For
more information, please contact:
Gwen Osborne, director
of public affairs, (312) 906-5251
ADVISORY TO PRODUCERS, COLUMNISTS AND ASSIGNMENT, LEGAL,
PLANNING, BUSINESS, AND DAYBOOK EDITORS
CHICAGO-- December 13, 2004--Chicago-Kent College
of Law, the Stuart Graduate School of Business and the Center
for Financial Markets have experts available to discuss current
issues. To reach any of our experts, call Gwen
Osborne, director of public affairs, at (312) 906-5251. Copies
of press releases and earlier advisories are available on our
Web site: http://www.kentlaw.edu/news/
Scott Peterson has been sentenced to death for the murders
of his wife and their unborn child. Formal sentencing is scheduled
for February 25. Professor and criminal defense attorney Richard
S. Kling is available for interviews about the case.
The ghost of basketball games past will haunt the Indiana
Pacers and the Detroit Pistons when they play on Christmas Day.
It will be the first time the two teams have faced each other
since November 19 when a brawl between fans and players erupted
during a game. The NBA leveled record-breaking suspensions against
the players involved. Authorities in Michigan, where the game
was played, last week filed criminal charges against seven Pistons'
fans and five Indiana players. A recent Gallup Poll finds that
49 percent of pro-basketball fans said the players were more responsible
for the incident, while only 38 percent blamed the fans. Sports
attorney and adjunct professor Eldon L. Ham says he has
solutions for ending what he calls "thugball." Professor
Ham, the author of The 100 Greatest Sports Blunders of All
Time and Playmasters: An Unauthorized History of the NBA
from Sellouts to Lockouts, is available for interviews.
Policymakers at the Federal Reserve are expected to discuss
the impact of the dollar's decline on the U.S. economy when
the Open Markets Committee meets this week. Will they continue
to raise short-term interest rates? Stuart Graduate School of
Business professor Robert
Laurent is a former economist with the Federal Reserve
Bank of Chicago. He is available for interviews.
President Bush is busy making appointments to fill recent
cabinet vacancies. Former New York City police commissioner
Bernard Kerik withdrew his nomination as head of Homeland Security
days after his appointment was announced, when disclosures about
his personal life became public. Presidential appointees, including
cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, federal judges, directors of
federal agencies and members of federal boards and commissions
must be confirmed by the Senate. Legal scholars are available
to discuss the U.S. Constitution's "advise and consent"
power.
Saddam Hussein and Augusto Pinochet are under arrest and awaiting
trial on human rights charges. Former Chilean dictator General
Augusto Pinochet has been indicted and placed under house arrest
for atrocities committed during his 17-year reign. Pinochet, who
is 89, was once considered physically and mentally unfit to stand
trial. However, after reviewing a recent interview Pinochet gave
on American Spanish-language television, a Chilean judge determined
he is fit for trial. Meanwhile, this week marks the one-year anniversary
of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's capture. Authorities have not
set a date for his trial for crimes against humanity. While evidence
is being gathered against him, Hussein has yet to meet with counsel.
Experts are available for interviews.
Chicago's Third Airport? Gary/Chicago International Airport
is approximately 25 miles and 35 minutes from downtown Chicago.
While some suggest a new airport in Peotone, Ill., will relieve
congestion at O'Hare and Midway airports, supporters of Gary/Chicago
Airport say it is the best solution to the area's air traffic
problems. Professor Sanford
A. Bredine, who teaches marketing communications at Stuart
Graduate School of Business, is available to discuss a project
his students have undertaken to increase awareness of the benefits
of Gary/Chicago International Airport.
The Taxman Cometh. Chicago-Kent's Low-Income Taxpayer
Clinic is seeking taxpayers who have disputes with the IRS. Those
who meet certain income criteria may qualify for free assistance
with their tax disputes, including collection matters, audits,
appeals and litigation before the Internal Revenue Service, United
States Tax Court, and United States District Court. Students work
under the supervision of Professor Jonathan
Decatorsmith. The program Web site at www.kentlaw.edu/academics/clinic/tax
has information about the program. Professor Decatorsmith is available
for interviews about the program, but is unable to answer media
queries for current tax filing stories.
‘Tis the season to point and click. Analysts predict
that online sales will continue to grow during the 2004 holiday
season. Experts are available to discuss a wide range of e-commerce
issues, including Internet privacy, identity theft, site authentication,
and laws to protect online consumers.
Holiday displays of menorahs, nativity scenes and other religious
symbols on government property have often been the subject
of lawsuits. Professor Sheldon
Nahmod, a constitutional scholar, can discuss the controversies
involving the separation of church and state, and recent court
cases.
--DTC--
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