The Week That Was

U.S. attorney chosen: Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Lassar was pickedfor the permanent post by Illinois' Senators Carol Moseley-Braun andRichard Durbin. The Democratic senators said Lassar had the bestconfirmation chances in the GOP-controlled Senate, assuming PresidentClinton nominates him. If confirmed, Lassar is expected to keep alow profile.

Cabbie strike: A one-day work stoppage by Chicago cabdriverskept about 80 percent to 90 percent of taxis off the street Tuesday.Drivers were upset by changes in the cab ordinance, passed later inthe week by the City Council. It included fines of $750 forrefusing to take a passenger to any destination, banning cabs fromovernight parking on commercial streets, and increasing the number oflicensed cabs by 1,000. During the strike, city traffic workerDarrick Reynolds said, "The chances of getting a cab today arebetween slim and none, and I think Slim is out of town."Going bustIf the economy is going so great, why are more people than everfiling for bankruptcy? The Chicago Sun-Times reported Monday thatthe 1996 personal bankruptcy total of 37,731 in northern Illinois wasup 29.8 percent from the previous year. That was nearly double the15.7 increase nationwide. Experts blamed out-of-control personalspending, fueled by credit cards.Getting bustedFrank TrippAn anonymous telephone tip led to the arrest of Frank Tripp, 27, inTuesday's carjacking, abduction and shooting of a 65-year-old Skokiewoman. Tripp was arrested in his apartment at the Robert TaylorHomes, where the victim's Chevrolet Blazer was found. BeatriceRosenberg, who was shot in the head and dumped on the Kennedy Expy.,was sitting up, eating and talking with relatives late in the weekafter brain surgery at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Police wereseeking a second suspect.Also bustedPolice arrested a 12-year-old boy last week on charges of sellingcrack cocaine in Maywood. The boy was among 71 alleged street-cornerdrug dealers rounded up in sting operations.