Steve Scott's Blog

In addition to the detour to Roscoe to cover the Indy 500 from Danica Patrick's hometown - Jeanne, by the way, came along on that little excursion - what a trooper! - we had a nice, quick visit to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. We stayed at the Abbey Resort in Fontana, which many midwesterners may remember as a place their parents used to go to back in the day.

The place had become a bit tired (1960s paneling everywhere gets a little old). Now, though, they're in the final stages of a $40M renovation...and the resort really did look great.

We had a nice room overlooking the harbor...the service was exceptional...and the food was very good. While we were in the Lake Geneva area, we visited our friends Shari and Tom, who were housesitting on the shore of Lake Como...and, we also attended a Saturday evening charity soiree that benefited, among others, Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. $50 for all the steak, lobster, dessert and drinks you could shove down your pie hole! Jeanne and I had a nice time. We ran into Chicago Tonight host Bob Sirott and his wife, Marianne Murciano. Bob was a host, of sorts, for the charity function. Bob has a history in Chicago broadcasting dating back to the 1970s...including a stint at WLS-AM. He has reinvented himself several times - each time, successfully!

I had to work this morning (Memorial Day). Jeanne had the day off. Tomorrow, it's back to a regular schedule...whatever that is!

I was in Roscoe, IL, today...watching the Indy 500 with folks in Danica Patrick's hometown...and reporting for ABC News Radio.

I'll tell you what...the crowd at Croc's Pub (where all but one of the bar's TVs had the race on - the other had the Cubs) was pretty darn fired up for Dani. I think every one in the bar thought she was gonna win it there for a bit.

As you might expect, they were excited...and very proud of her. Every one in Roscoe seems to know - or, at least, claims to know - Dani!

Great story in a tiny town no one - even most people in Illinois - had ever heard of before Danica Patrick came along!

As many of you know, I am president of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association (INBA). Our organization is a strong advocate of open government...and that includes our courts, both state and federal.

Illinois is one of the very few states that does not allow cameras or microphones in its state trial courts. INBA is now preparing a petition to the Illinois Supreme Court, asking for a rule change to allow cams and mics in the trial courts. Wish us luck!

There is no broadcast access at all in our nation's federal courts. So, I was quite heartened to learn that Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) is among the sponsors of Senate Bill 829, the Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2005, which would open the federal courts to cams and mics.

As a journalist, it's difficult for me to take a public position on something like this. After all, we cover Senator Durbin on WLS on a nearly daily basis.

But, as INBA president, this is a no-brainer. INBA whole-heartedly supports S. 829, and would urge every one who supports this initiative to please contact their senators and representative to voice their opinion.

Sometimes, even sad events can bring humor.

Take, for example, the following obituary for one James "Jim" Divita of Crystal Lake, Illinois. The obit, which I have edited for brevity, comes from the Northwest Herald newspaper.

It's the part at the bottom that I've highlighted that will make you chuckle.


James "Jim" Divita, 78, of Crystal Lake, died Tuesday, May 17, 2005.

He was born Oct. 28, 1926, in Chicago, to John and Josephine (Lombardo) Divita. On Aug. 8, 1975, he married Shirley Bier in Woodstock.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in World War II.

He had been a car and boat salesman for many years in the area, and later became an entrepreneur who started many area businesses, including Suburban Limo and Spaghetti To Go.
He was an avid Cubs fan and a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church of Crystal Lake.

Interment will be private for the family. Memorials would be appreciated to the family or to the Chicago Cubs, so they may acquire a qualified relief pitcher.


The Cubs are struggling this year, due in large part to a bullpen that has blown several late-inning leads.

No word if the team has actually received any money.

It's nice to see the family was able to keep a sense of humor, even in their time of grief. I picked up the story and did it for both WLS and ABC News Radio...even mixing in a little of the late Steve Goodman's song "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"...which seemed fitting, given the story.

I'm back after a few blog-free days...

WLS-AM political editor Bill Cameron had a lengthy on-air chat with U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hatert Thursday night. Among the topics discussed...a bill sponsored by U.S. Senator John McCain, et al, that would impose penalties on major league baseball players caught using steroids.

