Wayfair reveals opening date of giant outlet store in suburbs

Editor’s Note: The video in this story is from a previous report.

A massive Wayfair Outlet store coming to suburban Naperville now has an opening date, months after the brand’s first brick-and-mortar store opened in Wilmette, the online furniture and home goods retailer confirmed.

The outlet store, located in Westridge Court, at 324 S. Route 59, will officially open to the public Oct. 3. Hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays, a spokesperson said.

The new store will be approximately 23,000 square feet in size, the spokesperson said, and will sell returned items along with discounted items in good condition “across a variety of product categories.”

The Naperville outlet store will join four other Wayfair outlet stores in Florence, Kentucky; San Marcos, Texas; Deer Park, New York; and Greensboro, North Carolina.

According to the site, all sales are final at Wayfair outlet stores, with the exception of appliances. The store will not accept returns from items purchased at the store or on the Wayfair website.

Customers will be responsible for loading purchased items into their vehicles, though associates can help bring items to the customer pick-up area, the site said. Holds are not allowed, and no cash is accepted, Wayfair said.

According to the spokesperson, the inventory of Naperville’s store will soon be able to be browsed via an e-catalog. However, products are currently only able to be purchased in store, the spokesperson said.

The new outlet store joins Wayfair’s new Wilmette store, at 3232 Lake Avenue in Eden’s Plaza. The 150,000-square-foot, purple-and-white store opened in May, following a two-year remodel of the mall’s former Carson Pirie Scott space.

In addition to more than 80,000 pieces of inventory, the Wilmette store includes an on-site restaurant that serves beer and wine.

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Illinois unclaimed property checks totaling $13.2M in the mail for thousands of residents, State Treasurer says

Nearly 140,000 people in Illinois have money in the form of an unclaimed property check waiting for them, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said in a press release last week.

According to the release, as many as 138,561 people — a “record-setting” amount — are set to receive a total of $13.2 million from Illinois’s Unclaimed Property program.

“All they have to do is cash the check,” the release said.

The recent checks, Frerichs said, are part of the latest round of the “Enhanced Money Match” program. The program allows the Treasure’s Office to “automatically” return money to individuals without them needing to file a claim, the release said.

The vast majority of the checks in this round are for between $50 and $100, the release said.

“Returning this money to its rightful owners will help make life a little bit easier for people,” Treasurer Frerichs said in the statement “At a time when we are all dealing with higher prices, it can pay for a couple bags of groceries or maybe a fill-up or two at the pump.”

How does Illinois’ missing money program work?

The state’s “Enhanced Money Match” program crossmatches data from the state with the State Treasurer’s unclaimed property database, the release said. The Frerichs’ office then matches and confirms names and mailing addresses and then subsequently sends a letter to the unclaimed property owner that contains the amount of unclaimed money, and the source.

Following a “quick, final review,” a check is issued to the owner the release said.

“All they have to do is watch for it in the mail a few weeks after the receive a letter from the State Treasurer’s Office,” the release said.

Don’t don’t forget to deposit the check, Frerichs’ office stressed.

The program is specifically designed for cash owed to a single person, the release said.

“Not included is cash owned by multiple parties, including a joint holding of a parent and minor child, as well as shares of stocks and bonds, escrow accounts, and the contents of bank safe deposit boxes,” the release added.

According to officials, the money match program is part of the office’s “Unclaimed Property” program, also known as I-Cash. Illinois currently holds more than $5 billion unclaimed property, the release said.

The release stressed that the treasurer is legally required to return unclaimed property to its rightful owners or heirs, “not matter how long it takes.”

How to check if you have unclaimed money in Illinois

While the money match program only applies to individuals, the state’s searchable I-Cash database can be found here. The database contains unclaimed property information for individuals, properties or businesses.

You can check the I-Cash database to see if you have unclaimed money here.

