"We've been doing this so long, we move like ballroom dancers," declared Mundo Campos, smoker and chef of Calumet Fisheries. The co-owner, Mike Kotlick, agrees. "Not much has changed around here, and we like it that way," he said of his 60-year old business. Calumet Fisheries, opened in 1928 and owned by Kotlick's family since 1948, is a perfect example of a business that has found its place in the world. Producing some of the best smoked salmon, chub, shrimp and trout that we have ever had, using time-honored methods and selling directly to customers, Calumet fisheries is a true Chicago treasure. Located at the foot of the 95th street bridge, the location of the Blues Brother's famous jump, visiting Calumet Fisheries feels like stepping back in time to a moment when river traffic was the heart of Chicago's economy and smoked fish was a dinnertime staple. more ›

A pair of separate gang-related shootings last night injured three youngsters. more ›

A morning fire on the top floor of a three-story building in the 8300 block of South Buffalo Avenue killed three children, ages 7 months, 2 and 3. Another child, age 4, was found alive and taken to University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital. The fire broke out shortly after 10:30 a.m. and spread to the building next door. A woman that officials believe is the mother of at least one of the dead children was in the building at the time of the fire. Officials say there were no working smoke detectors in the building. more ›

With all the investigating and convicting going on these days, the case against the Hispanic Democratic Organization and its leadership hasn't been in the news much lately. With George Ryan out the way, the feds can get back to taking down the Chicago Machine. The first casualty of what will likely be many in that case came yesterday, with John Resa, an HDO coordinator who controlled some 70 city jobs, getting 15 months in prison... more ›

One thing we've learned in our time as a font of synopsis, synthesis and snark of local news and events, is that when Da Mare gets in the press, it's all at once. And yesterday was no exception. After being gone for two weeks, Daley had a little bit to say about the Cline resignation, the recent settlement of patronage hiring, and the indictment of Al "Dirty" Sanchez. Daley indicated that after "the mistakes of... more ›

Chicagoist doesn't plan on fighting any police officers any time soon, or fighting anyone for that matter, unless of course you try to take away our coffee. But if we did, we definitely wouldn't grab the cop's gun and point it at his gut. If you're stupid enough to do that, well then, you deserve to get shot. That's just what happened to a man in the 8100 block of S. Colfax on the Southeast... more ›