According to Bloomberg Businessweek, north suburban Niles has been named the "best place to raise your kids" in Illinois. To arrive at this result, the magazine examined 5,418 middle-income communities with fewer than 50,000 residents. They also considered factors such as crime rates, employment and job growth, affordable housing, air quality, ethnic diversity, and access to jobs, parks, theaters, and zoos. more ›

Ugh, this is not the kind of story we like hearing about. Niles Police officer William Christie has been charged with with theft and official misconduct for allegedly taking money off a man who was found dead at a YMCA. Christie responded to the call when the man was found dead and began acting suspiciously to staff, sealing the room and yet attempting to access the room himself over several days. According to ABC 7: more ›

Donald Kolakowski of Niles has been charged with theft after he took home a puppy from a Petland store that he said was his but wasn't. According to the police Kolakowski saw a sign on the puppy's cage that said "I'm going home soon" and convinced an employee he was there to pick the dog up. She didn't ask for a receipt, and he apparently left with the miniature pinscher, who actually cost $1,600. The dog has been returned to the store, and Kolakowski, currently on parole, was releaed on bond.[Trib, Pioneer Local.] more ›

Niles Mayor Nicholas Blase is set to retire today after 47 years in office. The 80-year-old great-grandfather is facing federal charges of accepting more than $420,000 in an insurance kickback scheme, which he doesn't mention as one of his reasons for stepping down. "At 80 years of age and 47 years of Mayoring, I am tired," Blase wrote in a letter to Niles residents. "I am retiring early so a Mayor candidate can start campaigning now without the question ‘is Mayor Blase going to run again?’” more ›

Stray fireworks and gunfire weren't the only thing Fourth of July revelers had to look out for yesterday -- another danger loomed large. Shriners! One driving a go-kart in a parade in Niles went out of control and struck two kids and two adults before winding up in a bush with a woman still on the hood. Everyone escaped with only minor injuries. In other news, the Chicago City Council is now considering a ban on Shriners. [Trib] more ›