BEST PICTURE NOMINEES
A look at the contenders from best to worst, Arts & Life, page 21
FIND YOUR INNER OLYMPIAN
Can’t make it to Sochi? Get off the couch and try the events yourself in the city, Sports, page 26
Volume #98 | Issue #16 | February 24, 2014 | DePauliaonline.com
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Fighting development Lawsuit considered against hospital plan
because of their abnormal height and look for the neighborhood. The tall towers are permitted due to zoning at the Children’s Memorial site, which allows for denser construction for hospital use. “They shouldn’t get the benefits of By Grant Myatt what the hospital got,” Burnes said. News Editor Concerned community members are now looking to file a lawsuit as an action Neighbors remain up in arms against the development plan. following a unanimous vote in favor of “The only thing that will get McCaffery the Children’s Memorial Hospital site to the table is a lawsuit because there needs redevelopment plan on Feb. 20, at the to be a zoning change,” Burnes said. “It’s city’s Plan Comission. our only chance to stop this and get the C o n c e r n e d developer to renegotiate.” community members, The lawsuit claim would both Republican and focus on changing the Democrat, met at the underlying zoning of 43rd Ward Republicans’ this site but could cost office Saturday, Feb. 22 to thousands of dollars, discuss concerns and the Burnes said. next steps in a meeting However, some led by Republican neighbors have stepped Committeeman Chris forward, showing their Cleveland. support. “As Republicans we “On my block I got need to make a decision pledges for about $55,000 — are we going to get COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS from about 15 people in involved?” he said. Alderman Michele Smith. 24 hours.” Lincoln Park The main issues with resident Ben Kadish the plan still include traffic and density said. concerns as well as building heights and Allan Mellis, a director on the zoning issues. However, since the plan is Wrightwood Neighbors Association, supported by Alderman Michele Smith, a group that mostly supports the plan, it is expected to get pushed through city expressed concerns over the lawsuit. council without a problem. “Say you have a lawsuit and then “Michele has put this on the path. they stop the project, then what’s going There won’t be any changes or intelligent to happen?” Mellis said. I’m afraid the discussion. It’s over,” Ed Burnes said, an lot will sit empty again and why would opponent of the project. another developer want to come in?” The two 21-story glass residential See HOSPITAL, page 6 buildings are one aspect that many oppose
Campus Dems, GOP host debate By Kyle Terrell Contributing Writer
Max klEiner | The DePaulia
The St. Vincent mural on McCabe Hall is composed of thousands of 2-inch stamp portraits of alumni, faculty and students. Meet the man behind ‘We are DePaul2’ and get an exclusive look at the work of this Vincentian brother and art professor, FOCUS, pages 14-15.
After a five-year hiatus, the DePaul Democratic and Republican Student Clubs reunited Thursday, Feb. 20 for the first debate since 2009, hoping to reignite the spirit of political debate on campus. Few of the 87 people there attended DePaul the last time the two clubs came together for a debate. Gabie Hart, member of the Executive Board for DePaul Democrats, the group that arranged the event, said the debate was a success considering it’s their first since 2009. “We are all excited to bring the debate back to DePaul,” Hart said. “They’re debating on the issues of gun control, the economy and Obamacare.” DePaul senior Eddie Lawando said he came to hear what proclaimed political pundits had to say about the issues since he is unsure. “I don’t know what I am politically, I guess you could say more Republican,” Lawando said. “I’m really excited to see what they said about gun control.” Considering Chicago’s recent rampant gun violence, cheers from the audience
erupted on both sides of the gun control debate, even though the moderator had to remind the audience not to cheer. The Republican panel said President Obama refuses to execute already implemented gun control laws and the solution doesn’t lie in taking guns off the street. The solution lies in keeping already convicted criminals off the street. “There will be a permanent black market for guns if you take guns away,” the Republicans said. “Guns prevent crime, criminals break the laws. There is nothing more frightening to a criminal or a rapist than an armed victim.” The Democrats fired back, saying we need a weapons ban like we had in the ‘90s. Michael Rance delivered another crowd rouser when he closed the Democrats gun control argument. “We need stricter gun laws,” Rance said. “Purchasing a gun is ridiculously easy. I bought a gun at a gun show and it was a joke. And besides, you don’t need an AK-47 or and AR-15 Assault rifle with 20-round clips to hunt. Those weapons need to be banned.” Sofia Fernandez, a sophomore majoring
See DEBATE, page 5