Below is a verbatim of their conversation on the subject:

Hastert: I come out of the world of athletics…and if somebody is using steroids and not supposed to, they’re basically cheating. They’re breaking the rules. And, people who break the rules…who don’t abide by the rules…have to have some penalties. I don’t know whether it should be federal penalties laid out, or if it should be the baseball commissioner and the leagues policing their own people, but they haven’t done a real good job of policing their own people, so….

Cameron: How long do we wait?

Hastert: We may not wait too long, if that legislation passes.

Cameron: Do you see that passing in the House, if they send it over to you?

Hastert: Well, there’d be a good chance that it would.

Cameron: Why do you think?

Hastert: I think people don’t want to see people who become heroes for our kids doing the wrong thing. The fact is…if people are actually breaking the law, and doing things that are illegal and against the rules, there ought to be a penalty.

Cameron: Do you think the players union is being responsible in this debate with major league baseball?

Hastert: I think the players union – probably as it should be – is trying to protect the players…just like somebody’s lawyer. I think responsible people – from the union and the league – ought to be the people who are trying to enforce this. And, if they can enforce it and be successful in doing it, that’s one thing. But, they haven’t been…and, so they’re going to have to go to the next step, if they can’t prove that they can be responsible.

On another subject, Hastert told Bill Cameron that he does not expect former Governor Jim Edgar to run for governor again in 2006...but he does believe Governor Rod Blagojevich is vulnerable heading into next year's election.

Just a quick update...

Today's Robert Feder column in the Chicago Sun-Times has the scoop on the new program director for WLS-AM.

His name is Kipper McGee. I had lunch with Kipper when he was in Chicago recently during his interview process. I found him to be a very likeable guy who has a lot of great ideas for the radio station. I look forward to working with him.

Working the strange hours that I do, I sure enjoy my weekends. There's nothing like sleeping in...enjoying coffee and the morning paper with Jeanne...taking a nap...taking another nap...and just plain relaxing and re-charging for the coming week.

It was great to visit with Dave Dahl, wife Corrina and sons Clifford and Isaac yesterday at ESPN Zone. The Dahls were visiting from Peoria. Radio news - like many professions - is a pretty small world. I've known Dave - who's News Director at WMBD-AM in Peoria - for several years. Dave works so hard at his job that he sometimes makes the rest of us look like slackers!

The boys seemed to have a great time entertaining themselves, while Mom and Dad visited with Jeanne and me. Clifford - who has inherited Dave's almost photographic memory for detail - can make up and recite baseball play-by-play (complete with sponsors - "This time out brought to you by Bud Light") at the drop of a hat. And, "Baby Eye" found a new friend in our waiter, Michael...and enjoyed pulling - and letting go - of the retractable-line key card attached to Michael's belt.

A good time was had by all!

Today is another day of relaxing, coffee, and naps...to be followed by an early dinner with friends David and Darla Stieper. We'll be meeting up with them after they go to today's Cubs/Sox game.

I cant imagine that any one really cares much about all this stuff...but, I'm having fun writing it, nontheless! : )

I'm fortunate to be a member of two organizations that work hard on behalf of broadcast journalists. The Illinois News Broadcasters Association (INBA) and Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) fight to protect and expand press freedoms for broadcast journalists in Illinois and across the country. I am now in my third term as president of INBA, and also serve as Illinois Radio Coordinator for RTNDA.

One of my favorite activities on behalf of these organizations is the opportunity to meet with students who are entering the field of broadcast journalism. As a student at San Jose State University more than 25 years ago - doing news, sports and DJ work on campus station KSJS-FM - I had a chance to meet with broadcast professionals from the Bay Area. I always tried to soak up as much information as I could...and I would always leave inspired and ready to take on the world!

I had a chance to meet with students yesterday at Chicago's Columbia College. Led by two outstanding faculty members, Ray Fanning and Dave Berner, Columbia recently started up an official student chapter of RTNDA. It's a small group...but, boy, are they enthusiastic! I sat in on their first official meeting yesterday...and enjoyed talking with the students about RTNDA, and what the organization has to offer.