You can also visit the Comptroller’s website to check for unclaimed money here. The Office of the Comptroller currently has records of almost 150,000 uncashed checks worth over $50 million, the website said.

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Jerry Reinsdorf calls White Sox season ‘a failure' in letter to fans

After a season that saw the Chicago White Sox set a modern baseball record for losses, chairman Jerry Reinsdorf wrote a letter to fans, calling the campaign “a failure” and promising to act to improve the team’s fortunes.

The White Sox sit at 40-121 heading into the final day of the season, and are now the owners of the most losses in a single season since 1900.

With a search for a permanent manager on the way, and questions about the team’s talent evaluation process swirling, the team’s owner wrote a letter to fans addressing the rough season.

Here is Reinsdorf’s full letter:

 To White Sox Fans,

By all measures, our on-field performance this season was a failure. As the leader of this organization, that is my ultimate responsibility. There are no excuses.

I want to thank you for continuing to support the team throughout what was an embarrassing season. You all deserved better. This season’s performance was completely unacceptable and the varying reactions and emotions from our fanbase are completely understandable. 

While embracing new ideas and outside perspectives, we will do everything we can to fix this for 2025 and the future. This will include further development of players on our current roster, development within our system, evaluating the trade and free agent markets to improve our ballclub and new leadership for our analytics department, allowing us to elevate and improve every process within our organization with a focus for competing for championships. In fact, change has already been happening in our baseball operations group throughout this past year. When named general manager in 2023, Chris Getz and his staff immediately began conducting a top-to-bottom evaluation of our existing operations. Chris is rebuilding the foundation of our baseball operations department, with key personnel changes already happening in player development, international scouting, professional scouting and analytics. Some of these changes will be apparent quickly while others will need time to produce the results we all want to see at the major-league level.

Our organization’s most important decision in the coming months is to evaluate and identify a new manager and leadership voice for this organization. Chris is well underway with this search. He has identified the key attributes and preferences for our next manager and has already begun an exhaustive search with a wide range of candidates to lead the White Sox in the clubhouse and dugout.

Even in the worst of seasons, where at times it felt like nothing was going right, there were bright spots that provided reasons for optimism about our future. The overall health of our organization is improving. Our minor league rankings show this growth. The Class AA Birmingham Barons won the Southern League title, while Class A Kannapolis reached the finals of the Carolina League, and our organization has built an impressive future pool of very talented prospects.

Whether said out loud or written in a statement, words are easy. I understand we need to show our progress through action, and I commit to you that everyone associated with the White Sox is focused on returning this organization to the level of success we all expect and desire.

Above everything else, I am a fan, a fan of baseball, of Chicago and of the White Sox. Every loss this season — every blown save, every defensive miscue, every shutout, every sweep — hurt. It was a long, painful season for us all. We recognize, on a daily basis, that it is our responsibility to earn your trust, attention, time and support. We vow to take that approach daily as we put the work in this offseason to be better.

We owe it to each and every one of you.

Jerry Reinsdorf

The White Sox will have plenty of decisions to make this offseason, between a managerial search and decisions on the futures of players like Luis Robert and Garrett Crochet, both of whom could potentially be on the trade block.

That process will get underway immediately after the season, with the Sox aiming to launch their search for a permanent skipper. Grady Sizemore, the team’s interim manager, will get an opportunity to interview for the permanent job, according to GM Chris Getz.

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1 killed, 1 hurt in shooting at massive party near Illinois State's campus

A “pop-up party” near Illinois State University’s campus ended in gunfire on Sunday morning, with one person killed and another critically injured.

According to a statement by police, the party drew hundreds of individuals to an area near the 300 block of North Main Street.

As officers tried to disperse the crowd after 3 a.m., gunshots rang out nearby, sending police to the 300 block of North University.

When they arrived, they found two victims that had been hit by gunfire. Both were taken to area hospitals, with one victim pronounced dead and the other still in critical condition.

The investigation into the shooting remains active, according to authorities. No further information was immediately available.

