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Thursday, April 18, 2024
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Mark Brown

Columnist

Mark Brown is a columnist who specializes in politics and public policy issues.

Former Ald. Danny Solis.
Columnists
Ex-Ald. Danny Solis deserved a break for helping make corruption cases — but not this much of a break
His finally unveiled deferred-prosecution agreement essentially will allow him to go unpunished for his own wrongdoing — and hold onto his lucrative city pension.
By Mark Brown
 
Former Bradley University basketball coach Dick Versace, who went on to coach in the NBA, died Feb. 25 in Chicago, which he made his home most of his adult life.
Columnists
Former Bradley, NBA coach Dick Versace stood by his players and by Chicago
“He made you believe,” says one of the many people whose lives he touched.
By Mark Brown
 
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is getting a lot of television airtime as spokesman for a sports betting app.
Columnists
Pardon me, Drew Brees, while I make it rain on your ‘bet life’
With the NCAA Final Four bringing more wall-to-wall TV commercials urging us to bet on sports, here’s a reminder that gambling is a problem for many — and what you can do.
By Mark Brown
 
The Chicago City Council at its meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.
Columnists
Ward remap referendum still not a done deal
The deadline to avoid a referendum, by convincing 41 members of the City Council to agree on a map, is May 19.
By Mark Brown
 
Former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson, who is out. But who will be in, named by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to serve the remainder of his unfinished term on the Chicago City Council?
Columnists
With Patrick Daley Thompson out, who will Mayor Lori Lightfoot appoint for coveted 11th ward opening?
The mayor is expected, by Wednesday’s Chicago City Council meeting, to reveal her choice amid pressure to name someone who is Asian American.
By Mark Brown
 
Indicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (left) and indicted former Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th).
Columnists
Madigan, Burke cases point to unrelenting greed, though it’s not like they needed the money
The charges they face of using their power for personal gain reflect something often seen in white-collar cases: No matter how much some people have, it’s never enough.
By Mark Brown
 
Indicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (left) and indicted former Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th).
The Watchdogs
1 developer, 2 Chicago corruption cases: Sun-Times identifies ‘Company A’ linked to Madigan, Burke cases
Prosecutors said the indicted politicians pressured the developer now confirmed to be 601W Companies to hire their law firms, It redeveloped what’s now called the Old Post Office.
By Tim Novak, Jon Seidel, and 1 more
 
Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan, 22nd District state representative
La Voz Chicago
Madigan y el ex concejal Solís tenían tratos, según acusación
Raul Raymundo, director ejecutivo por mucho tiempo del Resurrection Project, confirmó en una entrevista telefónica el miércoles que el FBI los había contactado.
By Mark Brown, Tim Novak, and 1 more
 
Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan, 22nd District state representative
Michael Madigan
Mike Madigan accused by feds of hitting up Ald. Solis to help Madigan’s son win business
While Madigan’s family member was not identified by name in the indictment last week, the Sun-Times has learned it is his son, Andrew.
By Mark Brown, Tim Novak, and 1 more