Leading With Integrity: Jennifer Schielke on Serving, Listening, and Building Lasting Influence

The Chicago Journal Staff on February 3, 2026

By: Michael Thompson

In a world where leadership is often measured by titles, metrics, and visible wins, Jennifer Schielke has a different view. For her, the most enduring impact comes not from authority or performance alone, but from alignment between values, decisions, and everyday actions. It’s leadership that serves before it shines.

Jennifer’s early career was shaped by leaders who combined confidence with humility. They held strong convictions, but always treated people with respect. They listened, they held high standards, and they never separated performance from character.

“What still guides me today is their consistency,” she says. “What they said, what they believed, and how they treated others always aligned. That integrity created safety, trust, and a deep sense of purpose. I strive to model that same alignment for those I lead.”

Making Values Real

Knowing your values is one thing; living them under pressure is another. Jennifer believes values only become meaningful when they are tested.

“I encourage leaders to pre-decide who they will be before pressure arrives,” she explains. “When the stakes are high, clarity of values acts as a compass.”

Practically, this means pausing long enough to ask: Does this decision reflect who I say I am and what I stand for? Over time, repetition, accountability, and reflection turn values from words on a wall into lived behaviors that guide meetings, feedback, and conflict resolution.

Releasing Control

One of the hardest shifts for successful leaders is letting go of control. Many rise through the ranks by being fast problem-solvers and carrying heavy responsibility. Yet people-centered leadership requires trust, patience, and shared ownership.

“Learning to release the need to be the smartest voice in the room, and instead become the one who develops others’ voices, is often the most transformational shift,” Jennifer says.

Letting go allows teams to grow, take ownership, and build confidence. It’s a practice that strengthens culture and encourages collaboration, rather than producing dependency on a single leader.

Choosing Integrity Over Convenience

Integrity is not always convenient, Jennifer admits. There have been moments when walking away from an opportunity was the right choice because alignment, ethics, or transparency were compromised.

“The short-term cost felt real, but the long-term gain in trust, reputation, and peace of conscience proved invaluable,” she reflects. “Integrity protects relationships and opens doors that compromise never could.”

Trust in Everyday Leadership

For Jennifer, trust is built not in speeches or posters, but in daily actions. Following through on promises, telling the truth even when it’s uncomfortable, admitting mistakes, listening without defensiveness, and honoring people’s dignity, these are the moments that define organizational culture.

“Trust is how meetings are run, how feedback is given, how conflict is handled, and how credit is shared,” she says. “It’s the small, consistent choices that make a culture safe and resilient.”

Staying Grounded

Leadership brings constant pressure. Jennifer returns to her purpose and faith to stay grounded. She views leadership as stewardship, not ownership, and relies on reflection, prayer, and trusted advisors to recalibrate.

“When I remember that my role is to serve, not perform for approval, the noise quiets and clarity returns,” she explains. This perspective allows her to lead intentionally rather than react to every demand or expectation.

Listening as Influence

In fast-paced environments, listening is often overlooked. Jennifer sees it as essential to influence. Leaders must be fully present, ask thoughtful questions, and resist the urge to respond while someone else is speaking.

“Leaders must create space for voices to be heard, especially when time feels scarce,” she says. “Insight often comes from the people who rarely speak up, and from perspectives that challenge assumptions.”

Defining a Healthy Legacy

Legacy, for Jennifer, is about people, not just outcomes. A leader’s impact is measured by the growth of others, ethical, confident, and empowered individuals who continue to lead with integrity.

“True impact shows in trust, continuity of values, and a culture that thrives even when the leader is not in the room,” she says.

For emerging leaders, she encourages a mindset shift: move from proving to improving. Focus on learning, serving, and building credibility over time. Character, she notes, will speak louder than any single achievement.

The Heart of Leading for Impact

Jennifer wrote Leading for Impact to help leaders shift away from chasing performance and authority, and toward serving with integrity. The book is rooted in decades of business leadership, life-on-life ministry, and lessons learned in challenging situations.

Her framework asks leaders to define their North Star values, cultivate confident humility, embrace what she calls the “servant warrior” approach, and lead through every challenge with integrity. It’s not about checklists or tactics; it’s about self-reflection and transformative action that enables authentic influence.

Faith threads throughout Jennifer’s approach, providing moral clarity and resilience. Leadership, she emphasizes, is not about perfection, but about accountability, service, and growth. By connecting purpose to action, leaders can navigate complexity with courage while leaving a lasting, positive impact.

“If you implement one idea immediately, let it be this: lead by your core values, explicitly and consistently,” she says. “When leaders live by their values, they create a culture of trust, clarity, and commitment. Genuine influence and lasting impact grow from that foundation.”

Learn More and Get the Book

Explore Leading for Impact: The CEO’s Guide to Influencing with Integrity on Amazon.

Visit Jennifer’s official website for insights, speaking, and leadership resources: https://jenniferschielke.com/

Old Durbar: Your Guide to Authentic Indian Dining

The Chicago Journal Staff on February 3, 2026

This article is all about making it easier to choose an Indian restaurant in Melbourne that actually suits you. With so many options across the city and surrounding suburbs, it can be hard to know where to start, especially if you are new to Indian food or trying a place for the first time.

The best Indian restaurant is not just about popularity or online ratings. It comes down to food quality, consistency, and whether the restaurant matches your taste and dining style. Knowing what to look for makes the decision simpler and helps you enjoy the experience with confidence.

