Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Joravsky Does it Again

Once again, a guy working for a free paper, exposes how Chicago politics really work:
  • A couple weeks ago I wrote about how top administrators with the Chicago Public Schools, from CEO Ron Huberman on down, had budgeted themselves raises even as they threatened to lay off teachers, asked coaches to work for free, and cut sophomore sports to chip away at a deficit approaching nearly $1 billion.

    I also reported that the district's chief spokeswoman, Monique Bond, said Huberman hadn't received a raise but wouldn't provide any documentation to back it up.

    It's safe to say the CPS brass has read the story. Two days after it hit the streets, Bond called me. My story was wrong, she said—the district's top people didn't get raises.

    OK, I said—if the salaries of the top brass went up, what's that called if not a raise?

    She said she would be happy to explain—if I'd come to the central office at 125 S. Clark to talk about it in the presence of CPS budget officials.

What follows is one of the best pieces of play-by-play journalism we've read in years. It shows the spin efforts by insiders, the lies, the sleight-of-hand and legal mumbo-jumbo used by Shortshanks and his people to justify so called "cuts in spending" by asking teachers, coaches and low level administrators to sacrifice while middle managers and insiders reap six-figure salaries while the schools go bankrupt.

Joravsky is at the top of his game, and along with Warmbir and Novak, seems to be one of the few willing to actually rattle the Machine and it's corrupt practices.

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29 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about a similar expose on the budgetary slight of hand on the 5th floor and the lack of money for hiring and raises (or even working vehicles)for CPD? Money for their raises? Money for Alderscum raises?

4/20/2010 01:16:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is this one of the many reasons that Chicagoans have to go to the New York Times to read or get the real scoop on Chitcago Corruption antics?

4/20/2010 01:26:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Saw this guy on Chicago Tonight. He doesn't fuck around. He's a straight shooter for sure.

---not a cop

4/20/2010 06:55:00 AM  
Anonymous gfy said...

How about a similar expose on the budgetary slight of hand on the 5th floor

http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/Home

scroll down near the bottom and find the TIF archives. Jarovsky has been exposing city hall malfeasance for years.

4/20/2010 06:58:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

>>>Anonymous said...
Is this one of the many reasons that Chicagoans have to go to the New York Times to read or get the real scoop on Chitcago Corruption antics?

4/20/2010 01:26:00 AM<<<

It's also like we have to go to Canada and Europe to hear about Obama's corruption and to be warnned about creeping socialism.

4/20/2010 07:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A PEW Reasearch study showed that 80% of the American don't trust the government. This shows that 20% of the American people are stupid.

4/20/2010 08:18:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

go to the New York Times to read or get the real scoop on Chitcago Corruption antics

the ny times wrote a glowing article about daley a few weeks ago.

4/20/2010 08:22:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Reader is supported only by their advertisers, so reward them for this gem by patronizing their advertisers or at least tell them you saw their ads in the Reader.

They are the most honest media source in town !

4/20/2010 08:42:00 AM  
Anonymous At Least Po Po Doesn't Work at Prosser said...

Po Po is complaining about the Bug Lights being on and attracting attention and allowing for the car cameras to be on with the lights. But, at least Po Po doesn't have to work for Prosser Career Academy Principal Kennth 'Buzz' Hunter.....

The following excerpt was taken from the comments section from the web site "Chicago Public League Sports Blog:

http://neilski.typepad.com/wwwlanetechfancom_blog/2010/02/serious-budget-cuts-forecoming-in-the-cps.html?cid=6a00df351efa88883301347fffcea7970c#comment-6a00df351efa88883301347fffcea7970c


Confirmation is in on a 'gossip-worthy' SHOCKER at Prosser.
Many people have speculated throughout the years about the possibility of a camera being placed in the faculty lounge without any proof to verify it. However, it has finally been confirmed to be true.

A Prosser insider was able to confirm a 'live' camera is in the ceiling panel of the southwest wall in the teacher's lounge (NOTE: For you 'directionally-challenged' individuals, it's the panel located slightly behind and above the TV.)

As the story goes, Sebastian (Prosser tech guru & horn dog) was ordered to place a camera in the faculty lounge by Buzz to 'spy' on staff members. (It's no wonder Buzz never has to leave his office to hear and see what's going on at Prosser.)

Additionally, the 'faculty lounge' camera was said to be connected to a long black, coaxial cable inside a '2 inch', circular hole in the ceiling tile. And, the cable runs across the ceiling of the faculty lounge and into a splitter in the student's lunchroom(CHECK IT OUT FOLKS!).

The possibility of a 'hidden' camera in the faculty lounge was rumored around school after many of the staff had speculated how easily Buzz discovered it was the janitors going into the refrigerator and stealing people's food and drinks. The thief of a teacher's bottle of Canada Dry ginger ale and her complaints was the last straw and it sprang Buzz and his loyal sidekick Jeffrey 'Deputy Dogg' Bates into action.

So, be careful people as the 'ginger ale' camera might get you one day.

