Steve Warmbir: August 2009 Archives

Ald. Manny Flores and Scott Waguespack had a good idea a few months ago: require the city to post more information on TIF districts on the Internet.

TIF stand for tax increment financing. In brief, TIF districts are legal ways for Mayor Daley to siphon off property tax money that would usually go to schools and parks and other government bodies and use it effectively as his own private slush fund with little oversight. If you'd like a more detailed explanation, check it out here.

So it makes sense, you, as the taxpayer, might like to know where millions of dollars in property tax money is going.

The two aldermen got their idea for greater TIF transparency passed, and now the city administration has taken its first shot at providing more TIF data on the Internet.

Like much of what the city does in term of providing public information, it's not so hot.

Our former embattled governor, Rod Blagojevich, writes, he does radio, and apparently he sings.

He sings Elvis, to be precise, at this recent Chicago block party, captured on video.

The tune is "Treat Me Nice," which contains the suggestion that a woman "run your pretty fingers through my hair," which seems quite appropriate for our hair-obsessed governor.

Give us your take on Rod's performance.

Also, you can check out the real deal below.

In case you haven't seen it, this video below pretty much sums up the substance of the birther movement. The confrontation occurred at a town hall meeting held recently by Congressman Mike Castle (R-Del.).