Tag Archives: wls am 890

Bill Cameron: “I put it at 3% that [Rahm Emanuel] won’t run again”

 

In for Big John and Ramblin’ Ray is Lauren Kohn and John Kass, they talk with Bill Cameron, from Connected to Chicago, about Mayor Emanuel and the chances of running for office again, plus Chicago’s pensions and taxes. As well as talking about his guest this weekend where they’ll be talking about CPS Schools.

Listen to Bill Cameron on Connected to Chicago, Sunday nights at 7 pm.

 

Suburban Congressman reacts to news that Flynn sought immunity

By John Dempsey, WLS-AM 890 News

(CHICAGO) West Suburban Republican Congressman Randy Hultgren was on WLS this morning, talking about the news that President Donald Trump’s former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn is seeking immunity from prosecution, in exchange for testifying before Congress regarding what he knows about Russian interference in the 2016 election.MORE

Weekend A-Jenda: Labor Day Weekend, 2016


Click Here for Weekend Traffic Projects
Click Here for Weekend CTA Travel Alerts

It’s technically the end of summer in Chicago with the beaches shutting down promptly on Monday night, and CPS going back in session come Tuesday. It’s usually a pretty busy weekend at the Chicago beaches, but here are some water sports to get in before the summer comes to an end!

Chicago Water Sport Rentals at 31st Street Beach
http://www.chicagowatersportrentals.com/
Jet Ski, Hobie Kayak and Paddleboard rentals

Jet Ski Chicago at North Avenue Beach
http://www.jetskischicago.com/
Jet Ski Rentals (Must be 18 years of age)

Kayak Chicago at Montrose Beach, North Avenue Beach and the Chicago River
https://kayakchicago.com
Kayak and Standup Paddleboard rentals
SUP classes and Lake tours

Chicago Paddle Co. at Kathy Osterman (Hollywood) Beach
http://www.chicagopaddlecompany.com/
Stand Up Paddling (SUP)

Chicago SUP at North Avenue Beach and Diversey Harbor
http://www.chicagosup.com/
SUP Lessons, group outings, yoga

 


The Great American Lobster Fest

Date: Friday, September 2 – Saturday, September 3
Time: Noon to 10:00 p.m. on Friday
11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday
Location: Navy Pier

Info from the website: The Great American Lobster Fest is the Midwest’s largest Lobster and seafood festival. We’re returning for our 3rd year to Chicago’s legendary Navy Pier on Labor Day Weekend! September 2nd and 3rd 2016, summer’s last hurrah! Enjoy live lobster flown in fresh from the cold waters of the East Coast, live music performances, family-friendly games and activities, unique craft shopping, and cold beverages. What’s not to love!?

Not a lobster fan? Not to worry, many other great food options will be available including Steak, Surf & Turf Options, and more!

The Great American Lobster Fest is an all-ages, family friendly event.

 


Naperville Last Fling

Friday, September 2 – Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 3 – Gates open at 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 4 – Gates open at 2:30 p.m.
Monday, September 5 – Gates open at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Naperville

Sponge, Lit, Everclear, Sugar Ray…and that is just on Sunday!

From the website: The Naperville Jaycees’ Last Fling is a family-friendly community festival which takes place over Labor Day Weekend in and around Downtown Naperville and, for many, is a fun way to say farewell to summer! The Last Fling offers a wide variety of attractions for all ages to enjoy including national and local musicians on two stages, Family Fun Land, a carnival, unique special events, a business expo and a few running events.

 


Windy City Dub Fest

Date: Saturday, September 3
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Lake County Fairgrounds

Windy City Dub Fest® 2016 will be held on Saturday, September 3rd, 2016 from Noon to 6pm CST at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Spectator Tickets and Show Registration are now available for purchase online. More information at the event website.


The Loop Luau!

Date: Friday, September 2
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Northerly Island

loop luau feat sammy hagar
Visit http://www.wlup.com/loop-luau-2016/ for more info and tickets.

