Aldermen Helen Schiller and Danny Solis introduced a measure yesterday that would make feeding pigeons illegal. And the punishment would be up to $1,000 fine and six months in jail. more ›

The Red Sox has permeated nearly every facet of Bostonist's lives. When they're not live-blogging the games, waxing poetic about the games, thanking Curt Schilling for his splendid work, or telling Dane Cook to watch his hair, they're watching certain presidential candidates hop on the Red Sox bandwagon (sorry, Gothamist). The Sox are so branded on the local brain that people are using the Series to spice up their sex lives. Speaking of spice, Bostonist... more ›

Southwest Side Alderman Lona Lane (18th) isn't feeling like chicken tonight, chicken tonight. She's introduced an ordinance to amend a four-year-old pigeon ban to include chickens. The ordinance would make it a crime to "import, sell, own, keep or otherwise possess any live chicken" in a district zoned for residential use. It would also require a separate food establishment license for those who want to slaughter chickens. "I was alerted that some of the people... more ›

The first time we saw Pattern is Movement live, it was a chilly fall night at South Union Arts. The band played underneath a larger-than-life-sized neon Jesus to a crowd of about 10, fully bundled in scarves and hats and down coats, sipping plastic cups that were filled to the brim with three-dollar red wine. One would assume that this environment would be less-than-inspiring to a band that was finishing a cross-country tour, had recently... more ›

Parents of Chicago, we know what you’ve been craving: a place to get a decent beer with friends and pick up a quality picture book for your child at the same time. Order your favorite Unibroue, pull up your stroller, and relax at Lincoln Square’s Book Cellar. This independent bookstore has our favorite children’s book selection in the city; they stock everything from board books about urban babies to favorites like Don’t Let the Pigeon... more ›

Oprah opened a second school in South Africa. Some local construction companies may be misclassifying employees as independent contractors to boost profits and get by some taxes. Carsons might move to the South Loop. That lady who sold off her pregnant belly as Super Bowl ad space had a baby boy. The city may lose its last major slaughterhouse. "carrier pigeon accessories" via kenyee.... more ›

Spring appears to have, er, sprung, at least temporarily, in most of the Ist-A-Verse, so naturally, we're all feeling pretty good. (Yes, we know that spring doesn't start till later this month. Just let us enjoy our weather!) And that makes us that much more eager to share all of the nifty things we're up to... more ›

We don't know about you, but it's friggin cold out there. Well, not for some of you. It seems as though places that are supposed to be cold are warm and places that are supposed to be warm are cold. Or maybe that's just us. Either way, we're freezing. Austinist said goodbye to their co-editor (sell-out) and played rumor monger on the SXSW lineup. And when dozens of dead birds littered downtown Austin, it's... more ›

We were on our way to work this morning and happened upon this hilarious story on NPR about our capital city hiring a “bird whisperer” to handle a bothersome pigeon situation downtown. Slow news day, we thought. But then the plot thickened. Jim Soules, owner of Soules Bird Repellant Co., gets paid to ward off birds from various Illinois cities, and he claims to do so without harming the creatures in any way. All he says about his methods is that he doesn’t shoot, poison, or trap the birds, or use lights, sounds or smells to scare them off. The 84-year-old has “whispered” for the city of Decatur already, and Springfield just signed the guy up to a 3-year $164,000 contract. more ›

Feed the Birds? more ›

It is really too bad the Chicago Bears, one of the most talked-about teams in the NFL, won't have many hometown fans watching today. Why? Because it just so happens the biggest pigeon race on earth is happening today. more ›

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The American Racing Pigeon Union says that Chicago is the only city that bans pet pigeons and that it's not fair. On Thursday, a US Circuit Courts of Appeals judge upheld a lower ruling on the ban against some claims by enthusiasts that the ordinance is unconstitutional. Karl Wollenhaupt, who is a member of the Chicago racing pigeon club, says "This sport has been in existence for hundreds of years, but the city says these birds are bad, dirty and evil. These are birds of pedigree." more ›

The National Audubon Society's annual early winter survey found the number of pigeons in Chicago increased by 64% in 2003. Seems like a lot, but compared to the early 80's this is nothing. Back then there were an estimated 2.5-5 times as many pigeons around the Loop. more ›