2011
Chicago Sun-Times — Fran Spielman, May 12, 2011
Gay seniors will frind home at old Town Hall Police Station A former police station on the North Side that once was a symbol of discrimination to Chicago’s gay community will become part of a housing development serving gay seniors. …
Chicago Sun-Times — Fran Spielman, May 10, 2011
Ald. Burke still Finance head, holds less power in City Council shake-up Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th) will stay on as chairman of the City Council’s Finance Committee — but his power will be somewhat diluted by the creation of a new committee chaired by Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel’s closest ally — under a reorganization plan expected to be ratified next week. …
Chicago Sun-Times — Fran Spielman, May 5, 2011
Mayor Daley bids emotional farewell to ‘best job in America’ Mayor Daley on Wednesday bid an emotional farewell to “the best job in America,” said he “loved every minute” of it and wondered aloud how he will adjust to political retirement. …
Boystown: Redeye — John Lendman, April 26, 2011
We have civil unions, now what? It’s rare for the gay and lesbian community to see so many victories in such a short span of time. In the past six months, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law was repealed, civil unions in Illinois were signed into law (to take effect June 1), and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was declared unconstitutional by President Barack Obama. …
Chicago Tribune — Blair Kamin, March 16, 2011
New ideas for West Lakeview: How about a strolling path under the 'L'? Back when I lived in Chicago's West Lakeview neighborhood, practically in the shadow of the Gothic steeple of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church at 1429 W. Wellington Ave., it was easy to spot the disconnect between the ever-more-lavish private homes going up in the area and the impoverished character of its public spaces. …
Chicago Sun-Times — Fran Spielman, February 7, 2011
Chicago firefighters in line for $94 million in back pay Chicago firefighters and paramedics would get $94 million in back pay dating back to June 30, 2007 — bankrolled by debt likened to “borrowing to pay for last year’s groceries” — under a contract approved by a City Council committee Monday. …
Gay Chicago Magazine — February 1, 2011
Tom Tunney for City Council, 44th Ward We know he doesn't have an opponent, so Tom Tunney obviously is on his way to reelection in the 44th, but we still believe Tunney has earned our wholehearted endorsement. …
Windy City Times — Tracy Baim, January 28, 2011
LGBT group forms to back Emanuel for mayor More than 200 people have signed up for the new LGBT Committee for Rahm in Rahm Emanuel's race for Chicago mayor, and about 50 of them showed up for a press conference at the Center on Halsted Jan. 28. The LGBT Committee also includes straight allies. …
Chicago Sun-Times — Fran Spielman, January 27, 2011
New business caucus wants Chicago to re-think ‘impediments to growth’ … 20 sitting aldermen endorsed by the Chicagoland Chamber PAC who have agreed to push a job creation and business development agenda in the new City Council. …
2010
Chicago Sun-Times — Fran Spielman, December 5, 2010
Daley wants State to "move faster" on gay marriage After a historic vote legalizing civil unions this week, Mayor Daley on Thursday welcomed the Illinois General Assembly into "this new century" and urged lawmakers to "move faster" - and legalize gay marriage. …
Windy City Times — Joseph Erbentraut, November 24, 2010
Charlotte Newfeld: Activist turns 80 — and stays engaged Whenever you ask someone about longtime LGBT ally, activist/artist and proud Lakeview resident Charlotte Newfeld, many phrases tend to pop up again and again: She's tenacious and dedicated, they say. Hardworking and determined, they reiterate. And, above all, she's not afraid to mince words. …
Progress Illinois — Adam Doster, November 18, 2010
Signs of Progress in Springfield The legislative process is messy, so nobody should be too surprised that the Illinois General Assembly failed to pass any large pieces of legislation during the first week of its fall veto session. Encouragingly, however, the wheels are starting to turn on a few initiatives that are critically important to the moral and economic health of the state.