 

Other events around the area

via festing.com

Buffalo Grove Days 08/31/2016 Buffalo Grove, IL
37th Annual Jazz Festival 09/01/2016 Chicago, IL
Summer Carnival, Carol Stream 09/01/2016 Carol Stream, IL
Tri County Fair 09/02/2016 Mendota, IL
Naperville Last Fling 09/02/2016 Naperville, IL
Latin American Festival 09/02/2016 Waukegan, IL
North Coast Music festival 09/02/2016 Chicago, IL
Taste of Melrose Park 09/02/2016 Melrose Park, IL
Hometown Days Festival 09/02/2016 Yorkville, IL
Manito Popcorn Festival 09/02/2016 Manito, IL
Harvard Balloon Fest 09/02/2016 Harvard, IL
Taste of Polonia 2016 09/02/2016 Chicago, IL
Sounds on the Street 09/02/2016 Glen Ellyn, IL
Kewanee Hog Days 09/02/2016 Kewanee, IL
Lake In The Hills Summer Sunset Festival 09/02/2016 Lake in the Hills, IL
Frankfort Fall Festival 09/03/2016 Frankfort, IL
Lemont Heritage Festival 09/03/2016 Lemont, IL
Chet Kingery Memorial Bluegrass Festival 09/03/2016 Arthur, IL
Schaumburg Septemberfest 09/03/2016 Schaumburg, IL
Long Grove Irish Days 09/03/2016 Lake Zurich, IL
Taste of Serbia 09/03/2016 Lake Forest, IL

 

Traffic Restrictions & Road Projects

Over the Labor Day holiday weekend, 200 local Illinois law enforcement agencies are urging motorists to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

From the Illinois Department of Transportation:

“A high number of fatal traffic crashes on Illinois roads occur late at night, with an unacceptable amount involving drinking and motorists failing to buckle up, especially during the busy holiday travel periods,” said Priscilla Tobias, director of IDOT’s Office of Program Development. “Please, if you are on the road over the Labor Day weekend, drive sober and buckle up.”

Statistics show during last year’s Labor Day weekend (from 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, until 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7) 13 people lost their lives in crashes.

Three of those fatalities involved a driver who tested positive for alcohol in their system.

“State police will be out in force with local law enforcement to get drunk drivers off the road during the Labor Day weekend,” said ISP Col. Tad Williams. “Troopers will show zero tolerance for impaired driving and seat belt law violators. Designate a driver before going out, and always buckle up,”

Here are some important safety tips:

– Designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys.

– Use your community’s designated driver program.

– If you are with someone who is impaired, do not let them drive.

– If you are impaired: Call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.

– Promptly report impaired drivers, pull over to a safe location and dial 911.

– Make sure everyone in your vehicle wears a seat belt.

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Labor Day crackdown began Monday, Aug. 22, and continues through the early morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 6. It is administered by IDOT and supported by ISP local law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois.

WISDOT news release: Labor Day enforcement & travel
State Patrol will significantly increase enforcement during Labor Day weekend
Construction on most major highways will be suspended for the holiday The Labor Day holiday period from Friday through Monday has been deadly on Wisconsin roads with an average of eight traffic fatalities during the last five years.  Moreover, traffic fatalities so far this year are about 8 percent higher than the same period last year.To prevent deaths and injuries over the Labor Day holiday period, the Wisconsin State Patrol will use all of its available resources for high-visibility traffic safety enforcement to get motorists to buckle up, obey speed limits, drive sober, and eliminate distractions.“Every State Patrol region will be participating in special emphasis details during the upcoming holiday period to increase voluntary compliance with traffic laws, not to write more tickets,” says Lt. Col. J.D. Lind. “We’ve identified times and locations with high crash rates, and we’re concentrating our resources on those targeted areas.  Our Air Support Unit pilots will be flying missions to watch for traffic violations especially speeding, tailgating, and aggressive driving. Our commercial motor vehicle inspectors will be focusing on violations of truck safety laws, including speed limits on highway corridors, and will intently monitor traffic traveling near large trucks. Many of our high-visibility patrols throughout the state will be announced in advance on WisDOT Twitter. (@WisconsinDOT, #WisDOT) to motivate motorists to make responsible decisions.”To minimize travel disruptions during the Labor Day weekend, most major highway construction projects will be suspended from about noon on Friday, Sept. 2 until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6. However, drivers may still encounter lane restrictions and traffic delays in highway work zones, according to Beth Cannestra of the WisDOT Bureau of Project Development.“To prevent crashes, drivers must slow down, pay attention and not tailgate when approaching and traveling through work zones. Rear-end collisions caused primarily by speeding, distracted driving and following other vehicles too closely are the most frequent type of crash in work zones,” Cannestra says.

“When you see orange cones, put down your phone,” she says. “To help prevent distracted driving, a new state law taking effect Oct. 1 makes it illegal to talk on a handheld mobile device while driving in a work zone.”

Traffic is expected to be heavy throughout the holiday period especially from about noon until 8 p.m. on both Friday, Sept. 2, and Monday, Sept. 5.

