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Cops: Boy, 13, arrested after bringing unloaded gun to school

Cops: Boy, 13, arrested after bringing unloaded gun to school

A 13-year-old boy was arrested after he brought an unloaded revolver and ammunition to his South Side school and stored them in his locker, authorities said.

Obama to use family Bible during swearing-in

Obama to use family Bible during swearing-in

WASHINGTON — When President Barack Obama is sworn in at the White House on Jan. 20, he will place his hand on a Bible from Chicago, one the first lady’s father gave his mother as a gift in...

Lipinski mentioned as next Vatican envoy

Lipinski mentioned as next Vatican envoy

As President Barack Obama tries to avoid fallout from his Cabinet and national security nominations, one potentially controversial post remains vacant.

  Lottery winner's in-law had IRS woes

Lottery winner's in-law had IRS woes

The father-in-law of Urooj Khan — the million-dollar lottery winner who died of cyanide poisoning weeks later — allegedly owed more than $120,000 in back taxes, a debt that led the...

Police find 18-month-old girl taken in stolen car

Police find 18-month-old girl taken in stolen car

Police say they have found an 18-month-old girl who was left in a running car that was stolen from a parking lot in Bensenville early Thursday morning.

Woman dies after car collides with semi in Wheeling

Woman dies after car collides with semi in Wheeling

A woman in her 50s died in a car crash in Wheeling overnight, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Teens charged in Southwest Side shooting, robbery

Teens charged in Southwest Side shooting, robbery

Two men have been charged in connection with a robbery and shooting on the Southwest Side last month.

Man killed, 5 others wounded across Chicago

Man killed, 5 others wounded across Chicago

A 23-year-old man was killed on the West Side and five other people were wounded in shootings across Chicago Wednesday afternoon and evening.

Woman sexually assaulted outside South Loop home

Woman sexually assaulted outside South Loop home

A 56-year-old woman was sexually assaulted outside her home in the South Loop by a man with a gun, police said.

Teen dies after being beaten on New Year's Day

Teen dies after being beaten on New Year's Day

A 17-year-old boy was pronounced dead today, after he was dragged out of a car on New Year's Day by two suspected gang members who beat him with a bottle and stole his vehicle in the Brighton Park...

 Coyotes joining urban worries

Coyotes joining urban worries

Armed with questions, Pam Mattson of Elmhurst joined the growing crowd that encircled wildlife biologist Chris Anchor after his discussion Wednesday on how to live with coyotes.

Bank robber's letter may have sealed his fate

Bank robber's letter may have sealed his fate

In the end, Robert Maday's own neatly printed words very likely helped convict him.

5 Rabbit lawsuit rooted in months of discord

5 Rabbit lawsuit rooted in months of discord

Less than two years old, 5 Rabbit Cerveceria found success that many young craft breweries would envy.

Emanuel wage and debt protection plans hit bump

Emanuel wage and debt protection plans hit bump

Aldermen on Wednesday put the brakes on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to toughen debt collection and wage payment standards in Chicago amid concerns from business groups that the new rules would make it...

New Bolingbrook off-track betting establishment to open by May

New Bolingbrook off-track betting establishment to open by May

A new off-track horse wagering facility will open in Bolingbrook in time for the Kentucky Derby in May.

Exhumation of poisoned lottery winner proceeds

Exhumation of poisoned lottery winner proceeds

Cook County authorities continue to move toward exhuming the body of a Chicago man who died of cyanide poisoning weeks after winning a $1 million lottery jackpot.

Police warn of cab robberies by young women

Police warn of cab robberies by young women

At least two recent robberies of cab drivers by a group of young women seem to be connected, police warned today in a business alert.

Man dies after struck by car driven by girlfriend

Man dies after struck by car driven by girlfriend

In what police are calling an accident, a man died after his girlfriend ran over him outside a Lawndale medical clinic where the couple had just been told they were expecting a child.

5 years in prison for Palatine huffing crash

5 years in prison for Palatine huffing crash

A Palatine woman who “huffed” fumes from a cleaning product while driving and seriously injured two people after she passed out and struck another car was sentenced to 5 years in prison...

Lawsuit: Girl forced to urinate in cup on school bus

Lawsuit: Girl forced to urinate in cup on school bus

The parents of a Wilmington middle-school student are suing the school district after their daughter was allegedly made to urinate in a cup on the front steps of a moving school bus while on a...

Bartlett man gets 2 years for firearm violation

Bartlett man gets 2 years for firearm violation

A Bartlett man whose argument with a girlfriend led to his arrest on weapons charges was sentenced today to two years in prison.

