We all know it's been a really obnoxiously, depressingly rainy month. But it also broke the Illinois record for the rainiest April, previously set in 1957 at 7.13 inches. Average state rainfall this April was 7.45 inches, nearly twice the typical average of 3.83. more ›

Good Morning, everyone. Don't let the gray skies outside get you down this morning.Even though they're sticking around, there is a promise of rain this morning to go with a projected high of 56 (61 in Skilling-speak). It's actually going to feel like the weather is in the mid-40s throughout the day. Then the wind shifts in from the east, cooling things along the lakefront and downtown. If you're heading to Wrigley Field (where good seats are still available; yesterday's attendance was 27,039) bring rain gear. more ›

Rains from overnight and early this morning caused traffic havoc all over the city and even with some CTA lines. The Blue, Pink, and Orange lines all dealt with delays due to some flooding. The above photos were taken by a reader earlier this morning at the Austin Blue Line (and some including the closed down, inbound Ike). Shuttle buses were used earlier today, but according to the CTA's website, there are no delays or reroutes with any train or bus lines as of post time. The Tribune has more, including updates on any interstate closures. more ›

If you're going to be out and about driving this morning, be careful as heavy rains that continued (and continued and continued) overnight have left us with some treacherous driving conditions this morning. There's been flooding reported at numerous viaducts around the city and the Eisenhower Expressway between Mannheim Road and 25th Avenue has been closed due to standing water. There are also delays being reported due to water on both the Kennedy and the Dan Ryan. Additionally, ComEd was reporting around 41,000 still without power across the Chicagoland area as of 7 a.m. this morning. And the rain's not over yet. So, we're under some flood watches and warnings in the area. Use extreme caution when driving today and keep an eye out for standing water. more ›

According to CBS 2, anyway. Some uplifting news to end our work-week with. more ›

Severe thunderstorms across the Midwest on Friday and Saturday have left about 63,500 people without power in southern Illinois. Strong winds that reached up to 100 mph toppled hundreds of utility poles and downed electric wires in Carbondale, Marion and surrounding areas about 300 miles southwest of Chicago. more ›

It would have been too much to ask for two beautiful days in one weekend. Today's temperatures won't reach nearly as high as yesterday's gorgeous mid-70s, but at the very least it won't be freezing. Morning will see light rain and cloudy skies followed by an afternoon of increasingly heavy precipitation and more clouds. Highs should top out in the mid 50s, with temperatures falling into the lower 40s by evening. Expect the rain and a few thunderstorms to continue overnight. more ›

The Chicago River has flooded the north-side neighborhood Albany Park. As a result, the Chicago Fire Department has evacuated several families. more ›

Closing the music library of DJ "Pretty White Jeebus" for a spell, we're getting back to the photographs of yesteryear. more ›

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Chicagoist. more ›

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Chicagoist. more ›

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Chicagoist. more ›

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Chicagoist. more ›

Unless you stayed inside all day yesterday (and that wouldn't have been a bad idea, because it was dis-gusting out there), you couldn't miss the super-slippery sidewalks all around the city. An ice storm Saturday night made traveling around the city extra-treacherous due to the thin coating of ice on sidewalks. Chicago city officials, being their normal helpful selves, urged people to salt their sidewalks and walk carefully when it's icy. And also to look... more ›

If this week’s cold temperatures are any indication of what’s to come, we think we’re headed for a long winter. Today doesn’t provide much much variety, so we’d much rather stay in bed and cozy up with Tom Skilling, who is forecasting a nasty evening for all those office parties that take place tonight. The first of two storm fronts will move into the area this evening, bringing precipitation and wind. According to Tom, the... more ›

So yesterday in our "One Bottle of Wine" post we alluded to some gnocchi we had Saturday night. We felt the need for something to really stick to our ribs with the sleet and frozen rain falling all night, but we didn't want to go through the process of actually making these popular Italian dumplings from scratch. Lucky for us, the produce store by our house (Egg Store, 3008 S. Halsted, 773-284-8704) often carries pre-made... more ›

Chicagoist almost turned off the TV when the Denver Broncos scored to go up 34-20 on the Bears on Sunday, and we're willing to bet a fair share of the Bears fans at Soldier Field fled the cold rain about then as well. Fortunately, we decided to stick it out and saw a most improbable win, as the Bears scored two late touchdowns to tie the game and Robbie Gould kicked a field goal in... more ›