How to Select an Indian Restaurant in Melbourne That Suits You

Start With the Menu

The menu tells you more than photos or promotions.

A good Indian restaurant usually offers a balanced menu with classic dishes and traditional options. Curries, breads, rice dishes, and vegetarian meals should be listed clearly and make sense together.

If the menu focuses on a few safe choices, such as butter chicken and naan, the food may be designed primarily for beginners. Restaurants that also offer dal, goat curry, biryani, or regional dishes often demonstrate greater experience and confidence in their cooking.

Check the Bread Quality

Fresh bread is a strong sign of quality in an Indian restaurant.

Naan and roti should be soft, warm, and made to order. They should not feel dry, stiff, or overly oily.

If bread arrives cold or chewy, it often means it was pre-cooked and reheated. Restaurants that care about bread usually care about the rest of the food as well.

Look at How Curries Are Cooked

Good Indian curries rely on balance and proper cooking.

A well-prepared curry has depth of flavour rather than just heat. The spices, onion, tomato, and cream should work together. Meat should be tender, and vegetables should be cooked properly, not rushed or overdone.

If every curry tastes similar, the kitchen may be using one base sauce. While this is common, the best Indian restaurants give each dish its own flavour and identity.

Spice Levels Should Be Flexible

Indian food does not need to be very spicy to be enjoyable.

A good restaurant will ask about your spice preference and respect your choice. Mild dishes should still taste rich and full of flavour. Hot dishes should be spicy without overwhelming the palate.

Properly understanding spices demonstrates skill and care in Indian cooking.

Consistency Matters More Than One Good Meal

Anyone can serve a good dish once. What matters is consistency over time.

Locals tend to return to Indian restaurants that deliver consistent quality every visit. Portion sizes remain steady, and flavours remain familiar.

A restaurant with regular customers is often a stronger indicator than one that relies on marketing or trends.

Pay Attention to Vegetarian Dishes

Vegetarian food is an important part of Indian cuisine.

Dishes like palak paneer, dal tadka, chole, and vegetable curries should be treated with the same care as meat dishes. If vegetarian options feel like an afterthought, it may suggest limited attention in the kitchen.

Strong vegetarian dishes typically reflect traditional cooking methods and proper use of spices.

Notice Cleanliness and Atmosphere

You do not need fine dining to enjoy good Indian food.

The restaurant should feel clean, comfortable, and organised. Tables, menus, and service areas should be tidy. Staff should appear calm and confident in their work.

Many excellent Indian restaurants in Melbourne are simple and modest, but they still take pride in cleanliness and service.

Ask the Staff for Suggestions

Staff recommendations can be very helpful.

Good staff will ask what you enjoy eating and suggest dishes based on your taste. They should be able to explain unfamiliar dishes clearly without rushing you.

This usually means they understand the food well and care about your dining experience.

Takeaway Quality Is Also Important

Indian food is popular for takeaway, so quality should hold up outside the restaurant.

Curries should stay flavourful, rice should not dry out, and breads should remain soft. Packaging should keep food warm without making it soggy.

Restaurants that do takeaway well often prepare their food carefully from the start.

Where to Find Great Indian Restaurants in Melbourne

Melbourne has vibrant areas where Indian food is a highlight. Locals often choose places based on atmosphere, variety, and authenticity.

Brunswick Indian Restaurant’s options are popular with customers seeking strong flavours and a mix of classic curries and tandoori dishes. Brunswick is a lively area with Indian restaurants that locals often recommend for authentic, well-made food.

Other parts of Melbourne also have notable Indian dining spots. For example:

The CBD and inner north offer a mix of traditional and modern Indian restaurants
Suburbs like Fitzroy and Carlton are known for places that balance flavour with atmosphere

When choosing where to go, consider whether you want a casual takeaway meal, a relaxed dine-in experience, or something more formal.

Final Thoughts

Selecting an Indian restaurant in Melbourne comes down to focusing on the basics. A clear menu, fresh bread, balanced curries, and consistent quality matter more than trends or hype.

When these elements are done well, the dining experience usually follows. Whether you are new to Indian food or already enjoy it, these tips will help you find a restaurant you can return to with confidence.

How The Book Writing Group’s Amazon Book Marketing Services Help Self-Published Authors Grow

The Chicago Journal Staff on February 1, 2026

By: William Jones

The Book Writing Group Isn’t Selling Writing Services, It’s Selling Finished Books

Most people who want to write a book don’t fail because they lack ideas. They fail because life can sometimes interfere. Executives with hard-earned expertise may struggle to find the time to structure it into chapters. Coaches with transformational frameworks may get stuck in endless drafts. Entrepreneurs may start strong but then stall somewhere between Chapter Three and self-doubt. The result can be unfinished manuscripts, abandoned Google Docs, and stories that don’t make it to readers.

The Book Writing Group exists to address this challenge.

Not as a motivational writing coach. Not as a DIY publishing platform. But as a done-for-you book creation and publishing partner designed for people who want results, not experiments.

A Different Kind of Ghostwriting Company

What separates The Book Writing Group from the crowded ghostwriting market is not simply that they write books; many agencies claim that. It’s that they design the entire lifecycle of a book from idea to market, with clear systems, timelines, and accountability.

This is not a “send us notes and hope for magic” operation.

Clients are guided through an interview-driven process that extracts expertise, stories, and insights in a way that feels conversational rather than academic. The writing team then works to translate that raw material into a polished manuscript that retains the author’s voice while minimizing the friction that often prevents most people from finishing.

