News

If you want to piss voters off, mess with their commute. Those concerns might explain some surprising action taken by local pols related to a bill in DC that could have big impacts at home. more ›

A painting thought to be a portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln turns out to be a fraud. more ›

The owners of the John Hancock Center defaulted on a loan this week and have called in third party help. more ›

The family of the first runner-up in the Chicago city sticker contest has pulled her design from being used as this year's sticker, saying the media scrutiny and "anonymous criticism" of her artwork was too much. more ›

The Blackhawks lost their eighth straight game, Loyola of Chicago beat Illinois Chicago, Northern Illinois fell to Akron, and Notre Dame defeated DePaul. more ›

We're due for another warming trend starting today, with temperatures 10 degrees higher than yesterday. more ›

A man was killed an an officer was injured when a car rear ended a squad car, the state added an LGBT section to its tourism site, and other news. more ›

The folks at New York Magazine think they have tracked down the identity of the woman who starred in Michigan Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra's controversial Super Bowl advertisement more ›

The public may be invited to discharge scattershot firearms at jumping fish from boats speeding along the bumpy waters of the Illinois River. What could go wrong? more ›

Bald eagles were spotted nesting near the grounds of a Chicago Police proposed shooting range in Hegewisch earlier this week. The CPD may have to re-evaluate the plans which were backed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in January. more ›

Last night, the Bulls easily defeated the Bobcats, even without Derrick Rose, while the Blackhawks continued their slide. more ›

Skilling Central says this is the first weekend day this winter where the high temp will be less than 30 degrees. Even as balmy as the weather has been this season, that's a bit hard to believe. more ›

They tunneled in from a neighboring sushi restaurant and drilled into the safe. The thieves made off with about $500,000 worth of jewelry. more ›

The latest website in the City's Chicagoshovels.org program launched this afternoon. more ›

Gary Winner, 50, bought cheap penis pumps from sex shops for about $26, then he sold them through his medical equipment company, Planned Eldercare, with claims that they helped "bladder control, urinary flow and prostate comfort." more ›

Chicago Ald. Ricardo Munoz (22nd) has issued a challenge to Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown in his bid to unseat Brown -- turn down any campaign contributions from employees and vendors that do business with the county. Brown, not surprisingly, refused. more ›

Attorneys for William Balfour—the man accused of killing Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew—are seeking access to Hudson's cell phone records, and Hudson might be a witness in the upcoming trial. more ›

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and County Sheriff Tom Dart have different views on the county's policy of detaining undocumented immigrants. more ›

Remember Ted Williams? The man whose "golden voice" took him from homeless in Columbus to employed in NYC will be the focus of a viral campaign for Kraft Foods. more ›

After downsizing to a smaller studio at HARPO Studios, producers for The Rosie Show announced they cut out the studio audience completely. more ›

Chicagoist would like to add several more people to our staff to fill in some gaps in coverage and make the site even better. more ›

Two criminal defense attorneys say they have evidence to back a theory even John Wayne Gacy claimed in his later years: that the notorious serial killer had accomplices. more ›

The nation’s largest Catholic university said this week it covers contraception as part of its health care benefit package, amid mounting GOP opposition to an Affordable Care Act provision they say forces the hand of religious institutions. more ›

Bruce Weber's Illini continue to be maddening. more ›

Bulls forward Luol Deng finally earned his first trip to the All-Star game yesterday, when he was named as a reserve for the Eastern Conference team. more ›

Once we don our boots, we cannot take them off until they've been walked through snow. Hopefully, that will be the case later today. more ›

Chicago had to write a check for $399,950 to gun rights group The Second Amendment Foundation to settle the McDonald v. Chicago case, and a Texas Senate candidate posted a photo of the check on his campaign website. more ›

How did the Chicago History Museum get the city's first elevated train car in the museum? Very carefully, as you'll see in this video. more ›

Was the public a little too quick to attack the design of a 15-year-old boy? No one wants to come under the critical eye of a blogger who calls themselves "Detective Shaved Longcock." more ›

The stock market is a fickle beast. more ›

Attorneys for the City of Chicago told federal judges they reached a settlement in the class action lawsuit brought by more than 800 people arrested after protesters took Lake Shore Drive in a 2003 march against the Iraq War. more ›

Both the Daily Herald and the Sun-Times have made the switch to metered paywalls for their content. We were wondering if the Tribune would follow suit. Editor Gerould Kern told a group during a Q&A at the Niagara Foundation that day will come soon. more ›

There was another wrong way crash in the Chicago area, the fourth one in the area since December. This one happened early this morning on Lake Shore Drive and injured three people. more ›

State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, who is sponsoring House Bill 3944, told CBS Chicago that it’s important to make changes to the act with the May NATO/G8 summits looming. more ›

