Union officials attempt end run for pension benefits

A lawyer asks to reinstate union pension benefits for leaders who already have lucrative city pensions.

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  VIDEO: Double dip, double play

Tribune reports spur council to ban sale of crib bumpers

Despite objections from the industry, Chicago has become the first city in the country to ban the sale of crib bumper pads out of concern...

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  TRIB NATION: How we reported these stories

One cozy casino deal

Park City has just about 7,500 residents and a bare-bones government. But it may win big in the Illinois gambling expansion.

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  Profile: Park City

$108,000 pension for a $40,000 job

Under a little-known state law, a union leader's pension was based not on his city paycheck but on his much higher union salary.

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  Other union officials also violated pension law

All overhead, no underpass

An obscure board created nearly 12 years ago to fix a congested train crossing has spent $1.3 million on consultants, cars and rent.

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  Motorists frustration builds watching slow moving trains

State paid sex offenders as baby sitters

Illinois' baby-sitting program has given rapists, molesters and other violent felons access to kids.

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  State will start checking addresses against sex-offender registry

State high court overrules voters on judge picks

Justices now say they've ended practice of appointing those rejected by the voters.

managed care stumbles">Illinois Medicaid's move to
managed care stumbles

As hospitals and doctors opt out of the program, care arrangements for vulnerable people with disabilities are disrupted.

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  Medicare drug premiums to go down in 2012

State moves to rescind licenses of 37 health care workers

Action comes as a new law that bans workers convicted of sex crimes or violent acts from holding medical licenses is challenged in court.

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  EARLIER: 11 health care workers lose licenses

Sales tax loophole leaves some cities, towns crying foul

Companies set up satellite offices in other parts of the state to avoid higher sales-tax rates in the Chicago area.

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  UPDATE: Emanuel criticizes 'tax scheme'

11 health care workers lose licenses under anti-predator law

Doctors, nurses have prior convictions for sexual or violent crimes against their patients.

makes a comeback">Long-discredited hCG diet
makes a comeback

The near-starvation diet restricts followers to 500 calories a day for six weeks, plus hormone injections.

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  Graphic: A 500-calorie diet

Feds indict two officials over tainted Crestwood well

Village officials secretly used a well they knew was contaminated with chemicals, then repeatedly lied about it, the charges state.

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  From the archives: Poison in the well

Food vendor passes follow-up inspection

UPDATE: Business was temporarily shut down after Tribune observed health violations.

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  Chicago business preparing food outdoors, against the rules

Toxic chromium found in tap water

Detected levels are more than 11 times higher than California's new standard.

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  Testing also finds prescription drugs, flame retardants and herbicides

Water testing may underestimate consumers' exposure to lead

The toxic metal may be more of a risk in drinking water than thought, especially in older cities and suburbs.

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  Graphic: Lead testing results and how lead gets into your home

Country Club Hills: The half-million-dollar City Council

As mayor draws fire for high spending, aldermen boast fat expense accounts for drinks, gifts and more.

for live kidney donors">Little known about long-term risks
for live kidney donors

While many people donate kidneys without serious problems, some have struggled with medical issues.

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  The consequences of a donor kidney market

in $4 million scam">Feds indict businessman
in $4 million scam

Tribune story had detailed the legal travails of Kenneth Dachman, who authorities say bilked investors in a sleep disorder business.

stay on the rolls">Chicago State let failing students
stay on the rolls

School went against its own policy, boosted enrollment numbers, Tribune finds.

Business preparing food outdoors, against rules

City to inspect Home Bakery and Festivals following Tribune inquiries.

Gambling interests cover their bets with campaign contributions

In the last 10 years, gambling interests have given nearly $10 million to Illinois politicians.

Juvenile detention centers still wait for safer beds

Bunks facilitate suicides, critics say, but state agency has yet to upgrade cells.

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  Suicides expose safety breakdowns

Metra will clear the air in its train cars

Railroad to install high-efficiency filters to reduce soot after Tribune investigation.

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  Graphic: Filters and Metra soot

yields fat severances">Superintendent merry-go-round
yields fat severances

School districts usually pay hefty parting gifts to leaders who leave early, even if they leave under a cloud.

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  Unused sick days equal big payouts

Convicted sex offender charged with child abduction

A man featured as a repeat offender in a Tribune watchdog story has been arrested again.

