''Chicago Dispatcher'' is a monthly newspaper in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Roc ...

, that focuses on news and features that affect taxi drivers and the taxi industry as a whole. ''Chicago Dispatcher'' was founded in February 2002 and is published by Chicago entrepreneur

George Lutfallah George may refer to: People * George (given name) * George (surname) * George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George * George Washington, First President of the United States * George W. Bush, 43rd Presiden ...

. Occasionally the Chicago Dispatcher will publish satirical stories such as "''Cabdriver Accidentally Picks Up Black Man''" or "''Five Secretly Gay Aldermen''" with the latter gaining international attention. The publication is produced by independent taxicab drivers and other business professionals with an interest in the industry. In addition to reporting news of the taxicab industry, the Chicago Dispatcher provides a lost & found service for taxicab passengers who have forgotten belongings in taxicabs. ''Chicago Dispatcher'' also publishes

taxi medallion A taxi medallion, also known as a CPNC (Certificate of Public Necessity and Convenience), is a transferable permit in the United States allowing a taxicab driver to operate. Several major cities in the US use these in their taxi licensing systems, ...

prices and a calendar of events. The paper is distributed throughout the city and suburbs at taxicab garages and other locations frequented by drivers. Drivers have the option to take additional copies to provide for their passengers. Previous projects helmed by the ''Chicago Dispatcher'' include ''Taxicab Times'', a newspaper for national taxi news, and ''Are You Talkin' to Me?'', a radio show hosted by Lutfallah on WSBC (1240 AM). The radio show gained a spike in listeners after cab driver Mohammed Haroon was killed, and the show dedicated an entire hour to him. On October 6, 2019, Lutfallah announced he will be shutting down the Chicago Dispatcher, though no official date has been set. Update: Lutfallah intends to relaunch the Chicago Dispatcher primarily with a digital presence.

References

External links

''Chicago Dispatcher's'' web site ''Chicago Dispatcher'' on Yelp''Chicago Dispatcher's'' George Lufallah interviewed on taxicab security cameras by WBEZ
Newspapers published in Chicago Free newspapers {{Illinois-newspaper-stub