The goal is simple but can be rare in practice: a completed, professionally written book that feels like it came from the author—not the agency.

Why Busy Professionals Choose The Book Writing Group

The Book Writing Group’s client base gives a sense of its positioning.

These are not hobbyists testing an idea. Most clients are:

Business owners and entrepreneurs
Coaches, consultants, and speakers
Executives and industry specialists
First-time authors with high standards
Professionals using books to build authority, rather than seeking vanity

For these clients, a book is not a creative indulgence. It’s a strategic asset, a credibility amplifier, a lead-generation tool, or a legacy project.

That’s why the company’s process is built around efficiency without sacrificing quality. Instead of asking clients to “learn how to write a book,” The Book Writing Group asks better questions, structures the content thoughtfully, and manages the production, allowing the author to stay focused on their actual work.

From Blank Page to Bound Book: A Controlled Process

One of the biggest frustrations authors report with writing services is ambiguity—unclear timelines, vague deliverables, and endless revisions.

The Book Writing Group addresses this with a step-by-step production model that emphasizes clarity:

Strategic discovery interviews to define the book’s purpose and audience
Chapter-by-chapter drafting instead of massive, overwhelming manuscripts
Professional editing focused on readability, structure, and tone
Formatting for both print and digital platforms
Publishing support across major marketplaces, including Amazon

This modular approach helps keep projects moving forward and offers clients visibility at every stage. There are no disappearing writers. No mystery delays. No last-minute surprises. Just progress.

Publishing Is Not the Finish Line: It’s the Starting Gun

Here’s where many writing agencies stop.

The Book Writing Group doesn’t.

They recognize a truth that most first-time authors learn too late: publishing a book does not always result in readers.

That’s why the company has expanded into Amazon book marketing services and other book marketing services for self-published authors, designed to help books potentially perform better in the real world. These include:

Professional cover design that aligns with genre and audience psychology
Author websites that position the book as part of a broader brand
Audiobook creation for reach and accessibility
Promotional assets like video trailers and digital media kits
SEO-informed strategies to help support discoverability

This integrated model appeals to authors who understand that a book is not just content; it’s a product.

Ownership, Confidentiality, and Control

Ghostwriting often raises uncomfortable questions about ownership and ethics. The Book Writing Group addresses this head-on.

Clients retain full rights to their work. Confidentiality is a standard practice, not an optional extra. The collaborative process ensures the final manuscript reflects the author’s ideas, experiences, and worldview, not a generic template.

For business leaders and public figures, this level of discretion is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.

What Clients Actually Value

When you strip away marketing language and look at why clients recommend The Book Writing Group, a few themes emerge again and again:

“They finished what I couldn’t.”
“The process was far easier than I expected.”
“It still sounds like me.”
“I finally have a real book, not just an idea.”

That last point is important.

In an era where everyone talks about writing a book, very few people actually hold one in their hands. The Book Writing Group’s value lies in closing that gap.

A Partner, Not a Platform

The Book Writing Group is not trying to replace authors. It’s not selling shortcuts or pretending books write themselves.

What it offers instead is something far more practical: a professional partnership that respects the author’s time, voice, and goals.

For people who are serious about publishing—whether for authority, impact, or legacy—this partnership could be the difference between another unfinished idea and a book that actually exists in the world.

And when it comes to reaching readers, authors have the option to hire book marketing services through The Book Writing Group to potentially maximize visibility and sales.

Michael Christopher Schehr’s Consecutive Dorito Player of the Year Honors and Lasting Presence in Professional Paintball

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 31, 2026

Competitive paintball has grown from a weekend outing to a professional sport with thousands of enthusiasts and players worldwide. Tournaments now feature high-tech gear, global player rosters, and purse money that is in line with emerging sports. In this environment, medals awarded for pure skill can be just as meaningful as those awarded in traditional competitions. Of these variations, the Dorito Player of the Year award is today a benchmark for top front players who excel most at speed, strategy, and accuracy.

The Dorito role, named after the triangular bunker formation used on professional grounds, is a position that requires speed and constant risk assessment. Players within this role must advance quickly while scanning their opponents. To receive one annual award within this unit is considered a mark of a season uninterrupted by defeat. Winning the award consecutively is uncommon, requiring both physical endurance and mental sharpness over time.

Michael Christopher Schehr began his paintball career in 2007, progressing through regional circuits to eventually turn pro with the Trenton TopGun squad in 2016. He later played for prominent clubs such as the Los Angeles Ironmen and San Diego Dynasty, which are regarded as two of the premier programs in the National Xball League (NXL). By the early 2020s, Schehr had become a regular at championships, competing against players from North America, Europe, and Asia.

Between 2022 and 2025, Schehr earned the Dorito Player of the Year award for four seasons in a row. Within the NXL structure, which features more than 30 professional teams and a worldwide schedule of events, this streak placed him among rare company. Statistics from the league show that fewer than five players have managed even three consecutive wins in similar positional awards over the past decade. His prize was not only a testament to his production of offense, measured in points per clearance, but also his ability to maintain a low penalty rate in pressure matches.

The 2023 season was especially crucial. During that year, Schehr was a member of the San Diego Dynasty, which captured the NXL World Cup, the league’s largest event. Commentators remarked that his sudden breakouts and strategized maneuvers along the Dorito flank often forced early surrenders from opposing teams. Tournament records noted his average eliminations at 1.7 per game throughout the Cup, an efficiency rate placing him in the top five of all his position’s contenders.

