Kids urged to attend, skip first day of school
As the first day of school nears for Chicago Public Schools, two movements to improve education for its mostly low-income, minority students are on a collision course. The Black Star Project and its Million Father March -- a five-year-old movement steamrolling across the country -- are calling for men, especially black men, to take children to school en masse Sept. 2.

Federal hiriing monitor eyes city layoffs, too
How can an administration that rigged city hiring be trusted to lay off well over 1,000 city employees on the square -- without ordering a political purge? Federal hiring monitor Noelle Brennan apparently wants to know. Now that Mayor Daley is poised to wipe out a $420 million budget shortfall, Brennan is negotiating with the city's Office of Compliance on the procedure for executing the biggest layoff of Daley's nearly 20-year reign.

Plan to sell railway picks up some steam
Canadian National Railway's attempt to buy the Elgin Joliet & Eastern Railway is picking up supporters. U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski will announce on Thursday that he is backing the controversial sale. The Western Springs Democrat declined to comment, but his endorsement carries some weight.

Shootings tied to NBA player's party? Aldermen urged to give up pay hike Jones anoints son to his seat in Illinois Senate Man jumps from CHA window, injures two officers Lake Shore Drive resurfacing work to begin Daley insists layoffs will not be political Noose found at South Side police station Weak economy biting restaurants Kishwaukee aligator caught Lake County sheriff to spend week in jail Another case of West Nile found in Illinois Semi fatally strikes motorcyclist, flees the scene Woman says medical leave led to firing on O'Hare project Police: Metro East explosion injures worker Three shot in separate attacks on South Side Ex-con held in murders Work with troupers a barrel of laughs Man wounded during shooting in Wrigleyville Elderly man critically hurt when lit on fire Stacy Peterson supporters lose push for coroner referendum Man says 9-foot tapeworm came from undercooked salmon salad Trench mishap shuts N. Clark Man shot in head in Back-of-the-Yards Fire on Brown Line tracks dealay trains 57% think God can save when doctors can't Man, 40, shot near Englewood gas station Going easy on the wine Big Shots in small cars Praying couple says case unconstitutional Indiana ranks 11th fattest among states Metro briefs Blue flu hits Pace Matteson to decide on interim mayor next week

Bond denied in murder of woman, cop Cop fatally shoots man on SW Side 1 killed near Rock ‘n’ Roll McDonald's Escaped buffalo shot after wandering onto I-55 Emil Jones discloses thoughts behind leaving Senate Will Co. won't hold referendum on coroner's office Girl charged with hurling acid at woman More than 100 people displaced by W. Chicago fire Families to killers: 'Turn yourself in' 9-year-old saves brother from drowning Man gets 10-foot tapeworm from restaurant: suit Child care isn't cheap in Cook County City kids get lessons in life skills Couple found dead in park committed suicide Man struck by CTA train on West Side Tree gone -- after the flood Sheriff's rebate ruse brings in 66 fugitives State Senate leader Jones to reveal retirement plans Drunken driver crashes into wall on Kennedy Man shot in S. Side apartment building Waukegan man beats up street signs Accused serial killer charged with murder plots Toddler drowns when grandfather faints aboard boat Probe into death of cop, woman making progress Newlyweds Tasered, arrested at reception Weis, Devine seek pardon for Chicago cop jailed in Iowa A look back at Royko's best columns NPR commentator dies Pol can't prove accusations against Rove Toy drive honors slain GI's last wish Man, 22, killed by fall at church picnic Priest sex abuse case gets green light Metro briefs

Cops question several in W. Side murders She's determined to promote fitness Nonunion county workers got 8 percent raise Man falls attempting to slide down theatre railing 'Always dreaming about the future' Man shot at Wicker Park gas station Thousands pay respects to comedy king Bernie Mac S. Side school gets 2nd life after 14 years Fields family also has a baseball star Woman slain with detective celebrated Bodies of man, ex-wife found in Far North Side park State teen driving deaths off 52% Reward renewed for arrest in '05 slaying of man Riders stuck on Metra train for 3 hrs. Posh Barrington Hills in fear after residents bound in robbery Northwest Side man reported missing 2 injured in Wicker Park hit-and-run Park Forest veteran vindicated 60 years later Shooting claims life of 14-year-old On this date Priest gets 1 year for 3 sex assaults Appleton hunts for source of dots Street official fired in sidewalk scandal Metro briefs Dentist counted pols, singers among his patients