I also got to pitch INBA. I told the students that, while RTNDA is working hard on the national level, INBA is their advocate on issues of importance right here in Illinois. I handed out INBA brochures...and, I'm confident we'll pick up a few new student members. Eventually, I'd like to see INBA have a student chapter at Columbia.

It may sound like a trite cliche', but students really are the future of our business. With techology changing the broadcasting landscape - and with journalism under attack from all directions these days - it's important that student know they're entering a viable, honorable and important profession.

I've had the opportunity to visit several colleges and universities across Illinois in recent years...and will continue to do so every chance I get. I don't know if any of the students I met yesterday will remember my visit in 25 years...but, you never know!

In the same week he uttered the words "testicular virility" while talking about a feud with his father-in-law, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has now come up with another gem.

Well, it's a gem if you're a media person who likes goofy and somewhat embarrassing sound bites.

The governor made this comment while comparing President Bush to the Amir of Qatar...who visited Springfield, IL, on Tuesday...and was in Chicago for a big shin-dig on Wednesday:

"They do have something in common...they both come from big oil states. (laughter) President Bush has only one wife. (laughter) Probably shouldn't have said that."

Gee, Guv...ya think?

Best I can tell - at least through some initial internet searches - is that the Amir of Qatar also has only one wife.

By the way, Blagojevich made the comment...at a prayer breakfast!

** If I can come up with a way to find an audio link so you can hear the sound bite, I'll do it. **

Sound bite courtesy of SCOTT SIMON of MetroSource in Springfield. Thanks, Scott!

Chicago Federal Judge Joan Lefkow was on Capitol Hill this morning...testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Judge Lefkow - whose husband and mother were murdered in her Chicago home on February 28th - asked for money for home security systems for judges...a law banning the posting of judges' personal information (home address, etc.) on the internet...and, better pay for U.S. Marshals.

I don't know Joan Lefkow personally...but I have covered cases in her courtroom. And, I found myself parked outside her home that terrible evening of February 28th and the morning that followed. I can't imagine the pain she has suffered.

You can hear Judge Lefkow's entire 18 minute statement to the Judiciary Committee at WLSAM.com.

If you can't go to the web site to hear the audio, here are Judge Lefkow's prepared remarks:


Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee:

Good morning, Chairman Specter, Senator Leahy, members of the Judiciary Committee. Thank you, Senator Specter, for your invitation to appear here today. And I wish to thank you Senator Durbin for the compassion and concern that you have expressed to me and my family.

Although I have to this date refused all invitations–of which there have been many--to speak publicly on my situation or matters of judicial security in general, I am here today because I believe it important to speak to this body which has the power to effect much needed changes in the manner in which the federal judiciary is protected from assassination and lesser attacks. My family is here because they hope that their presence will reinforce my words.

I am the fourth judge since 1978 who has been the victim of assassination as a result of “the madness in the shadows of modern life.” (I borrow that phrase from the note former President Clinton wrote to me)–more specifically, as a direct result of a decision made in the course of fulfilling the judge’s oath to do justice “without fear or favor.” Among more than 1,000 letters of condolence my family has received are approximately 200 from judges, state and federal, each of whom knows in their heart, “This could have been me.” Five assassinations (that includes 2 for me) in 25 years tells us that judges are particularly vulnerable. (For example, the last such tragedy within the Congress was in 1978 and on foreign soil) and that something is wrong in the judicial protection arena. (These numbers do not include attempts, such as the poisoning of a judge’s wife.)

Let me briefly tell you what this has done not only to me and my children, but to my extended family of brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and others. Michael was a man whose excellent character and accomplishments at the bar and as a family man have been described in recent news reports and I will not attempt to recount them. On a personal level, however, he was a man who, at the age of 64, looked to the future with hopefulness and anticipation. A litigant who was angry with me shot him in the head, and shot my aged mother, on February 28, 2005, for no reason other than that they were in his way on his road to murder me. He could have easily added my 16-year-old daughter and me.

