Want to fix Illinois state government? Look to the Cubs
The Chicago Cubs' improbable run is bringing hope and joy to a fan base that had grown cynical and hopeless about ever winning a World Series. Now, it seems likely...
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Mayor should debate
Mayor Richard M. Daley should debate his opponents in the upcoming municipal election. Most young people in Chicago have never witnessed a mayoral debate in their lifetimes. The mayor has...
Idealistic leaders in short supply
What bothers me most about the continual corruption in Chicago is not the dishonesty or misuse of public money. What I find most frustrating is the cowardice of political leaders...
Service learning connects students to the world
One of the quiet success stories of the Chicago Public Schools under the stewardship of Arne Duncan has been the innovative effort to engage young people in civic participation and...
When properly challenged, teens can be awesome
Young people have been creating their own "shock and awe" news lately in the Chicago area with hazing incidents in the suburbs and gang shootings in the inner-city. These types...
The many benefits of getting to know teenagers
It happened again last week in Germany. A high school student committed mass murder of his classmates and teachers. Three years ago, it was Columbine High School. The same questions...
Teach the best
Forget the old headlines about Chicago public schools being the worst in the nation. Forget the blood-and-guts TV newscasts about street gangs. And forget your own notions about "saving" Chicago...
Opportunity to nudge young leaders into service
Ever since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, the ground beneath Americans' feet does not feel quite as solid. It's hard to find any silver lining to these awful events,...