Two days of surveillance of a suspected drug smuggler paid off for Chicago Police with a bust that led to two arrests and the seizure of more than 650 pounds of marijuana, with a street value of nearly $2 million. The police Narcotics Section developed information on Jose Bazaldua, who was reported by the Drug Enforcement Administration as a member of a drug-smuggling operation out of Mexico , a ... Full Story »
Randy Rencher, a bank robber who once escaped from Cook County jail in a prison guard's uniform and went out to rob banks and go on the lam -- was found dead in prison today, authorities said. Rencher, 41, was sentenced to a total of 35 years in prison earlier this year and a U.S. Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman confirmed his death today but did not immediately know the cause. Rencher was being ... Full Story »
A Cook County jury this evening began deliberating the fate of an alleged serial killer and rapist accused of stabbing, strangulating and bludgeoning 11 drug addicts and prostitutes and brutally assaulting a 12th victim who got away after she "played dead.""He turned New City into his city," said Assistant State's Attorney George Canellis of the six-year murder spree Andre Crawford allegedly ... Full Story »
She avoided a prison term, but a Kane County attorney who stole $137,000 from her former law partner still will spend Christmas behind bars.A judge on Wednesday sentenced 52-year-old Ann Day to four years probation for the theft, told her to pay restitution and ordered her to spend six months in the Kane County Jail.The sentence means Day — who has been locked up since she was convicted in ... Full Story »
A west suburban woman convicted of stealing more than$135,000 from her law firm has been sentenced to 180 days in jail andordered to repay her former partner. Ann M. Day, 52, of La Fox , was sentenced Wednesday byCircuit Judge Timothy Sheldon to 48 months probation and 180 days inthe Kane County Jail, according to a release from the Kane CountyState's Attorney's office.She was ordered to repay ... Full Story »
A Maywood man convicted of possessing 600 pills of ecstasy with the intent to distribute them will serve at least 18 years in prison, DuPage County prosecutors announced today. Troy L. Campbell, of the 2100 block of South 7th Avenue in Maywood, was convicted in a bench trial Sept. 3 of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and controlled substance trafficking, both Class X ... Full Story »
Opening arguments were held in Wheaton on today in the trial of Tony Cole, who was a key player in a patronage scandal involving Cook County Board President Todd Stroger and who is charged with four crimes stemming from an incident at the DuPage County courthouse. Tony Cole, 30, was charged with the misdemeanors in September 2008 after an appearance in DuPage County domestic violence court. Cole ... Full Story »
A Glenview man accused of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend and staying by her side during a trip to the hospital to try to keep her from reporting the attack is being held in the Cook County Jail in lieu of $70,000 bond today, officials said. Dewayne Skippings, 23, of the 10400 block of North Dearlove Road is charged with aggravated battery to a pregnant woman and domestic battery, as a result ... Full Story »
It's one thing, perhaps, to challenge the White House -- as FOX News Channel's Glenn Beck has been doing -- for inviting an "ex-con" to a State Dinner: Robert Creamer, the former Illinois Public Action Fund director who did some prison time for check kiting and tax problems. But it's another, it appears, to make fun of the Polish name of the man's wife -- U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Chicago ... Full Story »
In a largely symbolic move aimed at encouraging private sector hiring, Mayor Richard Daley today announced he will ask the City Council to temporarily suspend collecting the city's head tax for any new employees hired in 2010 and 2011. Read more in Clout Street on chicagotribune.com . Full Story »
Jay Cutler started the season with a four-interception debacle in Green Bay. Now 16 picks later, does he think he's improved since their first meeting with the Packers? CBS 2's Megan Mawicke reports. Full Story »
Gov. Pat Quinn used Wednesday's anniversary of Rod Blagojevich's arrest to sign into law Illinois' first limits on campaign contributions, a measure some criticize as not strong enough but others praise as a step in the right direction. Full Story »
Chicago's been called a city of big shoulders. Now a Houston family hopes it's also a city of big hearts. The family left videos of their son's graduation from boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes in a Chicago cab on Sunday. Full Story »
Fast food chains appear to be doing a better job than most schools when it comes to serving up safe food to students. That's the conclusion of a USA TODAY investigation. CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports. Full Story »
We've all heard about "Cash for Clunkers" where new car buyers got a big incentive to buy a fuel efficient car. Now President Obama is proposing the "Cash for Caulkers" program. The goal is to reimburse homeowners who strive to make the places they live in energy-efficient. CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot tells us just how much a homeowner can save. Full Story »
Workers are building an ice skating rink outside Wrigley Field in the parking area just east of Clark Street. Full Story »
The Chicago Park District and union workers may have reached a compromise that would prevent layoffs, officials said. Full Story »
R. Kelly is writing more chapters, only this time, it's not for his "Trapped" saga, but for a new memoir. Full Story »
A bottle of 1788 Vieux Cognac has sold at a Paris auction of wine and spirits for euro25,000 ($36,935). Full Story »
