PUBLISHED: 09-15-08

In Other News

From the ground up
According to the Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Spire, cast to be the tallest skyscraper in the United States upon completion, began laying its foundation this month. The building’s concrete core is currently marked by a 76-foot-deep circular hole, at its future location north of the Chicago River on Lake Shore Drive. The Spire’s developer, Garrett Kelleher, has yet to hire a contractor to construct the building.

MillerCoors finds new home
MillerCoors, a joint venture between SABMiller and Molson Coors Brewing Company, announced plans this summer to relocate their headquarters to Chicago and came closer last week to leasing its new location at 250 S. Wacker Drive, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. Previously, the beer company considered a move to a South Loop location in the former Carson Pirie Scott & Co. building, 33 S. State St.

Text and the Windy City
Mayor Richard M. Daley announced plans Sept. 9 for a “Notify Chicago” program, in which residents who volunteer for the list can receive text messages with emergency information from the city during potential terrorist attacks, weather emergencies and hazardous material situations, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Biden in Chicago
Democratic vice-presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden visited a crowd of generous campaign donors last week in Lincoln Park and said he was fully prepared to take on Republican vice-presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin in coming debates, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Alderman wants metal bats banned
South Loop Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd Ward) proposed a city ordinance at the City Council meeting on Sept. 10 seeking to forbid the use of metal bats in youth baseball leagues. Fioretti claimed they are a danger to players on the field, CBS2Chicago.com reported. Area parents and baseball players supporting the ordinance said metal bats launch balls faster than wooden bats, posing a safety hazard.

CPS students to get paid for grades
Up to 5,000 high school freshmen will receive what Chicago Public School CEO Arne Duncan said are “institutional incentives,” not a form of official bribery. The program, modeled after existing ones in New York and Washington will grant students $50 for A’s, $35 for B’s and $20 for C’s. Straight-A students could earn up to $4,000 by the end of his or her sophomore year, according to the Chicago Tribune.