To top this professional track record with a routine of full-time legal practice, Schehr stands out from the majority of contemporaries. While other professional paintball players simply train and travel, Schehr continued to fulfill his obligations as an attorney in Charlotte, North Carolina. After passing the North Carolina Bar in 2019, he founded Schehr Law PLLC, where he manages a staff of six and advocates for clients on matters involving personal injury and criminal defense. His ability to allocate time between court deadlines and national tournaments has been viewed by analysts as an indication of discipline and organization.

Pro paintball remains a small but steadily expanding sport. According to statistics provided by the NXL, spectatorship at leading U.S. events increased by an estimated 15 percent between 2018 and 2023, with streaming viewers adding thousands of additional viewers worldwide. Honor awards like the Dorito Player of the Year help to draw attention to individual excellence and provide fans with an easy-to-follow narrative. Schehr’s four seasons have contributed to the heritage of a sport that values team play and star power.

Players typically adhere to annual conditioning programs to maintain speed and accuracy. Schehr’s longevity on the field suggests a strong commitment to fitness, notwithstanding the constraints brought about by his professional law practice.

Michael Christopher Schehr’s achievement in paintball illustrates how dedication can bridge seemingly disparate professional domains. His four consecutive Dorito Player of the Year honors from 2022 to 2025, coupled with his law practice, exemplify sustained excellence within a sport that prioritizes decision-making speed and grit. To the world of paintball, his success serves as a testament to his consistency and diversity, with his concurrent work as a lawyer highlighting the possibility of achievement outside the arena of competition.

Within the broader context of the emerging sport itself, Schehr’s record forms part of the competitive history of paintball. Recognition by the NXL and having played on championship teams showcases the impact that an individual’s skill can have on the direction a game is going when it’s emerging. Michael Christopher Schehr remains one of the recognizable players.

How Tekmetric Became a Platform for Modern Auto Repair Management

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 30, 2026

A Morning That Explains the Problem

By midmorning in an independent auto repair shop, everything is already happening at once. The phone rings again. A technician pauses mid-job, waiting for a customer’s approval.

Someone at the counter wants to know why today’s estimate looks higher than yesterday’s. The service advisor moves between screens and conversations, trying to keep the day from slipping off course.

This pace hasn’t changed much in decades. The tools meant to support it, however, often feel stuck in the past. Many shops still rely on desktop software installed years ago, systems tied to local servers, and manual updates. Others use a mix of paper notes, whiteboards, and memory. It works, until it doesn’t. And when it breaks down, it usually breaks at the worst possible moment.

An Industry That Carries Real Weight, Quietly

Tekmetric was born out of that tension. Founded in Houston in 2017, the company didn’t set out to reinvent auto repair. Instead, it focused on a more modest goal: helping independent shops run their businesses with fewer disruptions.

The automotive aftermarket is enormous, yet largely invisible. Across the United States, hundreds of thousands of independent repair shops generate hundreds of billions of dollars each year. They keep aging vehicles on the road while dealing with rising costs, tighter labor markets, and increasingly complex cars. Despite that, the industry spent years on the margins of software innovation.

Tekmetric’s founders noticed what others overlooked. Not a resistant industry, but one that had never been offered tools that truly fit how it worked.

Learning Before Building

Early on, Tekmetric spent less time pitching ideas and more time observing. The team visited shops and observed how work progressed throughout the day. Service advisors bounced between phones and keyboards. Technicians waited for parts deliveries or customer approvals. Owners tried to make sense of a busy schedule without knowing whether the numbers behind it added up.

The lesson was straightforward. There was no patience for software that slowed things down. If it added steps, people skipped them. If it interrupted the front counter, it didn’t last. The standard wasn’t elegance or innovation. It was speed, clarity, and reliability.

Cloud Software That Didn’t Demand Attention

Tekmetric’s response was a cloud-based management system that ran in a browser and updated quietly in the background. Estimates, invoices, inspections, parts and inventory tracking, and customer communication lived in one place. The goal wasn’t to change how shops worked, but to make their existing workflows easier to manage.

That alone set it apart from much of the industry’s legacy software. No local servers. No scheduled update nights. Owners could log in from home or while running errands to see how the business was performing without waiting for monthly reports. The work itself stayed the same. The visibility improved.

When Transparency Becomes Practical

That visibility was most evident in digital vehicle inspections. The idea was simple. Technicians could attach photos and videos directly to repair recommendations. But the impact went deeper.

Auto repair has always struggled with trust. Repairs are expensive, unfamiliar, and often unexpected. Verbal explanations leave room for doubt. Images change the tone. When customers can see worn brake pads or leaking components for themselves, conversations shift. Approvals come faster. Tension eases. Transparency becomes routine rather than performative.

Tekmetric didn’t eliminate skepticism. It lowered the temperature.

Saying No to Feature Bloat

As more shops adopted the platform, Tekmetric faced the same choice most growing software companies do. Add more features quickly, or slow down and refine what already exists.

The company chose restraint. The interface stayed simple. Workflows remained consistent. Training time stayed manageable. That decision mattered in an industry where turnover is real, and attention is limited. Software that takes weeks to learn rarely gets used well. Tekmetric focused on making sure people actually used what they had.

From Software Tool to Operating System

Over time, Tekmetric grew into something larger. Integrations with parts suppliers, payment processors, and marketing platforms turned it into a central hub for shop operations.

Information flowed between systems instead of being re-entered. Errors dropped. Time was reclaimed.

