1 killed, 3 wounded in separate shootings overnight

One person is dead and at least two people were wounded in shootings overnight, police said.

Teen shot, killed in Joliet

An 18-year-old man was shot and killed in southwest suburban Joliet Saturday morning, officials said.

Man found fatally shot on South Side

A man was found shot to death in the Gresham neighborhood Saturday morning, police said.

7-year-old boy shot on South Side

A 7-year-old boy was shot while he was playing outside tonight in the city's Englewood neighborhood on the South Side.

Millennium Park evacuation caused by suspicious package

A suspicious package left near the Cloud Gate sculpture this evening as part of a "role-playing event" led to the evacuation of a portion of Millennium Park and an hours-long disruption of downtown traffic on a beautiful summer night.

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  Package Evacuates Millennium Park

Funeral held for slain student

Friends and family said goodbye today at the funeral of a popular Mt. Carmel High School student who was killed this week when he was struck during a fight at a beach in Indiana.

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  Funeral for Slain Mt. Carmel Student

Police rescue man who fell into Jackson Park Lagoon

Chicago police rescued a man tonight after he accidentally fell into the Jackson Park Lagoon on the South Side.

Neighborhood perks up while the music plays

For nearly two decades since the U.S. Steel South Works plant on the Southeast Side closed, those who live near the vacant, sprawling site say they’ve felt largely forgotten by the city their families helped build in what was once the heart...

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  Photos: Dave Matthews Band Caravan

Police investigate double homicide in Englewood

Two men were found shot to death early this morning in the Englewood neighborhood, police said.

Chicago rally supports peace in Sudan's Darfur region

A group of students and activists held a walk-a-thon to raise money for the people of Darfur today and followed it with a rally marking the first day of a new nation in Africa: South Sudan.

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  Chicago rally for South Sudan's independence

No swimming at Glencoe beach due to bacteria levels

Officials closed the Glencoe Beach to swimming this afternoon due to bacterial levels in the water, according to a lifeguard there.

University Park boy drowns at Steger complex

A 10-year-old University Park boy apparently drowned Friday afternoon at an apartment complex in south suburban Steger, officials said.

Victim of Boystown attack calls fight 'simply senseless'

Rubin Robinson said he has always managed to avoid trouble inEnglewood, the violence-plagued South Side neighborhood where he’s lived his entire life.

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  Boystown stabbing victim tells his story

Smoke from brakes blamed for Blue Line emergency response

Smoking brakes on a Blue Line train were blamed for an emergency response at a West Town CTA station this afternoon.

Quinn says he is following law by blocking raises

Gov. Pat Quinn again said today that he's ready to meet the state's largest employee union in court over his decision to block raises for 33,000 workers, contending he is following the law by refusing to hand out the salary bumps.

Family of 4 hit by car, injured in Evanston

A family of four was injured this morning in Evanston when they were struck by a vehicle near the corner of Maple Avenue and Clark Streets, a fire department spokesman said.

Metra Electric track work means some busing between stations

Track work on the Metra Electric District line Saturday night and Sunday morning will result in passengers being bussed between two South Side stops, according to Metra.

2 hurt in North Aurora in motorcycle-truck collision

Two people were injured Friday night in a crash between a motorcycle and a pickup truck in North Aurora, according to a police statement.

Teen killed in SUV crash in Naperville

An 18-year-old man was killed early this morning when he crashed his SUV into a tree in a Naperville neighborhood, police in the city said.

Man shot multiple times on West Side

A 19-year-old man was seriously wounded when he was shot in the Lawndale neighborhood early this morning, police said.

2 shot, killed in Maywood in separate incidents

Two teens were shot in separate incidents in west suburban Maywood and died early this morning, officials said.

Firefighter falls while battling blaze on West Side

A firefighter was injured when he fell fighting a fire in West Garfield Park early this morning.

