Times Wire Reports

CHICAGO

Guard implicated in jail break sues Cook County

A former Cook County Jail guard implicated in the escape of six inmates in 2006 has filed a lawsuit against the county and several jail officials, saying they falsely implicated him in the escape.

Darin Gater alleges in the lawsuit that sheriff's office investigators denied him food, sleep and an attorney as they questioned him over a three-day period after the escape. He is seeking unspecified damages for false arrest, malicious prosecution and other claims, according to the lawsuit.

Gater is awaiting trial on official misconduct, escape, aggravated battery and other charges in connection with the jailbreak Feb. 11, 2006, which allowed six inmates to escape. He has pleaded not guilty.

Three other people charged with aiding the escape have also pleaded not guilty.

A sheriff's office spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit.

More Illinois students failing AP tests

Illinois high school students continue to enroll in Advanced Placement courses in record numbers. But data released by the College Board indicates the proportion of them passing the rigorous AP exams continues to decline.

About two-thirds of the 2007 graduates who took an end-of-the-year AP exam posted a 3 or higher, the score needed to earn college credit on a scale of 1 to 5. Five years ago, 72 percent made the grade.

The results mirror what is happening across the country, where record numbers of students are sitting through AP classes, but a greater proportion of them are failing the exams.

Experts say the results suggest the explosion of AP courses has resulted in watered-down curriculum in some districts.

Study: Chicago must improve opportunities for blacks

A study by the Chicago Urban League says the city's black community has its biggest untapped economic potential. The study concludes blacks, who make up 37 percent of Chicago's population, will play a key role in determining whether the city is globally competitive in the next decade.

The Urban League study states to realize this potential, Chicago's government and business leaders must improve academic, business and job opportunities for blacks.

The study argues that by increasing access to capital for black entrepreneurs, the city could be far more effective in unlocking what the Urban League calls "the puzzle of inner-city poverty."

The report's specific policy recommendations include forming alliances of churches to pool money to help blacks start businesses.