Author: Mark Draughn
Breathtaking Stupidity in the War On Drugs
Amy Barrilleaux of WQAD reports: “(I was) made to feel like a criminal — Made to feel low, dirty. Just totally degraded,” recalled Tim Naveau, who says he’ll never forget the hours he spent in Rock Island County Jail — he says all because of his allergies. Naturally, this degradation is part of the War… Read more
An Anti-TIF PAC in Des Plaines
Cal Skinner just sent me an email pointing out a PAC called Des Plaines Residents for Responsible Taxation. Its officers are Scott Olson and Barbara VanSlambrouck, co-owners respectively of Geiser-Berner and Chromatech, both of which are threatened by the Five-Corners TIF in Des Plaines. I spoke to another Geiser-Berner co-owner, Robert Janczak, a while back… Read more
Arlin-Golf Plaza and the Residences
View Toward Arlin-Golf Plaza Photo Archive Google Earth Google Maps In my previous post, I was exploring some of International Plaza’s neighbors that are also part of the TIF district and in danger of condemnation. In the photo above, the building in the background is the Arlin-Golf Plaza strip mall. Sign for Arlin-Golf Plaza As… Read more
International Plaza and Its Neighbors
Entrance To International Plaza Photo Archive Google Earth Google Maps There was a rally for International Plaza a few weeks ago, but I had errands to run that morning, and by the time I got to the Plaza, all the excitement was over. There were just a few stragglers, including a newspaper reporter and Leo… Read more
Vigil for International Plaza
Last night, tipped off by Cal Skinner’s post, I went to cover a protest staged by the Coalition to Save International Plaza outside an Arlington Heights village board meeting at the Senior Center at 1801 W. Central Road. Protesting Eminent Domain Addressing the Village Board I was surprised how many people showed up, many of… Read more