In the news: Springfield man applauded for kind deed

To those that call the state home, it almost goes without saying that the people of Illinois are some of the kindest, most industrious people in the world. Still, when Illinoisans go above and beyond what is expected of them to help others, they deserve to be commended and thanked.

This week, Springfield resident Johann “Joe” Thomas went viral for doing the right thing while working a shift as a server at a local IHOP, where he has been taking care of his regular customers for over 11 years.

Keshia Dotson, who was eating at the IHOP one Saturday in March, witnessed Thomas helping a woman with Huntington’s disease eat her breakfast. Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder that makes ordinary tasks like eating impossible as it progresses.

The viral incident was not the first time that Thomas helped the woman. She and her husband are regulars at the Springfield IHOP. The server noticed that her husband would usually assist her as his own meal became cold. One day, Thomas sat down at their table and offered to help while the man enjoyed his meal. They have followed the same routine ever since.

Joe Thomas’ coworkers have nothing but positive things to say about his kind demeanor and willingness to go the extra mile for IHOP guests. “This is no big deal to him,” one coworker said. “He does this every time. He’s a great coworker.”

Thomas agrees that this sort of thing is second nature for him.

“I really treat people like I want to be treated,” Thomas told CBS news. “I have a soft heart. Everything I do is honestly just natural, besides the way my parents raised me. I don’t think about it. I just do it.” He hopes that people will follow his lead and “pay it forward” by doing good deeds for others.

Illinois schools ranked as some of the best for graduate programs

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• The University of Chicago
• Booth School of Business
• Northwestern University
• Kellogg School of Management

Every year, seniors in college start to weigh what their options could be if they attend a graduate program. Many factors are considered when making that decision. Illinois schools have tried to take those factors into consideration and have been ranked highly recently for offering some of the best graduate programs in the country.

Recently, the U.S. News & World Report revealed rankings for graduate school programs. The rankings are intended to help prospective students when they are looking for a graduate program of their choice. The disciplines included in the ratings are business, law, engineering, education, medicine and nursing.

Illinois was well represented throughout the rankings.

The University of Chicago Booth School of BusinessThe University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern both ranked in the top five nationwide in schools to receive a master of business administration degree.

Northwestern also received a top 10 ranking for law and education. The University of Chicago joined Northwestern as a top 10 school for a law degree as well ranking No. 3 nationwide.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign also was awarded with a top 10 ranking for those looking to get a graduate degree in engineering.

Graduate students across the country and world attend Illinois schools to get a top-notch education. With these most recent rankings, that does not look like it will end any time soon.

TBT to 1943: Bob Woodward was born in Geneva, Illinois

74 years ago this week, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Bob Woodward was born in Geneva, Illinois. Woodward grew up in Wheaton, Illinois and was the son of an Illinois judge. As a teenager, Woodward worked in his father’s law office. It was here that he first began investigating. He snooped through his father’s legal files and discovered private information about many local residents.

After graduating from high school in 1961, Woodward headed to Yale University where he studied journalism. After college, he served as a communications officer in the United States Navy for five years. In 1970, Woodward was hired by the Washington Post for a two-week trial run. After two weeks, he was let go from the Post. Woodward was disappointed, but he refused to give up on journalism. Soon he began working as a reporter at the Montgomery Sentinel, which was located in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. He worked there for one year before the Washington Post gave him another chance.

In 1973, when he was just 30 years old, Woodward won his first Pulitzer Prize for his stories that broke the Watergate Scandal, which ultimately led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Woodward’s successful reporting on Watergate made him a household name and one of the most influential figures in the history of American media.

In 2002, Woodward won his second Pulitzer Prize for his work reporting on the September 11th terrorist attacks. Aside from his reporting for the Post, Woodward has authored more than fifteen books on American politics, twelve of them best sellers. Today, Woodward works as an associate editor for the Post.

Chicago craft beer market attracting out-of-state brews

• Chicago
• Craft beer

Chicago has a long history with beer. The first brewery opened in Chicago in the same year or shortly after the city was incorporated. Today, Chicago is home to more than 150 breweries. Increasingly, breweries from around the nation are distributing their product within Chicago.

The latest to join the craft brew scene in Chicago is Blue Point Brewing, based in Patchogue, New York. Blue Point beers are now available in bars and retailers and will soon be available at the United Center and Wrigley Field. Other recent arrivals include Toppling Goliath from Decorah, Iowa, Odell Brewing from Fort Collins, Colorado and Short’s Brewing from Bellaire, Michigan.

Out-of-town breweries, such as California-based Lagunitas and Milwaukee-based Like Minds Brewing have opened breweries and taprooms of their own in Chicago, making the Second City a second home.

The chief economist of the Brewers Association told Crain’s Chicago Business that due to the large size of Chicago’s beer market, newcomers do not need to seize an extensive share of the market in order to be successful. Craft beer drinkers tend to switch brands more frequently than previous generations, making variety an important component among retailers. Overall, craft beer comprises 13 percent of the U.S. market.

Craft beer buyers tend to favor local products in their purchasing decisions, so in order for an out-of-town beer to be successful, it must be distinct. With local favorites in Chicago such as Half Acre Beer Company and Revolution Brewing, and new breweries like On Tour Brewing Company opening frequently, out-of-town beers have extensive competition.