Cancer cases for Crestwood, Illinois residents were elevated, according to a new report by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The study was prompted by a Tribune investigation last year that found Crestwood residents were drinking tap water contaminated with toxic chemicals for more than two decades. The report determined it’s possible contaminated drinking water contributed to higher cancer rates, but the results are inconclusive. There were too many variables to definitively link cancer with the water, a health department official told Chicago Public Radio. more ›

Mercury pollution is on the rise in Illinois even though it has declined across the nation. According to the Chicago Tribune, coal plants in Illinois blew 7 percent more mercury into the air last year while emissions from U.S. power plants nationwide decreased by 4 percent. Mercury is among the many toxic byproducts that emanate from coal-fired power plants. In the Chicagoland area, emissions rose at three plants but fell at two others. more ›

The Clout List scandal at the University of Illinois continues to grow beyond Ron Santo and undergrad. The Chicago Tribune reports that the law school at U of I admitted an unqualified student in return for promised jobs for outgoing graduates. more ›

Mayor Daley announced this afternoon that he will hire outside elevator inspectors to relieve the backlog for the city elevator inspectors, after the Chicago Tribune reported that nearly 70 percent of the city's elevators have not been inspected in the last year, even though laws require annual inspection. The Tribune article also said that the city does not keep records on whether or not an elevator has been brought back up to code after failing an inspection. more ›