Chicagoist

Illinois State Police Searching for Drew Peterson's Wife

L. Stolpman — 2010-06-05T10:28:38-06:00

The Chicago Tribune (via ChicagoBreakingNews) and the Chicago Sun-Times are both reporting this morning that Illinois State Police are pursing a lead and conducting a search in Peoria County for Stacy Peterson's remains. TMZ reported that the tip may have come from a fellow inmate of Peterson, who is awaiting trial on the death of his third wife.

Local Writer Goes Missing Found

Veronica Murtagh — 2009-11-09T14:55:00-06:00

Local musician, zinester and Quimby's mainstay, CT Ballentine went missing last Friday afternoon from his McKinley Park apartment. Friends and family reported Ballentine going through some hard times and a missing person's report was filed over the weekend when he dropped off the grid. The efforts of concerned Chicagoans seems to have paid off, as a recent update by Ballentine's mother to the Facebook page started in tandem with his disappearance claims he has been located. While the details surrounding his reappearance are hazy, it's good to know that CT is safe and sound.

We'll add updates when/if they become available

CTA Gets $241 Million in Stimulus Money

Anthonia Akitunde — 2009-03-07T13:45:00-06:00

Photo by katherine of chicago

Earlier this week, we mentioned how the clock was ticking on the state of Illinois to claim its allotted stimulus cash for transit projects. Well, someone finally answered the bell. Yesterday the Chicago Transit Authority received $241 million from the federal stimulus package for capital projects. Today the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning allowed the CTA to begin working on transit projects, according to the Chi-Town Daily News. Metra will receive $141 million and PACE suburban buses will receive $33 million.

Projects include bus and rail car improvements and replacements, hybrid articulated buses, station upgrades, new rails for the Blue line and a new 35th Street Metra station near the White Sox's U.S. Cellular Field. The unusually fast pace is necessary under the "use-it-or-lose-it" rule in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. CMAP had to approve the projects in order for transit agencies to fund them through the Act and the CTA must commit half of their stimulus money within 180 days to avoid funds being redistributed.

However, as transit officials rush to get projects off the ground, they say more money is needed for infrastructure improvement.

Humpday Diversion: We Heart Kelly Clarkson

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-02-25T15:15:00-06:00

Dear Kelly:

We have a confession to make. Well, by "we," I mean Tankboy and I. See, we both love you. Sure, you'll find us hanging around places like the Empty Bottle and trudging around Pitchfork Fest and Lollapalooza. But we just can't shake how great you are. "Miss Independent," "Since U Been Gone," "You Found Me,"...the list of great songs you've done that we can't get out of our head goes on and on. Your newest record, All I Ever Wanted, is no different, bouncing about in all your shimmery pop glory. It's been on repeat over the last week on our iPods and stereos; it's brilliant and addictive. Sure, people call us hipsters and think we don't love anything except the indie rock. And we can kind of understand that. But we love your stuff and we don't care about "street cred."

Our lives would suck without you.

Sincerely,

~~Chicagoist~~
Marcus & Tankboy

Child Abduction Alert

Tim State — 2008-03-10T02:41:18-06:00

Anyone with a weather radio was just woke up with this very disturbing child abduction alert from the Illinois State Police:

At the request of the University of Illinois Police Department, the Illinois Emergency Alert System is activated for an Amber Alert. The University of Illinois Police have confirmed a child abduction that occured in the Orchard Downs area of Urbana at 10:45 p.m. Two children were abducted by their non-custodial grandfather. Nariah A. Harris is a 5 year old black female, who is 3 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 45 pounds. She is wearing a light green coat, a white long sleeve Mickey Mouse shirt, blue jeans, and pink tennis shoes. She is carrying a black backpack. Tyshawnn T. Harris is a 4 year old black male, who is 3 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 40 pounds. He is wearing a brown knit hat with a bill, a blue coat, a maroon shirt, blue pants, and spider man shoes. He is carrying a backpack. The children were taken in a silver 2008 Ford Escape with Illinois license 2742520. The driver is possibly Adell Johnson, a black 42 year old male. The suspect has made statements that put the children in danger. Anyone with information should call 9-1-1 and advise they have an Amber Alert Report. This concludes this Amber Alert issued by the Illinois State Police.

"The suspect has made statements that put the children in danger." This breaks our heart. Try going to sleep after hearing that. Anyone out and about at this hour, keep your eyes open.

Police Release Sketch of Gunman

Tim State — 2008-02-09T18:58:44-06:00

Composite sketch of the gunman in the Lane Bryant Murders. Image via Trib.

Tinley Park police released a sketch today of the gunman who killed five women in a botched clothing store robbery. The gunman is described in a statement from the Tinley Park Police:

He is a male African American, approximately 5’10” tall, he is described as being large framed, but with his weight proportionate to his size. He is roughly between 25 and 35 years of age, with a medium complexion. He has a receding hairline with 3 to 5 corn rows of hair from the front to the back of his head. These rows are described as being “puffy.” There was one braid of hair hanging down over the right side of his face, with four light green beads in the braid. At the time the crime was committed, he was clean shaven, wearing black jeans with some type of rhinestone-type embroidery on the back pocket. He also wore a charcoal gray knit cap, and a black jacket that went below the waist. Again, it is quite possible the appearance of this criminal has changed since last Saturday.

Anyone with information should call the tip hotline: 708-444-5394.