Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias announced yesterday that the state is getting out of the loan business. On Monday, Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Patrick J. Londrigan signed the foreclosure order on the Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Convention Center, the first step in removing ownership from the politically connected powerbroker Bill Cellini. Although the owners quickly fell behind on payments, the loan was restructured in 1990, ensuring that the owners didn't have to repay the loan as long as the hotel didn't turn a profit. As a result, only two payments have been made on the loan in the last ten years. more ›

If you thought Boss (J.) Daley's reign as mayor was long, you obviously never heard about Donald Stephens. The only mayor of Rosemont, ever, presided over the near-northwest suburb for 51 years before dying in his sleep yesterday evening after a year and a half long battle with cancer. more ›

If you're hiking, consider charging up your iPod, as Seattlest finds out that a man lost during a hike was found by the glow of his iPod. That cleverness seems to be devoid in cops who were using police cruiser instant messaging clients - although we imagine IMs "so are you nakie" to be included in cop shows, just for realism. If only the cops were busting the Hummer-driving jerk who made a poor... more ›

Plenty to do on this lazy Sunday, and oh yes, this includes toys and circus cats. As always, feel free to add more events in the comments section. From 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. today the 2006 Chicago International Toy and Game Fair takes place at the Schaumburg Convention Center. There will be a giant 8-foot jenga, a moonwalk, other giant board games, and huge slides. We don't feel we offer enough kid friendly events... more ›

A consultant to McCormick Place recommended Tuesday that a food court with a "1900s Chicago" theme be added to the mammoth convention center. Citing the lack of dining options in the area, consultant William J. Caruso advised the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, who owns McCormick Place, that a food court be built at the front of the South Building, next to the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. McCormick Place, the country's largest convention center, can... more ›

Yesterday we found out that one of the most high-profile conventions held in Chicago agreed to stay in the city, which is great news. The news got even better today after a press conference revealed that the NRA (delicious food-making restaurants, not guns) extended its contract with Chicago for another five years, an unprecedented agreement. more ›

If you were visiting the city yesterday and hoped to see Millennium Park you were SOL. From 6am to 11pm, Large portions of the park were closed for a private party thrown by Toyota Motor Sales USA. more ›

On Saturday officials at this year's National Sports Collector Convention kicked O.J. Simpson out of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemount for signing autographs. An exhibitor invited him to sign sports memorabilia without the convention officials' permission. Evidently organizers have suggested inviting Simpson to their show in the past, but the convention's board has always rejected the idea. Because they violated the lease for their booth, the exhibitor was also ejected. more ›

One more domino in the increasingly corrupt former-Gov. George Ryan administration fell today when power-lobbyist Al Ronan pleaded guilty to mail fraud in connection with bid rigging in the $800 million expansion of Chicago's McCormick Place convention center and agreed to pay a $350,000 fine. more ›