Imagine you’re an immigrant who has arrived in Chicago from Jerusalem. more ›

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig must have choked on his frozen custard when he found out that Mark Cuban has officially thrown his hat into the ring to buy the Cubs. On Thursday Cuban made public that he had submitted his application to buy the storied ball club. Bud, of course, has other ideas about who shall buy the Cubs. He has been lobbying for longtime friend John Canning Jr. to purchase the team from the... more ›

We really didn't think the White Sox would be out of the playoff hunt so early -- certainly not before the All Star Break. But Chicagoist has finally realized that this team's not going anywhere this year and GM Kenny Williams is likely laundering that white flag just about now so it's ready when needed. Which could be any day now. more ›

Jane Radostits, the DuPage County prosecutor who was killed when her state-issued car swerved into oncoming traffic may have had as many as eight drinks before driving on May 11, according to a lawsuit filled yesterday on behalf of Michele Lubinski, 36, of West Chicago. Lubinski, whose left arm and leg were broken in the crash, is seeking damages from Oak Brook's Kona Grill after lab tests revealed Radostits' blood alcohol level to be .25... more ›

The sports media has been abuzz since ESPN's Ric Bucher reported that L.A. Laker guard Kobe Bryant suggested during an interview that he wanted to be traded if the Lakers didn't lure former GM Jerry West back to the organization. A day later, Kobe refuted that assertion, but the rumor mills continue to swirl about whether the Lakers' prima donna wants out. more ›

Chicagoist is one of the unfortunate numbers that have fallen under the spell of weight loss. We're not above considering liquid diets or the occasional thought of the tummy tuck. "But Chicagoist," you might say. "You should love your body, no matter the appearance!" Yeah, we know, but tell that to our @#%$ing bridesmaid dress. However, as tempting as a quick fix is, Sherilyn Herkey's story serves as a cautionary tale to those who look to surgeons to solve their poundage problems once and for all. more ›

Richard Swift is feeling low. "But Chicagoist, he is a singer-songwriter on an indie label." Point taken, but the real story here isn’t Swift’s state of mind or how many pages of palpable insecurities he can fill in one of those black-and-white spotted composition books – it’s the style and grace with which he yanks a real showstopper out of a sound that could easily teeter on the brink of cliché. His 2007 release,... more ›

In an unusual move yesterday, a federal judge allowed convicted former Governor George Ryan to remain free on bail while he appeals his conviction on charges of corruption while in office. He has already been stripped of his pension. more ›

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During the months leading up to the holidays, Chicagoist's mailbox is inundated with catalog after catalog. But Chicagoist is looking for better gifts this year than a shirt or other material items that might be soon forgotten or lost. This year, we will be reviewing the Excitations Web site for unique experiences that can be given as gifts. Excitations CEO, Ian Landy, feels "many people have all the material things they want, but they long... more ›

The city council is considering a new measure that would allow real estate agents, home healthcare workers, and social workers to park in any residential zones using a special $300 permit. The proposal was approved by the council's finance committee Monday, and now goes to the full council for a vote. more ›

In the past, parking ticket scofflaws with more than three unpaid tickets who have gotten the dreaded Denver boot clamped on their front wheels had to wait for a city crew to come out and remove it. Instead of begging for coins to buy Khlav Khalash while they wait, many of them to try to remove it themselves, damaging the boot and racking up more costs for the city than the unpaid tickets themselves. So the city is trying a new program that lets them remove the boot themselves, no jackhammers necessary. more ›

Daley's little Olympic bid project is actually starting to get real. Back in July, Chicago was selected by the U.S. Olympic Committee as one of the three finalists for the United States bid. Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco are being evaluated and in six months the U.S. will decide which city to back for the 2016 Olympics. But this week Daley and the Chicago 2016 Committee, chaired by Patrick Ryan, took a few steps... more ›

Chicagoist can’t decide whether hosting the 2016 Olympics would be a boon or boondoggle. But this morning’s Trib article about the latest obstacle to Chicago’s bid nearly had us choking on our Lucky Charms. Apparently, our image is still stuck in the past: more ›

It's a deregulation bonanza for utility companies in the Chicago area this year. Last week AT&T was handed an early Christmas present by the Illinois Commerce Commission when they were given the freedom to set their own prices for local phone service. And while we're still fretting about the thought of our phone bill doubling over the next three years, we get to face the specter of unregulated electricity rates from ComEd. We've seen this one coming since January, when the ICC approved an auction system for setting wholesale electricity prices to take effect in 2007, but as the new year approaches, details of this bitch-slapping by the free market are becoming clearer. more ›

