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 ›

Continuing the Crazy Animals Saga of Illinois and the Greater Chicago area, animal rescue workers have captured an elusive wild turkey (adorably nicknamed "Sparkles") in an intersection near Lake Bluff. Sparkles had been making his home near this busy intersection for some time, and it appears that he (yes, the turkey is male) probably has been hanging out around that area since earlier this summer, perhaps even as early as May. Although no one really knows how Sparkles ended up in Lake Bluff, some people suspect that he is part of a rogue turkey clan that has been spotted north of the area. Sparkles' popularity had grown to epic proportions and animal rescue workers finally captured him Friday after they stalked, baited, and waited over 80 hours for him: more ›

In the wake of yesterday's story on accident statistics at red light camera intersections in the city comes another red light camera story, this one in Schaumburg. It seems the village is none-too-pleased about the ordinance passed last week by the Cook County Board, approving a new slew of RLCs to go in at 30 intersections in the Cook County suburbs and now they're fighting back. Last night, the village board passed an ordinance requiring their approval before any RLCs are installed in the village. But Schaumburg isn't the only suburb fighting the new cameras: Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Wilmette, and Bartlett are all taking umbrage with the new cameras and exploring the legality of the board's actions. more ›

A male body was found on Friday night inside a bag in an alley at 21 N. Dryden Place, just east of the Arlington Market Shopping Center in Arlington Heights. According to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office, the body was pronounced dead at 9:02 p.m. on the scene. An Arlington Heights police sergeant confirmed the location of the bag, but did not comment on its contents. The medical examiner's office said that an autopsy was scheduled for later in the day on Saturday. Arlington Heights police are still investigating, reported the Chicago Sun-Times. more ›

What do you get when you combine beer, screaming kids, brain stabbing lights and noise, and disgruntled family members? A big ol' fight, that's what. more ›

At one point in their lives, almost all beer enthusiasts have dropped in to the local liquor store to pick up a single foamy beverage. Many liquor stores, convenience marts and other booze barns sell single cans or bottles of beer in all shapes and sizes. For consumers, single cans are an alternative to grab a quick drink instead of investing in a six pack or full case. For retailers, selling them is a way to cash in on broken cases or on locals interested in a more portable intoxicant. That is exactly what some townspeople in north suburban Arlington Heights want to change. more ›

A prisoner pulled off a daring escape this morning in Rolling Meadows when he managed to overpower a guard and driver transporting him to a hearing in Arlington Heights. Authorities believe the man - 39-year-old Robert R. Maday of Elk Grove Village - is in possession of two firearms, both belonging to the men he overpowered. Authorities wouldn't elaborate much on what happened other than to say the officers that were overpowered weren't injured. Maday, described as "white, about 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-9, about 150 pounds and bald," fled in a car - media reports are conflicting as to whether it was the officers' car or another car - only to abandon it later. He was last seen at the 2100 block of South Goebbert Road. Maday was on his way to be sentenced for a series of bank robberies. [Daily Herald, CBN] more ›

• The father of the Arlington Heights family that died in a fire apparently left behind a suicide note.
• R.I.P. Koko Taylor.
• Bond was denied for the two suspects in the shooting death of Chicago Police officer Alejandro Valadez.

• Police say a fire in Arlington Heights that killed two and injured three others this morning was arson.
• The car of a missing Midlothian woman, as well as a body, have been found; police have not yet announced the identity of the body or said whether it is that of the missing woman, Irma Rodriguez.
• Mayor Daley came to the defense of indicted Ald. Ike Carothers today.

An arm wrestling match between two men took a bitter turn when the guy who lost stabbed the winner in the upper left thigh. The victim was stabbed twice. more ›

• The Sun-Times looks at Amber Cremeens, the McHenry native killed last week by her ex-boyfriend Tyler James Martin, who shot himself after a stand-off with police in Logan Square on Friday.
• State Attorney General Lisa Madigan is prepping a lawsuit against Caterpillar, Inc. over the huge oil sludge spill from earlier this month.
• The Arlington Heights-based company responsible for Golden Tee is gambling on a new slot machine.