2-28 is our own personal 9-11. Since 2-28, our family includes a daughter and her husband who have to explain to their young children why their grandfather is now with God and they will not see him again; two daughters who will not have their beaming father to walk them down the aisle at their weddings; and two who will not have Dad to join the fun at high school and college graduations. From now on, they will have a father’s guidance only through their memories. Michael’s family includes, among others, four sisters and brothers who have now lost their third
sibling before age 65. An entire family has lost its ability to assume that when we walk through the door of our own homes, we will be safe there. Beyond the family, there is a community of clients, friends, fellow church members, and neighbors who simply miss this man who was a significant part of their lives in one way or another.

The father who sent every report card to Grandma, so she also could rejoice in what the children accomplished, is no longer there, and neither is the grandmother, who made each of her 20 grandchildren and great-grandchildren believe that that grandchild was her special favorite.
Finally, I am the wife who wakes up in the morning, not to a cup of coffee presented by my husband of 30 years to reopen what has been called “the endless conversation of marriage,” but to an open book that I was reading in an effort to banish the memories of 5:30 p.m. on the day our world changed forever.

I say all of this not to garner pity or sympathy. We have been overwhelmed by the kindness of others and can never adequately express our gratitude. Rather, I come to you with a plea that you, who have the power, continue to make judicial protection a priority as is reflected in the recent passage of H.R. 1268 which includes $12 million to the Marshals Service for increased security for federal judges, particularly for home intrusion detection systems, and that you be vigilant with us in monitoring judicial security so that sympathetic feelings translate into real protection. And I come to you with a plea that each of you exercise leadership to use your voice in support of the vital role of judges in sustaining a society based on the rule of law instead of right being defined by might.

First, may I speak of prevention. I understand that the Congress cannot eradicate violence against judges, nor are judges exempt from the madness in the shadows. But as I replay in my mind the events that led to our tragedy, I believe that several things might have prevented it and could prevent it from happening to even one more of our judges.

$ The first is rapid distribution of the funds for home security systems. Obviously, had the Lefkow family had such a system at home, this horror could have been avoided. We judges are grateful beyond words to this Committee and the Congress for authorizing this appropriation so quickly after this latest tragedy. Now that the funds are there, I ask that members of this committee make clear to the Director of the Marshals Service its intent that this money be distributed to the judges in the field as quickly as the judges can make arrangements for installation. As recently as last Friday, May 13, I was spotted and harassed in a restaurant in downtown Chicago. Had that harasser had a gun, I would be dead today. There is no time for bureaucratic delay.

$ I urge your support for legislation that prohibits the posting of personal information about judges and other public officials on the Internet without written consent. I believe that the Internet is a brave new world in the matter of judicial security. During the late fall of 2003 I became aware that I was being villified on the Internet by a white supremacist organization that had a trademark case before me. (As some of you are aware, the circumstances resulted in the prosecution and conviction of the principal of
that group.) Not only was I labeled as “a probable Jew” with “mixed race grandchildren,” as if those were shameful things, but eventually my home address and other personal information were posted by this fringe group. The information, true and false, that was posted about me was readily available free of charge on the Internet. As a matter of fact, our home address was posted by the State board of elections in connection with my husband’s candidacy for a local judgeship. A small fee of $20 will give anyone who wants it access to social security numbers, loans, land transactions, the names of neighbors, and so forth. Although it may never be stopped entirely, limits on commercial trafficking in such information is, I believe, feasible and essential.
$ The third item for which the judiciary needs your support is adequate funding for adequate staffing, and pay equity (with other federal law enforcement agencies such as FBI) for the United States Marshals Service. Others who are more knowledgeable than I, including Circuit Judge Jane Roth, will be addressing you on these matters. I also call your attention to the letter my Chief Judge, Charles Kocoras, wrote to you, Senator Specter, addressing these issues as well. This is my personal observation over the 22-plus years I have worked in the federal judiciary: there has been a diminution of support for the judges that corresponds with the increase in demand for transportation of prisoners, apprehension of fugitives, and other responsibilities associated with the federalization of criminal law. Although security is provided at all criminal case hearings, many officers are not trained U.S. Marshals, and on the civil side, no security is provided unless the judge specifically requests it from an already strained district office. We need a trained deputy marshal present at all court hearings, criminal and civil, who can be our eyes and ears to identify and follow up on litigants who appear to be dangerous. (How many times have I chastised myself for not recognizing the threat that became a reality, but this is neither my expertise nor is it appropriate that I focus on such a matter when I am handling a case.) In addition, my own experience with my current security detail suggests to me that planning and training need analysis at the top.

