Computers to alert alderman of newly paroled sex offenders
According to the Chicago Police Dept., aldermen will now receive daily updates of registered sex offenders whom the Illinois Department of Corrections is releasing into the police districts which are in their wards. The $12,000 computer program is intended to alleviate some concerns of residents about the ongoing influx of paroled sex offenders.
Residents can also keep track of the arrival of these people into their neighborhoods. Here's how: Check out the Illinois sex offender registry at www.isp.state.il.us. Scroll down until you see Registered Sex Offender information on the right, and click it. Then read the disclaimer and click yes. Then search by city or zip code or, better yet, both, as occasionally offenders give slightly inaccurate zip codes. If you don't have access to the Internet, call the Illinois Sex Offender Registry Team (I-SORT) hotline at (888) 414-7678.
LeMoyne School to be phased out
Over the next year, the early childhood programs at LeMoyne School, 851 W. Waveland Ave., will be phased out. The Inter-American Magnet School will move into the building in September 2006. This is a dual-language school currently located at 919 W. Barry Ave.
One third of LeMoyne's current enrollment of 354 students is in special education programs. These classes will close, although the one for autistic children may be an exception. For the final year, LeMoyne will receive the same budget as 2004-2005.
Lenox Suites Hotel sold to New York company
Lenox Suites Hotel has just been acquired by New York-based James Hotels, Inc. Lenox Suites Hotel is located at 616 N. Rush St. on the southwest corner of Rush and Ontario streets, only one block west of Michigan Ave. The 324-room, 16-story urban hotel opened in 1985 in a landmark building originally built in 1928. In September 2003, the hotel completed a 16th floor renovation of premiere suites.
In addition, one of the partners of James Hotels, Inc., Stephen Hanson, selected a Chicago location for Blue Water Grill, a B. R. Guest restaurant that just opened in River North. Hanson is a renowned Manhattan restaurateur who established such hot New York eateries as Blue Fin, Dos Caminos, and Fiamma, among others.
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