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Biden and Harris call the Israeli strike killing Hezbollah's Nasrallah a ‘measure of justice'

The Israeli strike that killed Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah was a “measure of justice” for victims of a four-decade “reign of terror,” President Joe Biden said Saturday.

The comments came after Lebanon’s Hezbollah group confirmed earlier Saturday that Nasrallah, one of the group’s founders, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut the previous day.

Biden noted that the operation to take out Nasrallah took place in the broader context of the conflict that began with Hamas’ massacre of Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023.

“Nasrallah, the next day, made the fateful decision to join hands with Hamas and open what he called a ‘northern front’ against Israel,” Biden said in a statement.

He also noted that Hezbollah under Nasrallah’s watch has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans, Israelis and Lebanese.

Hezbollah attacks against U.S. interests include the truck bombing of the U.S. Embassy and multinational force barracks in Beirut in 1983 and the kidnapping of the Central Intelligence Agency chief of station in Beirut, who died while held captive. The U.S. said Hezbollah leaders armed and trained militias that carried out attacks on American forces during the war in Iraq.

The White House sees the death of Nasrallah as a huge blow to the group. At the same time, the administration has sought to tread carefully as it has tried to contain Israel ‘s war with Hamas, which, like Hezbollah, is backed by Iran, from exploding into an all-out regional conflict.

The White House and Pentagon were quick on Friday, shortly after the strike, to say publicly that Israel offered it no forewarning of the operation.

“President Biden and I do not want to see conflict in the Middle East escalate into a broader regional war,” Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement Saturday that echoed Biden’s description of a “measure of justice.” She added, “Diplomacy remains the best path forward to protect civilians and achieve lasting stability in the region.”

The confirmation of Nasrallah’s death comes during a week that began with Biden’s top national security aides working on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly to build support for a 21-day Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire that they hoped might also breathe new life into stalled efforts to secure a truce in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant speech Friday to the United Nations, vowing to keep up operations against Hezbollah until tens of thousands of Israeli citizens displaced by rocket attacks can return home. Shortly after, Israel carried out the strike killing Nasrallah.

Biden reiterated on Saturday that he wants to see cease-fires both in Gaza and between Israel and Hezbollah.

“It is time for these deals to close, for the threats to Israel to be removed, and for the broader Middle East region to gain greater stability,” Biden said.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States of supporting the killing that took out Nasrallah and dozens of others.

“The world community will not forget that the order of the terrorist strike was issued from New York and the Americans cannot absolve themselves from complicity with the Zionists,” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying in a statement read on Iranian state television.

The State Department on Saturday ordered the departure of the families of U.S. diplomats who are not employed by the embassy in Beirut and authorized the departure of those who are, as well as nonessential employees because of “the volatile and unpredictable security situation” in Lebanon’s capital.

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The State Department has previously advised American citizens to consider leaving Lebanon and reiterated its warning against all travel to the country.

“Due to the increased volatility following airstrikes within Beirut and the volatile and unpredictable security situation throughout Lebanon, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available,” the department said in a statement Saturday.

The State Department routinely orders or authorizes the departure of nonessential embassy staffers and the families of diplomats when security conditions deteriorate in the country where they are posted.

An ordered departure is not technically an evacuation but does require those affected to leave. An authorized departure allows those affected to leave the country voluntarily at government expense.

Biden, who was spending the weekend at his vacation home in Delaware, and Harris, who was campaigning in California, held a call with national security aides on Saturday to discuss the situation in the Middle East.

The president on Friday directed the Pentagon to assess and adjust as necessary the U.S. force posture in the region to enhance deterrence, ensure force protection and support the full range of U.S. objectives.

He called for the assessment after the Pentagon earlier in the week announced it was sending an unspecified number of additional U.S. troops to the region because of rising tensions.