Let me be clear. I do not intend by these remarks to convey any criticism of either Marshal Kim Widup of the Northern District of Illinois nor any individual deputy whom I have encountered on my protection detail since 2-28. Starting with the team who swept a shaken, disbelieving family into protective custody on that awful night, these deputies were the knot at the end of our rope for weeks, and not one of them has been anything but compassionate, available and committed beyond the call of duty. This has been a sacrifice for the entire Service, of course, as districts who have lent deputies for my detail are even more shorthanded in their own locales than they were under normal circumstances.

I've wanted to give this Newsweek mess a couple days to simmer before commenting on it. As you may know by now, Newsweek has retracted a report claiming interrogators at Quantanamo Bay had flushed a copy of the Quran down a toilet, in an effort to coerce prisoners into talking. When news of this alleged abuse of the Quran was relayed around the world, it touched off deadly riots in several nations...including Afghanistan, where more than a dozen people died.

Now, Newsweek says it can not verify that the incident actually happened...so it has apologized and retracted the report.

How in the world did this happen?

Let's look at two possibilities. Both are bad...but one is certainly more egregious than the other.

Possibility #1: It was an "honest mistake." Newsweek says it relied on a highly-placed confidential source...some one who had given them credible information in the past. There was just one source, mind you...but Newsweek was confident enough with that single source's history that they decided to go with the story. That, at the very least, is bad journalism. If you're going to go with a story of this magnitude - one that you know will have international consequences - you darn well better have more than just one source...and I don't care how good that source has been in the past. You'd better have multiple, independent sources. You'd better have photos. You'd better have a soggy book pulled out of the septic tank. Newsweek did not...and now, the credibility of every word published in the magazine will be called into question.

Possibility #2 (and I won't take credit for originating this theory - you'll see and hear it in plenty of other places): Newsweek, in pushing its own political agenda, saw a chance to embarrass the President and the United States of America. Could a publication have such a distaste for the current administration that it would go with a single-source blockbuster...with the sole purpose of setting back that administration's efforts to work with the Muslim world community?

Boy, I hope not. I really hope not.

Hey, listen...we all make mistakes. I make mistakes in my newscasts. But, ususally, it has something to do with saying the White Sox won 6-4 instead of the correct 5-4. A close inspection may well reveal a typo or two in this blog entry.

But this was no typo. This was a pretty big deal. If I was ever fortunate to have a blockbuster story - something that could rock the world foundation - you'd better believe I'd have more than one source...no matter how good that source had been in the past.

As I've mentioned in the past, I have to be very careful to stay objective in these posts. So, I'll leave the question to you. Was the toilet story #1...or #2? Either way, it's a dark day for journalism.

As many of you know, I am scheduled to make a trip to the Persian Gulf to interview Chicago-area service personnel. I will be hitching rides on Air Force C-130 cargo planes. Not exactly First Class travel...but an, ahem, interesting way to get there.

That trip was originally scheduled to begin next weekend (May 22).

However, the Air Force tells me the C-130 flights returning from the Gulf at the end of the trip window are expected to be completely full with cargo...which, of course, has priority over media ride-alongs.

June also looks full.

So, the trip has been postponed...most likely until July. I will pass along more information - including exact dates - when I get the info.

This is a blatant rip off from my friend Dave Dahl's blog...

You no doubt are familiar with Army Private First Class Lynndie England. She's the reservist implicated in the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq.