NBC-5 reports that three men shot a film that attempts to show what life is really like in the Cabrini Green housing project. Shot over a period of five years from 2001 to 2006, the film shows images of violence, police confrontations and rhyme battles in addition to remembrances of friends who have died. The Chicago Housing Authroity objects to the film’s content on the grounds that it portrays only the gang activity within the... more ›

Chances are, if you're celebrating Passover today you aren't reading this. But Chicagoist received an e-mail the other day asking for advice on kosher wines, something we haven't given much thought toward, being a goyim and all. more ›

On Saturday, for anyone within a mile of the city, it was tough not to notice that it was the downtown St. Patrick’s Day parade. The throngs of partygoers covered in green flair … the green river … the massive public vomiting … [sniff] It was all so beautiful. [wipe away a tear] For those who claim that this holiday is for amateurs: you’re right. But Chicagoist has marched in the parade for the last... more ›

Rarely do we get the chance, or feel the need, to redeem ourselves around here. Most of the time our readers point out our mistakes, second guess us, and basically call us idiots and we have to take it because, well, most of the time we are. But Chicagoist will indulge ourselves this one time. Ha! We were right: Gov. Blagojevich admits he had no clue what he was getting into on the Daily Show two weeks ago. more ›

English writer Julian Barnes will read from his novel, Arthur and George, which is based on actual events in the life of Sherlock Holmes creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. (Okay, so it’s fiction about a real guy. That’s still fiction, okay?) Chicagoist has heard stories about Doyle that rival those of his character, Holmes, and can’t wait to get our hands on this mystery novel. more ›

The Bears magical season came to an end Sunday evening as the Carolina Panthers beat the Bears 29-21 in front of a packed Soldier Field. There will be no trip to Seattle for the Bears next weekend and no trip to Detroit. Steve Smith gave the Bears a preview of what to expect the rest of the game when he scored on a 58-yard touchdown reception within the first minute of the game. He ended... more ›

Tonight, the League of Chicago Theatres celebrates the first anniversary of “Theater Thursdays.” The weekly series lures younger professionals to the theater on a traditionally slower night by offering drinks, appetizers, and discussions with knowledgeable professionals. The reception and munchies return to the Goodman Theatre tonight for William Shakespeare’s Pericles. Fitting too, since that’s where it all began last January. Tickets are $40, pre-show starts at 6pm for a 7:30pm curtain. Pericles is one of... more ›

Few things are certain in this world. But Chicagoist readers getting riled up about smoking is one of them. more ›

The Bears came into this weekend with a surprising 6-3 record, which placed them atop the NFC North. But the division and the Bears schedule in general was pretty weak through the first 9 games of the seaon. The Bears wins came against the likes of the New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions. Lots of questions remained about how the team would fare when opposing one of the league's top teams. more ›

A sign that Thanksgiving is approaching and winter's not far behind, this week marks the opening of the college basketball season. We'll focus today on the University of Illinois Fighting Illini. Their season kicks off in Champaign tomorrow night when they host South Dakota State. Tomorrow, we'll look at the other Division I schools in the area, including DePaul, Northwestern, UIC and Loyola. Last year's Illini team spent most of the season ranked #1 in... more ›

Chicagoist never passes up an opportunity to write a lame double entendre as a headline, but the coffee hasn't fully entered our system yet, so please forgive us. As a beer slinger and beer drinker we have to say that we're cautiously optimistic about this new gadget called the Turbo Tap. Chicago-based Laminar Technologies, LLC developed the Turbo Tap with an eye towards increasing beer yield and cutting down pouring time. The key, as... more ›

The Bulls are less than a week into the regular season and have played three games so far. They've got a 1-2 record. But Chicagoist is more positive about this team than we were heading into the season. That's because the last two games, while losses, were very tight games against very good teams. more ›

http://neighborhoodies.com/design/morning_announcements/morning_announcements.php">announced today that they're opening a store on Milwaukee Ave, in Wicker Park. Who isn't these days!? But Chicagoist is actually excited about this one because we've been fans of Neighborhoodies for years.. it's our favorite place to go for personalized clothes. We've got several things we ordered from them (including these nerdy hotpants that were given to us - nice ass, huh?) and we're afraid having them so close is going to prompt us to buy even more.. not that that's a bad thing! more ›

We’re at the halfway mark of the Chicago International Film Festival. If you’re not attending because you don’t know how to separate the good flicks from the crap flicks, then you’re just not trying. No matter how you like your movies—arty farty or just plain entertaining—there are plenty of ways to find movies to suit your tastes. more ›

Seneca is about 70 miles southwest of Chicago, and, apparently, it is the happening hotspot for Bigfoot. After what the Tribune characterized as a “flurry of investigations” run by the organization with the formidable title of Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, the village of Seneca, Illinois is basically a Sasquatch disco. more ›