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Candidates for Chicago Board of Education weigh in on leadership controversy

Come Election Day, Nov. 5, voters will get a chance to elect members to the Chicago Board of Education for the first time. With 37 days away until then, some candidates running made their pitch on Saturday to voters on the city’s South Side.

“The taxpayers are a big proponent of CPS whether they have kids or not,” said Lanetta Thomas. “They have all 300,000-plus kids in CPS, the taxpayers. Those are their children, because they’re paying for it.”

Thomas is running to represent the 9th District, spanning from Canaryville to Pullman. She’s facing three other opponents in the race, including Miquel Lewis.

“I tell you one distinct thing that sets me apart from all other candidates is that I actually have background in serving on this Board of Education,” said Lewis.

The board currently has seven members and will soon expand to 21 next year. Its duties and responsibilities include hiring and evaluating the CEO.

Pedro Martinez, who is serving in that role, was asked last week to resign by Mayor Brandon Johnson, multiple sources said. An additional candidate, La’Mont Raymond Williams, in an interview with NBC Chicago, weighed in on the strain between the two.

“I think it’s unfortunate, because right now the district itself can’t really afford more distractions than it already has with its budget deficit,” said Williams.

The district is facing a $500 million budget deficit. The conflict between Johnson and Martinez stems from a $300 million short-term loan to cover a new teachers union contract. Therese Boyle, another candidate, questioned the timing of the calls for Martinez to resign in the midst of negotiations.

“I don’t know. That seems kinda, like, a little risky, and the other thing is if he was having such trouble doing his job—how come we didn’t make the switch, like at the end of last school year?” said Boyle.

The four candidates told NBC Chicago they’re independent and believe their experiences can help shape the board as they wait to see how everything will play out with leadership at the top. 

More than 30 candidates are running in 10 different districts. Each district will be represented by two members—one elected and one appointed by the mayor before transitioning to a fully elect board in 2027.

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Days after conviction on corruption charges, Ford Heights mayor announces resignation

Days after he was convicted in a corruption case, the mayor of Ford Heights has submitted his resignation, officials say.

“He’s gone,” village attorney Michael Stuttley said Thursday about Mayor Charles Griffin, who was convicted by a Cook County judge earlier this week of embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from the tiny, cash-strapped south suburb. “I saw his letter of resignation.”

Referring to Griffin’s fellow village board members, Stuttley said the resignation will be formalized “once they accept” it in coming days.

Griffin couldn’t be reached. His criminal defense attorney, Phillip Turner, said he hadn’t heard of the resignation but “I’m not surprised, because state law is pretty clear on this — it says when you’re convicted, you’re done, you’re finished” in elected office.

Turner plans to file court papers soon seeking to reverse the guilty verdict handed down Monday by Judge James Obbish.

“He’s going to fight this till the death,” Turner said of Griffin, adding that his client is innocent and there were a host of questionable issues at trial and during the investigation.

Among them, according to records and interviews, authorities allegedly wired up a disbarred former Ford Heights municipal attorney, who then called Griffin and asked him about a blighted property giveaway program in town, and whether the mayor ever profited from it.

Griffin told the caller “hell no,” and that “should have been it” with the investigation, Turner said. “But they started looking for something else,” and ended up charging Griffin in 2018 with embezzling taxpayer money and using it for personal gain. Those charges resulted in his conviction.

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office, which prosecuted Griffin, declined comment, calling the case “pending litigation.”

Griffin was mayor of Ford Heights from 2009 to 2017, when he was defeated by Annie Coulter. After taking office, she found financial irregularities and “made a report” that “prompted the investigation,” records show. Griffin then ran again in 2021 and ousted Coulter.

Griffin’s conviction on theft could carry a sentence of probation or up to 15 years in prison, prosecutors say. His official misconduct conviction could also carry probation or up to five years in prison. Griffin is slated for sentencing next month.

Asked whether she’s happy with the conclusion of the case, Coulter said Thursday, “Whether I’m glad or not, that’s hard to say.”

