A ridiculously massive mansion in Burr Ridge named "Villa Taj" is being put up for auction at a fraction of its cost, all because one-half of the couple that built the home decided that she wasn't a fan of Chicago's cold weather. "He was going to spend the rest of his life in this house," real estate broker and auctioneer Mike Berland told the Chicago Sun Times of homeowners Husam Aldairi and Rawaa Atta-Aldairi. "About halfway into the project, the wife decided she couldn't stand the Chicago winters anymore," Berland said. So the Aldairi's and their three children packed up and moved to Florida, leaving behind their $18 million and five years in the making mansion, that has never been lived in or appraised. Property taxes on the land alone, according to Berland, are $27,000 a year. more ›

As if the diploma fraud case wasn't enough, federal agents are now investigating Burr Ridge auction house Mastro Auctions, Inc. in connection with possible memorabilia fraud charges. The feds were looking into accusations that the house "doctored" cards and "shill bidding." more ›

Can local NBA players breathe a bit easier now? Late last week, Chicago police arrested four gang members in connection with the home invasion and robbery at Antoine Walker's River North mansion. Working with police in Burr Ridge investigating the similar break-in at Eddy Curry's house, the police connected two of the suspects to both crimes. The alleged motive for the two home invasions was "monetary gain" and neither of the NBA stars has been... more ›

These are dangerous times to be a basketball star in this town. For the second time this month, a Chicago-native NBA star has been the victim of a home invasion. more ›

In January George Hood, an Aurora resident, spent 85 hours on a stationary bicycle in an attempt to break the world record. Guinness officials notified Hood that due to inconsistencies in his log of rest breaks, they express "great regret" that he is not the record holder he thought he was. more ›

Your acting skills have not gotten any better since 1st grade when Sister Mary Ignatius said you “made some confusing choices” in your portrayal of a bar of soap in your Catholic grade school production of “Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness (So Scrub Your Back Or You’re Going To Hell).” Therefore, an Oscar is out of the question. more ›