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is now starting to have doubts about the ability of the South Side Irish Parade Committee to host a parade with a zero-tolerance policy for drinking in public. Welcome to the club, Your Honor. more ›

Derrick Rose, still nursing a bad back, only played a little more than 22 minutes of game time against lowly New Orleans, but the rest of the team picked up the slack. more ›

A car crash happened overnight at 63rd and Harlem and Chicagoist Photos Flickr pool contributor Brian "Statevillain" Bochenek was at the scene to take these photos. more ›

Will Ferrell did the introductions for last night's Bulls-Hornets game in New Orleans, and he poked fun at each of the starters. more ›

Another aspect of winter that's been missing, besides snow, has been sunshine. today's forecast remedies that, if only for a day. more ›

Chicago police cornered and captured a female coyote on the South Side today after a 2-hour chase. more ›

The city replaced Herbert Pulgar's city sticker design with one that would ostensibly pass the critical eye of Detective Shaved Longcock. more ›

Al Capone's great-niece Deidre Marie Capone is the last living Capone, and she wants to see her great-uncle's and her grandfather Ralph "Bottles" Capone's records cleared. more ›

Two men were arrested when police found 43 puppies packed in their van with insufficient water and food. Police believe the men were transporting the pups from an Iowa puppy mill. more ›

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart's office announced that a multi-state sting known as "National Day of Johns Arrests" netted a total of 314 arrests and $475,000 in fines, including 47 men and 29 women in Cook County. more ›

State Representatives Greg Harris, Deb Mell and Kelly Cassidy filed marriage equality legislation in Springfield today. House Bill 5170, aka the "Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act," would allow same-sex marriage in Illinois. more ›

Miss Deaf America was invited to perform the National Anthem and "America The Beautiful" in sign language, but she was never seen on television, and her performance did not appear on the Jumbotron. They didn't even invite her to stay for the game. more ›

A woman who used to work at Two Brothers Brewing's brewpub is suing the brewery and its distributor because she alleges a tap handle shattered in her hand as she poured a beer. more ›

(Legendary Chicago-based photographer Art Shay has taken photos of kings, queens, celebrities and the common man in a 60-year career. In this week's look at his archives, Art is in a romantic mood for Valentine's Day.) more ›

Starting July 1, speed cameras can start monitoring “safety zones” near schools and parks. Find out which areas of the city will be eligible for the new surveillance. Hint: It's pretty much everywhere. more ›

The sole survivor in a fiery crash on I-80 early Monday morning is sharing details of the state of the driver who was responsible for the accident. more ›

If you look at the NHL's Western Conference standings, the Blackhawks currently hold the number six playoff seed. Lately, they haven't been playing as though they want to make the postseason, let alone be competitive. Avalanche rookie Gabriel Landeskog scored 38 seconds into the third period to break a 2-2 tie and Colorado proceeded to pepper Ray Emery in goal the rest of the game. David Jones added two goals for Colorado, which snapped a five-game losing streak. The Blackhawks have lost six straight, are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games and are playing of late like they won't win another game this season. Brent Seabrook and PAtrick kane scored for the Hawks. more ›

A Chicago police blogger studied the winning entry in the Chicago vehicle sticker contest and determined the artist included symbolism for a street gang in the artwork. this would be the first city sticker to include Mayor Rahm Emanuel's name on it. more ›

We didn't get any snow yesterday, but it's still a bit of a stretch to call a forecast high of 37 above normal. more ›

Jay Cutler's fiance Kristin Cavallari, like, totally thinks Gisele Bundchen was right to criticize the Patriots receivers' Super Bowl performances the way she did. "Kind of loving how Gisele stuck up for her man," Cavallari said. more ›

In 2007, a Wisconsin man told his friends and neighbors that he was moving away, but instead he shot himself in the head at his West Allis, Wis., home. David Carter's body was not found until Jan. 23, 2012. more ›

Efforts to save the Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport continue with a charity fundraiser Saturday in honor of a Navy Petty Officer who's running a marathon in Kuwait and dedicating his run to the Ramova's preservation efforts. more ›

A tobacco shop and a tobacco wholesaler have filed a lawsuit against Cook County saying a new tobacco tax is "unconstitutionally vague." They ask the courts to stop the tax that is supposed to go into effect on March 1. more ›

Karl Rove, former senior adviser to President George W. Bush, says he was offended by Chrysler's "Halftime in America" Super Bowl ad starring Clint Eastwood, and he claims the ad is "Chicago-style politics." more ›

A current and former alderman are the latest examples in having friends in high places. more ›

Callous burglars allegedly tortured a 70-year-old man with a red-hot spoon and stole the van he uses to transport his disabled son. more ›

