It's only coincidental that two news stories in the past 24 hours involve ex-employees of suburban North Chicago. But it's a still a coincidence. more ›

Last week during a flyover, members of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group discovered close to 4,000 marijuana plants being grown in a heavily wooded area in North Chicago--just east of U.S. Highway 41 and north of Illinois Highway 137. MEG Deputy Director told the Chicago Tribune that the plants had grown to be about three feet tall. more ›

It's impostor week here at Chicagoist, with fake websites, fake money, fake cab drivers, and fake Johnny Knoxvilles. All that's missing are the cheesy disguises. Kids, don't try any of this at home. more ›

We've all heard the expression "like a kid in a candy store," but how does "like a kid in a Wal-Mart" sound? Eh, even as a kid, we would have taken it. It sounded great for 25 underprivileged children from North Chicago, who received the opportunity to shop at Wal-Mart for the holidays with their local friendly police officers in tow. more ›

North Shore Train? more ›

The news was a little light on stupidity this week, but we were still able to find a few gems: On Wednesday, two men tried to rob two others sitting in a parked car in the South Shore area, but ended up getting shot. Turns out the intended victims were undercover cops on a stakeout. On Thursday, a fired employee of the Loop Old Navy store had to be taken in handcuffs after she showed... more ›

If you watched Sunday's Wind Bowl, you may have noticed that John St. Clair started at right tackle in place of Fred Miller, ending Miller's 102-game streak of consecutive starts. When first reported, the fractured jaw that was expected to cost Miller at least 2 games was caused by a fall at home last Monday. However, a little different story unfolded yesterday. Seems that the broken jaw actually was the result of an Olin Kreutz... more ›

It’s a bad sign when even watching the news makes you miserable. While the flood waters have started to recede along the Gulf Coast and positive stories are emerging about Katrina survivors reunited with their families, the 24/7 aftermath coverage and Oprah’s inspired but rather graphic reporting have worn us down. As we approach the anniversary of another tragedy, we will set aside time to reflect but still plan to get on with our weekend.... more ›

Acting in violation of a year-old state law protecting a woman’s right to feed her children with her boobs, a lifeguard at Great America asked a North Chicago woman to exit a wading pool while breast-feeding her 4-month-old daughter. Despite covering herself, her baby and her boobs with a blanket—thereby sparing all concerned the trauma of a semi-nude portion of the human body—Rebecca Gray was asked to adjourn to a private area while engaging in... more ›

After a long-brewing federal investigation, three North Shore businessmen were convicted yesterday for forcing hospitals to provide them millions of dollars of kickbacks so they could build new facilities, and billing other medical facilities millions of dollars of fraudulent charges. Stuart Levine, a former member of the Illinois Hospital Facilities Planning Board (IHFPB) allegedly channelled business to contractor Jacob Kiferbaum and Bears Stearns investor Nicholas Hurtgen. After Kiferbaum and Hurtgen got the business, Levine would allegedly receive a kickback, and ensure the hospitals' plans would be approved on the IHFPB. (Indictment text here.) more ›

Because we needed a bit more evidence that the No Child Left Behind law is counterintuitive, the feds have ordered 11 Illinois school districts to suspend their after-school tutoring programs because their schools are not meeting standards set by the NCLB. The following Illinois school districts must either provide private tutoring or pay for district-wide tutoring without federal money: North Chicago School District 187 School District U-46, Elgin Community Unit School District 200 Wheaton Chicago... more ›

Aida more ›

Now in its 13th year, Dance For Life has raised over $2 million in the fight against HIV & AIDS by bringing together Chicago's premiere dance companies for an evening of performances. This event, which takes place on August 28, benefits the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Chicago House, Project VIDA and the Dance for Life Fund. The dance companies participating include Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, and River North Chicago Dance Company. Hosting the show will be Dean Richards, the entertainment critic and reporter for WGN Radio and Television. more ›