Top cop pares security assigned to Chicago officials

Ald. Ed Burke's controversial Chicago police security detail was pulled Friday and replaced with two retired officers paid by the city, according to a source familiar with details of a shakeup of security for city officials.

Police warn of sexual assault on South Side

Police tonight issued a community alert warning of a sexual assault that took place early this morning on the South Side.

Teen dies 2 days after being found shot in Englewood

An 18-year-old man has died two days after he was found shot in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side, officials said tonight.

Teen held in slaying of Indiana teacher

The Post-Tribune reports: A 16-year-old boy was arrested today in the slaying this week of an 80-year-old high school teacher in Merrillville, Ind. Police said the boy had not been a student of Anna Schulz, and had no prior contact...

Far West Side crash leaves 7 injured

A crash on the Far West Side tonight injured seven people, at least three in critical condition.

Suspect recounts alibi in 1957 slaying of girl

 SEATTLE — A Seattle man charged with slaying a 7-year-old girl more than 50 years ago said he vividly recalled that she lived a few blocks from his family's home in Sycamore and had big brown eyes.

Ringleader of Burr Oak grave-selling scheme sentenced to 12 years

The former director of historic Burr Oak Cemetery was sentenced to 12 years in prison Friday for her role in a macabre scheme reselling occupied burial plots and dumping their first human remains in a hidden field.

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  Burr Oak Cemetery: More bodies than graves

Stranded Amtrak train gets assist from Metra near Deerfield

A Metra train was called on to push a disabled Amtrak train out of an intersection near Lake Cook Road in Deerfield this evening, slightly delaying service for Metra passengers, officials said.

Fundraiser, funeral set for teen killed in Elgin

The family of an 18-year-old Elgin man who was killed earlier this week is holding a fundraiser Saturday to help pay for his funeral.

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  Elgin man charged in shooting death of teen

Union sues governor to get pay raises

The state’s largest employee union filed a lawsuit today in an attempt to force Gov. Pat Quinn to dole out raises for 33,000 workers that were scheduled to go into effect on July 1.  

Flight from Chicago diverted to Cleveland due to suspicious man

Authorities say a United Airlines flight headed from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany, has been diverted to Cleveland and a passenger arrested after an onboard disturbance.

Bails set for teens charged with hate crime in harassment at train station

Hate crime and battery charges have been filed against three teens accused of hurling anti-gay insults at a man and threatening him with a knife in a confrontation that began in a bathroom at Chicago’s Millennium station.

City closes Northwest Side bakery due to pest problems

The Dumpster Task Force today closed a Northwest Side bakery that specializes in European style breads because of ongoing pest problems.

Former gym coach gets probation for child porn

A former coach at a children’s gymnastics club who was found guilty of child pornography possession was sentenced today to 30 months of specialized probation for sex offenders.

Director of state's college tuition program ousted

The executive director of the agency that oversees the state's troubled prepaid college tuition program was ousted today by the newly overhauled board.  

2 crashes snarl traffic on Dan Ryan

Two separate crashes snarled traffic this afternoon on the outbound lanes of the Dan Ryan Expressway between the 87th and 95th street exits, police said.

Quinn, regional superintendents to meet for funding talks

With the funding for their salaries cut, representatives for the state’s regional schools superintendents and Gov. Pat Quinn plan to meet next week to determine how the education officials and their assistants may be paid during the coming...

Prosecutors: Man charged in Boystown attack threw first punch

The man who was charged in connection with a recorded mob attack in Boystown last weekend was the one seen on video throwing the first punch at the victim, prosecutors said in court today.

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  Video: Man attacked and stabbed in Boystown

Weekend alert: Expect traffic jams along lakefront

Festival organizers and city officials have two pieces of advice for people heading to the Dave Matthews Band Caravan on Chicago’s South Side lakefront Saturday: leave early and avoid Lake Shore Drive.

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  Lakefront memories on Matthews' agenda

Quinn signs education bills

Illinois schoolchildren will get a lesson in peacekeeping as early as kindergarten starting this fall, under a suite of education bills that Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law today at a North Side school.