Naperville mourns pair killed in war zone Gurnee mom, son killed changing flat tire Bill Murray drops in to kick off the festivities 152 opt for city buyout Cop a 'guardian angel' Canadian National urges final board decision City could save millions by privatizing recycling: group Tribune axes more than 40 newsroom staffers Mother's death leaves family questioning care Former Lincoln Park gorilla euthanized Metro briefs

Bill Murray jumps from plane at air show Naperville remembers two fallen servicemen Lawyer takes on Nancy Grace in lawsuit Off-duty cop shot in SUV dies Here's the story, of an air venture with Carol Brady New laws to protect renters from foreclosure Officials: Everyone a target in city layoffs Lawyer posts abusive priests' phone numbers Mom, son killed in I-94 while changing tire Group: Blame policy, not guards, for jail woes Bicyclist killed in Northwest Side shooting Pilsen neighbors think idea of sausage stand stinks Man slain in Ukrainian Village A look back at Royko's best columns State GOP rally strikes optimistic tone South, West Side group eyes share of Olympic pie Judge to ex-princpal: Go read to kids Letter from officer paid warm tribute to Kup Going a long way for R&R Buffalo Grove man gets $56.25 mil. for telling truth State jobless rate hits 7.3% This 'American Girl' wins her dream house Chief defends police in Waukegan shooting Tinley man accused of molesting teen Neighbor rescues girl pinned under car CTA prepares for Air & Water Show Park Forest cleans out 'squatter party houses' Metro briefs

Unemployment up to 7.3 percent Off-duty detective dies after shooting CPS students can soon use school IDs on CTA Boy who fell into harbor recovering in hospital Two Naperville troops killed in action Two found dead in Romeoville home Four shot at Southwest Side jewelry store 17-year-old shot to death by Waukegan cop Oil tank burns for nearly four hours in south suburb Two shot, one fatally, on South Side street Two men shot in Lincoln Park drive-by New Zealand mud snails invading Lake Michigan Person stabbed after leaving church soup kitchen CTA Catch-22: We're saving by paying more Victim, cop slam archdiocese's efforts to get priest out of prison early Dems dwarf GOP at Illinois State Fair A 9,500-year-old find for U of C fossil digger City cuts to hit all levels Late principal's son to get $8.5M in root canal death Unity day in Springfield: Local Dems continue to fight Looking out for aging boomers Midlothian eyes saggy pants ordinance Politically connected bidders set sights on big cleaning deal The rites of citizenship 2 suspects among 4 shot in holdup Window washer thwarts burglars in Orland Palos couple gets time for stealing $6.3 million Toyota won't resume production Tape shows cop's denial of rapes Milwaukee to dedicate Bronze Fonz statue Bloomington, Ind., to build 23-foot-tall table Metro briefs

'Mr. White' robs 2 banks in under two hours Bikes will own the streets for 2 days Cardinal tried to spring sex abuser, changed view Waukegan police fatally shoot teen after struggle Woman killed, off-duty cop shot Four shot in South Side robbery attempt Troutman, gang chief were lovers, feds say Four shot on South Side Five injured, one possibly shot, in multi-vehicle crash CTA employee critical after falling onto third rail 1,000 workers face ax: Daley adviser Roach sandwich closes North Side BBQ spot Complete recovery for toddler who fell in lake Chevy for sale —1.03 million miles on it Man kills self walking in front of Metra train Ex-Glenbard East student guilty of rodent rage Survived breast cancer 5 years? You can make it Area home sales drop 29 percent in 2Q Unpaid bills have crews flooding city to shut off water Charges drag Tribune to $4.5 billion 2Q loss 3rd Chicago cop charged in insurance fraud case Body pulled from lake on North Side Breast-feeding ending too early? Victim was 7 when abused by priest Average scores on ACT inching up in Illinois for Illinois junior Chicago Archdiocese priests listed in settlement Logan still waiting to hear if he'll face new trial Senate votes against pay hikes for lawmakers Uno's Chicago is looking to defer interest payment Cold War tanks may poison our water Swastika sprayed on black church's van Old grenade found in Door County cottage World's tallest woman dies in Indiana Springfield M.D.s apologize for barring black Gym teacher accused of having child porn Metro briefs Multi-million dollar settlement in dental office death

