ILLINOIS MEDICAID   Discount drug cards aren’t always a prescription for savings   By Robert Joiner, Beacon staff    Posted 10:56 am Thu., 5.19.11   Illinois consumers are being flooded this week with offers of a free program that is supposed to help them save money at the pharmacy. Called the Illinois Rx Card, the program promises

Link: Big bucks in social media LinkedIn Shares Soar After IPO By LYNN COWAN Social-media companies, take note: LinkedIn Corp.’s swift rise on its first day of trading Thursday proves that U.S. investors are hungry for similar stories.

CUBS/RICKETTS/WRIGLEY   Cubs’ Quade trying to maintain even keel By PAUL SULLIVAN - Chicago Tribune MIAMI Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade is an eternal optimist, which is one reason why the players backed him last September for the permanent gig and why general manager Jim Hendry subsequently hired him. But Quade’s rosy outlook, usually saying things will improve,

Cubs miscues do them in again May 17, 2011 …called a clubhouse meeting after the Cubs blew a four-run lead in Monday’s…conference while venting his ire. But the Cubs responded to Quade’s night of rage with…angle.” That error didn’t cost the Cubs, but Tuesday was the first time since… https:///www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0518-cubs-reds-chicago—20110517,0,2572945.story   Cubs’ Andrew Cashner dealt

Link: Paging Ross Perot! Electronic Town Hall is here.

Link: If the medium is the message, keep it simple, mobile and short It’s no secret that mobile is the future. While ownership of TV sets in the U.S. fell for the first time ever, smartphone ownership continued to explode — it’s up 60% versus a year ago. Marketers who had traditionally focused on getting their message across through broadcasts

CUBS Cubs send struggling Colvin to Triple-A Iowa May 16, 2011 …that was telegraphed for days, the Cubs optioned Tyler Colvin to Triple…the day after his first start with the Cubs. He’s with his family now and expected…Sunday’s game getting rained out, the Cubs are now in the second game of a   Quade upset

Link: Cautious CEO optimism on economy, better than none at all! America’s CEOs: Jobs outlook better, but … CNNMoney 6:24 AM CDT, May 16, 2011 advertisementBusiness leaders believe the economy is getting better and many even said they are hiring more workers as a result. But chief executive officers remain nervous about many things, most

BRIDGET GAINER The Top Challenges Facing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel MAY 16 2011, 7:30 AM ET When Rahm Emanuel is inaugurated as Chicago’s mayor Monday, he will confront the toughest job in America: chief executive of a major city. His challenges are stark, though the biggest is missed by most. https:///www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/05/the-top-challenges-facing-chicago-mayor-rahm-emanuel/238911/   ILLINOIS MEDICAID   Hospitals:

Link: The latest in newspapers vs. digital & social media Chicago Tribune testing premium daily edition By: Lynne Marek May 12, 2011  (Crain’s) — The Chicago Tribune is contemplating a pricier, premium daily newspaper to target affluent, more-educated readers, some of whom have dropped the biggest daily paper in recent years. The unit of Tribune Co. is