Long before he went on to greater things as a 40-year-old virgin and as the bumbling, always inappropriate Michael Scott on "The Office," Steve Carrell was a regular at Second City and local improv shows throughout the city. He also did his fair share of local commercials, like an eight-second bumper for WTMJ back in the day. Or this blink-twice-and-you'll-miss-him appearance in a spot for the Citibank Rewards Card. more ›

A lot happened in 2009 and we've had a grand old time running down our top stories of the year. But what happened in 2009 that caught our attention but didn't quite make the cut for our top stories list? In no particular order: more ›

Closing arguments will begin today in the trial of James Degorski, the second man charged and tried for the brutal 1993 murders of seven people at a Brown's Chicken restaurant in Palatine. It's expected that the jury could begin deliberations by the end of the day. The other man charged in the murders - Juan Luna - was found guilty in 2007. [WBBM, Daily Herald] more ›

• At his trial for the Brown's Chicken murders, a high school friend of James Degorski testified today that Degorski admitted committing the murders.
• An Aurora man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for acting as a lookout during a gang-related beating that resulted in the victim's death.
• Some local post offices are under review for possible closings.

The trial for the second suspect in the violent 1993 Brown's Chicken murders isset to begin with jury selection on Thursday; opening statements are scheduled for August 31. Jury selection for James Degorski, charged with shooting deaths of seven people at the Palatine restaurant, could take up to two weeks. In 2007, Juan Luna stood trial for the killings, resulting in a conviction on all seven counts of murder and a life sentence. The big break in the case came in 2002 when Degorski's then girlfriend, Anne Lockett, finally gave in and told police Degorski had admitted committing the shootings to her. The Daily Herald has a nice break-down of Degorski's case as well as an archive of recent stories and developments. more ›

• Nicole Abusharif was convicted today by a DuPage jury in the death of her former lover, Rebecca Klein; she faces a sentence of up to 60 years.
• State health officials have confirmed 82 cases of the swine flu state-wide.
• An August date has been set as the start for the trial of James Degorski, the latest suspect to face trial in the 1993 Brown's Chicken killings.