Senate votes down pay raise O'Hare bulldozing on hold Quinn leads pay raise picket at gov's speech Silver medal 'just the icing on the cake' Family mourns pizzeria manager's death Man wounded in Hoffman Estates drive-by Meet the Illinois State Fair hog-calling champion Woman driving taxi dies in crash at O'Hare Archdiocese reaches settlement with abuse victims Flat Top and Gum Fung closed after flies found Alton Logan to wait another month for retrial Chevy Tahoes to give police fleet a new look No need to panic if you're not selling anytime soon Bloomington cop sentenced to 440 years Feds kick in $2M to fight gangs Study: Stretching drills help prevent ACL injuries Fire under control in Lincoln Park Mexican restaurant Meeks solicits support for school boycott plan 2 scammed Orthodox Jews, stole $100M: feds Area surgeon dies in small-plane crash Workers rush to repair water pumps Chicago's top cop to rank and file: you'd better measure up Rezko pal says legal woes over Near West Side man dies after falling 7 floors Man shot in head on West Side Gunman on bike shoots two men on West Side Man fatally shot in Ukrainian Village Angry tanner busts salon countertop Homeowners owing more than property worth Teenager in January bomb-threat case charged with DUI Lisle teen charged with attempted murder New Fire Bureau chief, 18 more elite promotions Motorcyclist killed in wreck with car H-F Park District has hopes for mini-Sox park Man bought Favre Jets jersey — in 2002 Man gets 1 year for embezzling $100,000 Child molester gets 29 years for ID theft Teen charged with illegal tattoo of child Suspect in Naperville murder awaits trial Metro briefs

Silver lining for Magnuson No injuries reported in Diversey Harbor boat fire Elderly man crashes into parked car, dies Murders rise 18 percent in city Charred body found in trunk was shot Slain Maywood teens had high hopes for future Bond set at $700,000 in fatal motel stabbing Cop pleads not guilty in bar beating Judge delays demolition of Bensenville homes 104-year-old Cubs fan wants to toss first pitch Man shot in head on West Side Teen driver fatally hits 3-year-old boy 74-year-old indicted in man's fatal bludgeoning New parents turn to experts for cat advice 5 injured in Pilsen blaze Man fatally shot after fight on street corner Courting trouble over witnesses 1,500 immerse themselves in all things Harry Potter United pilots want CEO Glenn Tilton to resign Sharpton joins call for school boycott Car insurance premiums going up for Illinois drivers Family, friends celebrate Magnuson's second-place finish in Tinley Portrait of a suspect: Who is Larry Galloway? Buying a condo? Drinks are on seller Two injured in Back-of-the-Yards shootings An evening on the town ... at McDonald's? Lawsuit: Midlothian discriminates against Hell's Angels members Dad seriously hurt when shot by son The Road ahead Police: Sex offender fails to register 4 times Gold rings taken from dead woman's hand Indiana farm sees rare twin colts born Metro briefs Improper turn signal use on the rise: cops

Bernie Mac remembered Hooked on the Web Parents of slain CPS students visit somber exhibit Police: Fire that injured two girls not suspicious Beatle, Bronco hit back roads 3-year-old runs into alley, fatally struck by vehicle Man fatally shot in Ukrainian Village Man fatally shot, friend crashes en route to hospital One killed in Dan Ryan rollover Woman found dead at South Side motel Fossett faked death over debt? Not so, lawyer says Three 18-year-old males killed in Maywood shooting Critics: Don't cut OT for beat cops 2 girls critical after fire hits apartment building Grant Park Music Fest a satisfying treat No-car vow earns students free bike at Ripon College Man found shot to death in car on Ike Tow trucks swoop in on paradegoers' cars Domestic-violence activist's son charged Lake trout stocking effort in the works

