Mother investigated after boy dies, home found overrun with animals

A Berwyn mother is being investigated by police and child welfare authorities after her 14-year-old son died from pneumonia and officials found the family home overrun by animals, authorities said...

U. of I. trustees approve proposed $5 billion budget

University of Illinois trustees have approved a proposed $5 billion budget for the school's three campuses.

Alderman likes idea of Wrigley Field movie

The Chicago alderman whose ward includes Wrigley Field today praised the Cubs' plan to show a movie at the ballpark next month, saying it will be good for the neighborhood.

Chicago Teachers Union files complaint to block schools from lengthening day

The Chicago Teachers Union filed an unfair labor practice complaint to block schools from signing waivers and lengthening class days as a fifth school voted to extend its day.

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  Chicago Schools Notebook: News and scoops on city schools

Riverside police search for missing 82-year-old man

An 82-year-old Riverside man showing the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease has been reported missing from the western suburbs, police said today in an endangered person alert seeking the public's...

Cops: Barrington fatal fire might be suspicious

Police are investigating the cause of a fire that killed a Barrington man Friday morning and have not yet ruled out arson.

Boy, 12, acquitted of murdering 6-year-old brother

A 12-year-old Indiana boy didn't mean to kill his 6-year-old brother when he pointed what he thought was an unloaded gun at him and pulled the trigger, but he knew better than to take the chance, a...

Quinn jabs Chicago aldermen over parking meter lease

Gov. Pat Quinn took a little shot today at Chicago aldermen who passed a resolution urging him to sign into law a major gambling expansion that would net the city a casino.

Chicago alderman wants ban on discrimination against jobless

A freshman Chicago alderman concerned about the potential for a new class of permanently unemployed workers wants to ban the rejection of job applicants because of bad credit histories or gaps in...

Executive accused of dating-site rapes

A North Side public relations firm executive has been accused of raping two women he met on a dating website and then took out to bars in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Want an ad on Chicago city sticker? Pony up

New City Clerk Susana Mendoza is asking sponsors who'd like to get their company name on Chicago city stickers to make an offer.

Attorney: Murder suspect fit to stand trial but still insane

Daniel Baker has been found mentally fit to stand trial, but his lawyer said he still intends to demonstrate that Baker was insane when he allegedly beat his girlfriend’s mother to death in...

Man sold $7 million worth of painkillers, authorities say

Bail was set at $3 million today for a south suburban man charged with selling painkillers stolen from the Skokie pharmacy where he worked.

Feds: Man pays $75,000 to save ex-girlfriend -- but she was in on the plot

For months, the man did what he was told, depositing about $75,000 in a bank acount so his ex-girlfriend and her children would not be killed.

Cops: Woman turns in boyfriend, his son, after domestic fight

A woman slapped by her Rogers Park boyfriend Thursday evening called police after the incident to tell them the man’s adult son had an illegal gun, authorities said.

Rehab will close key Far South Side bridge for more than year

A key and historic bridge over the Calumet River on the Far South Side will be closed for more than a year beginning Monday for reconstruction.

'Batmanning' clip makes Purdue students Web stars

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Four Purdue University freshmen are getting a lot of attention for just hanging around. Upside down all around campus, that is.

Eighth grader sues over ban on cancer awareness bracelet

An eighth grade student has filed a federal lawsuit challenging her school's ban on breast cancer awareness bracelets.

UW Madison requiring counseling for students cited for drinking

The University of Wisconsin at Madison is now requiring most students who get an alcohol-related citation to take a course on the risks of alcohol abuse.

Life after finding $150K: Constant phone calls and one big headache

Since finding an estimated $150,000 in his vegetable garden last week and turning it over to police, Wayne Sabaj said he's hired a lawyer, his phone has been ringing constantly and the whole thing has...

Man hangs himself in Chicago jail cell

Chicago police found a theft suspect hanging in his jail cell Thursday night at the Grand Central district headquarters in the city’s Hanson Park neighborhood, according to police.

'No credible threat to Chicago'

Reacting to an unconfirmed al-Qaida threat on New York or Washington in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Chicago emergency officials said there is "no credible threat" to...

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  Ten remember September 11, 2001

Bomb-sniffing dogs named after 9/11 victims

Chicago Police Officer Nick Spencer finds the best reminder of what his job is about at the end of a leash.

Man killed, woman injured in separate shootings

A man was killed and a woman wounded in separate shootings Thursday night on the city's South and West sides.

Alert issued for missing 88-year-old woman

Chicago Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating an 88-year-old woman who went missing Thursday.

Woman convicted in animal cruelty case

A jury has convicted a woman of aggravated animal cruelty and animal torture for allowing dozens of dogs to starve to death in locked cages at her Muddy Paws pet rescue in Deer Park.

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  Gruesome footage opens animal cruelty trial

12 years for Chicago cop at center of scandal: 'I can hold my head high'

Even as he stood before a judge in an orange prison jumpsuit and leg shackles, former Chicago police Officer Jerome Finnigan remained unbowed, confidently describing his career on the city's streets...