The reporting tools became especially important. Metrics like effective labor rate, parts margins, and technician productivity were no longer buried in spreadsheets or guessed at after the fact. They were visible during the workweek, when decisions could still be adjusted. For many owners, that provided greater day-to-day visibility into the business.

Growth Without a Detour

By the early 2020s, Tekmetric’s steady expansion attracted major investors. The funding allowed the company to scale its engineering and customer support teams and expand nationally.

What it didn’t do was shift focus. Tekmetric stayed committed to independent repair shops, resisting the pull toward dealership software, where incentives and workflows differ significantly. That focus shaped the culture as much as the product. Many employees came from automotive backgrounds or had close ties to the industry.

Built for Messy Reality

Inside Tekmetric, product discussions tend to start with practical questions. What happens when the internet goes out? What if a tablet gets dropped in the shop? What if a customer walks in unannounced and needs an answer immediately?

These aren’t edge cases. They’re everyday events. The software is designed to survive them.

A Sign of a Broader Shift

Tekmetric’s rise mirrors a larger change in business software. For years, innovation focused on office workers and digital teams. Only recently has serious attention been paid to frontline industries that keep the physical economy running.

Auto repair sits squarely in that category. Cars are lasting longer. Technology inside them is more complex. Skilled labor is harder to find. Software can’t solve those problems, but it can reduce the friction around them.

The pandemic reinforced that point. Auto repair remained essential, and shops using cloud-based systems found it easier to adapt without overhauling their operations. Tekmetric didn’t pivot dramatically. It simply kept doing what it was built to do.

What Comes Next

The challenges ahead are real. Electric vehicles will change repair workflows. Competition in shop management software continues to grow. Data security becomes increasingly important as operations continue to digitize.

Growth carries risk, too. Distance from customers can dull insight. Tekmetric’s long-term success will depend less on adding features than on staying close to the shops it serves.

A Platform Built by Paying Attention

Tekmetric isn’t a consumer brand. It doesn’t chase headlines. Its impact shows up quietly, in shops that run a little more smoothly and in conversations that feel more straightforward.

In a technology world often obsessed with disruption, Tekmetric offers a quieter lesson. Sometimes progress comes from listening closely, building patiently, and solving problems people have lived with for years. Over time, that kind of work turns software into infrastructure and a useful tool into a platform.

James Vasselli’s Client-Centric Approach in Municipal Law: Focusing on Practical Strategies

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 30, 2026

By: William Jones

When asked what “client-centric” really means in municipal law, James Vasselli does not reach for buzzwords. In his view, the phrase only has value if it translates into clearer decisions, smoother operations, and better outcomes for the communities local governments serve.

After more than two decades advising municipalities across Illinois, Vasselli describes client-centric work as outcome-driven rather than performative. Local governments, he explains, do not need abstract legal theory or carefully hedged memos. They need legal guidance that fits how government actually works—under pressure, in public, and often with limited margin for error.

What follows reflects how he describes that approach in practice.

Start With the Outcome, Not the Statute

Vasselli notes that many legal engagements begin with a deep dive into statutes and case law. While that foundation is necessary, he believes it is rarely sufficient.

The first question, he says, should always be: What is the municipality trying to accomplish?

That outcome might be safer streets, a defensible development decision, consistent code enforcement, or clearer direction for staff. Once that objective is defined, the legal analysis is built to support it.

A memo that only recites the law may be accurate, but accuracy alone does not move a decision forward. In Vasselli’s view, legal advice is incomplete unless it clarifies the path ahead for both elected officials and staff.

Solving the Whole Problem, Not Just the Legal Piece

In describing past matters, Vasselli often points to situations where the narrow legal issue was not the real challenge. Code enforcement disputes, zoning decisions, or compliance questions frequently carry broader implications for public trust, staff consistency, or long-term planning.

In one such matter, rather than limiting the response to enforcement, the approach included:

Clear internal guidance so staff could apply standards consistently
Public-facing explanations to reduce confusion and speculation
Context ties the decision back to broader community goals

The result, he explains, was not just resolution, but alignment. The municipality moved forward without undermining the initiative behind the decision.

That, he says, is where client-centric work lives—at the intersection of law, operations, and public understanding.

Treat Feedback as Intelligence, Not Etiquette

Municipal governments operate under constant constraint: deadlines, budgets, staffing shortages, political realities, and public scrutiny. Vasselli believes feedback after major matters is essential—not as a courtesy, but as a diagnostic tool.

When timelines slip or confusion surfaces, he looks for patterns rather than one-off explanations. If a process consistently slows staff down, the process needs to change. If templates create friction, they should be rewritten. If communication does not land, it should be simplified.

The question he listens for is not whether the legal work was liked, but whether it made the municipality’s job easier.

Build Familiarity, Not Formal Distance

Vasselli emphasizes that municipalities should not have to manage their legal counsel. In his experience, effective long-term relationships are built by understanding how a municipality actually functions—how departments interact, where pressure points exist, and what elected officials are accountable for.

That familiarity allows issues to be addressed before they escalate. Proactive check-ins replace reactive fire drills. Legal counsel becomes predictable rather than disruptive.

Client-centric service, he explains, should reduce uncertainty—not add to it.

Adapt to Modern Expectations

Public officials are expected to make faster decisions with fewer resources. Legal counsel has had to adapt.