Part of South Side at risk of flood Couples wed with 'lucky' 08-08-08 date Hundreds march on Chinese consulate Two teens shot while leaving Bud Billiken Parade Three 18-year-olds fatally shot in Maywood Firefighter saves two children from fire Bond set for man charged in deli stabbing One dead in shooting on Eisenhower Driver killed after car jumps embankment Two shot, one dead, on South Side Airline industry woes threaten O'Hare expansion West Side home collapses, no injuries reported Tribune job cuts begin O'Hare No. 2 resigns over generator scandal ISAT results don't add up Aurora couple weds after patriotic courtship Comedian, South Sider Bernie Mac dies at 50 Metro briefs Man charged in stabbing of 3 in Near W. Side deli

Does Burke's war chest violate ethics? The grass is greener -- in the 'burbs Cleared for takeoff ComEd, city probe O'Hare exec's generator delivery Man charged with shooting 11-year-old girl Rush hour back-ups expected after semi strikes overpass Man in custody in West Side deli stabbing Two men shot, one fatally, on South Side Police: Who killed this Joliet woman? Officer suspended for allegedly demanding freebies at Starbucks Telecommuter saves by phoning it in Regular blood pressure tests only as reliable as home monitor: study City to privatize flawed drug testing program Electric bikes charge ahead Businesses added to Meeks' school boycott Jack-knifed truck spills diesel on Dan Ryan City: We have enough boots if 2-ticket proposal passes Judge grants Fast Eddie's slow motion Graffiti-inspired paint job stirs up neighbors Orland Park woman celebrates 88th birthday on 8-8-08 Hiring practices still flawed, fed monitor says Cop fired for having sex with rookie's wife in station Americans drink less alcohol as they age Duckworth dives in Orland Park Man wanted for exposing himself to woman Child sex suspect faces deportation Did gov skip parade of hecklers? Second McHenry Co. 'Most Wanted' fugitive captured Joliet college student killed in hit-and-run Metro briefs Hospital official's high pay questioned

Cop demands free Starbucks coffee Former Ald. Troutman pleads guilty Cubs think Cuban would spend to win Three stabbed near West Side restaurant 3 Chicago banks robbed within minutes of each other ComEd: All power to be restored by Thursday night Gov rolls out proposal for expressway cameras Prosecutors: Woman kills boyfriend over alcohol Police: Pedestrian struck and killed in hit-and-run Former cop charged in barricade situation Gov says: Say cheese, speeders Judge clears city's O'Hare plan for takeoff Labor leaders press Daley on deficit Bullets found on DePaul campus Students 'robbed of their childhood' Motorist dies in car fire despite rescue efforts For those still without power, ComEd says light is in sight Several homeless after Grayslake apartment fire Paul McCartney gets kicks on Route 66 Stable owner, caretaker charged in horse abuse Cops kill man in shoot-out Is TV's adultery, kinky sex an attack on marriage? Cubs may be bleacher bums on Wrigley parking garage Obama says hello to Bayh Kids offer solutions to violence Event to benefit children of slain Lockport soldier A Chicago politician's public mea culpa Noisy traffic leads to assault of cop Man who shot cop won't spend time in jail 'Garfield Minus Garfield' getting published Michigan City lighthouse turns 150 Ex-Urbana school superintendent charged Residents ready for their chance to save mansion Gov plans to extend age for health coverage

