Chicago Public Radio City Room - All Stories

Charter School Debate Heats Up in South Chicago

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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The Chicago Public School Board will be voting whether to approve a new batch of charter schools at its next board meeting. One of those schools is set to open in an existing elementary school in the far Southeast side, in an area known as South Chicago, near the Indiana boarder. Some in the community believe the new charter school would do a better job of teaching area children. Others fear it’s the first step in pushing neighborhood kids out.

Immigrant Advocates Slam Federal Audits

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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Some worker advocates are slamming planned federal audits of two dozen Illinois employers suspected of hiring illegal immigrants.

Cook County Commissioners Approve Budget

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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Cook County commissioners have approved a $3 billion budget for
next year. Reports say the budget cuts about $32 million in spending. It takes a sales tax cut into account.

Chicagoans Talk About the End of Oprah's Show

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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Oprah Winfrey today is expected to announce she'll end her daytime TV show in 2011. Chicagoans talk about her decision.

Senate Panel Rebukes Burris

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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The U.S. Senate Ethics Committee Friday rebuked Illinois' Roland Burris. The panel investigated Burris' behavior related to his appointment by former Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Related: Ethics committee letter
Related: Burris reacts

Quinn Talks Price for Thomson Prison

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Latest Unemployment Numbers Bad for Chicago Area, But There May Be Reason for Hope

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Asian Carp Breach Barrier

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Oprah Counts Down to the End

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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Today, Oprah Winfrey announced plans to end her talk show in 2011. Her program has received top ratings for over two decades.

School Gives Special Ed Kids A Different Test, and Scores Soar

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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It’s not easy to figure out how well schools are educating special education students. Even test scores can be misleading. That’s because special education kids can be moved in and out of different categories, and sometimes take different tests. Last month, we brought you a story from Lincoln Elementary in Calumet City. We said Lincoln had beat the odds and improved scores for its special needs kids. WBEZ has found out a little more about just how the school did that.