So...it's pretty gross out. Super gross. Apparently it hasn't affected flights at O'Hare (yet?), but as temperatures drop over night, the rain will probably turn to snow. It's going to be chilly tomorrow, and it's going to stay cold for most of the weekend. If you're going someplace, get going already! In the mean time, this cartoon turkey is scaring the shit out of us. Must. Cleanse. Brain. Aaaaaaah. Much better. If you've gotta ask,... more ›

Big surprise — the weather is going to be wildly unpredictable on and around Thanksgiving. Holiday travel will most likely be ludicrously difficult for the thousands of weary travelers coming and going in the Midwest via plane, train and automobile. According to Tom, we can expect rain as the week goes on. The rain will probably change to snow on Thanksgiving eve following a low pressure storm that may (or may not?) be moving northeasterly... more ›

We first witnessed the cockamamie genius of Jon Brion at the second Intonation Festival. Pouring rain be damned, the guy captivated 15,000 people that day, many of whom knew him only as “the guy who worked on Kanye’s records.” Chicagoist left the festival grounds that day with that rare inspiration feeling that reminds you of just how powerful it is to witness true musical aptitude when it meets unbridled creativity. Fast forward to the winter... more ›

Did you get an e-mail from the CTA a little while ago? Some customers did with a severe weather warning. Dear CTA Customer, This email is to alert you that there is currently severe weather, including heavy rain and high winds, forecasted to reach Chicago during the afternoon and evening rush-hour period today, October 18. It is possible that this severe weather could impact CTA bus and train service. Please take this into account... more ›

In a grand and futile gesture to halt the expansion of agricultural business into the world's remaining rainforests, several protesters scaled the Chicago Board of Trade building and unfurled a banner this morning. The result? A bit of publicity and a trip to the police station. Five protesters are being held for criminal trespassing, reckless conduct and criminal damage to property. By the time police and medics arrived on the scene to remove them... more ›

Nighttime NASCAR racing is coming to the Chicagoland Speedway next summer. Matthew Alexander, President of the Joliet-based speedway, announced yesterday that they are installing lights for their 1.5 mile D-shaped oval track. "Traditionally, our NASCAR races have taken place during the time of year when excessive heat can become an issue for our fans ... by adding lights to our facility, we hope to make the guest experience a more comfortable one." Comfort, huh? We... more ›

Seattlest watches as a S.L.U.T. is born and Seattle Flickr users go nuts over a local art installation. A restaurant critic demands a Diner's Bill of Rights over a gnat next to her drink, and, in lieu of a Portlandist, Seattlest debates with itself over the identity of the Northwest's crown jewel. Seattlest also joins the guys from Fantagraphics for an ill-fated gun party in the woods. Bostonist got a crash course in what not... more ›

It's going to be gorgeous this weekend but might rain tonight, so grab your umbrella before heading out. Just in case. The The Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 1 million cribs today after a Trib investigation linked the cribs to the deaths of three children. Congressman Jerry Weller (R-Morris) won't be running for an eighth term because he wants to spend more time with his family. Not because he's been named one of the... more ›

They didn't coerce anyone out of this one -- Chicago mob kingpins guilty in decades of crime. And a relative of a mob murder victim wasted no time applauding the guilty verdicts in the Family Secrets case. Signed, sealed, can't be delivered --Heavy rain forced Stevie Wonder to cancel his concert Monday at the Charter One Pavilion on Northerly Island. It was rescheduled for tonight. David Letterman and Oprah are BFF now. Screw The... more ›

Because we’re sickies, we love it when we slap a mosquito that was going for our sweet, sweet blood. There’s something extremely satisfying about kicking Pandora’s ass. That said, if we never had to deal with mosquitoes again, we would gladly give up the rush that comes from squashing them. We hate that we have to give up bananas for months at a time. more ›

Here are some other newsworthy items to ponder while we slap some Tiger Balm on our knees. Serves us right for riding our bikes to Morgan Park and back. Even when being deported, Elvira Arellano can't stop talking. She also got to see her 8-year-old son, Saul, before leaving. He's staying with his grandmother godmother. The "cell-phone bandit?" Now that's a robber with a gimmick. Bond for two men accused of robbing former Bull... more ›

The dropping temperature and pouring rain didn't stop us from getting excited when we read that three new frozen yogurt places will be opening up in Chicago in the near future. Frozen yogurt? Like TCBY? Yes, but better. This isn't just any fro-yo, as Chicagoist likes to call it. We're talking about Pinkberry (A.K.A Crackberry), which is either the best thing since sliced bread, or a huge crock of marketing shit. Our coastal friends... more ›