Former Ald. Arenda Troutman pleads guilty Fans can't party in parking lot during games Chicago kids too scared to leave home Officer injured in South Side robbery Miserable traffic costs us billions Owner, caretaker charged with cruelty to horses Man, 19, fatally shot in Englewood ComEd: Some won't get power back until Friday night Fire controlled in Uptown building Gunman dead after firing shots at police Man's body found in Oak Park Dumpster Cops draw hard line on unpaid days Mob ordered '03 bombing: feds Bellwood mayor: Metra station to be 'locomotive' Kids have a right to play Legislators want fed railroad board on taxpayers' side Alderman: Who is tipping ICE on motorist arrests? More kissing, telling from Kane County prosecutors Drowned boy's body found Trailer classes segregate black kids, PUSH charges Mayoral aide: City can't afford stained glass windows Three held in South Loop robbery 3 tornadoes, power out for thousands Family accepts $1 million settlement for death of child Homicide charged in Wis. river shootings Balloon makes surprise landing near I-65 1-ton steel sculpture lifted from river Teen gets 92 years for rape Downstate Teen charged with running into officer Metro briefs

Students' greatest fear: Getting shot New law OKs GPS to enforce protection orders Storms ravage trees, homes Man barricades self in Chatham home Outfit accused of blowing up gambling operation About 146,000 area ComEd customers in the dark Rush rallies for health care Gov puts schools, lawmaker pay hikes up front Video shows failed effort to break safe Body of missing Chicago boy found on Indiana beach Restaurants dishing up high-calorie kids' meals Feds investigate auctioner of sports memorabilia Cubs want weekend night game ban lifted Making federal case of stolen water cooler Lyric Opera co-founder Rescigno dies in Italy 'Dead' woman sues Porter hospital Teen gunned down outside Maywood home Now's the time to spend wisely on school supplies Cops save 2 from drowning Salary search: What do your public officials get paid? Four reportedly hurt in Far NW Side fire Suspected birdnappers fly the coop on police Falling tree critically injures man on NW Side Metro briefs How we surveyed Chicago students

'Plumber Rapist' fights for freedom Getting harder to get into jail Storms cause power outages, delayed flights Audits raise questions about use of taxpayer money Evanston cops rescue 2 swimmers from lake 15-year-old fatally shot in Maywood Devine to head firm's litigation section Brother's final, heroic act 3 hit, 1 dead in West Side shooting Harry Potter conference: 'Dorky,' yet 'magical' Just ask Essie: It pays to read the Sun-Times It's Robert Morris vs. Robert Morris Mac's condition unchanged: aide NBA chief backs Cuban bid for Cubs: report Farrakhan blasts educational system State fair promises fair price Cardinal leads pilgrimage to Lourdes Meeks renews call to send kids to New Trier 1st black quints turn 25 in Indy Motorola's new co-CEO tells Sun-Times his plans Pedestrian accidents are a 'huge problem in the city'

Bernie Mac 'very, very critical,' source says Saving Troy: Part II Teens from 2 nations fight 1 enemy: AIDS 4 kids among 7 injured in W. Side crash Singers pay tribute at gospel music's birthplace Police: Three shot, one fatally, on West Side Focus of Obama campaign debated at expo $500,000 bond for man accused of fatal stabbing 10 of the highest paid government officials Protesters slam Obama's, Israel's stances on Iran Sun-Times' Fornek honored for 'Obama's Family Tree' Learning life lessons from the courtroom New jail knows how to hold 'em Skokie strings Youth football league teams up for 3 families Jody Weis' salary as top cop tops the public payroll Metro briefs

Memorabilia puts up big numbers at auction Temps can't keep music fans from Lollapalooza Bernie Mac hospitalized for pneumonia Accused murderer now charged with killing uncle Two fatally shot in Garfield Park Seven hurt in West Side crash Woman rescued from South Side fire Daley mocks gov's cop offer after cuts Uptown man fatally shot in head 1 dead, 5 hurt seperate Lake Shore Drive collisions Guests safe following Naperville hotel fire Two men shot, killed on South Side Pastor 'hurt' to be linked to Lane Bryant killings Daley hints he may drop fight to keep handgun ban Prosecutors: Teen rang doorbell for killer Family bids farewell to Kevin Jail supervisor charged with stealing over $370,000 Jackson: I'm willing to be senator Going to the state fair? United says it has deal with pilots to limit slowdowns Beaten fan gets game invitation 2 Cubs fans charged with beating Milwaukee man Obama opposes slavery reparations, apology Suspected gunman arrested in fatal attack on swimmers Family rejoices as police arrest suspect in '81 murder Metro briefs

