Now this is cool: the wreckage of a F4U-1 Corsair Fighter was pulled from Lake Michigan in Waukegan today. The salvage operation was privately financed by Chuck Greenhill, a Korean War veteran. more ›

Although Waukegan is a hop, skip and a jump away from Chicago, the Waukegan Port District has been thinking outside the box in figuring out ways to boost tourism within and around the area. If you've been itching to find a more swank way to travel to the idyllic city of Waukegan other than by car, bus or rail, the further research into a dinner and an overnight cruise line to Kenosha and Milwaukee through Waukegan might strike your travel fancy:

Port District Chairman Hank Bogdala, a lifelong Waukegan resident and supporter of the idea, said a nautical connection between those points seems natural. "We've got the highway, we've got the railroad. Why not the water? he said. The port district board, which oversees Waukegan Harbor and the Waukegan Regional Airport, recently approved further research of the idea. Bogdala said there already are many tourists, families and students in the area visiting destinations such as Six Flags Great America or Gurnee Mills. A pleasure passenger cruise line would draw people to Waukegan Harbor and Chicago's downtown, and vice versa.

Mayoral and municipal primaries are being held in some Chicago 'burbs today. Don't forget to vote if you live in Cicero, Berwyn, Calumet City, Waukegan, North Chicago, Elgin and Dolton. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. more ›

While companies are putting together bids for Des Plaines, Rosemont and Waukegan for the state's final casino license, they're finding themselves hampered by the struggling economy. Bill Eadington, director of a gambling institute at the University of Nevada-Reno, recently told the Trib, "It's very bad timing for Illinois. We're facing the biggest economic recession in 75 years. I wouldn't be surprised if the companies that made bids a couple months ago could no longer justify them." Casino giants like Harrah's are having to scale back or scrap plans for new casinos altogether.

The finalists are Trilliant Gaming, a Los Angeles-based venture that has teamed up with Rosemont and submitted the high bid of $435 million. The next highest offer is $225 million from Waukegan Gaming. A distant third at $100 million is Midwest Gaming & Entertainment, billionaire developer Neil Bluhm's group, who wants to open in Des Plaines. Those figures don't include the cost of building the casino, which could be in the hundreds of millions, making it tougher to turn a profit. more ›

Despite delays and opposition, officials hope to have the new O'Hare runway open by November 20 and hope Air Force One will be the plane to christen it. more ›

Police are searching for two men considered "armed and dangerous" who "are believed to be responsible for a string of armed robberies and carjackings in the south suburbs over the past week." more ›

A third rabid bat was found in Waukegan last Sunday, and a fourth bat found in Deerfield, resulting in the Lake County Health Department urging residents to avoid contact with bats. So not cuddling of bats, people! more ›

We love weird old Chicago stuff: the "frightful effects of dope addiction," a 70s White Sox radio, Marina City charm. more ›

We know not everyone just says no, but if you're going to do drugs, please try not to be a child abuser or a moron. A Wisconsin woman and her friends taught her two-year-old how to smoke a joint. Krystle Webber, Sean Held and Dane Ashley all pleaded guilty to charges, and Webber has since regained custody of the little boy, but apparently they filmed the incident, and that video has now surfaced. more ›

A Waukegan apartment was burglarized recently, which we're sure happens from time to time, but this thieves stole more than just ordinary valuables. They stole a porn stash. (Not to be confused with a porn stache.) more ›

Update on the Waukegan explosion: Nine people were injured, at least two seriously, and one person still may be unaccounted for. [Trib] more ›

Five people were injured in Waukegan about an hour ago in an explosion in a shopping area that destroying Tuxedo World, Cleopatra's Unisex Hair Salon, Cellular Concepts, a travel agency and vacant space. Details are still emerging. more ›