Our home state of Illinois is the largest producer of pumpkins in the US (Yes, we really do think that’s cool, ok?)
sucker state
The Case Of The Phantom I-Pass Transponder
By 10.24.07
Reader and commenter ChicagoOutfit is having trouble with Illinois’ much-loved tollway system. His I-Pass account has someone else’s transponder attached to it and he’s paying for some random jerk’s tolls. He calls the ISTHA and has it removed, but Illinois doesn’t refund his money and the transponder keeps coming back.
Man Files Defamation Lawsuit After Being Accused Of Shoplifting By Home Depot
By 10.23.07
A man who purchased a lawn tractor at the Edwardsville, IL Home Depot went back inside to buy some more stuff while employees loaded his tractor onto his truck.
Bank of America To Layoff 4,000 In LaSalle Bank Merger
By 9.26.07
Buying LaSalle will make BofA (NYSE:BAC) a dominant player in Chicago for the first time. At present, BofA has less than 2 percent of that market’s deposits, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
Best Buy Sends The Police After You For Taking Your Loan Application Home
By 9.19.07
Here’s a weird situation from Orland Park, IL. Mike Quilty, who works for a subcontractor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, went to Best Buy to purchase a refrigerator.
Ameren Rate Relief For Illinois, Your Rebate Checks Are In The Mail
By 9.11.07
When Robert Hancock of Carterville, IL got his monthly power bill, it made him mad. Why? Because it was $526.62—up 200% from the previous month.
4-Year-Old Leaps From Moving Car After It Was Repo'd With Him In It
By 9.11.07
We checked but couldn’t find a clause in the Fair Debt Collection Practices act that dealt with the legal implications of repossessing a SUV with a 4-year-old child inside of it, but we’re fairly sure it’s not really allowed.
Former Marshall Field's Customers Take To The Chicago Streets To Protest Macy's
By 9.10.07
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.
Gas Prices Drop By 10 Cents, Chicago Has Nation's Most Expensive Gas
By 8.13.07
Gas prices have dropped by about $0.10 this week according to a national survey quoted by CNN Money.
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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