Vasselli points to changes over the years that reflect that reality:

Executive summaries that surface the answer first
Shorter, clearer legal opinions
Templates designed for operational use
Internal tracking to anticipate deadlines

If a legal memo does not immediately explain its practical impact, he considers it unfinished. Legal work, he says, should function as a roadmap—not a reference book.

Complaints Signal System Gaps

When dissatisfaction arises, Vasselli does not view it as a threat. He views it as information.

Listening without defensiveness, quickly correcting what can be corrected, and identifying whether the issue points to a larger process gap are all part of the response. Complaints often reveal friction in communication, clarity, or coordination long before those issues become larger problems.

Handled correctly, they strengthen systems.

Train the Team to Think Like Municipal Leaders

Vasselli believes client-centric service breaks down if only one attorney understands the municipality’s priorities. Everyone working on a matter must understand two things: what the municipality is trying to accomplish, and how legal guidance can make that path easier while staying compliant.

Accuracy, he says, is assumed. Usability is what differentiates effective counsel.

If staff cannot act on guidance the moment they receive it, the work has missed the mark.

Measure Satisfaction by Outcomes

Some of the most challenging matters Vasselli describes involve development reviews with multiple departments, utilities, intergovernmental partners, environmental considerations, and intense public visibility.

In those cases, clarity—not urgency—is the solution. Mapping responsibilities, identifying statutory decision points, and aligning departments around a shared framework transforms confusion into coordination.

Client-centric service, he explains, is often about giving everyone the same map.

Respect the Cost Side of the Equation

Vasselli is clear that municipal clients are stewards of taxpayer dollars. A client-centric approach must respect that reality.

Efficiency comes from systematizing routine work through templates, checklists, and workflows—freeing time for strategic issues that genuinely require senior attention. In his view, municipalities should not have to choose between affordability and quality.

They should expect both.

A Standard, Not a Slogan

Asked to summarize his perspective, Vasselli returns to fundamentals. Client-centric service is not something to be advertised. It is something to be built—through structure, clarity, anticipation, and consistency.

At Vasselli Law, that approach is treated as an operational standard rather than a marketing claim. In municipal law, where decisions affect real people and real communities, Vasselli sees that standard as non-negotiable.

It is simply the work.

Disclaimer: The views and strategies shared in this article reflect James Vasselli’s approach to municipal law. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Results may vary depending on specific circumstances. For legal guidance, please consult a qualified attorney.

The Butterfly and the Iron Curtain: Why Gretel Timan’s Survival Story is the Wake-Up Call America Needs

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 28, 2026

By: Joshua Smith

In the heart of Chicago, a city built on the grit and dreams of immigrants, we often talk about freedom as an abstract concept, something etched into monuments or discussed in the quiet halls of history books. We treat it as a permanent fixture of the landscape, as reliable as the city skyline itself. But for Gretel Timan, freedom isn’t just an idea; it’s a hard-earned physical reality that was almost denied to her. In her deeply personal memoir, A World Gone Mad, Gretel invites us into a life lived under the literal and figurative shadows of two of history’s most oppressive regimes: Hitler and Stalin.

Gretel’s story begins in a 1940s Germany defined by a world in collapse, a time and place where the air was thick with suspicion, and the walls seemed to have ears. For twenty years, she lived a complex double life, navigating the treacherous waters of a society where trust was a dangerous luxury. “You learned early that your tongue could be your best friend or your worst executioner,” she recalls, reflecting on a childhood where silence was often the only form of safety. It was an environment where the “Lake of Infinite Sorrow” wasn’t just a literary metaphor; it was the internal landscape of a child who witnessed the world crumbling into ruins before she even knew what a stable world was supposed to look like.

One of the most heart-wrenching anchors of her narrative is the story of Undine, a twelve-year-old girl lost to the senseless brutality of war and the cold depths of the Baltic Sea. For decades, Undine remained a ghost in Gretel’s mind, her memory buried in the equivalent of an unmarked mass grave along with countless others. By writing this book, Gretel hasn’t just written a history; she has recounted a spiritual resurrection. She has given a definitive voice to those the dictatorships tried to erase from existence, ensuring that their names and their innocence are finally acknowledged by the world.

When Gretel reached the United States at the age of 21, she arrived with very few possessions and couldn’t speak a word of English. However, she understood the language of liberty instinctively, a fluency gained through years of deprivation. She describes her transformation as becoming a “butterfly,” the process of leaving the gray, suffocating cocoon of East Germany for the vibrant, technicolor light of North Carolina. This metaphor aptly captures the essence of her journey: a total metamorphosis from a guarded survivor to a woman who could finally breathe and speak without fear.

However, Gretel’s book isn’t just a look back at the rearview mirror of the past; it is a poignant and timely reflection for the present. Living today in her adopted country, she watches the modern world with a unique perspective. She sees the growing fissures of division and the “madness” of polarized rhetoric that echo the early, subtle days of the regimes she escaped. She recognizes the patterns of how societies can begin to fracture when empathy is replaced by rigid ideology.

Her message to her fellow Americans is urgent and deeply personal: freedom is a fragile gift, not a guaranteed inheritance. It is something that must be nurtured and protected by every generation. It requires a “heart list,” a conscious, daily commitment to truth, empathy, and national unity. She argues that the only way to combat the “madness” of the past is through a renewed focus on our shared humanity and the values that bind us together.

Gretel’s voice acts as a vital bridge between the horrors of the 20th century and the unique challenges of the 21st, reminding us that even the most broken wings can find the strength to fly if they are guided by honor, hope, and a refusal to let the darkness have the final word. A World Gone Mad is more than a memoir; it is a powerful roadmap for anyone looking to navigate today’s uncertain world with grace and courage.

