Briefs: U. of Chicago gets grant
The University of Chicago Medical Center is getting a $23 million government grant to help transform basic science into new medical treatments more quickly. The school is among 12 academic medical centers awarded grants in a morning announcement by the National Institutes of Health. Twelve others were announced last year in a program that in five years will link 60 institutions in a national research consortium. The University of Chicago's program will involve researchers from its medical school and faculty from different disciplines, and it will recruit community residents into the research process. It's the only Illinois school in the consortium.
Indictment appealed
Attorneys for former Chicago Alderman Edward Vrdolyak have asked a federal judge to dismiss an indictment against the once-powerful political leader. In an appeal filed Monday, the attorneys told U.S. District Court Judge Milton Shadur that the indictment does not specifically name any criminal offense Vrdolyak may have committed. The indictment accuses Vrdolyak of plotting with millionaire political contributor Stuart Levine to get money from a developer that wanted to buy a building on Chicago's Gold Coast. Levine -- who at the time was chairman of the board of Chicago Medical School, which owned the building -- sought to freeze out rival buyers in favor of Smithfield Properties, which wanted to redevelop the building for condos, the indictment said.
Jury selection under way
Jury selection began Tuesday in Miami in the trial of seven men accused of plotting to destroy the Sears Tower and bomb FBI offices around the country in hopes of inciting an anti-government insurrection. U.S. District Judge Joan Lenard said it could take up to two weeks to seat a jury for a trial that could take three months. The laborious task began Tuesday with an initial group of 34 prospective jurors, who are being kept anonymous under court order. Those who pass the initial round will be brought back for a second day of more detailed questioning, including addressing their views of terrorism and Islam. The seven men face up to 70 years in prison if convicted on charges that include conspiracy to levy war against the United States and conspiracy to provide material support to al-Qaida.