It's coming. A fish virus so deadly to our aquatic friends that it could have a serious impact on the $4.5 billion commercial and recreational industry in Lake Michigan. The disease is call Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) and luckily poses no risk to humans. The virus has seeped into northern Lake Huron, just 20 miles north of where it merges with Lake Michigan. Based on the articles we are reading, this could be seriously bad... more ›

Poor Great Lakes. Even with all the great gains to combat pollution and keep creepy fish and aliens out of the ecosystem, there's always another part of the human race that's chomping at the bit to drain them of their vitality. This time it's New Berlin, a town 15 miles west of Milwaukee that has requested the right to drain the lake of 1.83 million gallons of water a day, because it's not close enough to the watershed. more ›

File this under “yay!,” but temperatures this winter may actually be slightly above normal – which is hopefully some consolation on this snowy, 30 degree day. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says rainfall in September was a half-inch above normal, and in Chicago and southern Illinois specifically, precipitation was also above normal. And, this leads the National Weather Service to forecast an increased chance of above-normal temperatures across Illinois this winter and blow-normal precipitation... more ›

Chicagoist really digs mushrooms, but had no idea that - each year, in spring and early summer - part of our very own state becomes a hotbed of activity for those that enjoy seeking them out in their natural forested environment. This is the fabled time of year when prized morel mushrooms begin their journey into full fungal beauty, and it turns out there's no better place to find them than Central Illinois. more ›