Police: 'Stockpile' of ammo found in South Shore home

Police: 'Stockpile' of ammo found in South Shore home

A South Shore man facing eviction pointed a gun at his landlord, and authorities found nearly 400 rounds of ammunition and an assault rifle he was not authorized to have, police said today.

Police: Man threatened to blow up CTA bus in 'jihad'

Police: Man threatened to blow up CTA bus in 'jihad'

A man threatened to blow up a CTA bus and told police he was "jihad against the white devil" this week, causing evening rush hour passengers to flee in fear for their lives, authorities said.

New General Assembly sworn in as full plate looms

New General Assembly sworn in as full plate looms

SPRINGFIELD --- A new Illinois General Assembly was sworn in today, and after the ceremony and celebrations are over, lawmakers will face a full plate of unresolved issues in the month ahead.

Bank robber found guilty of escaping, going on crime spree

Bank robber found guilty of escaping, going on crime spree

A convicted bank robber who escaped from custody while being driven to a courthouse in 2009, then went on a crime spree for a little more than a day, was convicted today of escape, bank robbery and...

New charges against rape suspect who broke into homes

New charges against rape suspect who broke into homes

A man already in custody for sexually assaulting a woman after breaking into her home is facing new accusations of forcing his way into the homes of three other women on the North Side and taking...

One for the books: 320 days without an inch of snow

One for the books: 320 days without an inch of snow

Records are falling as Chicago’s mild winter presses on.

2 accused carjackers charged in fatal shooting by cops

2 accused carjackers charged in fatal shooting by cops

Two accused carjackers are facing murder charges in the death of a 17-year-old accomplice who was shot by police as he ran from the stolen car on the South Side, authorities said.

Masseuse charged with prostitution after undercover sting

Masseuse charged with prostitution after undercover sting

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Chicago woman Tuesday after a month-long prostitution sting, charging her in connection with alleged “happy ending” massages at a...

Wife questioned in lottery winner death

Wife questioned in lottery winner death

The widow of a West Rogers Park man who died of cyanide poisoning weeks after winning a $1 million lottery jackpot was questioned extensively by Chicago police last month after the medical examiner'...

$2,000 gift from 'rooftop pastor' to ex-mayor investigated

$2,000 gift from 'rooftop pastor' to ex-mayor investigated

Chicago's "rooftop pastor," the Rev. Corey Brooks, said Tuesday he gave $2,000 in church members' donations to disgraced former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who is on trial on racketeering charges.

Jurors ask to see guns used in escape, bank heist

Jurors ask to see guns used in escape, bank heist

Jurors weighing the fate of Robert Maday have asked to see two handguns he is alleged to have used in a high-profile escape and bank robbery in 2009.

Illinois pension problem punted to incoming General Assembly

Illinois pension problem punted to incoming General Assembly

State lawmakers on Tuesday bequeathed the government worker pension problem to the next General Assembly, rejecting Gov. Pat Quinn's roundly criticized "Hail Mary" plan to ask a committee to fix the...

1 killed, 1 wounded outside Old Town store

1 killed, 1 wounded outside Old Town store

A man was killed and another seriously wounded in a shooting outside a convenience store in the Old Town neighborhood on the North Side, authorities said.

Man found dead in parking lot of Bolingbrook strip mall

Man found dead in parking lot of Bolingbrook strip mall

A 43-year-old man found dead in a Bolingbrook parking lot appears to be a suicide, officials said.

Man found shot to death in West Side apartment building

Man found shot to death in West Side apartment building

A West Humboldt Park man was found fatally shot in the hallway of a West Garfield Park apartment building Tuesday, authorities said.

Former suburban counselor pleads guilty to sex abuse of student

Former suburban counselor pleads guilty to sex abuse of student

A former Naperville North High School counselor and track coach pleaded guilty today to one count of criminal sex abuse involving a student, according to DuPage County prosecutors.

15 traffic cameras now available on Illinois Tollway system

15 traffic cameras now available on Illinois Tollway system

Illinois Tollway customers can now access camera snapshots of traffic conditions from 15 locations along the toll road system, the agency announced today.

Kelly wins lottery for top spot on ballot to replace Jackson Jr.

Kelly wins lottery for top spot on ballot to replace Jackson Jr.

SPRINGFIELD --- Former state Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson will get the first spot on the ballot in special Democratic primary for the seat once held by former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

Quinn loses Hail Mary on pension reform

Quinn loses Hail Mary on pension reform

SPRINGFIELD --- The Illinois House adjourned this afternoon without even voting on Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn's desperation pension reform plan.

Truck driver dies after workplace accident in Bensenville

Truck driver dies after workplace accident in Bensenville

Federal workplace safety officials have launched an investigation of a company after a 57-year-old truck driver was killed after being pinned between his truck and a post in Bensenville Monday.

