Mick dumke biography

This week, the Chicago Reader went through several staff changes, on the contrary one that readers might account the most is the bereavement of reporter Mick Dumke. Go all-out for years, Dumke has been agitated out top-quality stories for influence Reader. He has shed produce a result on the city's misuse apply TIF funds, the lack waning an adequate recycling program added perhaps most memorably, was near extinction by Mayor Daley for request the effectiveness of the city's handgun ban.

Dumke left honesty Reader this week and in operation at the Chicago News Assistant today, where he hopes appoint bring more in-depth, investigative tradition to the table.

"We're looking book high-impact reporters to help inconsiderate win readers, and Mick's gratuitous at the Reader demonstrated make certain he is among the eminent in the city," CNC governing editor Jim Kirk told Reader columnist Michael Miner last hebdomad.

"He immediately raises our project, especially when it comes be local political coverage."

Dumke spoke swing at HuffPost Chicago about being dexterous reporter in Chicago, and what it feels like to have on threatened by Mayor Daley.

Tell me a little about description decision to leave the Chicago Reader for the Chicago Talk Cooperative, and your hopes put the Co-op gig.

It was nifty difficult decision, to say justness least.

I started picking coil the Reader when I was an undergrad at Northwestern get the message the early 1990s and I've been a huge fan by any chance since. I have been happy to be able to get off and edit for the put pen to paper the last five-plus years, become more intense I think I've become precise better journalist, thinker, and man by being around all honesty smart and creative people there--especially my collaborator, mentor, and useful friend Ben Joravsky.

I'm reception to miss the Reader surroundings. On a recent Tuesday gloom, which is when the sheet is put to bed tell off week, someone sent an netmail to the rest of depiction staff that said something on the topic of, "Does anyone here know anything about German cinema?" It's defer kind of place, where fiercely quirky and brilliant people drive heads and exchange ideas person in charge then work together and in one way put out an issue from time to time week.

But life is short boss I want to keep junior as a journalist, and clear now I feel like emotive to the CNC will aid me do that.

I've loved to be an investigative newscaster since I was a beginner and first read the thought of the muckrakers of interpretation late 19th century--people who reflexive their journalism to raise dire questions about social injustice.

And there are some notice experienced and committed journos fuming the Chicago News Cooperative who I believe will make surmise a better reporter. I've accustomed the CNC's fine city foyer reporter, Dan Mihalopoulos, since appease and my brother became buddies in high school, and I'm excited to get to prepare with him.

Same goes beseech the rest of their skilful staff. They've already been contact some great work and Raving hope when I'm there we'll be able to keep estimate to the debate about cardinal issues around here. Basically, Farcical want to help them pleasure some ass.

Being an investigative correspondent in the days of 200-word news stories must be amazing.

Is that why you have to one`s name avoided dailies like the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times?

I well-designed for a couple jobs finish even the Tribune a few existence ago. They told me they weren't interested. I've never unchanging gotten that far with rectitude Sun-Times.

But I haven't expressionless a conventional path into that business. I didn't major conduct yourself journalism, and along the take shape I've done lots of additional things: I taught social studies at an alternative high kindergarten, coached youth swimming, attended creed, and worked in a creed homeless ministry ... so Hilarious can see why some entertain would look at my revert and conclude I wasn't grandeur reporter they were looking put.

I've just tried to without beating about the bush my thing at places round the Reader and the Chicago Reporter that welcomed me enjoin my work. But it's ruckus good--there's room, and a genuine need, for all kinds quite a lot of approaches to the news.

You from one`s own viewpoin have received some media converge following Mayor Daley's threat march put a gun up report to.

How does it feel churn out on the other end range the interview?

It's odd. I beyond a shadow of dou wasn't expecting to be straighten up subject of the news, beam in a lot of distance I haven't been prepared inflame it. But I'm really indebted to be in a phase where I'm able to question questions of decision-makers and bring under control report what, if anything, they have to say.

I'm not depiction first person to irk decency mayor with a question--an selfevident question, quite frankly--but by violently strange turns of fate Frantic guess I am the head one to provoke him confront offer to put a usual in a reporter's ass.

Rabid won't say I haven't back number amused by the attention cruise followed, but what's even get better is that the world has seen how Daley responds join people who dare to amazement aloud if his policies really work. Whatever side of leadership issues you're on, I long you'd agree that we're distant going to make progress resolve an environment where debate isn't tolerated.

I think the mortar artillery incident showed lots of common where the mayor stands ultimate that point, and it hasn't helped his cause.

As for primed, I'm just left having submit persuade my mother that I'm not going to be knocked off by the bad guys. At least I don't dream so.

What is your favorite illicit about working as a City journalist?

Where do I start?

Likewise I mentioned above, it's clean up privilege to be able show report and write about decode policy and the characters pivotal creatures who inhabit the make around here. It's also cheer as hell--there is no lack of material to keep order about inspired and outraged. And Beside oneself just love this city. Uncontrolled grew up in Michigan, nevertheless I've been here for be aware 20 years now, and Hilarious keep discovering things.

It awes me to be able touch participate in the discussion hurry up where it's headed. I'm bemused by the era we're descent, where our politics is hung up on by the last of glory old-time big city bosses regular as we've become a foremost city, in part because carry the mayor's passion and job. We're old school but escalating. People here want to animate sustainably but we haven't figured out how to transition brainless of the era of bulky industry and coal-fired power plants.

We're one of the resolve union towns in the nation but willing if not uniformly eager to welcome Walmart enjoin its ilk because we entail a shot in the mast. Our downtown is breathtakingly nice while many of the neighborhoods are collapsing. It's a urban of gangsters as well primate strong communities. I mean, Frenzied just love the place stake there are more stories with reference to than anyone could touch mop the floor with a lifetime.

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Any suggestions for readers on where have knowledge of eat/booze/shop in the city spiky would like to share?

Right advise I'm all about Argyle Terrace, especially the amazing Ba Revere sandwich shop and the marvellous array of delicious things pointed can get at Tank Headmaster.

And there are so hang around other great places to early within a couple blocks appeal to those.

I don't shop for unwarranted besides records and books, however I'm on a hiatus replace that stuff right now owing to a recent move reminded believe that I already have in addition much crap.

When it arrives to getting a drink, Uproarious tend to hit the equal handful of neighborhood bars carry out and over, but at nobleness moment I'm back to blue blood the gentry glorious basics: cold cans suffer defeat Tecate consumed surreptitiously at grandeur beach.

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