 

CTA and Public Transit Weekend Alerts

On Sunday, Sep 4, updated schedules will go into effect for several bus routes. Most routes continue to have the same frequency and span of service, but arrival times may change up to a few minutes. For a copy of the new timetable brochure for any route, see the Advance Timetables page or call 1-888-YOUR-CTA.

It’s the last weekend for the #10 Museum of Science & Industry Revised Service Period — this bus only runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Metra – This weekend Metra will offer special early departure schedules for the holiday weekend.

From the Metrarail.com website: Most of these schedules include extra service prior to the regular 5 p.m. start of the rush hour, with the cancellation or modification of some later rush hour train schedules. A summary of the early departure schedules can be found here.

“Summer’s gone by too fast and we want to make it easy to squeeze in as much extra fun as possible this holiday weekend,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “Expanding our $8 Weekend Pass to include Labor Day, plus the fact that kids 11 and under can ride free, make Metra the most affordable choice for Labor Day weekend fun in the city.”

The Chicago Jazz Festival at Millennium Park, fireworks at Navy Pier and the North Coast Music Fest at Union Park are just a few of the many events to enjoy in the city over Labor Day weekend. Metra’s $8 Weekend Pass allows unlimited rides anywhere on our system. The pass, which is normally sold on Saturdays and Sundays, will also be available for travel on the Monday holiday.

On Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5, Metra will operate all services on a Sunday/holiday schedule. Metra SouthWest Service, Heritage Corridor and North Central Service trains will not operate on Labor Day. Alcohol restrictions will also be in effect and no alcohol will be allowed onboard Metra trains after 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1 and Friday, Sept. 2 and all day Saturday, Sept. 3 and Sunday, Sept. 4.

Weekend A-Jenda: August 11th – August 14th

Click Here for Weekend Traffic Projects
Click Here for Weekend CTA Travel Alerts

Chicago Bears vs. Denver Broncos

Date: Thursday, August 11
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Soldier Field

It’s football season! For tickets, click here.


 

Steven Tyler

Date: Saturday, August 13
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Chicago Theater

Calling it the “Out On A Limb” tour, Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler is set to mount his first full solo tour this summer. It includes a stop at the Chicago Theater on August 13th.

While Tyler has been threatening to drop a full country album on us for a while now, he did come with a solo country single over the winter called “Red, White and You”. There is still not a release date or title for the upcoming release. Backing him on the project is the Nashville band “Loving Mary” and that’s who we’ll see him with in Chicago.

The shows will come VH-1 “Storytellers” style, a format in which he’ll weave in anecdotes about the music as he mixes Aerosmith classics with his new material.

Want tickets? Check out this link for any that may be leftover.


 

Journey/Doobie Brothers

Date: Saturday, August 13
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

Journey is back for summer with the Doobie Brothers and there are rumors the band will be playing either the entire “Escape” or “Frontiers” album. Both of which gave us the band’s biggest hits.

Also, drummer Steve Smith returns for the first time since the 1990’s, replacing Deen Castronovo who was fired by the band after some legal misadventures. Joining the band will be the Doobie Brothers and Dave Mason.

Ticket information can be found here.


 

Northalsted Market Days®

Date: Saturday, August 13 – Sunday, August 14
Time: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Location: Halsted Street between Belmont and Addison

From the website: Northalsted Market Days® is the largest outdoor street festival in the Midwest! Famous for its vast array of national talent, unique vendors, arts, crafts, food and drink, Northalsted Market Days® gathers a crowd of over 180,000 people from across the globe to celebrate right here on Halsted Street.

Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, Northalsted Market Days® is set to be the biggest and best it has ever been!

Be sure to join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our monthly Northalsted Newsletter to receive the most up-to-date information for all things Boystown!


 

Illinois State Fair

Date: Thursday, August 11 – Sunday, August 21
Time: 7:00 a.m. to Midnight
Location: Springfield

Rides, concerts, contests, and popular fair foods, the Illinois State Fair runs for 11 days in Springfield.

illinois state fair

Take the Amtrak for as low as $21 each way!

Gregg Allman backs out. 3 Doors Down to play final night of the Illinois State Fair. Read more here.


 

Naperville Wine Festival

Date: Friday, August 12 – Saturday, August 13
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location: CityGate Centre, Naperville

From the website: The festival provides an opportunity to sample from more than 300 wines from around the world. Learn about new and exciting varieties from the experts in a relaxed festival setting.

Wine seminars and cooking demonstrations are conducted by event sponsors, exhibiting wineries, area chefs and restaurateurs. Some of the area’s best restaurants and caterers will sell their signature dishes.

Live music will be performed on the festival stage, including 97Nine, the classic rock band inspired by sister station, 97.9 The Loop.


