Cancer cases for Crestwood, Illinois residents were elevated, according to a new report by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The study was prompted by a Tribune investigation last year that found Crestwood residents were drinking tap water contaminated with toxic chemicals for more than two decades. The report determined it’s possible contaminated drinking water contributed to higher cancer rates, but the results are inconclusive. There were too many variables to definitively link cancer with the water, a health department official told Chicago Public Radio. more ›

• Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan filed suit today against Crestwood mayor Robert Stranczek and his father for lying to the state and their community over tainted cancer-causing water coming from a nearby well.
• The Sun-Times has the story of Mark Clements, a man convicted of four arson-related deaths from a 1981 incident, and his appeal for a new trial.
• There's trouble in Cicero where town president Larry Dominick has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by four former female employees.

The ongoing saga of south suburban Crestwood and its tainted water took another big step today when members of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's criminal division raided the Crestwood Village Hall. Lead agent Randall Ashe said of the raid, "We're looking for any evidence we can get." The raid came less than two weeks after the Chicago Tribune posted an in-depth investigation as to how local officials knowingly allowed residents to drink tainted water for over 20 years. Crestwood mayor Robert Stranczek said only, "Right now our drinking water is 100 percent safe and the village doesn't believe there was anything wrong with it prior to this."
more ›

At least 12 people were injured this afternoon when a Range Rover crashed through a wall at the Tri-State Auto Auction of Chicago in Crestwood. So far, reports are that at least 4 of those injured are in critical condition. more ›