Canceled runs force riders to wait

The odds of a bad commute on the CTA are greater on Mondays and Fridays and during the run-up to rush periods, the Tribune found.

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  TRIB NATION: How we got this story

Union leader resigns after criticism of inflated city pension

Tim Foley had been receiving a six-figure city pension while participating in a local union pension plan, in violation of state law.

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  Watchdog reports: More on Chicago's pensions crisis

On Lake Michigan, a coal-burning steamship gets a pass

SS Badger dumps about 4 tons of coal ash a day, more than all other big Great Lakes ships combined.

DNA threatens strength of Lake County conviction

Testing of blood found at 1994 Waukegan slaying site points to man convicted of nearby armed robberies, not man who confessed.

UIC report slams Hartgrove psychiatric hospital

The team's findings detail sex assaults on young patients and other violence at the Chicago facility.

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  Kids sexually assaulted at psychiatric hospitals, reports say

Drug companies pay $25 million to Illinois doctors

Pharmaceutical firms disclose payments for speaking engagements, consulting that critics say can be ethical conflict.

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  Dollars for Docs: More reports

Mayor dogged by personal debt spent thousands on village credit card

Channahon leader faced lawsuits over unpaid bills and failure to pay child support.

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  Channahon mayor pleads not guilty to failing to file taxes

Some cabbies pile up tickets — but stay on road

Courts dismiss vast majority of cases, which critics fear could lead to more accidents, injuries and deaths.

Lawmaker calls for end to union leaders' pension perks

House Republican Leader Tom Cross is moving to halt a perk that has allowed Chicago union leaders to reap inflated retirement benefits.

• 
  Watchdog reports: More on Chicago's pensions crisis

One-day rehiring nets former Chicago labor leader a $158,000 city pension

For Dennis Gannon, the keys to securing a public pension were one day on the city payroll and some help from the Daley administration.

• 
  WGN reports: Union leaders and pensions

Law gives huge pension perks to union leaders

In all, 23 chiefs are expected to collect a combined $56 million in their lifetimes.

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  Chart: Big payouts from pension rule

Many driver's ed cars have poor crash ratings

Cost and fuel efficiency drive purchases of smaller cars. Many districts say they didn't think of safety when buying the cars.

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  Search the data: Cars used in driver's ed classes

New taxi rules cause a jam in Tinley Park

New rules intended to prevent price gouging at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park are frustrating drivers and customers.

Water testing raises concerns about screening process for lead

Water is screened for lead by checking the first sample of water from the tap. But new federal data call that method into question.

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  Many popular water filter pitchers aren't certified to remove lead

School days in some suburbs are nearly as short as in Chicago

Affluent Glen Ellyn's two elementary districts both offer just five hours, 15 minutes of instruction daily.

• 
  Column: The good old days, when school days were ... shorter?

Union officials attempt end run for pension benefits

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

• 
  VIDEO: Double dip, double play

Tribune reports spur council to ban sale of crib bumpers

Chicago is the first city in the country to ban the sale of bumper pads out of concern that they pose a suffocation risk.

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  Council to consider ban on crib bumper pads

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.

$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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  Union leader draws lucrative pension perk based on false information

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.

• 
  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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  State officials meet to combat sex abuse in psychiatric hospitals

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'

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.

• 
  From the archives: Poison in the well

Food vendor passes follow-up inspection

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

• 
  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.

• 
  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.

• 
  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.

• 
  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.

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

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

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.

Millions of Great Lakes fish killed in power plant intakes

Industry resists alternative cooling equipment that would protect species.

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  Video: Power plant fishkills