Michigan Senate candidate Hoekstra told Fox News' Megyn Kelly. "The bottom line is when they can't defend their record they will move to the race card." Using Hoekstra's logic, Charlie Chan movies, Boris Karloff's "Mr. Wong" films and Mickey Rooney's performance in Breakfast at Tiffany's are compliments to Asian Americans. more ›

Three Purdue researchers theorized that transit systems across the country could learn a lot from negative tweets and set out to chart the levels of positive and negative tweets about CTA. more ›

The Bulls went deep into their bench last night against a Nets team that has eight wins on the season and gave some starters much-needed rest. more ›

We may be experiencing our warmest winter in 80 years, but we'll be reminded it's still winter starting today. more ›

“I didn’t know y’all was the police. I wouldn’t have shot,” he said as police handcuffed him. more ›

A 7-year-old golden retriever named Bruce is recovering from surgery after veterinarians removed a 25-pound tumor from his spleen. more ›

The family of a woman whose body was in the morgue for over 14 months filed a lawsuit against the County Medical Examiner's office. County Board President Toni Preckwinkle had an investigator under her authority who has been investigating time card abuses at the medical examiner's office for a year. more ›

The jingles for Empire Carpet and Luna Carpet are earworms that are distinctively Chicago. Now the two are under one corporate umbrella. more ›

Any readers out there still looking to register for this year's Bank of America Chicago Marathon? You're SOL. more ›

Daniel Olaska has been described by family and friends as an "Eagle Scout who’s active in his church’s youth group when he’s not working his job as a manager at Schaumburg Regional Airport." According to eyewitness accounts of the scene, Olaska also is someone who allegedly pulled out a five-inch serrated knife when a friend of Wild's began ribbing him for drinking beer from a wine glass. more ›

A man trapped in an elevator in a Loop high-rise was rescued by a firefighter, then both were trapped in a second elevator. Oops. more ›

Forget taking the poll with a grain of salt. Dump out the whole shaker. more ›

The Super Bowl has become nearly as much about the commercials that air during the broadcast as the game itself these days. One ad that aired in Michigan last night is gaining national headlines for its seeming racial insensitivity. more ›

Today is the deadline day for Gov. Pat Quinn to make a decision on Senate Bill 965, aka the Chicago speed camera bill. more ›

Four people are dead this morning following a crash on Interstate 80 near Hazel Crest where one of the cars was driving the wrong way on the road. more ›

Today marks our 16th consecutive day of above average temperatures with a projected high of 45. more ›

Chicago Public Library branches reopen Monday afternoons starting tomorrow, the man pulled from the Lake today has died, and other news. more ›

Hacker group Anonymous is calling for NATO/G8 protesters to barricade Chicago for the whole month of May. Add that to the 50,000 protesters that AdBusters promises to rally, and May is going to be... interesting. more ›

A man is in custody in the weekend stabbing of a schoolteacher in Naperville. more ›

In yesterday's games, the Bulls took down the Bucks, Northern Illinois lost to Bowling Green, and New Jersey Tech defeated Chicago State. more ›

Happy Sunday, readers. Skilling Central notes today's forecast high of 44 degrees is our 15th straight day of weather with above normal temperatures. more ›

A Naperville stabbing left a teacher dead and two seriously injured, new theaters are coming to Chicago, and other news. more ›

Governor Mitch Daniels is riding high after his State of the Union response last month. But while he is taking a star turn nationally, things are looking bumpy for him at home. more ›

Derrick Rose will start in the 2012 All-Star Game, which will be held February 26. more ›

"The Rosie Show" changes format to attract more viewers, sheds jobs in the process. more ›

In last night's games, the Blackhawks fell to the Flames and Loyola lost to Cleveland State. more ›

Everybody works for the weekend, only to find a chance of light rain and ice pellets in the forecast. more ›

A drunk driver sped five miles in the wrong direction on the Stevenson Expressway before crashing head-on with a car on a ramp to Lake Shore Drive. more ›

Today we look at Andrew "Rube" Foster, founder of the Negro National League, which formed today in 1920. more ›

Once again, readers, our rule about crime stories from Indiana has been validated. more ›

In the wake of two deadly high-rise fires that highlighted flaws in Chicago's fire code, the city will release fire safety reports online more ›

Chicago Public Schools teachers will finally be able to access YouTube now that CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard has decided to lift the longstanding ban. more ›

WGN's Jonathon Brandmeier challenged Gov. Pat Quinn to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon this morning. more ›

A company out of Elburn, Ill., called Controlled Force—which provides training for law enforcement, the military and civilians—is working with local security forces to control crowds and "potential rioters" more ›

Even though we still struggle with the logistical gymnastics of how one can navigate the roads while sharing status updates on a phone, Illinois lawmakers decided it's enough of a problem to warrant statewide legislation. more ›