• 
  Walking into danger

Lyme doctor was disciplined in two states

A former surgeon with a troubling history has started over again as one of Illinois' and Iowa's few "Lyme-literate" doctors.

• 
  Chronic Lyme disease: A dubious diagnosis

New gamblers in town

A major player in the Louisiana world of video gambling, who cut politicians in on the game, makes his move in Illinois.

DuPage sheriff's campaign relies on deputy support

John Zaruba has amassed the biggest campaign war chest of any sheriff in thanks in part to cash given by deputies he oversees.

on crib bumper pads">City council to consider ban
on crib bumper pads

Chicago could become the first city in the country to ban the sale of crib bumpers, which can pose a suffocation risk.

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  Hidden hazard of crib bumpers

U.S. could drop screening for deadly strain of E. coli

Budget cuts may end routine federal testing of produce for the pathogen.

• 
  Beach bacteria cause many illnesses but often aren't blamed

Notre Dame agrees to improve handling of sex-assault case

The university must improve its response to sexual assault reports under an agreement announced with the U.S. Department of Education.

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  Notre Dame agrees to $42,000 fine in student's death

Update: Wrigley rooftop businesses fail health inspections

After Tribune inquiries, the city inspected four rooftops where food is served and found multiple violations.

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  Sports fans and food safety

Cases shed light on lapses in sexual assault reporting at Marquette

'I felt like they were trying to get me to disappear,' says woman who contends she was raped.

• 
  Few arrests, convictions in campus sex assault cases

Illinois is big on tiny taxing districts

Illinois has the most units of government in the nation, and the Tribune acquired and combed through a list of each one — nearly 8,500.

Motorola Mobility's state tax break comes with wiggle room

The fine print indicates that Motorola can maintain a smaller workforce than the one it employs today and still qualify.

• 
  How Illinois' 2011 tax incentive contracts stack up

Low vaccination rates at some schools raise outbreak risk

Clusters of children without their required vaccinations can be found in about 200 Illinois schools, state data show.

• 
  Look up rates at your school

Few arrests, convictions in campus sex assault cases

Women who report sexual violence on college campuses seldom see their accused attackers arrested and almost never see them convicted.

Health officials rarely inspect many Wrigley rooftop businesses

Annual inspections are required to ensure food is stored, prepared and served safely.

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  Graphic: When Wrigley rooftops were last inspected

Millions of Great Lakes fish killed in power plant intakes

Industry resists alternative cooling equipment that would protect species.

• 
  Video: Power plant fishkills

Window blinds still killing kids

The window blind industry isn't doing enough to eliminate the risk of strangulation for children, regulators and safety advocates say.

The case of the missing Blackhawks Stanley Cup puck

Tribune photos show that the series-clinching collectible was in hands of a linesman after the game ended.

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  Video: Watch new evidence in Stanley Cup puck disappearance

New law requires stricter guidelines for nursing homes

Deaths of developmentally disabled patients will need to be reported to state.

• 
  Live chat: Staying safe in the hospital

Ex-DuPage official got preferential housing deals

Housing Authority awarded him with no-bid packages.

Drain-cover recall may force many pools to close

Thousands of public and private pools across the country will have to be retrofitted with new safety equipment following a massive recall.

• 
  Earlier: The danger that lurks underwater

Maryland board charges promoters of autism therapy

David Geier charged with practicing medicine without license; physician father also faces charges.

• 
  Earlier: License suspended over risky therapy

Report faults care of young patients in psychiatric facility

Inadequate staffing levels and lax supervision led to a series of alleged sexual attacks on youth at a Chicago hospital, a report finds.

• 
  Earlier: Rape, sex abuse reported at psychiatric hospitals

Drop-off boxes not equally charitable

Though the clothing drop-off boxes may look similar at first glance, only some are operated by charities.

• 
  Donation box comparison

Despite ban, novelty lighters found on store shelves

Items fashioned to look like children's toys pose a safety hazard and are against the law to sell in Illinois.

• 
  Illegal novelty lighters purchased in Chicago

Complaints rain down on stimulus program

1 in 7 inspections fail, reports federal audit of Chicago nonprofit, which says it has beefed up oversight.

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  Nonprofit group declines to show how it spent taxpayer money