The move to ask possible students of their sexual orientation or gender identity is part of Elmhurst College's attempts to promote diversity in all its forms, its dean of admissions says. more ›

Safia Jilani, 19, pleaded not guilty today to a disorderly conduct charge stemming from her allegedly false claim of an attack at Elmhurst College. Her attorney, Terry Ekl, said she, "is in treatment and I hope the public wouldn't judge her until all the facts are known." Jilani claimed that she had been attacked by a masked gunman on October 9 and made claims of anti-Muslim graffiti. Since the revelation that the attack was faked, she has been expelled from Elmhurst and is currently residing at her family's home while she awaits her December 22 court date, free on $10,000 bond. more ›

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• A 17-year-old boy was fatally shot near his South Side home last night. It was only part of a violent 24 hours for the city.
• Republican "power broker" William Cellini enteres a not guilty plea yesterday to his extortion charges.
• FEMA will be providing $45 million in relief for Illinois victims of fall flooding.

Safia Z. Jilani, 19, of Oak Brook has been arrested for filing a false police report stemming from her claim last week that she was attacked by a masked gunman. Elmhurst Police Chief Steve Neubauer said, "The totality of all the evidence, and interviews with staff and students at the college ... concluded that this incident never happened." Some of our commenters brought up this possibility last week. We guess they owe us a "told-ya-so." more ›

In case you weren't paying attention earlier, the Chicago Humanities Festival begins tomorrow. Really, we’re not kidding. Judging by the long scroll of sold-out shows in the website’s festival updates section, advance ticket sales have been brisk. And at $5 a pop to see the likes of General Wesley Clark, Garry Trudeau, and Paul Krugman, are you honestly surprised? This year’s theme, Peace and War: Facing Human Conflict, speaks to growing apprehension about America's military... more ›