Tinley Park doctor pleads guilty to selling diet pills illegally

Tinley Park doctor pleads guilty to selling diet pills illegally

A Tinley Park doctor has pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges he sold millions of diet pills illegally and hid nearly $2 million in income from the Internal Revenue Service.

Illegal immigrant driver's licenses bill sent to governor

Illegal immigrant driver's licenses bill sent to governor

SPRINGFIELD --- The Illinois House today approved a measure to allow illegal immigrants to get temporary driver's licenses, sending it to a supportive Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn.

McCarthy may turn to celebrities to remove snitching stigma

McCarthy may turn to celebrities to remove snitching stigma

Gun violence on Chicago streets has become such a concern that Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said today he's considering turning to celebrity mouthpieces like Bulls star Derrick Rose to try...

Convicted murderer blames girlfriend for fatal beating

Convicted murderer blames girlfriend for fatal beating

Daniel Baker was found guilty in November of killing his girlfriend’s mother in Vernon Hills, but today he requested a new trial based on his claim that his now-former girlfriend was responsible...

World War II veteran gets duffel bag back after almost 70 years

World War II veteran gets duffel bag back after almost 70 years

A World War II veteran from Indiana has his duffel bag back almost 70 years after he lost it.

District 207 could hire investigator of Maine West hazing allegations this month

District 207 could hire investigator of Maine West hazing allegations this month

An independent investigation into allegations of hazing on athletic teams at Maine West High School in Des Plaines could begin this month with the hiring of an outside attorney to lead it.

Teen carjacking suspect fatally shot by cops identified

Teen carjacking suspect fatally shot by cops identified

A 17-year-old boy who ran from South Chicago District officers after being stopped on suspicion of carjacking was fatally shot Monday as he fled the stolen car when officers saw he had a "dark object"...

AG Madigan asks full appeals court to review Illinois gun ban ruling

AG Madigan asks full appeals court to review Illinois gun ban ruling

Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed a petition asking the full 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to review a December ruling that struck down Illinois' ban on the concealed carry of handguns in public.

Flu bug overwhelms local hospitals

Flu bug overwhelms local hospitals

Seven Chicago-area hospitals have had to send ambulances elsewhere this morning as they deal with an influx of patients with flu-like symptoms. 

Brown's Chicken killings: 20 years ago today

Brown's Chicken killings: 20 years ago today

Twenty years ago today, Juan Luna and Jim Degorski entered a Brown's Chicken and Pasta restaurant in Palatine and committed one of the most awful crimes in Illinois history, killing seven people in...

Prosecutors: Woman didn't recognize attacker, ran to his home for help

Prosecutors: Woman didn't recognize attacker, ran to his home for help

The woman who was attacked by a Chicago Ridge fire official didn't recognize him because he wore a ski mask and she ran to his apartment afterward for help, authorities disclosed today.

Metra train pulled into Fox Lake station after 2½-hour delay

Metra train pulled into Fox Lake station after 2½-hour delay

An outbound Milwaukee District North Line Metra train was finally pulled to its final Fox Lake destination overnight, 2 hours and 35 minutes later than scheduled after it stalled in north Glenview,...

Lawsuit filed by doctor stabbed after Mag Mile lights festival

Lawsuit filed by doctor stabbed after Mag Mile lights festival

An Oak Brook doctor who was stabbed in the neck and face during an attempted holdup at a Gold Coast restaurant in November is suing his alleged attacker along with the restaurant and hotel that houses...

Field Museum team helps uncover T. rex of the sea

Field Museum team helps uncover T. rex of the sea

Research and planning are often key factors scientists cite when they make a great discovery. Only rarely does being out of shape play a role.

Chicago expected to tie record for lack of snow

Chicago expected to tie record for lack of snow

Chicago's mild winter reaches another milestone on Tuesday: 319 days without an inch of snow falling.

1 killed, 8 wounded in overnight shootings

1 killed, 8 wounded in overnight shootings

A 24-year-old man was killed and at least eight others were wounded in overnight gun violence on the city's West and South Sides, according to police.

Blame flies as pension plan stalls

Blame flies as pension plan stalls

The last-minute push to start fixing Illinois' massively indebted government worker pension system stalled out Monday when supporters couldn't round up enough votes in the House as a lame-duck session...

Flu sidelines Muti from CSO concerts

Flu sidelines Muti from CSO concerts

In a development reminiscent of previous health problems that have curtailed Riccardo Muti's conducting engagements in the city, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director has come down with a case...