Kane County authorities say they've seized about $5 million worth of marijuana weighing about one ton in a bust. Full Story »
A body wrapped in plastic was found floating in the North Branch of the Chicago River on the Northwest Side Wednesday morning. Full Story »
A man was formally charged with attempted murder Wednesday for a 2008 shootout outside a Far South Side daycare where an an off-duty Chicago Police officer was picking up his daughter. Full Story »
A female reported items were stolen from her locker at the East Bank Club Tuesday afternoon in the River North neighborhood. Full Story »
Bond was set at $70,000 Wednesday for a Glenview man charged in the brutal beating of his 7-months pregnant girlfriend. Full Story »
Police are searching for a missing 16-year-old girl who has not returned to her South Side Woodlawn neighborhood home since Sunday. Full Story »
One Joliet couple was stuck with a $1900 tow bill that the recipient never paid. Full Story »
Think your commute's bad? This Full Story »
$300k rink to be installed at a parking lot at Addison and Clark. Full Story »
100 flights canceled, wind chill expected to bring temps to 20 below. Full Story »
Construction of the Chicago Spire may progress again thanks to a group of union pension funds. Full Story »
Operation MOMS Cookies is a hometown charity that has been sending care packages to soldiers overseas since 2002. Full Story »
Chicago would waive its $4-a-month employee head tax for two years — but only for newly-hired employees — under a mayoral plan proposed Wednesday to stimulate job creation. Full Story »
A Menorah put up by a 14-year-old girl in a Libertyville park last week in preparation for Hanukkah celebrations was damaged sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning. Full Story »
Two days of surveillance of a suspected drug smuggler paid off for Chicago Police with a bust that led to two arrests and the seizure of more than 650 pounds of marijuana, with a street value of nearly $2 million. Full Story »
There were no grand prize winners in the Mega Millions drawing Tuesday night and the estimated jackpot rose. Full Story »
Audio Available Supporters of stricter campaign finance rules in Illinois will have a tough time getting more changes anytime soon. A bill overhauling the system was signed Wednesday by Governor Pat Quinn. Full Story »
Audio Available For the first time, candidates for offices in Illinois will have to abide by limits on some campaign donations. The caps don't take effect until after the 2010 election. Full Story »
Audio Available Some black parents are fighting a new Chicago Public Schools policy that would affect admissions. Full Story »
Audio Available Layoff notices are going out this week to Chicago Transit Authority workers. The CTA board approved the plan to help close a $300 million budget shortfall. Full Story »
Audio Available A Chicago man accused of being involved in two international terrorist plots had his first appearance in federal court today. David Headley pleaded not guilty to all charges. Full Story »
Chicago officials want residents to keep an eye on one another to ensure safety during winter storm. City leaders are gearing up for the season's first deep freeze and reminding residents about services that may help. Full Story »
Hundreds of pounds of pot, totaling nearly $2 million, were recovered in a big drug bust Wednesday, according to Chicago police. Full Story »
The Hotel Burnham could be facing foreclosure. Crain's Chicago Business reports that the loop-hotel has defaulted on their 36-million dollar loan. The owners have reportedly stopped paying the loan back in july, in hopes of having their loan re-structured. They say that is the only way they could keep the hotel. The Burnham hotel opened in the late 19-90's. Full Story »
Wednesday night was opening night for the musical "The Addams Family" at the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre in Chicago. Full Story »
Choosing the symbolic date of the one-year anniversary of ex- Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest on federal corruption charges, Gov. Pat Quinn today signed into law the state's first-ever limits on campaign contributions. Full Story »
(AP) — Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley says he may be open to the city subsidizing financially troubled McCormick Place convention center, but with conditions. Daley said Wednesday, in a story first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, that the convention center must reorganize and stop the ... Full Story »
(Crain’s) — Rosemont-based U.S. Foodservice Inc. won a one-year contract worth up to $27.4 million to be a full-line food-service distributor for Army, Air Force and federal civilian agencies in Missouri and Kansas, the Pentagon announced Wednesday. The fixed-price, indefinite-quantity ... Full Story »
(AP) — United Airlines, along with two other of the nation's largest carriers, says it is seeing an uptick in demand for business and premium tickets, which could signal the beginning of a recovery in all-important corporate travel. At Delta Air Lines Inc., chief financial officer Hank Halter ... Full Story »
(AP) — Shares of DeVry Inc. climbed further and an analyst raised his estimates for the for-profit education provider Wednesday, a day after it reported better-than-expected fall enrollment at its DeVry University unit. The Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., company said undergraduate enrollments rose ... Full Story »
(AP) — Lifeway Foods Inc., a maker of the dairy drink Kefir, said Wednesday it will now begin selling its products in 7-Eleven stores to expand its reach to more consumers. Shipments will begin Dec. 9 and go to 275 stores. Lifeway said it expects products to be on shelves by Dec. 11. The ... Full Story »
Christmas decorations illuminate Berlin's main shopping streets. AP Photo/Franka Bruns
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