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  Victim speaks out about abuse by corrupt police unit

Debate over longer day rages at N. Side magnet school

Principal Kathleen Hagstrom would love it if Disney Magnet School, one of the best in the city, would vote for an additional 90 minutes on the school day.

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  Duncan backs longer Chicago school day

Shot fired, weapons found at Northbrook domestic incident

Multiple weapons were found and a man was taken into custody after a gunshot was fired during a domestic incident this afternoon and evening in Northbrook.

Republicans sue to get Democrats' details on congressional map

A group representing most of the state’s Republican congressional delegation asked a federal judge today to compel the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to disclose information related...

Son named 'person of interest' in Indiana doctor's disappearance

Police are seeking the public’s help the case of a missingMunster, Ind., doctor and information about her son, who they described as a person of interest in the case.

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  Munster police issue alert for missing doctor

Cops: Waukegan teacher used classroom computer to access child porn

Waukegan Public School District 60 officials sent letters home with all Juarez Middle School students, informing them Joshua Rich, an art teacher at the school, was arrested on Tuesday on charges of...

Chicago police review board reforms pass

The City Council today approved a plan to shed more light on the largely secretive work of the city's police discipline review board.

Inmate gets life after pleading guilty to '76 Wheaton murder

In a span of five weeks, the decades-old killing of a college student in a Wheaton boarding house went from cold case to conclusion.

Man in 5-hour standoff found guilty; faces 15 to 30 years

A 34-year-old Tinley Park man who barricaded himself inside his apartment during a five-hour standoff with police last summer faces up to 30 years in prison, according to the Cook County Sheriff&...

Motorcyclist, passenger hospitalized after Naperville crash

Two people remained hospitalized Thursday after a four-vehicle crash that began when a man drove his vehicle the wrong way on Warrenville Road, Naperville police said.

Judge: `Concerned' about cartel leader in jail in Chicago

A judge today berated federal authorities in Chicago about jail conditions for a top lieutenant in Mexico's largest drug cartel.

Chicago becomes 1st city to ban crib bumper pads

Chicago today became the first city in the country to ban the sale of crib bumper pads because the popular products pose a suffocation risk to babies.

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  Hidden hazard of crib bumpers

Zion wants to kick out Fielders

Escalating a season of dirt-kicking, Zion officials now say they want the Lake County Fielders baseball team out of their city.

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  Future of Kevin Costner's Zion baseball team remains unclear

Wheeling seizes 1,000 pounds of pot

Bail was set at $250,000 today for a 54-year-old California man who police say picked up 1,000 pounds of marijuana sent to a Wheeling freight yard.

2 arrested after 8 windshields smashed in Albany Park

Chicago police arrested two people this morning in Albany Park after windshields were smashed on eight parked cars.

Evanston police want more teeth in dog ordinance

Evanston Police Chief Richard Eddington has asked aldermen to give his officers more authority to seize dogs that have been deemed “dangerous,” saying the move is necessary to deal with...

Aldermen back Emanuel push for Chicago casino

The City Council today backed Mayor Rahm Emanuel's push to get Gov. Pat Quinn to sign off on a major gambling expansion that would bring a casino to Chicago.

Latino aldermen want more Chicago City Council seats

Leaders of the City Council’s Latino Caucus today said they expect more majority-Hispanic wards to emerge from the ward remap process that is just getting underway.

Chicago City Council settles drug-swallowing death lawsuit for $1.3 million

The Chicago City Council today voted to spend $1.3 million to settle a civil suit filed by the mother of a man who collapsed and died after swallowing drugs during his arrest last summer.

Chicago aldermen back longer class day as 4th school makes the change

The Chicago City Council overwhelmingly approved a resolution today in support of a longer school day for public school children -- the same day a fourth school in the city voted to add 90 minutes...

Quinn wants to close seven state facilities, lay off 1,900

Gov. Pat Quinn today moved to lay off more than 1,900 state workers and close seven state facilities as part of a plan to cut the state budget.

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  Judge backs Quinn on blocking workers' pay hikes

Former treasurer of Downers Grove football club pleads guilty to embezzling

The former treasurer for the Downers Grove Panthers youth football club, accused of embezzling more than $100,000, will serve a six-month jail sentence and must pay back $88,000 under a deal...

Man dies in car crash on way home from visiting wife at hospital

A 55-year-old man died in a Barrington Hills car crash Wednesday night as he headed home after visiting his wife in the hospital, authorities said.

ISU enrollment at highest level since 1992

ISU has 21,080 students this fall. That's up by 318 students or about 1.5 percent. Undergraduate enrollment increased from 18,254 to 18,537.

Skipping Obama speech, Walsh will hold forum in Schaumburg

WASHINGTON—Rep. Joe Walsh, who is skipping President Barack Obama’s speech before a joint session of Congress, has announced details of a forum he’ll host tonight in Schaumburg.

