginal return on profit. Opponents spoke out in Chicago against a rate increase on Wednesday evening at the first scheduled ICC public hearing.

“ComEd is profitable enough without raising costs again,” said AARP executive council member George O’Hare in Chicago. “They are balancing their corporate checkbook on the backs of Illinois consumers.”

By Stephanie Huls

09
Apr

For Fourth Time, Chicago-Based Boeing Delays Delivery of 787 Dreamliner

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Business, Technology

CHICAGO – Boeing announced on Wednesday that for the fourth time it has delayed delivery of its 787 Dreamliner by approximately six months. Chicago-based Boeing cites production and supply problems and says expected delivery of the Dreamliner will be in the third quarter of 2009.

The airline maker says it will have 25 planes finished instead of the initial 109.

“Over the past few months, we have taken strong actions to confront and overcome start-up issues on the program. We have made solid progress,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Scott Carson in a Wednesday statement.

He added: “Nevertheless, the traveled work situation and some unanticipated rework have prevented us from hitting the milestones we laid out in January.”

By Stephanie Huls

09
Apr

Replacing Ed Zander, Motorola Elects David Dorman as Chairman of Board

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Business

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – Motorola announced on Wednesday that it has elected David Dorman as chairman of its board of directors to replace former CEO and current chair Ed Zander.

Dorman has been a member of the Motorola board since 2006 and previously served as the president and CEO of AT&T.

“I look forward to working with Dave in his new role as we move forward with our plan to create two independent, publicly traded companies and improve the performance of [our] mobile devices business,” said Motorola CEO Greg Brown in a Wednesday statement.

Zander will exit Motorola’s board of directors on May 5, 2008 at the company’s annual shareholder’s meeting. He had retired as Motorola’s CEO in late 2007 amid pressure from the board.

By Stephanie Huls