By Steve Rhodes
“The latest chapter [of the Rob Ford saga] involves Chicago-based outfit RR Donnelley and Sons, which, according to the Globe and Mail, the brothers Ford were helping get the inside track on the city’s lucrative printing contract,” NOW Toronto notes.
“According to the Globe, there were meetings involving the company, the Fords and senior city staff, at which the message was implied, if not given directly, that the boys from Chi-town would be a good fit for Toronto.”
And vice versa!
“What the mayor or his brother failed to mention in those meetings is that [Ford family company] Deco stood to gain. Turns out the Fords were in their own talks with RR Donnelley about that company referring some of its business to Deco.”
Forget Toronto, boys. It’s time you came to Chicago and played in the big leagues.
At The Corner Of Greedy & Venal
“One of America’s best-known stores may soon decide that it’s no longer American. If it does, you will pay the price and feel real sick about it,” Frank Clemente of Americans for Tax Fairness writes.
“Walgreens pharmacy is in every way an American company. It was founded in Chicago in 1901 and maintains its headquarters in Illinois. It has 8,200 stores with locations in all 50 states. Walgreens had sales of $72 billion last year – a quarter from U.S. government-sponsored health programs.
“Yet Walgreens’ management is considering a plan to renounce its status as an American corporation. The reason for this unpatriotic maneuver? By moving its official corporate address to a foreign country – in this case Switzerland, a tax haven – it may dodge $4 billion in federal taxes over five years, according to equities research firm estimates described in a report by Americans for Tax Fairness. The rest of us will be stuck with the tab.”
Boondoggle Bonanza
“The campaign to promote President Barack Obama’s health care law in his home state of Illinois has been one of the nation’s costliest with a $33 million contract for work by high-priced public relations experts,” AP reports.
“An Associated Press review of hundreds of pages of documents finds more than 90 people billed at least $270 an hour under a contract with few built-in restraints.”
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Exclusive! Inside Chicago’s NFL Draft Bid
Jenny McCarthy, Michael Sneed and the Admiral.
The Political Odds
Updated to reflect recent developments.
Langford, Liberace & Chicago’s Teen Whisperer
Plus: Stories from Canaryville. In Local Book Notes.
Keef & Knuckles
Plus: Pelican, Andre Harris and OTF NuNu. In Local Music Notebook.
Nationality Doubtful
A war on borders comes to the Art Institute.
U.S. Coach: World Cup Win ‘Not Realistic’
Also weighs in on Cubs, climate change.
Before Arnold
Whatchyou talkin’ ’bout, Harris Bank?
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BeachBook
* Whistleblower Org Says It Will Go To Jail Rather Than Turn Over Keys.
* Cook County Has Too Many Elected Leaders To Ever Enact True Justice Reform.
* New Beers Might Come Faster After Federal Rule Change.
* Chicago Ad Agency Fires ‘Difficult’ Panera.
* Hillary Kicks Off Produce Convention In Chicago.
* Young Black Bear Making His Way Across Illinois.
* Many Priced Out Of City Living.
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TweetWood
#CPS pitches a story. #CPS makes a very capable principal available. #CPS monitors the phone call. #CPS shuts down all other questions.
— Lauren FitzPatrick (@bylaurenfitz) June 11, 2014
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The Beachwood Tip Line: Monitored solely for quality control.
Posted on June 12, 2014