2 police officers injured in crash

Two Chicago police officers suffered minor injuries this morning in a single-vehicle crash on the Far Northwest Side, police said.

Quinn predicts high court will OK law on video poker, liquor taxes

Gov. Pat Quinn said today he’s confident the Illinois Supreme Court will uphold a law that raised liquor taxes and legalized video poker in order to pay for a statewide construction program, but warned lawmakers should be ready to return to...

Judge refuses to jail Ditka's son for curfew violations

A son of former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka, charged with aggravated driving under the influence, has violated his court-ordered curfew three times but a Lake County judge refused a prosecutor's request to jail him.

Cops say they have smashed city-wide auto theft ring

Four men were charged with having stolen cars after police busted an alleged West Side auto-theft ring that operated around the city, according to a Chicago police statement.

Hypodermic needles found in laundry detergent

A Gurnee couple told police they found a hypodermic needle when they opened a bottle of laundry detergent at their home Wednesday. When a police officer checked the bottle, he found three hypodermic needles, all capped, inside. The bottle and...

Pedestrian hit, killed by two vehicles in Mount Prospect

A man died after he was struck by two vehicles while crossing Busse Road in northwest suburban Mount Prospect, authorities said.

Cops: Minn. councilman mailed fake bomb to self from Chicago

ST. FRANCIS, Minn. — Police say a city council member in Minnesota mailed himself a fake grenade to gain sympathy from his constituents.

Ex-cop says he didn't kill 7-year-old girl in 1957

A former police officer from the Seattle area denies that he abducted and killed a 7-year-old girl from Sycamore in 1957.

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  1950s Ridulph case photos

After today, Illinois will be only state with concealed-carry ban

Wisconsin is about to join 48 other states in legalizing the carrying of concealed weapons when Gov. Scott Walker signs a bill removing the state's ban.

4 rescued--including 2 kids--from capsized boat

Two men and two girls were rescued from Lake Michigan late Thursday after their speed boat hit a breakwall about 2 miles out and they were all thrown into the water, authorities said.

Off-duty officer injured in attempted robbery

An off-duty Chicago police officer was injured during an attempted robbery in the Oakland neighborhood early this morning.

Police find man, 76, who had been missing from Northwest Side

UPDATE: Late this afternoon police said the missing man has been located. No other information was released.

Special ed teacher, 80, killed in Merrillville home

Investigators in northwesternIndiana say an 80-year-old teacher was killed in her home and police were searching for her missing car.

Inmate questioned in 2010 slaying of Chicago Police Officer Michael Bailey

A 24-year-old prison inmate is being questioned in the 2010 slaying of Chicago Police Officer Michael Bailey, sources told the Tribune tonight.

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  3rd Chicago cop slain in 2 months

Parents of 1993 Glenview murder victim criticize prosecutors

Temer Leary remembers the moment well: The former bouncer was watching television a few months ago when a familiar face caught his eye. He was startled to see his old coworker, Michael Gargiulo, charged with two murders and named as a suspect in a...

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  Alvarez announces charges in Pacaccio murder

Cracking 1993 Glenview slaying took time, hard work and luck

The man on the phone sounded friendly enough, and more importantly, willing to help with Cook County Sheriff Det. Lou Sala's case.

Teen questioned in 'L' station shoving death

A 17-year-old boy was questioned today about the death of a 68-year-old woman who was pushed down the stairs of the Fullerton Avenue “L” station by a fleeing robber. 

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  Bystander's CTA death haunts iPhone robbery victim

Ruling on Libertyville turbine is delayed

The fight waged by Libertyville residents who want a 120-foot-tall wind turbine taken down will continue after a judge said today that he wants more time to deliberate the residents' complaint.

Universal transit card due for CTA, Metra, Pace

Transit users and officials responded with satisfaction today after Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation requiring the CTA, Metra and Pace to come up with a single, shared fare card by 2015.

