Less than two years after receiving over $15 million in TIF money and fuel tax breaks, rumors are flying (heh) that United may merge with Delta, creating uncertainty if our hometown airline will remain based for the long term in its Wacker Drive digs, or if it will leave and take their 325 full-time jobs with them. Fortunately, as part of the financial deal, United's "successor entity" would be locked into the space for about another eight years. But after that, it's all up for grabs. more ›

Of the grassroots congressional campaigns this season, Mark Pera's race to unseat 3rd District Congressman Dan Lipinski is among the more notable. According to the Pera campaign, they out-raised Congressman Dan Lipinski during the 3rd quarter, $100,000 to $75,000. Even more telling was where the money came from: Pera's nearly 850 contributions came from individual donors, while just one of Lipinski's 74 contributions was from inside the district ($100 from a single contributor in Brookfield).... more ›

Riad Skaff, an employee at O'Hare International Airport has recently been taking lessons in how to be a good employee from Arenda Troutman; Skaff was charged yesterday by federal investigators with allowing the smuggling of money onto planes headed overseas. more ›

After 107 years, the venerable Berghoff Restaurant is closing its doors. more ›

If your CTA bus was a little late this morning, don’t be too angry: the city’s favorite whipping boy was busy pitching in to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. more ›

If you're involved in a family dispute, and taking your family members to court on TV (and, of course, during your testimony revealing sordid details about their love-lives and drug use) just doesn't quite pack enough spite for you, you may want to try accusing them of being terrorists. Judge Mathis will probably only shake his head and ask you what it has to do with your case when you tell him that when you were a kid your dad and uncle used to bring you along when they did cocaine (and the waitress) at the local saloon. But federal authorities won't just srhug you off when you accuse your relatives of planning a bombing spree. more ›