Jane Ising fled Germany when the Nazis rose to power, taught economics at Bradley University and had five great grandchildren. She died yesterday on her 110th birthday. more ›

An 18-year-old man was arrested for standing completely naked on the Howard red line el platform in Rogers Park on Wednesday evening. more ›

Surely Noah, the child of a professional tennis star/pop star and a supermodel, isn't as susceptible to newfound riches as his peers from lesser backgrounds. more ›

The Commission of Chicago Landmarks unanimously recommended granting landmark status to the Wrigley Building. A lot of you will think, "why the hell hasn't this happened before?" more ›

Derrick Rose shined under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. The Blackhawks actually made a game of their return to Edmonton before the wheels fell off again. more ›

We wake up this morning to a fog advisory until 11 a.m. and the coolest temperatures we've had in a week. more ›

John Marshall Law School, Chicago-Kent College of Law and DePaul University College of Law are being sued for inflating job placement statistics. more ›

On this date in 1895, George Halas, founder of the Chicago Bears and the NFL, was born. Here are some things you may not have known about Halas. more ›

Construction workers on Lower Wacker Drive discovered a fallout shelter from 1962 that contains all of the necessities from water to toilet paper to survival biscuits. more ›

“Maybe Mr. Romney is a bit too far removed from the day-to-day concerns of people who live paycheck-to-paycheck,” said Emanuel, the former chief of staff to President Obama. more ›

The Illinois Supreme Court upheld a lower court's ruling allowing for a new hearing for a man convicted of a 1982 rape who long claimed his confession was physically coerced from him by former Chicago Police Lt. Jon Burge. more ›

The Far South Side neighborhood, the first planned industrial community in the United States, is on Chicago's landmarks list and the National Register of Historic Places. more ›

But Buffett likely won't miss the $300. more ›

If we have any readers in the Belmont Heights neighborhood on the Northwest Side and you happen to see a purple two door mid-sized car with tinted windows, call the police first, then maybe refer the driver to someone who can thread or wax his eyebrows. more ›

On Tuesday, White House officials promised that Chicago taxpayers would not be responsible for the security costs of the May NATO/G8 summits and the expected protests against them. more ›

Cook County Board seemed primed to vote on reforms to correct the growing scandal involving overcrowding at the county morgue yesterday. Then Commissioner John Daley moved to delay the vote by referring it to the Board's Finance Committee, which he, coincidentally, chairs. more ›

Two key stats to pull from last night's contest. The Sixers had an astounding 21-4 advantage in fast break points, and they had the Bulls on their heels for much of the game. The Bulls also fell to 6-5 against teams with a winning record this season. more ›

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning and said we're in store for six more weeks of winter. If that holds, it would be our only six weeks of winter. more ›

Win a pair of tickets to see Daniel Tosh at The Chicago Theatre on April 19. Enter here for your chance to snag these babies. more ›

Roosevelt University is offering a course on the Occupy movement called “Occupy Everywhere” that examines the movement and the issue of economic inequality in the U.S. more ›

Dave and Lindsey Meske couldn't choose between Madelyn (Dave's choice) or Lindsey's preference for McKenna. So they set up a Facebook poll, added Emily and Addilyne to the choices, and told anyone and everyone to vote early and often. more ›

Governor Pat Quinn gave his “State of the State” speech today to the Illinois General Assembly, stressing the idea that despite its massive problems, “Illinois is moving forward.” more ›

The New York Yankees rummaged through the Cubs' trash and pulled out former Cubs general manager Jim Hendry. more ›

(Legendary Chicago-based photographer Art Shay has taken photos of kings, queens, celebrities and the common man in a 60-year career. In this week's look at his archives, Art shares photos of GOP Presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney's father George while imagining himself as Newt Gingrich.) more ›

X-Flight is a wing-rider coaster with a three-minute ride featuring water jets, fog machines and a vertical flip through a tower. more ›

State's Attorney Anita Alvarez replied as expected to a request for a special prosecutor to investigate the death of David Koschman. Five police officers, "gravely concerned for their safety," sued the Sun-Times for publishing lineup photos that were the key reason they closed a 2004 homicide involving Daley nephew Richard "R.J." Vanecko without filing charges. more ›

The Cubs have announced their plans to revamp Wrigley Field's right-field bleachers by creating a patio area with a "rooftop-like atmosphere" and a 75-foot-wide LED sign for ad display and game information. more ›

Five people were arrested for writing graffiti on the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel yesterday after they used a gold-colored marker to write on the seats more ›

The Blackhawks returned from the NHL All-Star Break to lose their third straight, while Illinois weathered some sloppy play to snap a three-game losing streak. more ›

Last year on this date we were hours away from being snowed in. Today we're flirting with 50 degrees a day after nearly reaching 60. more ›