Category: Politics

Vandals hit 42nd Chicago Gay Pride parade

by Ted Regencia, posted in Entertainment, Lifestyle, Politics

Xinhua English
June 26, 2011

By Ted Regencia

CHICAGO — Hundreds of thousands of people went on to celebrate significant progress in the gay rights movement at Chicago’s 42nd Gay Pride parade on Sunday, despite vandals’ slashing tires of at least 51 floats before the start of the annual festival.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan told Xinhua that the celebration “takes on an added significance this year because of the fact that Illinois has passed and signed the civil union bill into law.”

Madigan said that while the state’s civil union law is not considered as gay marriage law like that of New York, she is “very proud” of the legislation “recognizing people’s relationships and give them equal rights that they deserve.”

“Every state is going about providing equality to people,” Madigan added. “I think we will see a lot of changes to take place across the country over the next few years.”

To read the full story, please visit Xinhua English

Chicago to host G8, NATO summits in 2012

by Ted Regencia, posted in Business, Politics

Xinhua English
June 23, 2011

By Ted Regencia

CHICAGO — Chicago, the hometown of U.S. President Barack Obama, will welcome world leaders to this city by the lake as it will host the Group of Eight (G8) and NATO summits next year.

“Next May, in Chicago, we will host a summit with our NATO allies and partners to shape the next phase of this transition,” Obama said Wednesday in a televised speech to the nation announcing the complete withdrawal of 100,000 American combat troops from Afghanistan by 2014.

The two events from May 15 to 22 will put Chicago on the international stage, as the world’s most powerful nations meet together to discuss the future of Afghanistan, NATO and the Middle East among other global issues.

The news is a major boost to the third largest American city, which lost its bid to host the 2016 Olympics and has seen a decline in the number of tourists last year.

To read the full story, please visit Xinhua English

Biden in Chicago to raise funds for Obama, epilepsy research

by Ted Regencia, posted in Health, Politics

Xinhua English
June 22, 2011

Text and photo by Ted Regencia

CHICAGO — Splitting his time between political and civic events in Chicago, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden flew in on Tuesday to raise funds for the 2012 reelection campaign of President Barack Obama and for a group that funds epilepsy research.

Biden met donors with deep pockets and collected 5,000 to 35,000 U.S. dollars per person. In return, Biden met donors privately at a restaurant by Lake Michigan.

The money raised goes to the Obama Victory Fund, which hopes to bring in 60 million dollars by the end of June, according to news reports.

To read the full story, please visit Xinhua English

Chicago businessman found guilty of link to Pakistani militant group

by Ted Regencia, posted in Foreign Affairs, Politics

Xinhua English
June 10, 2011

By Ted Regencia

CHICAGO — A Canadian-Pakistani citizen who owns several businesses in Chicago was found guilty Thursday of helping a terror plot in Denmark and supporting a militant group in Pakistan.

However, he was acquitted of the more serious charge of conspiracy “to provide material support” to the attackers of Mumbai, India in 2008.

The federal court in Chicago said Tahawwur Rana supported a terror plot against a Danish newspaper, which printed controversial cartoons against the Muslim prophet Muhammad. The plot was not carried out.

To read the full story, please visit Xinhua English

Same-sex civil unions now in effect in Illinois

by Ted Regencia, posted in Community, Lifestyle, Politics, Religion

AOL-Patch.com
June 01, 2011

By Ted Regencia

(Photo Credit: Carla Shaw)

SKOKIE, Ill — Carla Shaw and Karen Behen have been together for 19 years. The couple have known each other since childhood. But it was not until years later that they decided to become partners.

In between, Shaw got married and had two children. She later divorced her now-deceased husband, who she said was supportive of her relationship with another woman. Her two grown sons have also welcomed Behen, she noted.

On June 2, Shaw and Behen of Decatur will make it official at a mass ceremony planned at Millennium Park in downtown Chicago.

To read the full story, please visit AOL-Patch.com in Skokie

Emanuel sworn as new Chicago mayor

by Ted Regencia, posted in Community, Politics

Xinhua English
May 16, 2011

Text and photo by Ted Regencia

CHICAGO — Declaring that Chicago “is ready for change” and vowing to address major problems such as school reform, street violence and a large budget deficit in city government, Rahm Emanuel took his oath as Chicago mayor on Monday before a large crowd that includes U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.

“Today, more than any other time in our history, more than any other place in our country, the city of Chicago is ready for change,” said Emanuel amid cheers from thousands and supporters and hundreds of flag-waving schoolchildren.

Emanuel succeeds Richard M. Daley, the longest-serving mayor of the city for 22 years, and will inherit from him a modern metropolis, dubbed as one of the greenest cities in the world, but which also faces lingering racial segregation, high unemployment and a $654 million budget shortage. He served as President Obama’s chief of staff before returning to city to run for mayor.

Continue reading “Emanuel sworn as new Chicago mayor” →

New Chicago police chief has ties to New York during 9/11

by Ted Regencia, posted in Community, Politics

Web Exclusive
May 02, 2011

Text and photo by Ted Regencia

CHICAGO — Amidst stepped up security following the death of Osama bin Laden, incoming Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced on Monday the appointment of a new police chief, who once served in New York during the 9/11 terrorist attack.

Emanuel formally introduced his top choice to become the Chicago police superintendent, the current Newark, N.J. Police Director Garry McCarthy.

“Each leader knows that Chicago’s public safety depends first and foremost on Chicago’s beat officers, firefighters, paramedics and dispatchers – the backbone of their departments and the bedrock of our city,” said Emanuel.

“Though the road ahead will not be easy and the results will not come as quickly as we need them to, I and this team will not rest until all Chicagoans can learn, work, and raise their families in safety and peace.” Continue reading “New Chicago police chief has ties to New York during 9/11” →

Caroline Kennedy launches new book of poems

by Ted Regencia, posted in Community, Politics

AOL Patch.com
April 21, 2011

Text and photo by Ted Regencia

SKOKIE, Ill — Underscoring the importance of poetry in her family, Caroline Kennedy appeared before a large audience in Skokie on Wednesday to launch a new book of poems.

The only surviving child of the late President John F. Kennedy and wife Jacqueline, Caroline greeted an estimated 500 people and signed her book She Walks in Beauty: A Woman’s Journey Through Poems at Barnes and Noble in Old Orchard Mall on Wednesday.

In her new book, which is inpsired by her reflections after turning 50 years old in 2007, Kennedy writes, “When everyday life distracts us, poetry can help us feel centered.”

To read the full story, please visit Skokie Patch.com