And, you have almost certainly seen the photos of PFC England with nude Iraq prisoners.

Well, now, believe it or not...PFC England and her actions have somehow become a part of the American lexicon.

Yes...you, too...can do the Lynndie.**

Enough said.

** PFC England's cigarette not included.

I probably shouldn't eat for another week...

Jeanne and I have had a weekend of gastronomic delights. It started Friday evening, when WLS morning show hosts Don & Roma took the entire morning show staff - and spouses - out to dinner at Morton's, one of Chicago's great steakhouses. Before I get on to the food...some unsolicited comments about Don & Roma. You would be hard pressed to find two nicer people anywhere. They didn't have to take us all out to dinner. They did it because they geniunely appreciate the efforts of every one involved with the show...both on and off the air. It was their way of saying thank you. Believe me, the gesture meant more than the dinner.

Oh, but the dinner!

I had seen the menu online before we went to the restaurant...so I already had my eye on the bone-in ribeye...one of my favorites anywhere! Once we got there, I found out they had a special prime rib...same cut as the bone-in ribeye, just prepared differently. After much self-debate, I went with the prime rib. Mmmm...very good! Morning show associate producer Tim Allen had the bone-in ribeye...it looked great, too. So, I wouldn't have gone wrong either way. Jeanne had a filet with Oscar sauce...it was yummy. We had salads and sides...and, of course, plenty of wine to go around. Dessert was also very nice. You practically had to roll us home!

But that was only the beginning of our weekend foodfest...

We had our good friends Erin and Cid over for dinner Saturday night. Cid was my best man at our wedding, and Erin was Jeanne's matron of honor. It was great to get together with them for the evening. Jeanne came up with a great idea. Rather than go out somewhere, we decided to stay in...but still eat fancy. Charlie Trotter's has long been recognized as one of the great restaurants, not only in Chicago...but in the world. Well, believe it or not, they have take-out...Trotter's To Go! We picked a beef tenderloin that was so tender you hardly needed a knife...and, some wonderful seafood skewers with shrimp, salmon and halibut. Mix in risotto cakes...Chinese long beans...corn salad...and some yummy crab cakes and spinach pastries for appetizers...and we had quite the gourmet experiece, right at home! Erin brought some great desserts...and, we also had some pastries and cookies from Trotter's. Oh yes, we also had a couple bottles of wine...a 2001 Niebaum-Coppola Cask 23 cabernet sauvignon, and a 2002 Stag's Leap chardonnay.

You would have had to roll us home again...but, we already were at home!

It was two great evenings of wonderful food, wine and friends.

Oh, and remember that part about not eating for a week? Well, I already had some cold pizza from the fridge today! : )

Funerals for two little girls who were stabbed to death in Zion, IL, on Mother's Day are being held this weekend. Laura Hobbs was 8 years old; her best friend, Krystal Tobias, was 9. Adding to the brutal nature of the killings is the fact that Laura's father, Jerry Hobbs, has been charged with their murders.

Krystal's funeral was yesterday. Laura's is today. I don't normally work on weekends, except, of course, when there is a real big story...or, some breaking news. Some will make an argument that the girls' funerals are a big story. After all, you'll see the story on the national TV news. So, it must be big? Right?

Well, you won't see me standing in the background in any of the video.

With a few exceptions, I've always taken issue with the somewhat regular practice of covering funerals as news events. Some - but not all - of those exceptions include the funerals of newsmakers or well-known celebrities...or, the dramatic funerals of hero cops and firefighters.

But these were just a couple of little girls whose only mistake was going for a bike ride on a warm Sunday afternoon.

What actual news will come out of the girls' funerals? Their mothers certainly aren't going to talk to the media. We've already conducted more than enough interviews with other relatives, neighbors and friends. Yet, TV will have the obligatory pictures of grieving family members entering and leaving the church...along with a couple of sound bites from "family friends" about how tragic this was. There will probably be a radio reporter or two there, as well...describing the "long line of mourners, all dressed in black" entering the church. Today's tribune has a photograph of grieving relatives from Krystal's funeral on Saturday; you can be sure a similar photo from Laura's funeral will be in Monday's paper.