An Arlington Heights man needed 15 stitches after a brawl at Ravinia last weekend. more ›

An executive for the MacArthur Foundation was charged last week for taking upskirt shots of women at Frontier Days and the Fourth of July Parade in Arlington Heights. Timothy J. Hoeppner, 47, is facing at least one count of unauthorized videotaping, which is a misdemeanor. more ›

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As part of the old Brach's legacy was being blown up for Batman, intentionally causing a blaze, there have been several other fire related bits in the news as well. The police Bomb and Arson Section and Chicago Fire Department are conducting an ongoing investigation of a warehouse fire that started Thursday night in Bridgeport. Just before 10 p.m., a fire was reported at a building near Halsted and 36th Streets in the 3600 block... more ›

Before we teleported up into the great nightclub in outer space, Chicagoist took a few hours to walk around Grant Park this weekend and have a friendly chit-chat with some of the many fine folks who came to Lolla this weekend. Some of them came from nearby - North Side, South Side and the suburbs. Others came from farther away, places like New Jersey. Still others came to visit us from other countries, like Ireland.... more ›

Fat Tuesday, Shmat Tuesday. As far as we are concerned, today is about one thing only, eating delicious deep-fried, fruit-filled, often-frosted paczkis. For the non-Polish, non-native Chicagoans, paczkis are traditional Polish donuts, often served on Fat Thursday, except in Chicago and Detroit where they are served today — today being Paczkis Day. more ›

Chicagoist is one of those proud, transit-taking people who don't own a car. For the slight inconvenience of not being able to go where we want at all times, we avoid road rage, trying to find parking, the eternal driver vs. bicyclist debate, and being rammed by inattentive motorists. Friday, an Arlington Heights woman was awarded $4.1 million as a result of being hit by a man who blew a red light. The reason? He was lost and trying to look for directions on his BlackBerry. more ›

Between resting from the family and finishing off the leftover turkey we figure you won’t have too much time for action this weekend. We are bringing you a special Thanksgiving weekend jaunts together for your viewing and doing pleasure. As always, feel free to add additional events in the comments section. As the ignoble comments your family made wear off, we suggest laughing at their expense. Second City presents the Dysfunctional Holiday Revue at the... more ›

Fishing Derby 02 via phule, who notes: Impromptu fishing derby along the Chicago River during lunch. Lasted 30 minutes and 1 fish was caught before security from Boeing threw everyone out. more ›

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Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, WHOA. Here we were, all ready to post something fascinating on a subject that had to do with loving books; then we hear some butthead(s) burned some books in the Gay and Lesbian section of the Merlo Library on Belmont. No one’s using the words “hate crime”, but they are using the word “arson”. And really? We’re still reeling from Leslie Pinney’s book banning proposal in Arlington Heights. We’re finding it... more ›

We here at the Chicagoist offices only do what’s good for us: we feed our bodies all the right foods, we watch only educational television programming, we exercise regularly, we don’t drink, don’t smoke (what do we do?), don’t gossip, don’t make promises we can’t keep, don’t kiss on the first date and don’t have sex without love. more ›

United States National Soccer Team Manager Bruce Arena plans to announce the 23 player roster for the 2006 FIFA World Cup tonight at 5pm on ESPN's Sportscenter. Arena is announcing the squad 13 days before the official roster submission date, when the rosters for all 32 teams will be finalized. We feel there are 13 players who can rest easy today as their place on the roster is a sure thing (denoted in italics below).... more ›

So those urban coyotes who’ve invaded Chicago? They weren’t so bad when they were just sniffing around the suburbs and hanging out at Lincoln Park Zoo. Even when they started eating geese, no one seemed to mind too much. It’s the circle of life, and goose poop is gross. But then they started attacking dogs. And now, indirectly, people. Oh it is on, coyotes. It is on. more ›

), held its inaugural meeting in Arlington Heights on Saturday. Approximately 400 people showed up to protest the meeting and five of them were arrested after a scuffle erupted at around 11:00 a.m. Police allege that bottles and other projectiles were thrown at them prompting them to call in 150 officers to help settle the ruckus. The five individuals arrested were all Chicago residents and were released after they posted bail. One of the arrested, 23-year-old Kara K. Norlander, said "Our actions were justified. Five people were arrested in a deliberate attempt to protest these people planning to hunt and trap immigrants." Mmmkay Kara. Who are the vigilantes again? more ›

Headed into this past weekend, Chicagoist was thinking about laying low and maybe going to see a movie. However, we were invited to attend the Lexus Press Preview event on Saturday, and our attitude changed. Sort of. When we heard that we had to get up at 7 am on a Saturday, we weren't sure we wanted to go. Really. Besides, did they know we drive a 1990 Honda Accord? Not only did Lexus not... more ›

Maybe it was the change of weather. Maybe people were distraught over the Bears' embarrassing loss or stressed out by the Sox pennant race. Maybe they were still pissed about Marshall Field's becoming Macy's. But for whatever reason, some crazy shit happened in Chicago this weekend. more ›

‘Tis the season for all sizes and flavors of “Christmas Carol” offerings, plus variations on its time-honored (some might say “tired”) theme. Our favorite standby is ye olde Muppets version, costarring a surprisingly tuneful Michael Caine, but our job here is to send you out into the world, not to your sofa zones. Luckily, Chicagoland has plenty of theatrical Scrooges to please everyone, everywhere, over the holidays: For the Purists: “A Christmas Carol” The... more ›