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  La. senator to skip speech to watch Saints vs. Packers

Suspect in '57 slaying of Sycamore girl pleads not guilty; DNA testing ordered

A Seattle man charged in the 1957 slaying of a Sycamore girl pleaded not guilty this morning, as authorities revealed they will test his DNA against evidence recovered from her recent exhumation.

Family of woman killed on Eisenhower seeks access to evidence in case

The family of a woman killed while walking on the Eisenhower Expressway has filed a legal motion seeking access to evidence in the case, including a video that may show the last moments before her...

Chicago settling case of man who died in custody

A video of Chicago police not getting immediate medical help for a suspect who collapsed after swallowing drugs during an arrest last summer likely will lead to a $1.3 million wrongful death...

Quinn to outline budget cuts today

Gov. Pat Quinn is expected today to present his plan to lay off thousands of state workers and close several facilities, a move he says is necessary to address a budget shortfall of hundreds of...

Chicago City Council returns after month off

The Chicago City Council returns to action today after taking its traditional August break, with police and zoning issues on the agenda.

City looks for the 'perfect' Christmas tree

The search is on for Chicago's official Christmas tree.

Man, woman on motorcycle injured in Naperville wrong-way collision

A man and a woman both suffered life-threatening injuries Wednesday night in Naperville after a car crossed into oncoming traffic and hit their motorcycle.

Man wounded multiple times in Little Village drive-by shooting

A 43-year-old man suffered multiple gunshot wounds in a drive-by shooting in the city's Little Village neighborhood, police said this morning.

O'Hare, 2 other Illinois airports get $18M from U.S.

WASHINGTON — Three Illinois airports have received more than $18 million in grants for infrastructure improvements and upgrades.

Among the worst, Chicago-area commute isn't so bad

On a scale from bad to worst, the Chicago region ranks No. 3 among the world's "least painful" urban areas for commuting based on the emotional and economic tolls caused by traffic congestion, a new...

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  GRAPHIC: Chicago traffic versus the world

CPS: Record numbers for first day attendance

Chicago Public Schools officials on Wednesday touted an upswing in first day attendance at most schools this year.

Woman who claimed mom, daughter and husband died gets 10 years for insurance fraud

During the six months that Bridgette Buckner worked for a health insurance administrator, her daughter and grandmother died, she was injured in a workplace accident and her husband, an FBI agent,...

Indiana police send homeless man and his dogs to NYC

Three Indiana State troopers went beyond the call of duty last month when they helped an 82-year-old homeless man who was found wandering on I-65 with his dogs travel to New York City. 

5 injured after car hits Warrenville brewery

A car crashed into the patio area of Rock Bottom Brewery in Warrenville, injuring five people shortly before 12:30 p.m. Thursday, according to a press release issued by the City of Warrenville.

Cops: Man questioned in Palatine stabbing death acted in self-defense

A 29-year-old man who stabbed to death another man earlier this week acted in self defense and was released today without criminal charges, Palatine police said.

Man accused of cheating young relatives out of settlement money

A man has been charged with cheating his three young relatives out of more than $400,000 in settlement money they received after their mother and brother died in a fire at a CHA housing complex.

Murder charges filed after man hit by falling fire extinguisher dies

A Chicago man has been charged with murder after a fire extinguisher police say he threw off a parking deck hit and fatally injury a homeless man in Elgin.

We deserve this: A gentle fall may be in forecast

A fairly gentle fall may be in store for those weary -- and wary -- of the weather after an extreme winter and summer.

City to pay $1.3 million to settle drug-swallowing wrongful death suit

A videotape of Chicago police not getting immediate medical help for a suspect who collapsed after swallowing drugs during an arrest last summer likely will lead to a $1.3 million wrongful death...

Fire hits popular Skokie restaurant

A small fire hit EJ’s Place in Skokie this morning, forcing the closure of part of Skokie Boulevard.

4 here charged in nationwide Medicare fraud crackdown

A South Barrington surgeon, a Lincolnshire nursing home director, a Chicago psychologist and his partner are among more than 90 people across the country charged with Medicare schemes that involved...

Cook County will not detain some illegal immigrants sought by feds

Casting the contentious debate over illegal immigration as a fiscal issue, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance that would allow illegal immigrants in jail on misdemeanor charges...

Bridge over Stevenson to be rebuilt

A two-year, $37.7 million project to rebuild the Central Avenue overpass at the Stevenson Expressway is scheduled to begin Friday and will cause motorists who normally use the interchange to take...

Judge rules Northwestern students must turn over emails in murder case

A Cook County judge today ordered that more than 500 emails between former Northwestern University journalism professor David Protess and his students detailing their efforts to free a man serving a...

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  Chicago Magazine: What happened between Protess and Medill?

Drywall dust causes scare that shuts down Yorkville health office

The Kendall County Health Department's office in Yorkville was closed for about two hours when a worker discovered an envelope containing white powder. The substance was later determined to be drywall...

Preckwinkle seeks to loosen Cook County purchasing rules

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is seeking greater control over how the county buys goods and services.