 

Northerly Island By Night – Star Watching and Camp-fire

Date: Saturday, August 13th
Time: 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Location: Northerly Island Park

Meet real live bats, enjoy the perseid meteor shower, night hikes, and more as Northerly Island opens to the public for an evening viewing of the greatest celestial event of 2016, the Perseid meteor shower! Bring a blanket, an evening picnic, and learn how to use a telescope or binoculars to view the summer skies at Northerly Island! Bring marshmallows if you would like to roast them at a campfire, and enjoy a pleasant, family-friendly evening at the park. – Event Facebook Page


Other Events Around the Area

Channahon’s Three Rivers Festival 08/10/2016 Channahon, IL
Gurnee Days 2016 08/11/2016 Gurnee, IL
Lindenfest 08/11/2016 Lake Villa, IL
Taste of Elmwood Park 08/11/2016 Elmwood Park, IL
St. Zachary Augustfest 08/11/2016 Des Plaines, IL
Hinkley Fest 08/11/2016 Park Ridge, IL
Sweet Corn Festival 08/11/2016 Mendota, IL
Taste of Lincolnshire 08/12/2016 Lincolnshire, IL
Fungus Fest Art and Music Festival 08/12/2016 Richmond, IL
61st Annual Ginza Holiday Festival 08/12/2016 Chicago, IL
Retro on Roscoe 08/12/2016 Chicago, IL
Northalsted Market Days 08/13/2016 Chicago, IL
River Grove Lions Club Steak & Lobster Fest 08/13/2016 River Grove, IL
Festa Italiano 08/13/2016 Crest Hill, IL

 


 

CTA and Public Transit Weekend Alerts

The CTA will increase service on the South Side Saturday to accommodate attendees of the Bud Billiken Parade in Bronzeville.
Bus service will be expanded on the King Drive, Cottage Grove, Jeffery Local, State and Garfield routes as of Saturday morning, according to the CTA.
The parade will reroute the bus routes — along with the no. 47 and no. 43 buses — from about 7 a.m. until 4 p.m., the CTA said.

Traffic Restrictions & Road Projects

Info from TravelMidwest.com:
On Saturday, August 13, one southbound lane on I-355 at Hitchcock Avenue is scheduled to close at 6 p.m. to prepare for bridge joint repair work.

A second lane will close at 6:30 p.m. In addition, the ramp carrying Ogden Avenue traffic to southbound I-355 will also close at 6:30 p.m. No detour will be posted. Drivers will be able to access southbound I-355 via the Maple Avenue Interchange to the south.

All lanes on I-355 and on the ramp from Ogden Avenue to southbound I-355 are scheduled to reopen by 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 14.

Weekend A-Jenda: July 21st – 24th

Click Here for Weekend Traffic Projects
Click Here for Weekend CTA Travel Alerts

 

sox promotions july 21 thru 24

Taste of River North

Date: Friday, July 22 – Sunday, July 24
Time: Friday – 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday – 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday – 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Ward Park, Chicago

River North’s signature event, Taste of River North, returns for its 15th anniversary season, July 22 – 24. Lucky Boys Confusion, Sixteen Candles, and Rod Tuffcurls will rock your world. Enjoy a curated selection of the neighborhood’s best restaurants, merchants, and artists in addition to heart-pounding live music along picturesque Ward Park on the Chicago River. Check out www.tasteofrivernorth.com for more info.

 


Warped Tour

Date: Saturday, July 23
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location: Hollywood Casino Amphitheater

Warped Tour is right around the corner and it’s a throwback year! 3OH!3, Good Charlote, Reel Big Fish, and many more will hit up Tinley Park’s Hollywood Casino Amphitheater on Saturday, July 23rd!

warpedtourlineup2016

 


48th Annual Sheffield Music Festival & Garden Walk

Date: Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location: DePaul Campus, Lincoln Park

From the website: The “Summer’s Best Festival” features self-guided tours of more than 80 Gardens, guided Architectural Tours, live entertainment by some of Chicago’s and North America’s finest bands, food and drink, and activities for children at the Kids’ Corner.

Traffic Alert: Sheffield closed between Webster and Fullerton

 


Grill Takeover with Lamar Moore of Smoke Daddy BBQ at Mariano’s West Loop

Date: Sunday, July 24
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Mariano’s West Loop – 40 S. Halsted

Join us at Mariano’s West Loop for a Grill Takeover with Lamar Moore of The Smoke Daddy BBQ.
Lamar Moore will guide the class through perfect grilling techniques and the secrets to his best BBQ!

Registration ($10) is required and space is limited!

