The weather forecast calls for a lot of "brass bra cold" this weekend. It won't stop people from going out and enjoying their weekend, although some serious consideration should be given to hibernating on the couch with movies, a bottle of wine, and a comforter. more ›

Last night, the American Institute of Architects’ Illinois chapter announced their “150 Greatest Places in Illinois.” And no, your bedroom’s not on the list. Commemorating 150 years of highlighting our state’s “built environment,” the AIAIL 150 is a what’s-what of places historically significant, uniquely designed, or really frickin’ cool. Chicagoland’s dominion extends beyond safe, popular choices like Wrigley Field, Sears Tower and Navy Pier to include the northwest side’s Schurz High School (a Prairie School... 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 ›

That new TV show, "Armed & Famous," where they train Z-list celebs to be cops ... it's in Indiana. Figures! Some racist assholes with a pro-Chief Illiniwek page on Facebook made threats against a Native American University of Illinois student. Suggested one person, "I say we throw a tomahawk into her face." A lady from Florida is suing Kraft because Capri Sun says "All Natural" on the label. When did she figure out that... more ›

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was a part of a recent study on the racial and social equity of the top 50 public universities in the U.S. The good news: U of I is one of the top public universities in the US. The bad news: it got an overall grade of F; the school does not fairly represent the population it serves. U of I joins the ranks of Penn State, the University of Mississippi and 5 other schools who received F’s. The important conclusion of this study is that “students in the entering and graduating classes at these schools look less and less like the state populations those universities were created to serve.” According to the study, in 2003 public universities gave $257 million in grants to students whose families earned more than $100,000 per year. Grants to families earning 100k+? That’s craziness. more ›

Over the weekend, the city announced that it has a solution to one of your many, many problems. Rather than turning all your old TVs and computer monitors into plant holders and cluttering drawers with old batteries because you have no idea what to do with them, you can now take them somewhere: a recycling center. more ›

"2781: for the love of country - buy their gucci, their fendi, their prada, their christian dior, their louis vuitton, their versace, their dolce & gabbana, and their roberto cavalli - merchandise." by only-connect more ›

"We Are Workers Not Criminals" via swanksalot. More coverage on the immigration rally tomorrow. more ›

Just when you thought the holiday season was over, here comes Abramoffukkah, the moniker given to the emerging political scandal surrounding lobbyist Jack Abramoff, shown here disguised as Al Capone. Abramoff was a high powered lobbyist who defrauded his clients, primarily Native American tribes, and conspired to buy the support of public officials by donating to their election campaigns. He gave to politicians on both sides of the aisle, although he is probably best... more ›

Labor Day is traditionally the symbolic end of summer in Chicago, but for the local art scene it marks a major transition. Chicagoist missed a rash of summer exhibition closings last weekend but, as much as we procrastinate, don’t plan to make the same mistake this weekend. Schneider Gallery’s Portrait closes Saturday. The exhibit brings together seven photographers who capture their subjects unconventionally but in deeply affecting and sometimes freaky ways. Down the block, Saslow... more ›

As Chicagoist covered last week, the NCAA has banned the use of 18 college nicknames and mascots because they are abusive and hostile towards Native Americans. Among those on the list was the University of Illinois' Fighting Illini nickname and Chief Illiniwek mascot. more ›

Last week, the NCAA instituted a new policy that would ban schools using "hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames or imagery" during NCAA Championships and would prevent offending schools from hosting postseason events. While broad in policy, the NCAA has squarely aimed these new rules at the 18 schools with Native American nicknames -- including the University of Illinois Fighting Illini. Many have been outspoken in their opposition to the NCAA's decision, including Florida... more ›

If you thought there was a lot to do last weekend, you ain't seen nothin' yet, baby. This weekend if you can't find something to do you just aren't livin in the city the way you should. Deep breath, ok here goes: more ›

Score one for Native Americans! Following years of internal debate in the Village of Lemont, a community-wide vote this month and approval at Monday’s meeting of the District 210 Board of Education, the name “Injuns” has officially been dropped as the moniker of Lemont High School’s sports teams. The switch, to the not-so-offensive “Titans,” comes after five years of pressure from the Illinois Native American Bar Association, who are pleased with Lemont's decision but promise to continue fighting against the 27 Illinois high schools that still use “Indians” as their nicknames (not to mention the six that use “Redskins,” the three that go by “Braves” and the twenty that consider themselves “Warriors”). more ›