What's the point? What news will be made?

Do we have to cover it because our competitors may be covering it? Do they decide what is news to our audience?

This is not to say I'll never cover another funeral. I most certainly will. And, if ABC had called and said they really needed some one at one of the girls' funerals...well, after all, they are the bosses. But, it's not something I would choose to cover on my own.

It's now been a week since the Bulls were eliminated from the NBA playoffs in the first round by the Washington Wizards. Even the though the Bulls were the higher seed - and had home court advantage in the series - Washington won, 4 games to 2. In the end, the Bulls were too banged up, too tired, and, perhaps, a bit too young.

A post by my brother, Bob ("bob from novato, ca") asks how I feel about not getting a chance to announce a deciding game 7 in the Washington series...or, being able to go deeper into the playoffs with the Bulls. Well, obviously, I was sorry to see the series - and the season - end. The Bulls, with their 5 rookies and team record-tying 0-9 start, turned out to be one of the great success stories in the NBA. To fight their way back from that horrible start to not only make the playoffs...but host a first round series...was pretty remarkable. The noise level at the United Center toward the end of the season and for the playoffs was as loud - or louder - than it was "back in the day", during the championship years.

Who knows how the Bulls might have done, if not for the loss of center Eddy Curry to a heart ailment for the last few weeks of the regular season, plus the playoffs. I hope Eddy gets healthy and is able to return next season. Losing starting forward Luol Deng to, first a sprained ankle, then a season-ending wrist injury, also hurt the Bulls' chances.

But, hey...it was a fun season. I'll enjoy the summer off. Night games + a morning radio job = a tired Steve! And, that's no Bull!

Here's how Illinois fared in the base realignments announced today by the Pentagon. Info from www.wlsam.com.

Illinois would lose nearly 2,700 military and civilian jobs under base closures recommended today by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

But, all of the state's major military installations would remain open.

The big loser...the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in North Chicago. Great Lakes will lose more than 2,000 jobs...all but 23 are military positions. Also taking a major hit...the Rock Island Arsenal in the Quad Cities, which will lose around 1,200 jobs. And, the National Guard station at Springfield's Capitol Airport will be realigned with Fort Wayne, Indiana...resulting in around 160 lost jobs for Springfield. The big winner...Scott Air Force Base near St. Louis, which gains almost 800 jobs. And, the National Guard station based in Peoria will add around 34 positions.

As a news person, I have to be careful not to offer opinions on major news stories on this blog. It would be improper for me to editorialize to the point where my neutral newsman's position on a story could be called into question.

However, I will say this...we in the news business can be pretty fickle.

Have you ever noticed (geez, I sound like Andy Rooney!) how we will pound a story to death for a day or two...then quickly move on to the next story du jour, while the previous "big story" gets only a line or two of copy?

Earlier this week, we had a "big story" in the Chicago area...two suburban girls brutally murdered in the north suburbs. The father of one of the girls has been charged. Boy, were we all over that one...for about 72 hours. Now that the dad has been charged - and ordered held without bond - we've moved on to the next story. I haven't mentioned the girls' murders at all in my news this morning. Our top story: The deaths of three monkeys at Lincoln Park Zoo (it's actually a good story - the latest in a recent string of deaths of animals from the zoo).

A couple weeks ago, two children were found brutually murdered in their suburban home. The 9 year old boy and 3 year old girl had each been stabbed more than 200 times. Their mother has been charged with murder. A terrible, terrible story. Boy, was that a big one...for 3 or 4 days. Then we moved on. How many people even remember the kids names? (Christian and Gracie Vasilev)

I'm as guilty of this as any other reporter. I don't have a solution. Do you?

There are nearly 300 million people in the United States. I think I am something like number 299,000,001 to finally enter the blog age.

I figure if my friend Dave Dahl of WMBD-AM in Peoria can have a blog...I can give it a try.

So, here goes...welcome to my blog! If I ever actually post something worthy of a response, by all means...pile on!