 


Disability Pride Parade

Date: Saturday, July 23
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: State & VanBuren, the Loop

Starting on South Plymouth since 2006, the parade marches north to Jackson, west to Dearborn Street, then North to Daley Plaza.

Public Transit:
‘L’

Blue and Red Lines – Jackson
Orange, Pink and Brown Lines – LaSalle/Van Buren
Bus
#22, #24, #29, #36, #62, #146, #147, #151

 


108th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

Date: Saturday, July 23
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Launching from Navy Pier

From the Website: With 326 boats participating in the 333-mile journey from Chicago to Mackinac Island this year, the 108th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, presented by Wintrust will offer plenty of opportunities for fans to view the boats on land, on the water, and from anywhere else you might be. Here’s how you can see and track the 2016 race.


Other Festivals

from Festing.com

Lincolnwood Fest 07/21/2016 Lincolnwood, IL
Will County Threshermen’s 54th Annual Antique Tractor, Steam Engine and Gas Show 07/21/2016 Frankfort, IL
Kids Party In the Park 07/22/2016 Crystal Lake, IL
Concert in the Park, Glen Ellyn 07/22/2016 Glen Ellyn, IL
Wilmette SummerFest 07/22/2016 Wilmette, IL
Mount Prospect Block Party 07/22/2016 Mount Prospect, IL
Taste of River North 07/22/2016 Chicago, IL
North Shore Festival of Art 07/23/2016 Skokie, IL
Chicago Craft Beer Festival 07/23/2016 Chicago, IL
Puerto Rican Heritage Festival 07/23/2016 Aurora, IL
Sheffield Music Festival & Garden Walk 07/23/2016 Chicago, IL
Geneva Art Fair 07/23/2016 Geneva, IL
Taste of Latin America 07/23/2016 Chicago, IL
Veggie Fest 07/23/2016 Lisle, IL

 


 

Traffic Restrictions & Road Projects

Closures are in place for Lollapalooza throughout Grant Park, though the festival does not begin until Thursday, July 28.

From IDOT: Lane closures will take place on Higgins Road (Illinois 72) from Lexington Drive to east of Interstate 290, in Schaumburg, beginning, weather permitting, Friday, July 22. Daily and nightly lane closures will take place on Higgins Road from Lexington Drive to east of Interstate 290 including east and west Interstate 290/Illinois 53 Frontage Roads and the northbound Interstate 290/Illinois 53 exit ramp at Higgins Road.

 

CTA and Public Transit Weekend Alerts

BLUE LINE
Tue, Jul 19 to Mon, Sep 19 or completion

Cumberland Blue Line Station North Street-to-Bridge Elevator Out of Service

How does this affect my trip?
The north street-to-bridge elevator at Cumberland station is temporarily out of service.

Entry/exiting from the Cumberland Blue Line station is available by stairs and the south street-to-bridge elevator, or stairs, escalator or elevator from the bus terminal.

The elevator is estimated to return to service on Monday, September 19, 2016 (date subject to change).

Jul 22 – 23
10pm Fri to 5am Sat
10pm Sat to 6am Sun

Boarding Change, Delays Between Montrose and Addison 
How does this affect my trip?
Board/exit all trains on the O’Hare-bound side of the platform at the Irving Park station.

Trains in both directions will operate on the same track between Montrose and Addison, resulting in minor delays.

Jul 24 – 25
10pm Sun to 4am Mon

Boarding Change, Delays Between Irving Park and Logan Square

How does this affect my trip?
Board/exit all trains on the O’Hare-bound side of the platform at the Addison and Belmont stations.

Trains in both directions will operate on the same track between Irving Park and Logan Square, resulting in minor delays.
GREEN and PINK LINES
Jul 23 – 25
2am Sat to 4am Mon

Bus Substitution Between Clinton Station and the Loop

How does this affect my trip?
Shuttle buses will replace rail service between Clinton and Clark/Lake.

Pink Line trains will operate between 54th/Cermak and Clinton.

Green Line trains will operate between Harlem/Lake and Clinton, and between Ashland/63rd-Cottage Grove and the Loop. Trains will operate clockwise around the Inner Loop, on the side normally used by Orange and Pink line trains.

A shuttle train will operate counterclockwise around the Outer Loop, on the side normally used by Brown Line trains.
ORANGE LINE
Jul 24 – 25
10pm Sun to 4am Mon

Boarding Change, Delays between Kedzie and 35th/Archer

How does this affect my trip?

Board/exit all trains on the Midway-bound side of the platform at the Western station.

Trains in both directions will operate on the same track between Kedzie and 35th/Archer, resulting in minor delays.