Let's start with State Rep. Greg Harris' (D-Chicago) civil unions bill (SB 1716 …
Windy City Times — Tracy Baim, November 17, 2010
New police district building opens Ald. Tom Tunney was all smiles Saturday, Nov. 13, as he welcomed Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and other North Side politicians to his 44th Ward and the brand new 23rd District Police Station building. The district is very diverse and includes a large segment of the city's LGBT population. …
Chicago Tribune — John Byrne, November 3, 2010
Council to look at changes in residential parking permits The residential permit parking zones that continue to proliferate around Chicago would get a hard look from aldermen under a proposal introduced to the City Council today. …
Medill — Joel W. Withrow, October 13, 2010
City Council resolution to support gay blood donors Former Walgreens executive Phil Burgess is not allowed to give blood—even though, as vice president of the Illinois-based company, he was in charge of its corporate blood drive. …
Chicago Sun-Times — Laura Washington, April 26, 2010
Add Ald. Tunney to pool of pols who'd like to be mayor I'm not sure what kind of hat he wears (how about a Cubs cap?), but 44th Ward Ald. Tom Tunney is tossing his into the ring. …
Chicago Tribune — April 19, 2010
City zoning officials approve revised Toyota sign plan for Wrigley City officials have approved the Chicago Cubs' revised plan for a controversial Toyota sign at Wrigley Field, setting up a battle between the team and opponents of the sign at the city's landmarks commission. …
Chicago Sun-Times — Abdon M. Pallasch, April 16, 2010
Polish-Americans hopeful volcano won't keep them from state funeral Polish-Americans such as Frank Spula are waiting to see whether they can catch their flights tonight to the state funeral for Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski in Krakow this weekend. …
Chicago Sun-Times — Dave Hoekstra, March 27, 2010
Hotel Rooms with a (Wrigley) View NORTH SIDE | Boutique facility set to open in mid-season near ballpark
The boutique Wrigleyville Hotel, which could open by the middle of the upcoming Cubs season, would be the first hotel to operate in the shadows of Wrigley Field. …
Chicago Sun-Times — Frank Main and Fran Spielman, March 26, 2010
Trustees Can Write Tickets Cicero trustees are taking the law into their own hands—parking law, at least. …
2009
New York Times—Dan Mihalopoulos, December 3, 2009
The Pulse: Daley Allies Split Over the Budget For the first time since Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed him to the City Council seven years ago, Alderman Thomas Tunney (44th Ward) voted against the mayor’s $6.1 billion budget proposal. …
Windy City Times—November 27, 2009
Delivering for the Holidays Vital Bridges/Open Hand marked the 20th year of delivering Thanksgiving meals to people with by HIV/AIDS donated by Ald. Tom Tunney and his Ann Sather Restaurant on Belmont. Lori Cannon and Tunney, co-founders of the program, were joined by volunteers Jay Cook and Jason Hendrix, plus restaurant employee Will Hope. TOP Hendrix, Cook, Cannon and Tunney serve up the meals.
Chicago Free Press—Amy Wooten, August 13, 2009
Chicago Salutes GLBT Vets Veterans, activists and politicians gathered in Daley Plaza Aug. 5 to honor America’s GLBT veterans.