Next up for our Dynamic Duet of Buzz and Deputy Dogg is to inform a 'certain' male staff member (known as Mr. XYZ throughout Prosser) to remember to close his barn door after leaving the men's faculty restrooms. Apparently, Mr. XYZ is awakened by the school bell and rushes to get to his assignment after taking one of his daily naps on the camode.

4/20/2010 08:49:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The looting continues and the voters turn a blind eye.

4/20/2010 08:57:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Way to go Ben !!! You are among the few honest journalists in this corrupt city.

Thank You !!!

4/20/2010 09:04:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is just the stuff that Chicagoans love to ignore and feel good about themselves for doing such.

4/20/2010 09:15:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Imagine how out-of-control these mf's would be without the press -- Jarovsky, SCC, and SLC.

Keep up the good work!

4/20/2010 09:38:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This Huberman really is an asshole. Every department that his handed to him he fucks it up. What has he done that is so great? He is a failure to his family that is a disgrace and has to use his parents money and clout with the mayor to get these positions. Without that he might just be unemployed!

4/20/2010 10:00:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't share the Reader's liberal views. But they are the only current media outlet calling it like it is.

4/20/2010 10:00:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

She said she would be happy to explain—if I'd come to the central office at 125 S. Clark to talk about it in the presence of CPS budget officials.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n-USgmslwQ


Don't do it Ben!!!

4/20/2010 10:38:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Reader...

The enemy of our enemy is our friend?

Don't fool yourself they are police haters.

4/20/2010 10:39:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would read the Chicago Reader before any other Chicago newspaper.
Best reporting in print in the City today, hands down.

4/20/2010 10:43:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Though this may not be the proper thread I would like to openly thank the officers who arrested Cullerton's kid for his third DUI and ignored the fact his father feeds from the public trough and had his two prior DUI's reduced to minor offenses.

4/20/2010 11:16:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about an expose on the shennangins of the civil courts in resoect to lawsuits against the city.

4/20/2010 11:40:00 AM  
Blogger Too Many Rectums said...

SCC: Ben Jarovsky hit a home run with this article. Writers in Hollywood couldn't come up with anything remotely close to the conversation Jarovsky had with the Three Stooges!

To Ben Jarovsky: Terrific article! Too Many Rectums looks forward to future articles by you.

4/20/2010 12:14:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wish he'd set his sights onn the Police Department.....

4/20/2010 04:04:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a awesme article. Too bad non of the 2 major papers (Possibly except Kass) know how to ask tough questions. Mr Jarovsky you are doing a wonderful job.

4/20/2010 05:02:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Reader...

The enemy of our enemy is our friend?

Don't fool yourself they are police haters.

4/20/2010 10:39:00 AM


.........

Oh yes, I know that when I read the articles. I know how fast they will turn on us in a heartbeat. It's nice to see they will also go after Politicians. At least they are equal opportunity!

4/20/2010 07:25:00 PM  
Anonymous Prosser Principal Spying on Staff said...

The following was posted on the Chicago Public League Sports Blog in responses to another Prosser staff member letting everyone else know that their Principal is spying on them as they eat their lunches......

@ Big Insider Breaking News (Prosser)

I was just in the faculty lounge attempting to make copies, and I can confirm, this is true! I would like to thank the individual who brought this to my attention, as well as all of Prosser’s Attention!

It is long black, coaxial cable inside a two inches thick, circular hole in the ceiling tile. And, the cable runs across the ceiling of the faculty lounge and into a splitter in the student's lunchroom. This is an unmoral way to conduct business within your school Kenneth Leon Hunter. Furthermore, if you wish to know “Our” opinion please ask! Instead of boring us at “Role Call, “ each Monday morning, maybe we need to discuss your thoughts as well as ours upon you spying on us.

It is a given that some Students spy on us for you, they have declared themselves to us, asking in fact, “Why would Mr. Hunter want to know what your doing?” If you feel the need to exert your authority upon us, ask us, your FACULTY, please stop the spying and stop the continuous involvement of Students. I loose my lunch once a week in the teachers lounge; I really don’t want to know who is stealing it.
Maybe you should install a camera upon John Sallas’s Room, you know, his “OFFICE on the side,” to see how many times Frank Cassello and Dr. Raul Luna are, “Taking a break from dealing with you and your insanity.” Maybe the Inspector General will install a camera upon you!


Posted by: Insider Breaking News: Thank You! |

4/20/2010 08:27:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A huge Thank-You to Ben Jarovsky and Mick Dumke for their insightful, on target exposes.

I suggest that you two gentleman start teaching journalism. You would make a fortune with the entire Chicago news media begging to enroll.

The Chicago Reader is the only worthwhile print media in town.

4/20/2010 10:27:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Obama's next big push: Immigration Reform. Aw jeez, when will this guy just go away? Take J-Fled with him too.

4/21/2010 08:30:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Quality work.

... too bad the majority of Chicago voters are too stupid to vote for anyone other than Daley. Stuff like this and TIFs probably go right over their head.

I guess we have CPS to thank for that.

4/22/2010 12:21:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What are the odds that every single comment on this post spell the guy's name wrong?

It's Joravsky. Not Jarovsky.

4/28/2010 08:13:00 PM  

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