Jack Cashman: Storytelling, Identity, and the American Experience

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 27, 2026

By: Ethan Rogers

Jack Cashman has built a literary career rooted in one central idea: stories shape who we are. As an American author, entrepreneur, and former public servant, Cashman brings a rare combination of lived experience and narrative discipline to his work, positioning him as a compelling voice in contemporary literature focused on identity, history, and civic reflection.

Cashman has written across both fiction and non-fiction, crafting stories that explore resilience, political consciousness, and personal transformation. His work does not seek easy conclusions. Instead, it invites readers to examine the forces, historical, cultural, and personal, that define individuals and nations alike.

Among his most notable titles are An Irish Immigrant Story, An Irishman’s Story of Survival, American Valor, Democracy: The Final Nail, Three Steps to the Making of an Assassin, and One Man’s Mission. Each book approaches its subject matter with depth and intention, reflecting Cashman’s interest in the human cost of history and the moral weight of choice.

His Irish immigrant narratives, for example, go beyond heritage storytelling. They examine displacement, perseverance, and identity through the lens of personal struggle, while also addressing broader themes of migration and belonging. These stories resonate strongly with readers interested in the immigrant experience as a foundational element of American identity.

Cashman’s politically driven works take a thoughtful, analytical approach rather than a partisan one. In Democracy: The Final Nail, he explores the fragility of democratic systems and the responsibilities that come with civic participation. It provides a well-researched 45-year history of how democracy has been morphed into an oligarchy. Rather than offering simple answers, the book challenges readers to engage critically with the political realities shaping modern society.

This intellectual rigor has earned Cashman media attention across multiple platforms. His work has been featured on YouTube-based interview platforms and Eyes On Hollywood, helping expand his reach to audiences interested in cultural commentary, history, and social issues. His growing digital presence allows him to connect with readers worldwide, reinforcing the global relevance of his themes.

What distinguishes Cashman as an author is his ability to merge storytelling with reflection. His background in public service informs his understanding of systems and governance, while his entrepreneurial mindset gives his writing a sense of urgency and purpose. The result is work that feels grounded, informed, and deeply human.

Today, Jack Cashman continues to engage audiences through his writing, interviews, and media collaborations. His body of work appeals to readers seeking more than entertainment—those interested in understanding the complexities of identity, power, and personal responsibility in an evolving world.

As conversations around history, democracy, and cultural identity continue to intensify, Cashman’s voice stands out for its clarity and relevance. His stories remind readers that behind every political system and historical moment are individuals navigating choices that shape the future.

His work encourages reflection on the complexities of human experience, urging readers to engage with the challenges that define society. By drawing on personal and collective struggles, Cashman offers a nuanced perspective on what it means to live in a constantly evolving world. Through his storytelling, he invites readers to explore the intersections of history, culture, and identity in a way that resonates with the present.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. All views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of any media outlets, organizations, or entities mentioned. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, we do not guarantee its completeness or reliability. We encourage readers to verify any claims independently. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Andrea Bellato: Understanding the Body as a Biomechanical System to Eliminate Pain

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 26, 2026

To the untrained eye, the human body can seem like a chaotic and unpredictable collection of parts. But to Dr. Andrea Bellato, an Italian physiotherapist and osteopath, the body is a beautiful and logical system, a masterpiece of biomechanical engineering that operates according to a clear set of principles. His ability to see the body in this way, to understand the intricate interplay of forces, levers, and pulleys that govern our every movement, is the key to his remarkable success in treating chronic pain. He is not simply addressing symptoms; he is working to solve a complex biomechanical issue, helping his patients regain more natural and pain-free movement.

Dr. Bellato’s approach is rooted in a deep and sophisticated understanding of biomechanics, the study of how forces interact with the living body. He sees the skeleton as a system of levers, the joints as a series of fulcrums, and the muscles as the engines that produce movement. He understands that for this system to function optimally, it must be in a state of balance, with forces distributed evenly throughout the structure. When this balance is lost, due to injury, poor posture, or repetitive stress, the system begins to break down, and pain is the inevitable result.

“My strength lies in the ability to correlate the body’s biomechanics with postural, metabolic, and neurofunctional factors,” he explains. This is a crucial point. He is not just looking at the body in isolation; he is looking at how it is affected by a wide range of internal and external factors. He understands that a person’s posture can alter the forces acting on their spine, that a metabolic imbalance can create inflammation that affects their joints, and that a neurological issue can change the way their muscles fire. This systems-based approach allows him to see the big picture, to understand the complex web of factors that are contributing to a patient’s pain.

His diagnostic process is a masterclass in biomechanical analysis. He will watch a patient walk, squat, and bend, looking for the subtle asymmetries and compensatory patterns that can reveal the root of the problem. He will use his hands to assess the mobility of each joint, the tension in each muscle, and the quality of each movement. He is like a high-tech detective, gathering clues from the body’s own language of movement, piecing them together to form a clear and coherent diagnosis.

Once he has identified the biomechanical fault, his treatment is a highly strategic and targeted affair. He might use an osteopathic manipulation to restore mobility to a stiff joint, a specific strengthening exercise to activate a weak muscle, or a postural cue to retrain a faulty movement pattern. His unique fusion of manual therapy and therapeutic weightlifting is perfectly suited to this task, allowing him to both release restrictions and build stability, to create a body that is not just pain-free, but also strong, resilient, and resistant to future injury.