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Gay Chicago Magazine — Letter to the Editor (by Lindsay Charvat, Chicago), August 13–19, 2009
The Squeaky Wheel Gets Greased This is the message Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) gave at the monthly CAPS 2331 (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) meeting at Nookie’s Tree, 334 N. Halsted. The turnout was much greater than the usual 12 to 18 people that show up. Nookies’ owner Michael Mitsoglou was nice enough to open his whole restaurant to the 200-plus people that came to the meeting wanting to get some answers. For an hour-and-a-half, Tunney and Police Commander Kathleen Boehmer took questions and suggestions from the community. All of those in attendance wanted to know what is being done to stop the violence and loitering in the Lakeview area. …
Chicago Sun-Times — Michael Sneed, June 25, 2009
Work 'em… Tunney talk: The legend of Ald. Tom Tunney seems to be growing daily. …
Gay Chicago Magazine — Letter to the Editor, June 18–24, 2009
Tunney Passes Equal Rights for LGBT Employees Chicago- LGBT employees of the City of Chicago who are registered with domestic partners are now free to take time off for the death of a member of their partner’s family. At the June 3 City Council meeting Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) passed an amendment to the City’s bereavement leave policy in an effort to extend the same equal rights to every City employee. The amended ordinance successfully passed with a vote of 48-0. …
Chicago Sun-Times — Michael Sneed, June 24, 2009
Glub Indefatigable Ald. Tom Tunney was spotted elbow-deep in flood water clearing a clogged sewer following the deluge last Friday. …
Chicago Sun-Times — Fran Spielman, April 23, 2009
Mayor Daley Says Aldermen Irresponsible for Suggesting Tax Cut as City Revenues Drop Mayor Daley said Thursday he would love to “repeal all taxes,” but it’s irresponsible for aldermen to suggest tax cuts at a time when city revenues are plummeting. …
Chicago Tribune — Editorial, April 10, 2009
A Reform Choice: Walz During his run for Congress, Michael Quigley was cautious about publicly telling Democratic committeemen whom he hopes they’ll choose to replace him on the Cook County Board. But when we spoke with Quigley after his Tuesday victory he wasn’t so guarded: “I understand this isn’t my choice,” he told us, “but I’d love to have my chief of staff replace me.”…
Chicago Sun-Times — Michael Sneed, April 1, 2009
Sweep 'em… Hear ye. Hear ye. It's spring cleaning time. …
CBS Chicago (Channel 2) — February 27, 2009
School Wins Fight Against Billboard With “Ecstasy” Nettlehorst in East Lakeview objected to Billboard for musical “Zanadu” …
Chicago Journal — Editorial, January 15, 2009
Slating Dysfunction On Saturday, as hundreds of campaign volunteers braved a wintry whiteout, valiantly collecting signatures to earn their chosen candidate a place on the 5th District special election ballot while overcoming freezing pens, wet petitions and plenty of rejection, Chicago ward bosses gathered at Zam Zam’s Banquet Hall on the Northwest side in an attempt to anoint their pick. …
2008
Chicago Sun-Times — Fran Spielman, November 1, 2008
Alderman, Businesses Say Mayor’s Dumpster Fee Stinks Business groups, condominium associations and alderman on Friday dumped all over Mayor Daley’s plan to charge an annual fee as high as $300 for every one of their garbage dumpsters. …
Chicago Journal — Editorial, October 9, 2008
Thanks for Saying “No Thanks” Booster would like to applaud its local alderman—including Scott Waguespack (32nd), Tom Tunney (44th) and Helen Schiller (46th)—who were among only six aldermen to forfeit a cost-of-living pay raise for 2009. …
Medill Reports Chicago — Daniel Lambert, October 8, 2008
Aldermen Push for Minority Share of Midway Privatization Deal Travelers won’t notice as they rush for their flights, but Midway Airport could move into private hands on Wednesday. …
Chicago Maroon — Kate Shepherd, April 11, 2008
City Council to U of C: Divest Now The Chicago City Council unanimously approved a resolution denouncing the University of Chicago for its refusal last year to divest from companies with business ventures in the Darfur region of Sudan during Wednesday’s full-council meeting at
City Hall. …
Windy City Times — Tully Satre, January 16, 2008
Tom Tunney and a Committeeman’s Role Thomas M. Tunney is celebrated by Chicago’s LGBT community as the first and only openly gay member of the Chicago City Council after being elected in February 2003. As the current alderman and committeeman of the 44th Ward (which includes hotspots such as Wrigley Field and Boystown), Tunney’s presence in the city’s political arena has given a respected voice to the growing numbers of gays and lesbians in Chicago. …
2007
Windy City Times — Amy Wooten, September 5, 2007
AFC to Host Town Hall Meeting AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) will host a town hall meeting on the looming HIV/AIDS housing crises if new funding isn’t received. …
Windy City Times — Andrew Davis, August 8, 2007
Tunney Running for Delegate, Committeeman As alderman of Chicago’s 44th Ward, Tom Tunney has plenty on his plate. However, he is apparently ready to tackle even more. …
Chicago Free Press — Editorial, August 1, 2007
Imagine Last weekend, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), representatives of Cook County Sherriff Tom Dart’s office, North Halsted Street business leaders and residents joined 23rd District Chicago Police Department Cmdr. Gary Yamashiroya and other 23rd District police on a late-night neighborhood beat walk on Halsted and Belmont. …
Windy City Times — Amy Wooten, June 6, 2007
Center Opens After much work, donated dollars and teamwork, the highly anticipated new Center on Halsted officially opened its doors on June 5 during an emotionally charged ribbon-cutting ceremony. …
Pioneer Press — Felicia Dechter, March 1, 2007
Camera Considered for Broadway/Belmont Alderman Tom Tunney, 44th, is looking at installing a police camera at the corner of Broadway and Belmont Avenue after the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce requested he look into the matter,
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Inside Chicago — Jeff Bogardt, January 16, 2007
Tunney Reflects on First Term & Future Projects As most aldermen fret ahead of the Feb. 27 municipal general election, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) is sitting pretty. The Lake View Democrats is one of few unopposed alderman in Chicago.