Are Lane Bryant, S. Side murders linked? Daley may abandon fight to uphold gun ban Bernie Mac hospitalized with pneumonia Daley on Blagojevich: What help can he give me? Man charged with murder of Englewood teen Aurora man charged in 27-year-old murder Man found dead in pool Q101 dumps the 'Morning Fix' Man claims to be cop, pumps without paying Body of naked woman found floating in lake Burke asks if deputy chief was forced out 5-year-old killed in hit-run Cops say road rage turned deadly County picks corruption watchdog Pair held in Berwyn pipe bomb blast Some cicadas a year late for the big dance 3 County Hospital workers probed in billing scheme Man killed while trying to cross Lake Shore Drive City casino dealt out of the game Overthinking could stave off Alzheimer's Cheers! Bell's beer is back in Chicago Mice new neighbor at Walgreens construction site Man in custody for stabbing, killing woman Landlord's violent death a mystery Humpfer sentencing delayed again Daley defends plan to boot more cars More women apply as egg donors while economy slips Tom Wolfe's "The Right Stuff" is City's next selection Daley defends secrecy surrounding budget Rain, hail could hit Chicago area Friday Metro briefs

Boy killed, two injured in hit-and-run Peraica giving back donations Two men charged in Berwyn pipe-bombing Gurnee Sox fan who lost eye in Huntley fight sues Baby girl born in car in Rogers Park Lane Bryant investigators follow leads to Texas Child, 11, attacked by pit bull on Southwest Side Driver who struck man still at large Grand jury indicts man in boy's molestation Car race introduces kids to solar power Friends gather to mourn loss of teen Edens Expressway closer to completion Jelly Belly worker crushed by forklift Body found in Ada Park on S. Side Charges filed against pipe-bombing suspects City Council agrees to expand camera coverage Kup's reborn cruise sets sail again today 'N. Side rapist' on trial for 3rd attack Drew's gun case goes on Being single may lead to Alzheimer's Learning from the best Black Women's Expo opens Friday at McCormick Place Meth Coffee fails to amuse Madigan Sister's kidney gift ends long wait, offers new start Southlanders tuning up their bikes; parking cars Teen, man wounded in Englewood shooting Prostitution sting leads to bike arrest Rush: I'm cancer free Troubled Lutheran school saved from closure Blagojevich still denies being target of feds Daley makes more vehicles boot eligible Bones found may be from 1800s Girls' MySpace fight leads to bloodshed Girl loses part of arm water skiiing in Wis. Metro briefs The Watchdogs: Who's got what

Sox fan allegedly beaten by Cubs fans Daley says Meeks' school boycott plan isn't worth it Barker asks City Council for pet control laws Daley postpones budget, further cuts spending Body of woman found floating in Lake Michigan FBI, ATF conduct joint investigation in Humboldt Park Former head of Ill. prisons sentenced to 2 years House prevents water diversion from Great Lakes Man drowns while learning to swim Quadriplegic woman sues husband's new lover Car crashes into gas meter outside home Benni-gone GOP congressional candidate's firms owed $59K in taxes Peraica donors include felons Drew Peterson gun case can proceed Possible tissue found in CVS bathroom is just tissue paper Mobster's late for his own funeral Can you surpass SEAL standards? Sox stars make a pitch to help foster kids Breakthrough drug fights Alzheimer's Purple Heart Cruise sails again CTA says error could lead to delayed transactions fees Gov may dump Chicago casino Attackers may have thrown acid Possible VP pick mum in Chicago Burned body of man found in West Side basement Groups clash on ADHD heart tests Jam makes play for Uptown Theatre Bennigan's shuts down Chicago locations Watch Stroger's new anti-violence video Prostitution sting nets six arrests in Aurora Austin shooting leaves 2 wounded Two men shot in apparently separate Englewood attacks