Andrea Bellato: Understanding the Body as a Biomechanical System to Eliminate Pain

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Andrea Bellato / 10x Experts

This biomechanical approach is particularly effective in the treatment of high-performance athletes, who place extraordinary demands on their bodies. Dr. Bellato is able to analyze the specific movements of their sport, to identify the areas of greatest stress, and to design programs that can both prevent injuries and enhance performance. He is not just a therapist; he is a performance engineer, a man who can fine-tune the human machine for optimal output.

But his principles are just as applicable to the everyday person. Whether you are an office worker with a sore back or a retiree with a stiff hip, the principles of biomechanics still apply. We all have a body that is subject to the laws of physics, and we can all benefit from a practitioner who understands those laws and knows how to apply them to the art of healing. Andrea Bellato is such a practitioner, a man who has dedicated his life to unraveling the beautiful and logical puzzle of the human body, and to sharing that wisdom with all those who are in search of a more pain-free and vibrant life.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare consultation. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns or questions. The practices and approaches described in this article may not be suitable for everyone, and individual results may vary.

Isaac Cobo Displas – Contributions to Architectural Education and Practice at the University of East London

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 23, 2026

Architecture as a profession is dynamic and is being advanced by every new generation of architects. The exchange of ideas between academic institutions and practices, in turn, pushes the innovation in thinking within the profession constantly forward. One area in which the interplay benefits significantly is new teaching methods, specifically those addressing interdisciplinary learning, sustainability, and integrating technology into teaching. One of the architects who is designing the next generation of practitioners is Isaac Cobo Displas, whose academic contribution to architectural studies has made a lasting impression at the University of East London (UEL). Having moved from architecture practice to teaching, he demonstrates his strong inclination toward elevating the theoretical and practical realms of architectural design.

Isaac Cobo Displas started teaching in 2009 when he joined UEL, a prestigious institution renowned for its focus on practical, innovative architectural education. He initially worked on a range of design courses, but it wasn’t long before his abilities as both practitioner and educator led to him being appointed as Senior Lecturer in Architectural Design. This position made him well-suited to guide the academic progress of students seeking to study architecture, as well as to merge his extensive body of real-world experience into the learning environment.

One of the major elements of Cobo Displas’ teaching philosophy is his emphasis on merging technological progress with sustainable design theory and social conflicts to be resolved with architecture. Specifically, his efforts towards the formulation of the Diploma Unit 3 legacy of famous teachers Mark Hayduk and Peter Salter, and at UEL, have been a major highlight. This course presents students with a chance to delve into the convergence of technology, architecture, and sustainability, instilling creative design processes that are not only visionary but also based on practicality. With this unit, Cobo Displas has advocated for an interdisciplinary method, challenging students to reflect not only on the function or beauty of architecture but also on its environmental footprint and its capacity to create sustainable futures.

At the core of Cobo Displas’s approach to teaching lies his acknowledgment of the significance of mentorship. He has uniformly been portrayed as a teacher who profoundly affects students by integrating an amalgam of guidance, motivation, and support. His educational approach draws very much from Peter Salter’s and Mark Hayduk’s pedagogic history mentors, through whom he studied architecture. Specifically, Cobo Displas applies his focus on a reflective, research-based approach to design in his classroom, challenging his students to think creatively and critically about the built environment.

Cobo Displas’ influence goes beyond the confines of the conventional classroom. His participation in UEL’s Summer School programs, especially those related to robotic restoration and eco-concrete 3D printing, has cemented his status as an innovator in education and architecture. These workshops offer a hands-on experience of discovering the emerging technologies that are transforming the profession. His guidance in these initiatives has exposed students to the digital world, robotic building, and green building materials, putting them at the vanguard of the future of architecture. By giving students access to such revolutionary technologies, Cobo Displas prepares them with the skills they need to keep up with the demands of a fast-changing profession.

Aside from his teaching and mentoring activities, Cobo Displas has also been a juror for many high-profile architectural competitions. His involvement in these competitions not only indicates his position in the architectural world but also reaffirms his position as a thought leader who is thoroughly immersed in the new trends and challenges facing the industry. Through these jurorships, Cobo Displas has been able to assess and direct the work of other up-and-coming designers, further solidifying his position as a preeminent influence in both academic and professional communities of architecture.

At UEL, Cobo Displas has also played a key part in directing the curriculum and nurturing research partnerships that bridge the divide between academic theory and real-world application. His emphasis on technological innovation and sustainability has made UEL a progressive institution in architectural education.

His dedication to bringing the needs of real-world architectural practice into academic exploration enables UEL students to graduate with a special insight into design and its role in society. His capacity for challenging and motivating students is evidence of his love of the profession and his faith in the power of architecture to change lives. Since the practice of architecture is still grappling with the numerous challenges that come with sustainability, technology, and social responsibility, educators such as Cobo Displas will likely be at the center of shaping the future of the profession.

In a nutshell, Isaac Cobo Displas has made a notable impact on the practice of architectural education at the University of East London. His creation of cutting-edge programs such as Diploma Unit 3, his sponsorship of the next generation of architects, and his determination to incorporate new technologies into the learning experience all reflect his passion for developing architectural education. Through his work, Cobo Displas has not only influenced his students’ academic lives but also helped shape the very development of architectural thinking and practice. His activities in both the classroom and outside ensure that he can be considered a notable presence in the continued evolution of the subject.