"Chicago Tribune" Reader

"Chicago Tribune" Reader

The troubled mind of Bruce Ivins, the anthrax killer

Posted: 28 May 2011 06:28 PM PDT

Bruce Ivins, who became a respected Army scientist and an authority on the laboratory use of anthrax, had a penchant for vendettas, especially against women.

He roamed the University of Cincinnati campus with a loaded gun. When his rage overflowed, the brainy microbiology major would open fire inside empty buildings, visualizing a wall clock or other object as a person who had done him wrong.

Star Yorkville cop charged with stealing drugs

Posted: 28 May 2011 04:51 PM PDT

Deputy chief accused of raiding collection of old medications turned into police

A deputy chief and rising star in the Yorkville Police Department was released on bail Saturday after he was charged with stealing painkillers from the department's drug collection program.

Disabled kids' parents give up on state

Posted: 28 May 2011 05:20 PM PDT

Families move to other states as Illinois' social service funding shrinks

For some parents living with disabled children in a cash-strapped state facing even tougher decisions and deeper cuts, the only solution is to relocate.

Grieving man accused of threatening police

Posted: 28 May 2011 03:44 PM PDT

As a Chicago man lay dead on a South Side porch of an apparent heroin overdose, a grieving friend threatened to slit the throat of a police officer while trying to push his way toward the body, leading to his arrest, authorities said today.

Why plant ugly vegetables?

Posted: 26 May 2011 02:02 PM PDT

Old-time vegetables won't win beauty contests but for flavor and variety, they're hard to beat

A generation or two ago, heirloom seeds were a bit of a mystery.

Ex-congressman Bill Foster files for a comeback

Posted: 28 May 2011 03:07 PM PDT

WASHINGTON -— Former Illinois congressman Bill Foster hopes to make a comeback by running in the proposed 11th Congressional District that would include Aurora.

Explaining the science of this spring's tornadoes

Posted: 28 May 2011 02:16 PM PDT

With the devastating Joplin, Mo., twister arriving on the heels of April's deadly outbreak in the Southeast, many are wondering just what's in the air this spring. Are we in for more?

As residents of Joplin, Mo., continued digging out from Sunday's deadly tornado, researchers prepared to visit the stricken city to assess the storm's intensity. Coming only three weeks after an unprecedented series of twisters wrought destruction across the Southeast, many were wondering whether the events were related and whether more severe storms were in store.

Tickets for dead man's truck

Posted: 28 May 2011 02:16 PM PDT

Pickup mix-up to blame for steep tab attached to vehicle long since sold

The first letter from the Chicago Department of Revenue arrived in Sue Nardi's mailbox in October.

Census data: Married people lead under half of households

Posted: 28 May 2011 03:23 PM PDT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Three mornings a week, when Becky Leung gets ready for work, her boyfriend is just getting home from his overnight job. When her mother drops hints about her twin sister's marriage, she laughs it off. And when she thinks about getting married herself, she worries first about her career.

Traffic aide hit by car in Wrigleyville

Posted: 28 May 2011 02:16 PM PDT

A city traffic aide was struck by a vehicle and injured this afternoon in the city's Wrigleyville neighborhood, police said.

Ill. Senate OKs workers' comp reform

Posted: 28 May 2011 01:56 PM PDT

A bill shaking up the Illinois workers' compensation system to cut business costs and curb corruption has been approved by the state Senate.

Emanuel chokes up at Memorial Day event >> Photos

Posted: 28 May 2011 04:13 PM PDT

Mayor Rahm Emanuel choked up during remarks at a wreath laying ceremony today in Daley Plaza before the Memorial Day parade.

4 who write for young adults

Posted: 28 May 2011 12:00 AM PDT

Books aimed at the youthful crowd hit their mark - and go beyond

Fifteen years ago Susan Katz sat down with HarperCollins' editor-in-chief to discuss the future of their young adult category. They considered whether they should stop publishing young adult books altogether.

Chicago authors: 10 things

Posted: 29 May 2011 12:00 AM PDT

10 things

There's no point in getting wordy, so we'll simply remind you that the Tribune-sponsored 27th annual Printers Row Lit Fest takes place June 4-5. For now, here are 10 "chapters" of Chicago lit:

At least 7 injured in rollover on I-90 in Elgin

Posted: 28 May 2011 06:09 AM PDT

At least seven people were injured when their van rolled over on Interstate 90 in northwest suburban Elgin early this morning.

Ill. Senate OKs workers' comp reform

Posted: 28 May 2011 04:39 PM PDT

Democrats OK redistricting map, budget and pensions still to be addressed

With just three days left until adjournment and a pile of major issues unresolved, the Democrats who control the General Assembly decided to leave town for about 24 hours. Before they left, the Illinois Senate approved a major overhaul of the state's workers' compensation system.

Blagojevich trial: When a quid pro quo crosses the line

Posted: 28 May 2011 12:00 AM PDT

Sometimes even the little things can be telling in a criminal trial, and so it was this past week when U.S. District Judge James Zagel delivered a brief discourse on the nuances of political deal-making to lawyers at the corruption retrial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

McHenry sheriff's office denies racial profiling in traffic stops

Posted: 29 May 2011 12:00 AM PDT

Tribune analysis finds Hispanic drivers were often recorded as white; department blames 'confusion'

The McHenry County sheriff's office has acknowledged some deputies routinely labeled Hispanic drivers as white in their records of traffic stops, but departmental leaders deny officers profiled drivers by race.

Clout in DuPage: 2 no-bid deals

Posted: 28 May 2011 12:57 AM PDT

Housing Authority awarded him with no-bid packages

When DuPage County officials wanted to build 91 new units of affordable housing, they didn't follow federal rules that required them to request proposals from developers. Instead, developer Michael Pizzuto resigned his position on the DuPage Housing Authority board and his former colleagues gave him the deal. | Pizzuto a big campaign contributor

Daley at U. of C.: Hizzoner in the ivory tower of Babel

Posted: 29 May 2011 12:00 AM PDT

Prof Daley has the linguistic gifts for the U. of C.

Richard M. Daley is moving on to the University of Chicago, and he may find that his imaginative use of the English language is not a problem. "People are getting hurt in drive-by shootalongs," for example, is a model of clarity compared to the daredevil linguistics engaged in by some professors: "If, for a while, the ruse of desire is calculable for the uses of discipline..." and so forth.