Chicagoans don’t like change. (Take Wrigley Field, for example, in all its jumbotron-less glory.) Yes, they are a strange, stubborn people who do not eat ketchup on hot dogs and who put the sauce on top of their pizza. And they don’t like Macy’s. Why? Because Macy’s did away with Marshall Field’s.
ILLINOIS
TigerDirect Apologizes For Unlawfully Detaining Customer For Refusing To Show Receipt
By 8.24.07
The manager of the TigerDirect that unlawfully detained reader Shaneal Manek for his refusal to show a receipt called him this afternoon and apologized for his store’s behavior. Shaneal told The Consumerist by phone that Tony, the store manager, pledged to retrain his staff on proper procedures and that they wouldn’t retain the services of the security guard involved in the dispute.
TigerDirect Unlawfully Restrains And Verbally Abuses Customer For Not Submitting To Receipt-Showing Demands
By 8.23.07
I was visiting a Tigerdirect (Large Electronic Retail Store) in Naperville, IL today (8/23/07)(8/22/07). All was going well until after I had paid for my merchandise and tried to leave.
Miller: You Won A Million Dollars. No, Just Kidding.
By 7.31.07
A man from south suburban Chicagoland was hanging out in an Orland Park bar when a promotional team from Miller started handing out what appeared to be prize tickets.
The Midlothian Police Department Should Not Collect Private Debts
By 7.29.07
The Midlothian, IL Chief of Police thinks it’s appropriate for his officers to help local businesses collect private debts. Midlothian’s local mechanic, Merlin’s Muffler and Brake, performed $500 of work for Angela Proctor, who paid back all but $108 before falling into financial trouble. From The Star:
American Airlines Fined $231,000 For Unsafe Work Conditions At O'Hare
By 7.27.07
American Airlines faces fines of up to $231,000 for unsafe work conditions that include fall hazards, electrical and fire hazards, hygiene issues, blocked exits and storage of oxygen and acetylene cylinders, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Illinois Charges You Twice As Much For "Online" Driving School Because Of "Scammers"
By 7.20.07
Reader Orwell writes us with a complaint about the “driving school” program. In Illinois, if you get a ticket you can choose to pay extra to attend “driving school.” This will prevent the state from ratting you out to your insurance company. A nice little racket, but not uncommon. The cute part is that in Illinois they charge an extra $25 for the online version of the course. Why? When Orwell asked, the CSR told him it was because of “Scammers.” She also told him to “Watch his mouth.”
Stay Out Of Our Comments, PR Douchebags
By 7.19.07
Regarding this morning’s “Bank Of America Wins, Buys Chicago’s LaSalle Bank,” commenter “Stankwell,” whose first and only comment went up today, wrote:
LaSalle customers should be happy. Among other things, they’re gaining access to world-class online banking and a coast-to-coast branch and ATM network.
Over 500 People Ill After Taste Of Chicago
By 7.16.07
The Taste of Chicago is the world’s largest food festival, and for more 500 festival goers, it’s also the cause of some serious digestive distress. 17 people have been hospitalized and 529 are reporting symptoms of food poisoning, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Fifty cases have been confirmed as salmonellosis. Of the 50, 36 have been identified as salmonella heidelberg, one of the more common forms of salmonella poisoning in the United States, the release said.
Chicago Woman Calls 911, Hears Hysterical Laughter Then Is Hung Up On
By 7.12.07
A Chicago woman called 311 (non-emergency police services) to report illegal and dangerous fireworks exploding over her home. She was transferred to 911 where she was greeted by hysterical laughter.
Lawsuits: Armless Woman Refused Service At McDonald's
By 7.11.07
A Rockford, IL woman with no arms is suing McDonald’s, claiming that employees refused to serve her food because she has no arms and was too “disgusting” to serve.
Man Locked Out Of Hotel Room, Expedia Agrees To Completely Refund, Then Changes Mind
By 7.6.07
“A week ago, I had the opportunity to go to Chicago to teach a class. As I normally do, I booked the trip through Expedia.com. I took one of their package deals – hotel, car, airfare. Since I had never been to Chicago before, I simply selected the first hotel that came up on their rankings for the suburb in which I was staying.
Coming Soon: The Oprah Store!
By 6.29.07
Oprah has announced the inevitable opening of an “Oprah store” next to her studio in Chicago where one can purchase items such as an Oprah “iPod cover” and “African-designed baskets and bead art, apparel, and DVDs.”
Wendy's Breakfast Attacks Unsuspecting Nation
By 6.28.07
The myth, the legend… that is Wendy’s breakfast is expanding, according to the Daily Southtown. The breakfast will consist of items such as ” a biscuit sandwich, a steak and egg sandwich on a Kaiser roll and a breakfast burrito. Some stores will sell chicken biscuit sandwiches and sausage, gravy and biscuits.” Wendy’s is expanding the number of stores that carry the breakfast menu to 650 nationwide.
United Blames Human Error For Computer Failure
By 6.22.07
“It was human error during routine testing,” United Chief Operating Officer Pete McDonald told airline employees on a recorded call. “An employee made a mistake and caused the failure of both Unimatic and our backup system.”
News Footage Of The United Airlines O'Hare Traffic Jam
By 6.20.07
Airplanes were still allowed to land at O’Hare even though there were no available jetways at the United terminal. Wow, this looks like fun! —MEGHANN MARCO
Baby Monitor Monitors International Space Station Rather Than Baby
By 6.13.07
A new mom in Palatine, IL turned her baby monitor on and, rather than her baby, she saw two men floating in space. She was viewing images of astronauts in the international space station. She also saw mission control and a map of the station’s trajectory.
Billboard Diagramming Female Flaws Causes Backlash
By 6.4.07
A billboard depicting a model wearing little more than a shirt has drawn the ire of the women of Glenview, IL. From the Chicago Tribune:
The 10-foot-by-36-foot sign along Willow Road near Patriot Boulevard depicts a model lying on the beach with lines pointing to “problem” areas on her body, such as facial lines and wrinkles, and corresponding “solutions,” including Botox.