Fire official charged in violent break-in free on bond

Fire official charged in violent break-in free on bond

A Chicago Ridge assistant fire chief charged in a violent home invasion and attempted rape was free on bond Monday. But he was barred from returning to the Tinley Park condo building where he and...

Fired North Chicago cop speaks out

Fired North Chicago cop speaks out

A former North Chicago police officer who was recently fired for disciplinary reasons says he will fight for his job and challenge the accusations against him.

Bronzeville fire sends 2 to hospital

Bronzeville fire sends 2 to hospital

Smoke inhalation left a man in serious-to-critical condition following a fire Monday night in the Bronzeville neighborhood, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

Robbins police chief retires, mayor stepping down

Robbins police chief retires, mayor stepping down

Robbins Police Chief Johnny Holmes, arrested last month on a charge of driving under the influence, retired from his position last week, both Holmes and the village's mayor confirmed last night.

Joliet grocery owner charged with selling narcotics

Joliet grocery owner charged with selling narcotics

The Supermercado near downtown Joliet is a brightly painted community hub frequented by Mexican residents who can buy groceries, wire money home or find an apartment among the notices posted outside...

Man who served time in girl's 1999 DUI death gets 8 years in new DUI cases

Man who served time in girl's 1999 DUI death gets 8 years in new DUI cases

A man who served time in prison in a 1999 drunken-driving crash that killed a 10-year-old girl in Lockport was sentenced to 8 years in prison today in drunken-driving arrests from 2010 and 2011,...

Crowded field to succeed former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress

Crowded field to succeed former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress

Twenty two candidates met a Monday deadline to file paperwork for a spot on the ballot in the special election to succeed former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

Man sentenced to life for '07 maul hammer triple murder

Man sentenced to life for '07 maul hammer triple murder

A man who was convicted of using a maul hammer to kill his wife, sister-in-law and mother-in-law in their West Rogers Park home because he felt disrespected was sentenced to a life prison term,...

Fatal highway crashes dip in second half of 2012

Fatal highway crashes dip in second half of 2012

Crash fatalities declined slightly on Illinois roads in the second half of 2012 after the state began running a tally of the deaths on highway message boards, in response to an increase in deadly...

Prosecutors: Woman stabbed mom to death over $40 debt

Prosecutors: Woman stabbed mom to death over $40 debt

A woman stabbed her mother to death over a $40 debt this weekend following a dispute over the money, prosecutors said.

Man shot to death in Calumet Park

Man shot to death in Calumet Park

Authorities are investigating the shooting death of a man in south suburban Calumet Park overnight.

12 indicted in $1 million bad check scheme

12 indicted in $1 million bad check scheme

A forged-check ring was able to scam several banks out of more than $700,000 over a two-year period after trying to pass $1 million in fake checks, federal authorities alleged today in an indictment...

Report: CPS employees involved in 'widespread fraud' in lunch program

Report: CPS employees involved in 'widespread fraud' in lunch program

A report from the Inspector General's office of Chicago Public Schools released Monday raises concerns that district employees were encouraged to make fraudulent applications for federal free and...

Purse snatcher no match for good Samaritans

Purse snatcher no match for good Samaritans

Junior welterweight boxer Peter Heliotes came to Chicago recently to fight and he didn't have long to wait.

Cops: Mom scalds daughter's best friend with pot of noodles

Cops: Mom scalds daughter's best friend with pot of noodles

A teenage sleepover ended with the arrest of a woman who hurled a boiling pot of noodles at her daughter's best friend, police said.

No vote on Illinois House pension plan today

No vote on Illinois House pension plan today

The Illinois House adjourned for the day without voting on a major government worker pension overhaul, casting grave doubt on the reform plan's fate.

1 dead after SUV spins out on curve near Batavia

1 dead after SUV spins out on curve near Batavia

One person was killed and another person was injured when an SUV spun out of control and collided with a car near west suburban Batavia this morning, officials said.

Police: Robbers use air gun in Winnetka robbery

Police: Robbers use air gun in Winnetka robbery

Three men have been charged with using an air gun to rob three other men over the weekend in Winnetka, police said today.

Exonerated man's ordeal ends: 'I am overwhelmed with joy'

Exonerated man's ordeal ends: 'I am overwhelmed with joy'

A wrongfully convicted man who spent 20 years in prison for rape and battery had a happy final day in court today as Lake County officially dropped the last charge in a case that dates back to 1986.

Man fatally shot in west suburban Bellwood

Man fatally shot in west suburban Bellwood

Police have launched a homicide investigation after a 21-year-old Bellwood man was gunned down on the street on Sunday afternoon, the first homicide for the year in the west suburb, officials said.

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