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Windy City Times — Andrew Davis, January 3, 2007
Unopposed Tunney Talks About ‘Present,’ Future Tom Tunney, alderman of Chicago’s 44th ward, received a most public gift this past holiday season: no political opponents. …
Windy City Times —Andrew Davis, January 3, 2007
Ann Sather Gives Back During the Holidays On Christmas Day, Ann Sather Restaurant at 929 W. Belmont was open to the community—like it has been since the early ‘80s. …
2006
Chicago Sun-Times — Fran Spielman, December 21, 2006
Cubs woo Dave Matthews Despite Poo … The Cubs are asking City Hall for permission to hold their second pair of outdoor concerts in two years—this time starring Matthews on the weekend that follows July Fourth. …
Chicago Sun-Times — Fran Spielman, November 29, 2006
No Limits for Female Impersonators? Male and female impersonators—favorite of bachelorette and wedding parties and now viewed as “almost mainstream” entertainment—will finally be free from the zoning shackles that bind Chicago’s “adult entertainment cabarets.” …
Chicago Free Press— Gary Barlow, November 22, 2006
City Ups HIV Prevention Budget The Chicago City Council passed the City’s 2007 budget
Nov. 15, including a $500,000 increase in funding for HIV prevention. …
Chicago Tribune — Johnathon E. Briggs, November 8, 2006
$1.7 million more sought to prevent HIV in Chicago Dismayed that the 2007 city budget proposed by Mayor Richard Daley has no increase in HIV-prevention funding, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) is seeking an amendment to mandate a $1.7 million boost to fight the disease. …
Pioneer Local — Patrick Butler, September 20, 2006
Tunney Unveils 44th Ward Master Plan Want to know the average income in the 44th Ward? The percentage of households with children under 18? What kind of business residents would like to see more of? And where the community seems to be heading in the next 10 years? It’s all in the three-year-in-the-making 44th Ward Master Plan Report unveiled by Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) at a Tuesday, Sept. 12, reception at Ann Sather’s Restaurant, 929 W. Belmont Ave.
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ChicagoPride.com — September 1, 2006
Chicago House to Honor Alderman Tunney Chicago House to Award Tunney with Public Service Award during World Tour Gala …
Chicago Sun-Times — Mark J. Konkol, July 16, 2006
Tunney Symbolizes Growing Empowerment Restaurant Owner Became First Openly Gay Alderman …
Pioneer Local — Angela Caputo, April 27, 2006
Aldermen Urge People’s Energy to “Step it Up” On behalf of all the consumers who have followed prompts then sat on the line waiting for a live person at People’s Energy to answer the phone—only to be cut off—aldermen railed against the gas company last week, demanding better customer service.
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In the Loop — February 5, 2006
He Still Has a Full Plate—Restaurateur Tunney caters to a New Clientele Tom Tunney is gay. He has been gay for… well, forever, making that fact public when he was in his early 20s. But more importantly he is the son of Irish immigrants—a bricklayer and a house-wife—and he grew up at 80th Street and Kedzie Avenue in a house built by his father and filled with seven siblings, who were all taught that “getting an education was the only way to succeed in America.”…