An FBI sting has caught 10 Cook County sheriff's correctional officers, four Harvey police officers and a Chicago police officer accused of running security for what they thought were major drug deals but were actually parts of the sting operation. Officers received as much as $4,000 per incident and were willing to intervene if other law enforcement officials stepped in.

An undercover agent acting as a drug dealer allegedly paid 16 of the defendants some $44,000 during the course of the investigation. In once incident, corrections officers Ahyetoro Taylor and Raphael Manuel met the undercover agent at the DuPage Airport, where they allegedly helped count what they believed were 80 kilograms of cocaine. The officers each were paid $4,000 for helping with the shipment. more ›

9:37 Dr. Peters, president of NIU, is thanking everyone for their response to the tragedy. He says he was "renew[ed]" by seeing the university community come together. more ›

"Law enforcement officials at all levels, from the detectives who investigate cases to the superintendent, as well as the state's attorney's office, have failed to properly police the police." Wow. The Trib goes all out today with a massive story about police shootings, and it's extremely critical of the CPD. According to the story, "More than 100 people have been killed in the last decade; 250 others have been injured. But only a tiny... more ›

Drew Peterson was on the Today Show this morning, chatting with Matt Lauer about his wife Stacy's disappearance and his former wife Kathleen Savio's exhumation. (Anyone know how to embed that video?) "I can look you right in the eye and tell you I had nothing to do with either of those instances. I’m not afraid of law enforcement. I’m afraid of the media," he said. Maybe because he works in law enforcement, and Savio's... more ›

Marcus Hampton turned himself in last night, after police charged his girlfriend and her brother in connection with the grisly hit-and-run that dismembered a 60-year-old man. more ›

One of the many things we pay taxes for is local and community help during emergencies. One of the most universally known emergency services is 911, which saves lives daily. Most people assume it is the best possible option for them — unfortunately for some residents on the Southwest side last weekend, though, it wasn't. Fifty-one calls were made to 911 last weekend reporting a brawl in Durkin Park, but it was 26 minutes before... more ›

From the tallest skyscraper in the City of Brotherly Love to Canadian tourism copywriting brilliance, here's what you should know from our -ist cities: This week, Phillyist took a gleeful listen to the White Stripes' exciting new release, watched in awe as their new tallest skyscraper was finally completed, found a cheaper way to get to Gothamist, invented a tasty new dessert, and brought back their Craigslist Round-Up feature with a bang. Bostonist watches... more ›

Tom Simon does a lot of things right. He investigates white collar crimes for the FBI, volunteers for a youth crisis hotline, biked thousands of miles for AIDS charities, and donates his organs to perfect strangers … just because he can. But whatever you do, don't call him a hero. According to Simon's blog, The Kidney Chronicles, his desire to "help others and alleviate suffering" led him to consider handing over one of his kidneys.... more ›

Here's the scenario: Cook County's in the hole by about $500 million. Infamous Board President Todd Stroger wants to slash jobs without raising taxes, which has many people up in arms, including newly elected Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. Stroger wants to dispose of some of Dart's courtroom staff and police force. What's a rookie sheriff of the most populated county in Illinois to do? more ›

The Red Cross is asking, who is that someone in your life who can kiss away the pain? Who will stand by the community forever? And who will take our breath away? more ›

Feed the Birds? more ›

Chicagoist's dad always told us than when people work together they can get anything done. Monday night, ol' Dad's words rang true. A coalition of county commisioners sent a resolution to the general council forbidding county agencies from asking people about their immigrations status when receiving county services. Citing previous allegations of questionable behavior, Roberto Maldonado, a co-sponsor of the resolution, said that the Council would be sending a "moral message" of solidarity to undocumented... more ›

We can't hide the fact that we're a little bit of a conspiracy theorist. We aren't for a national ID card. We aren't into biometrics. We don't feel it necessary to give up all our personal info so we can get the equivalent of an airport speedpass. more ›

Chicagoist knows sometimes someone just needs a good groin kick and/or cock punch. We get it. But there are some circumstances in which this response is inappropriate. Say, when a law enforcement official is involved. Then, it’s not such a great idea. more ›

At some point, everyone gets the urge to “stick it to the man.” Whether it’s law enforcement officials, parents, bosses, teachers – they all need to be stuck sooner or later. We here at Chicagoist fully support your right to said sticking, but we urge you to be smart about it. Otherwise, things just get sticky. more ›

The building that housed one of the most famous movie chase scenes ever, has been demolished. Again. For the last time. more ›

First Governor Blagojevich irritated his political opponents with his All Kids Insurance program, and now he is back at it with his Preschool for All program, which would allow all three and four year olds in the state to attend state-funded preschools. Blago estimates Preschool for All will cost $135 million over the next three years and would enroll around 140,000 students. Blago estimates closing corporate tax loopholes and money from Illinois’ special purpose... more ›

Wondering how you can make the $100 left in your checking account stretch far enough to pay for groceries and the new iPod nano? Thinking that maybe you can pay just the minimum on this month’s Visa bill so you have enough drinking money for the weekend? Well, get in line buddy. Cook County commissioners learned on Tuesday that the budget deficit for 2006 could rise to over $300 million. Ouch. This is nearly... more ›

We've all had jittery, nervous moments of vulnerability in the few years since terrorism entered our lives. And though - as our red line train passes beneath the river or we ride the elevetor to the highest floors of our office buildings - we've no doubt counted the ways they could get us, Chicago has rarely (if ever) been mentioned with New York or L.A. as a specific terrorist target. more ›

On Saturday two college students allegedly beat the life out of a University of Illinois at Chicago student on the 1500 block of South Sangamon Street. more ›

Through adroit parlementary manuvers, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance today that would ban drivers from using cell phones without a hands free device. Chicagoist has learned that the ordinance will be enacted this July, and first time offenders will be fined $50, with repeat offenders subject to fines of up to $200 with each offense. The ordinance does not apply to people in parked cars, people calling 911, or law enforcement officials. Alderman... more ›

Chicago crime has dropped considerably since 2003 -- when we suffered the highest murder rate in the U.S. -- thanks in large part to police use of new technology. The May issue of Wired features all the geeky toys the police have used to reduce crime and increase efficiency. more ›

This morning the FBI started rounding up a bunch of reputed members of Chicago's mob... .just when you thought the Chicago mob was dead... more ›

Attention methamphetamine users and makers: buying your drug supplies is about to get a little harder. Lisa Madigan (secretly hot?) and drug store owners have collaborated on legislation that will go into effect January 1. more ›

Two Midway customs officers are among 20 people accused of being a part of a drug ring that smuggled millions of dollars in heroin, cocaine and marijuana from Mexico. Officials said the officers, both from Chicago, used law enforcement databases to find out if any members of the drug ring were being investigated. Federal agents also say that in early 2003, they arrested a person who'd just left one of the customs agents' house. On him was over $300,000. The agents face 10 years to life in prison if convicted. more ›

After that zero-zero day, it feels like there have been a whole bunch of crime stories. Hm. Criminals probably want to squeeze it all in before the holiday season starts. more ›

It didn't happen in Chicago, but we're betting that our audience, heavy with 18-24 year olds, is keen to know that file sharing got a big leg up yesterday when the Ninth Federal Appeals Court in San Francisco ruled that peer-to-peer file sharing services like Morpheus and Grokster are legal. more ›