Eight Chicago Public School students were shot this weekend, three of whom died. So far, 17 CPS students have died from gun violence this school year; last year, 27 students died as a result of gunshots. That was a tragic high, and this year is on pace for the same number of young people dying--Mayor Daley? How's that gun control stuff going? Mr. Governor? We know you want to build a new building at NIU, and that's great and everything, but children in Chicago are being murdered. Frequently. Maybe there's something we could do about that, too. more ›

On Friday, two disembodied lower legs were found in Matteson. On Sunday, the rest of the body turned up in Alsip, 12 miles from the feet. Today, police identified the victim as Michael Cranston, 60, of unincorporated Rich Township. more ›

The Fire's recent changes, bringing in Juan Carlos Osorio as head coach and signing Cuauhtemoc Blanco, are paying off as the Fire earned their first victory since the first week of June. Many, including Chicagoist questioned the Fire's decision to sign Blanco figuring that a combination of his aging legs and his often destructive temper would not allow him to be a productive member of the team. Since joining the Fire a little over a... more ›

We're jetting off this weekend to see some family away from our dear Chicago, but if we were here, this is where you'd find us. more ›

If you're looking to dodge the Taste, there's plenty o’ readings and events going on this weekend to satisfy your literary cravings. We’ll be on hand for the Guild Complex’s B.Y.O.P. (Bring Your Own People) on Saturday. Feel to BYOB and munchies as well. Peter Jones Gallery, 1806 W. Cuyler, 2nd Floor. Saturday, 7 p.m. Free. On Sunday, we plan on getting a tan and enriching our minds at the Beach Poets series, featuring Brad... more ›

So just what, exactly, is Ryan Dempster's role on the Cubs' pitching staff? Not even Ryan himself seems to know. more ›

Are you sick of hearing about the Super Bowl yet? Didn't think so. Some people have a real gambling problem when it comes to the big game. Others are spending all their money to get HDTVs for the game. If you're a fan and a bride-to-be, you might want to check out this Bears wedding gown. And if you've been down that road, and are married and pregnant, maybe you could auction your bloated... more ›

On Sunday, approximately 1.5 million spectators will be searching to find one or two of their friends who are hidden among the 40,000 competitors in the 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. Finding your friend, family member, or colleague that is running the marathon can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Luckily there are a few tools that will help you track runners throughout the 26.2-mile course. Each runner will have a chip on... more ›

College is a time of experimentation. You take some classes that have no discernible real-world applications and listen to bands that smell like patchouli. Maybe you cozy up to someone you wouldn’t otherwise get to know. Or maybe you cover yourself in tomatoes and call it art. more ›

Garage band practice photo via davidhwang more ›

Mayor Daley plans to dress up – the city, that is. Already known for its dining, architecture, theater and lately film, Daley is hoping Chicago soon makes its mark on the fashion industry. On Sunday, the Tribune reported the city hired a fashion czar. A former lawyer, Melissa Turner was selected to serve as Chicago’s first fashion director. Her mission: revive Chicago’s fashion community and keep talented designers smack in the Midwest, rather than jetting... more ›

A Northwest Indiana woman says she was shot at this morning while driving on I-80/94 at Cline Ave. The Dyer, Ind., woman and a passenger were not injured in the attack. This is the second incident in Northwest Indiana in the past week. On Tuesday, a man reported seeing a man in a trench coat fire at his pickup truck on 169th St. near Cline Ave. more ›

If you ask Chicagoist, stupid can mean more than one thing. Stupid can be petty and a little bizarre, sometimes it’s odd and a little misguided, and sometimes it’s just plain cruel. Here, in this Monday edition of TWIS, are a few examples. more ›

The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series drove through town this weekend for the USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. There was some good old-fashioned feuding taking place on the raceway. Back in March Matt Kenseth used his number 17 Ford to wreck Jeff Gordon. Afterwards Gordon found Kenseth in the Pits and gave him a shove. On Sunday we learned that the feud is still on between the drivers. Although Matt Kenseth had been in control... more ›

It seems Chicago is following in the footsteps of Las Vegas and New York when it comes to hotel dining. On Sunday, the Tribune reported Chefs Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand of Tru have plans to bring four new restaurant concepts to the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, which will open in Wheeling this October. Dining options at the Westin will include Osteria Di Tramonto (serving breakfast lunch and dinner), Tramonto’s Steak & Seafood (a... more ›

At the beginning of May the Chicago Rush looked as though they might miss the playoffs with a 5-9 record. Since then, the Rush have posted five straight victories, including three playoff wins, propelling them into the 20th Arena Bowl Championship match. more ›

Ask and ye shall receive, commenters; today is the day that you requested. Today we push aside big book fairs and corporations and their easy-to-buy books. Today we shun the traffickers of false memoirs and mammoth book advances. Today we say, WE DON’T NEED NO STINKIN’ BORDERS! We'll begin with the Reader Book Swap. Tonight, at the Hideout, from 5:30PM-8:30PM, you can bring as many as 15 used books, and exchange them for 15 other... more ›

Chicagoist has a big soft spot for dogs. Seriously, they turn us into baby-talking morons. Which is why this story makes us want to cry. more ›

On Sunday, March 26th the Chicago Storm take on the California Cougars at 4pm in a Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) match-up. After the game, fans are invited to stick around to see a second match between the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Fire Department. The second match will directly follow the Storm's game at the UIC Pavilion. The fire and police departments have played each other in different sports before, but this... more ›

Chicago's river is not the only thing that turns green around St. Patrick's Day. Many of Chicago's sports franchises are celebrating St. Patrick's Day by donning green uniforms. more ›

Kristen Romanowski, Fourth Annual Chipp Inn Spelling Bee Champion more ›

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On Sunday the Bears announced that northwest Indiana residents will be eligible to buy playoff tickets when they go on sale today at 10am. Tickets that are available will be single-seat tickets for a home playoff game on January 14th or January 15th. The Bears opponent is also yet to be determined. more ›

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This week we have a heartless gas station clerk, a creative robber, a creepy store manger, five really slow teenagers, and one unlucky gun owner. A little quiet, but what do you expect with all the tryptophan abuse? On Sunday, a gas station clerk at a Gary, IN, Citgo refused to call 911 after a woman was robbed at knifepoint while pumping gas. "Use your cell phone," the clerk told the woman. On Monday, a... more ›

You can't turn a TV to any local station this week without seeing a story about pit bull attacks. On Sunday, three pit bulls escaped from their home in McHenry County and attacked six people, including two children who are still in the hospital in critical condition. Then on Wednesday, police had to shoot three dogs, one pit bull and two mixes, after someone released them while the officers were breaking up a gang fight. more ›

In May of 2005 Mayor Daley announced a partial hiring freeze when officials found that (brace yourself!) patronage was in full effect for certain positions within City Hall. more ›

Ryne Sandberg's having quite a summer. On July 31st, the former Cubs second baseman was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. On Sunday, the Cubs retired Sandberg's jersey number. more ›

ready for Pride festivities this weekend? more ›

1990s. Join us here in the 21st century. Everybody knows the hip thing in the 20-aughts is the suicide bomber. But maybe you were celebrating Chicago history—some people do say that drive-by shootings got their start here in Chicago during the Race Riot of 1919. more ›