In August we wrote about the possibility of Deerfield-based Fortune Brands Inc. losing the marketing rights to Absolut Vodka when the Swedish government eventually puts the state-owned distillery up for sale. At the time, it was a very strong possibility that Fortune Brands would lose the rights to a competitor as they were just beginning to pay down the debt accrued from the acquisition of 25 major brands from Allied Domecq. If Fortune Brands does... more ›

Autopsy results released yesterday in the death of Gefery Johnson revealed that the 42-year-old Gresham resident died of cocaine intoxication and not from being shocked by a taser while being arrested by police. In August, police responded to a domestic disturbance call at Johnson's family residence, where he "became really combative with police" and resisted arrest. Police subdued Johnson with pepper spray and the taser. He was pronounced dead at St. Bernard Hospital. Johnson's death, followed by the police-related shooting of 18-year-old Aaron Harrison a few days later, led to heated protests against the police department, charges of police brutality, and a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Johnson's family. more ›

It took a four-run seventh-inning rally, but the Cubs took the first game of a critical three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers by winning 5-3 at Wrigley Field on Tuesday. Jacque Jones, whom Cubs fans couldn't wait to unload earlier this season, drove in two of the runs with a key double during the seventh. With Alfonso Soriano on the DL and Derrek Lee's power missing, it's been Jones who has been the key to... more ›

The latest salvo in the battle for the future of Chief Illiniwek was launched yesterday by the Oglala Sioux Tribe, when they presented the University of Illinois' board of trustees, the university president and the chancellor with a resolution demanding the university "cease use of this mascot." Welcomed by the American Indian Studies faculty and the staff at the Native American House at the university, the resolution charges that regalia given to the U of I is being misused to represent the people of Kaskaskia, Peoria, Piankeshaw and Wea nations. more ›

En route to Milwaukee to visit relatives, a 42-year-old woman gave birth to a baby girl on a Mexicana Airlines flight from Guadalajara, Mexico. The plane landed at O'Hare, and officials say the 7-pound, 8-ounce baby was delivered on the aircraft by an obstetrician. Obstetricians on a Plane is currently in the works. more ›

The old man of porn, Chicago-based Playboy, announced that it will raise the newsstand price of its magazine $1 and promised advertisers less sales. The price increase is only expected to effect teenagers scamming a copy at the corner magazine stand/porn hut and horny businessmen buying copies at the airport, since 89% of of Playboy's readers subscribe and have their copies subsequently stolen by the mailman. more ›