By Carlos Ardila

Caption: Shaky Grounds

An effort to curtail the rising crime wave associated with scrap metal scavenging might end up hurting undocumented workers and their families.

Starting Jan. 1, the new state law - Senate Bill 69 - will require scrap metal dealers to record the identity of anyone who intends to sell more than $100 in metal scrap.

The bill, which cleared easily both the Illinois House and Senate and was signed into law by Gov. Rob Blagojevich in July, will require all scrap dealers to maintain a detailed database for up to three years.

New ordinance tougher on fraudulent sticker users

By Octavia Reese

City Clerk Miguel del Valle boasted about his office's high-tech strategies aimed at curbing counterfeit city stickers. To further these efforts, an ordinance he introduced was passed last week by the Committee on Traffic Control and Safety that provides tougher penalties against sticker scammers.

Del Valle said his office has taken some steps to address counterfeiters. To prevent parking permits being removed from one vehicle and placed on another, he said, they changed adhesive and cut slits into the sticker. Now, if the sticker is removed, it "falls apart."

With the growing sophistication of printing equipment, del Valle said, it is easier for frauds to print the sticker images. The remedy for this was to use holograms and custom colors, which are more difficult to replicate.

Although the clerk's office is making some effort to address city sticker fraud, some experts believe they still lag behind other major cities.

By Jessica Golden

After growing up and attending school in the suburb of New Lennox, Richard Roye was excited to find a job that would take him to the city. Wondering how he could save the most money on transportation, Roye decided to drive and park in the South Loop and then jump in a cab to his workplace.

After a few weeks of commuting this way, Roye's car was broken into at the Impark on State and Eighth streets. Not much was stolen, but he stopped driving to the South Loop immediately after the incident.

As South Loop continues to grow with new businesses, residents and commuters, street and garage parking has become more crowded, especially on Wabash Ave. and State St.

Whole Foods just moved into the area and a few celebrities are rumored to inhabit South Loop's new condominiums. But one problem remains, and actually is getting worse: theft.

By Carlos Ardila

The renovated Montrose train station is scheduled to open Nov. 26, a year after it was closed to the public. Before it shut down as part of the $530 million renovation project for the Brown line, the Montrose stop had a monthly rider ship of 55,000. Time will tell if all of those riders return - and if business will follow.

The renovation included new elevators and longer platforms to accommodate larger, eight-car trains. The new Sedgwick stop, which was partly closed for a year, was re-opened Nov. 12. The Montrose stop was a more significant renovation.

So far customers say they like the new look, according to the CTA tattler message board, a public transportation watchdog.

Margie's Candies at 1813 W. Montrose Ave., just under the Brown line tracks, managed to stay open during the entire year of construction. But it has not been easy - or good for business.

By Dan Selecman

After nearly two months of an overtime legislative session in Springfield, many state budget issues remain unresolved.

Among the many funding issues still up in the air is a request from the CTA for an additional $110 million, on tops of its $1 billion budget.

If the CTA doesn't get its bailout from the state in coming weeks, CTA President Ron Huberman says fares will increase Sept. 1.

That could be especially painful for the 30 percent of the city's nearly 3 million residents who are "transit captives," said Tom Samuels, a staff member for Ald. Mary Ann Smith (48th). Transit captives don't own their own vehicles, making them dependent on public transportation.

By Lindsey Taylor

While Chicago baseball fans continue to bicker over who's better - the Cubs or White Sox - fans of the Northside ball club know one thing for sure - parking near Wrigley Field is nearly non-existent on game day.

In fact, the official web site for the Chicago Cubs "strongly encourages" fans to use public transportation to and from the ballpark at 1060 W. Addison St.

That may help Cubs fans, but it can cause delays and displeasure for residents and others who find themselves on the CTA on game day.

By Anna Marevska

The Chicago Transit Authority will be adding 25 new bus lines to the new Bus Tracker program, but the No. 50 Damen Avenue route - one of the most unreliable - isn't on the list. Many passengers want to know why.

"I don't get it," said Erin Halpin, 31, who rides the bus at least twice a week. " I thought the new system is supposed to make traveling around Chicago more convenient. The Damen bus is the most irregular bus line in the city, and it is not getting the upgrades?"

CTA officials declined to comment despite repeated interview requests.

By Jason Porterfield

A projected budget shortfall in future highway construction projects could lead to an increase in the current 18.4 cent per gallon federal gas tax, according to a group of transportation officials from across the United States.

A recent study by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials illustrates the growing demand placed on the Interstate Highway System and the financial strain it will create in coming years. The group's report, "Future Needs of the US Transportation System," calls for dramatic increases in funding for highway projects.