STATE ECONOMY FINISHED 2013 WITH HIGHEST POINTS SINCE 2007

As 2013 drew to a close, a number of key indicators painted a brighter picture of Illinois’ economic performance, even as underlying risks continued to undermine potential growth in 2014. The University of Illinois Flash Index, a measure designed to provide a quick reading of how the state’s economy is doing, finished 2013 at one of its highest points since 2007. The Index hit 107 in December, up from 106.5 in November and tied September for the highest reading of 2013.

Economic performance in the state is expected to be one of the biggest issues in the 2014 governor’s race. Governor Pat Quinn has said he supports an increase in the state’s minimum wage, a move opposed by all four of the Republican primary candidates.

(link below)

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Illinois-Economy-Improving-But-Risks-Remain-238597101.html

CHANCE THE RAPPER COVERS THE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Chance the Rapper lands his first cover of 2014. After a stellar year -- which included Acid Rap's release, headlining a solo tour, collaborating with Justin Bieber and much more -- Chance is crowned "Rookie of the Year" on The Source's fourth annual issue.

The issue, which includes "Man of the Year" Macklemore, hits newsstands January 7th.

RASHID HADEE "YIM2013" MIXTAPE

Rashid Hadee drops his Year In Music project, follow up to last years YIM2012.

2013 CHICAGO'S LOWEST HOMICIDE NUMBER SINCE 1965

Chicago’s Police Department said Wednesday that after leading the nation in homicides in 2012, recording more than 500, the city last year listed the lowest number of killings since 1965, and saw its overall crime rate fall to a level not seen since 1972, the Associated Press reports. By the end of 2013, the city had recorded 415 homicides, 88 fewer than in 2012 and 20 fewer than in 2011, the AP reports.

Chicago’s crime reduction was due, in part, to changing police tactics, according to Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Besides putting more officers on the street, he said, various programs for young people have played a major role in reducing violent crime, reports show. This summer, he said at a recent news conference, a record 20,000 young people were involved in the city's jobs program.

(link below)

http://www.theroot.com/articles/politics/2014/01/chicago_homicides_plunge_to_lowest_level_since_1965.html?wpisrc=burger

CHICAGO BEARS FUTURE LOOK INTO 2014

For the sixth time in seven seasons, the Bears are spending January as playoff spectators.

Coming off a season in which they set franchise record for total yards gained (6,109) and yards allowed (6,313), the priorities are obvious. Continue adding to an evolving and explosive offense under coach Marc Trestman while stabilizing a defense that injuries hit hard and opposing running backs even harder. With the offseason underway, here’s our snapshot look at all three phases of the game.

(link below)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-chicago-bears-offseason-20140104,0,4751952.storygallery

FORMER G UNIT MEMBER MAZARADI FOX GUNNED DOWN

A gunman clad in a ski mask unloaded on an SUV full of people in southeastern Queens on Friday afternoon, hitting four people, and killing one of them, officials and witnesses said. A 42-year-old man, identified by cops as Jamal Green – aka Mazaradi Fox, formerly of 50 Cent's G-Unit – died in the gunfire near the intersection of Farmers Blvd. and 133rd Ave. in St. Albans about 4:10 p.m., police said. One of the other three victims, a 22-year-old man, was hit in the neck and shoulder and was in critical condition, police said.

2K13 CHICAGO HIPHOP MIXTAPES OF THE YEAR

100's of artists released projects for listeners in 2k13. Some good some bad, and most not even on the radar to be considered. Below we rank some of the best listens to come out of Chicago this year. Plenty of other tapes could have been ranked if this list was just a little longer, with only 10 spots to fill these are the ones that caught our ear as this year came and went.

10.

DOLLA BILL DILLZ "DROUGHT RICH 1013"

STANDOUT TRACKS- "DATS COOL" "LEAGUE BALLIN" "ITS YOU"

http://www.datpiff.com/DOLLA-BILL-DILLZ-Drought-Rich-1013-mixtape.554222.html

9.

ALEX WILEY "CLUB WILEY"

STANDOUT TRACKS- "CREEPIN" "K SWISS" "SUCK IT REVOLUTION"

http://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/22509/alex-wiley-club-wiley.html

8.

GIFTZ "POSITION OF POWER"

STANDOUT TRACKS- "FUCK'EM ALL" "FOR YOU" "BY ANY MEANS"

http://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/23670/giftz-position-of-power.html

7.

DWOLO "THE BASEM3NT FILES EP"

STANDOUT TRACKS- "I HATE YOU" "JOHN WAYNE" "SHOCK THE WORLD"

http://www.midwesthustlers.com/the-basem3nt-files

6.

P.RICO "WELCOME TO PUERTO RICO

STANDOUT TRACKS- "HANG WIT ME" "NO LOVE" "GLADIATORS"

http://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/23840/p-rico-welcome-to-puerto-rico.html

5.

CALEB JAMES "THE JONES"

STANDOUT TRACKS- "MR JONES" "24's" "6 AM"

http://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/23217/caleb-james-the-jones.html

4.

BELO OF DO OR DIE "I PLEAD THE 5TH"

STANDOUT TRACKS- "ROLLIN" "THEY DONT KNOW" "JUDGE ME"

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/24939/belo--i-plead-the-5th.html

3.

YP "RESTLESS"

STANDOUT TRACKS- "RESTLESS" "SOFTLY" "GREATNESS"

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/23319/yp-restless.html

2.

ROCKIE FRESH

"ELECTRIC HIGHWAY"

STANDOUT TRACKS- "LIFE LONG" "HOLD ME DOWN" "IM READY"

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/20629/rockie-fresh-electric-highway.html

1.

CHANCE THE RAPPER "ACID RAIN"

STANDOUT TRACKS- "ACID RAIN" "JUICE" "COCOA BUTTER KISSES"

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/21980/chance-the-rapper-acid-rap.html

BEARS SIGN JAY CUTLER TO 7 YEAR DEAL

The Bears have made a long-term commitment to Jay Cutler, signing the veteran quarterback to a seven-year contract, general manager Phil Emery announced Thursday at Halas Hall.

Asked about the size of the deal, Cutler said, "You get to the point where it's, 'What's the most important part of your career?' We reached the amount of money that we're going to be taken care of. ... Whether it’s $15 million or it’s $22 million, it’s hard to spend all that in your lifetime."

Cutler then drew laughs by adding, "Kristin said she’ll help."