Suspect in 'very violent' bank robbery held without bond

At just 23, she has already been charged with two federal crimes: embezzling more than $20,000 from one bank and then disguising herself in a nun costume to violently take over a second bank.

A snake, a skunk and a friendship gone sour

Angry over what he believed was bad real estate advice, Rick Gabrys put a live garden snake in his former friend's Joliet mailbox, spray-painted a profanity on his garage and left a roadkill skunk in the man's gas grill.

Man shot in head at traffic light dies from his injuries

A man who was shot in the head Tuesday at a traffic light in the Humboldt Park neighborhood died this morning  from his injuries, officials said.  

More than 1,600 couples apply for civil unions in Illinois

In the first month Illinois allowed civil unions, more than 1,600 licenses were issued across the state, according to data from Equality Illinois, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy group.

Donations will help animal shelter replace air conditioning system

The furry creatures at a Washington Park animal shelter may bask in the comfort of air conditioning sooner than expected, thanks to generous donations from individuals and companies throughout the Chicago area.

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  WGN Radio listeners raise over $23,000 In 2.5 hours for the Animal Welfare League

Man held on DUI charges after death of home health care provider

Yvonne Williams' family last heard from her on the Fourth of July, when she called her five siblings to wish them a happy holiday and share a few laughs.

Former Westmont official gets jail for stealing village funds

A former finance director for Westmont, whose attorney said she had an “impulsive disorder” when it came to shopping, was sentenced to 120 days in the DuPage County Jail for stealing more than $45,000 from the village to fund personal...

Amtrak train from Chicago collides with truck in Colorado; no injuries

PINECLIFFE, Colo. (AP) — An Amtrak train is back on its way after a minor collision with a Union Pacific truck in a canyon west of Denver. No one was injured.

Officials: Man found in suburban pond was strangled

The body of a man found this week in Penny Road Forest Preserve near South Barrington has been identified as David Campbell of Waukegan, a Cook County Forest Preserve District spokesman said today.

2 men wounded in Humboldt Park neighborhood shooting

Two men were critically wounded in an apparent drive-by shooting this afternoon in the Humboldt Park neighborhood.

Cops: Assailant stabbed during attack might need medical attention

A man who tried to pull a girl into a Far South Side alley early Wednesday was stabbed in the chest, and he might seek medical attention, police said today in a community alert.

Police locate runaway brothers, 11 and 6

An 11-year-old boy left a note for his mother this morning saying he and his 6-year-old brother are sorry for everything and are leaving forever -- but they were located safely hours later.

Adult film actress ignores suit in court, publicist says 'calm' end sought

A judge overseeing a civil suit filed by a local theater against an adult-film actress has set a date for a judgment by default in the matter.

Bail set for teen charged in death of Mount Carmel student

A Chicago teenager who police believed accidentally killed another teen from Chicago during a fight at an Indiana beach turned himself in this afternoon to authorities in Laporte County, officials said.

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  Teen charged in death of Mt. Carmel student

Quinn: Lawmakers should reconsider cutting state writing test

Gov. Pat Quinn said today lawmakers should “revisit” their decision to eliminate standardized writing test for Illinois students, saying it’s an important skill that determines success later in life.

Boat crash victim was son of ex-Antioch mayor

A man who died in a boating accident in Lake Michigan off the shores of Milwaukee this week has been identified as Demetrios Maravelas, the son of former Antioch mayor Taso Maravelas.

Supreme Court to rule Monday on video poker, liquor taxes

The Illinois Supreme Court will release a decision Monday on the legality of a 2009 law that raised liquor taxes and legalized video poker around the state, the high court said today.

Quinn revamps board of troubled college tuition program

SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Pat Quinn today overhauled the board overseeing the prepaid college tuition program that is under fire for slow sales, an arguably risky investment strategy and a $300 million shortfall.

Man found shot in back on South Side

A 21-year-old man was found shot in the back this afternoon in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side.