AltWeeklies Wire
People Who Care About Strangersnew
Barasch’s "field notes" are not sermons but tales of true people (and animals) who have chosen the road less traveled and, in doing so, found their way.
Illinois Times |
Corrine Frisch |
09-02-2005 |
Nonfiction
Every Track a Money Shotnew
It’s impossible to imagine a band more devoted to excitement, more single-minded in its pursuit of satisfaction, more successful in replicating the arousal/gratification cycle without becoming monotonous.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
09-02-2005 |
Reviews
Convicted Rapist's Request for New Trial Turned Downnew
A rapist who figured in a Springfield police controversy says he felt pressured to plead guilty.
Illinois Times |
Dusty Rhodes |
09-02-2005 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: Illinois, Renatta Frazier
Springfield's Recruiting Practices Spark New Legal Actionsnew
Springfield gets hit with a number of legal actions stemming from continued problems with recruiting minority police and firefighter candidates.
Illinois Times |
Dusty Rhodes |
09-02-2005 |
Politics
Activists Want Illinois Governor to Keep Guardnew
When it comes to base closings, Gov. Rod Blagojevich says he’s the commander in chief of the Illinois National Guard and has to give his OK. But he won’t say anything about the prolonged deployment of the Guard in Iraq.
Illinois Times |
R.L. Nave |
09-02-2005 |
Politics
Rescued from Obscuritynew
Instead of fighting hippie excess with speed, volume, and a few choice barre chords, the Groovies embraced melody, economy, and reverb-kissed riffs. Also reviewed is Puerto Muerto's Songs of Muerto County.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
08-26-2005 |
Reviews
Barack and a Hard Placenew
On which side of the ethanol issue should a
progressive Midwestern politician be? U.S. Sen. Barack Obama actively promotes
ethanol, despite criticism that equates federal subsidies of ethanol to corporate welfare for companies like ADM.
Illinois Times |
R.L. Nave |
08-26-2005 |
Politics
What We Need from Jim Edgarnew
Illinois Republicans hope to recruit former
governor Jim Edgar as a candidate, but he shouldn’t bother running unless he's willing to be more than a caretaker this time.
Illinois Times |
Fletcher Farrar |
08-26-2005 |
Commentary
Badge of Honornew

Veteran trooper Michale Callahan found the investigation of a brutal double murder was riddled with errors, and evidence led to another suspect with ties to high state officials. He recently won a judgment against his ex-supervisors in a case that's shaken the Illinois State Police.
Illinois Times |
Dusty Rhodes |
08-26-2005 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Touring the Prairie Statenew

Before writing the CD's 22 songs, Stevens buried himself in books, reading everything from Saul Bellow novels to out-of-print regional histories to familiarize himself with the state of Illinois, and he produced an emotionally authentic work of art.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
08-22-2005 |
Reviews
WWII Loneliness Lives Onnew
One writer recounts the story of loneliness that filled the life of a grandmother who spent her young life in a Japanese internment camp during WWII while her friends were killed in Hiroshima.
Illinois Times |
Yoshimi Yoshimura Golden |
08-22-2005 |
Immigration
Solving Chief Illiniweknew
One writer suggests a way to solve the problem of the University of Illinois' Native American mascot.
Illinois Times |
Doug Bybee Sr. |
08-22-2005 |
Commentary
Finding Hope in Summer Readingnew
Reading about cities reveals the good that is in them, and shows how they solve their problems through the leadership of those who decide what personal role to play.
Illinois Times |
Fletcher Farrar |
08-17-2005 |
Commentary
Lizz Wright Gets It Rightnew
Even if she’s not exactly revolutionizing jazz vocals, Lizz Wright is by no means an industry-issued knockoff, and this, her second album, reveals a singer of exceptional promise.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
08-17-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: Dreaming Wide Awake, Lizz Wright
Scratching Chicago's Underbellynew

A travelogue with a twisted sense of humor makes the case that today's real Chicago is less interesting than it was just a decade ago.
Illinois Times |
Corrine Frisch |
08-17-2005 |
Fiction
Tags: Chicago Noir, Neal Pollack, editor