“I don’t want to see anyone go to jail,” she said. “I wish he had been a little more honest with me, but the things I found, he wasn’t honest about.”

Asked whether she might run for mayor again in next year’s election, Coulter said, “I have to talk it over with my family . . . don’t rule me out though.”

As for who will fill Griffin’s position, the village board is expected to decide soon, possibly at a Saturday meeting. Trustee Tina McMichaels appears to be the most senior village board member, but Griffin’s allies are said to be rallying around someone else to replace him.

Among the trustees set to vote on the matter is Jimmy Viverette, who said authorities recently sent him a letter saying he must step down because of a prior criminal conviction. He said he plans to leave around the end of the month, “but it’s all good, I did a good job and, even though Griffin was convicted, I don’t justify what he did, but you have to look at the good this young man did.”

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What does it mean when you see a teal pumpkin outside a home on Halloween?

Halloween may still be over a month away, but costume shopping and planning for trick-or-treating is likely well underway for those looking forward to the spooky holiday.

While candy is the focus for most houses offering sweet treats on Oct. 31, some houses may be displaying a teal pumpkin — and it’s more than just a decoration.

According to FARE — Food Allergy and Research Education — teal-colored pumpkins are part of a national effort called the “Teal Pumpkin Project” to make Halloween more safe for children with food allergies.

“Placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep signals that, in addition to candy, you offer non-food trinkets and treats that are safe for all trick or treaters,” FARE’s website states.

According to FARE, one in 13 children has a potentially life-threatening food allergy, and many others are impacted by food intolerances or other digestive conditions.

And since many of the popular Halloween candies contain some of the most common food allergies — nuts, milk, egg, soy or wheat — the effort, which launched in 2012, has grown.

“The number of children with food allergies has risen dramatically over the past 20 years, and the Teal Pumpkin Project brings the community together to ensure a safe and inclusive Halloween for all trick-or-treaters,” FARE President & CEO Tiffany Leon, RD, said.

How The Teal Pumpkin Project works

Place a teal-colored pumpkin outside on your porch or doorstep to signify that you have non-food or allergen-free treats in addition to or in place of traditional candy.

If you’re offering both, make sure to place the candy in a separate container.

If your child has food allergies, get them a teal-colored treat bucket.

FARE also provides free downloadable Teal Pumpkin Project signs for those who want to participate. Just print out this PDF.

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Map of homes with a teal-colored pumpkin

Before heading out to go trick-or-treating this year, you can check the Teal Pumpkin Project Map to see which houses near you are participating. You can also submit your house to the map as well, if you are offering allergy-friendly treats.

Not all homes that participate however add their location to the map — so the best way to know is to look out for that teal-colored pumpkin outside.

Where to get a teal-colored pumpkin

According to FARE, teal pumpkin project supplies can be found at drug stores like CVS. Target also carries teal pumpkins and teal pumpkin signs that very clearly indicate that a home is offering allergy-free alternatives.

What are some ideas for non-food treats?

Here’s a list of ideas:

• Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
• Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
• Fun erasers or pencil toppers
• Bubbles
• Mini Slinkies
• Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers
• Bouncy balls
• Finger puppets
• Plastic spider rings
• Vampire fangs
• Monster fingers
• Mini notepads
• Playing cards
• Bookmarks
• Stickers
• Stencils
• Mini Play-doh
• Mardi-gras beads
• Finger skateboard
• Slime or silly putty
• Cat ears
• Masks
• Stamps
• Novelty glasses

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Things to do in Chicago this weekend: Sept. 27-29

Hyde Park Jazz Festival

WHAT: The 18th annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival celebrates creativity and community this year with 36 performances.
WHERE: Various venues in Hyde Park
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 28 – Sunday, Sept. 29

Chicago Gourmet

WHAT: “Fashion, Plated” is the theme of this year’s Chicago Gourmet, with a delicious culinary fashion show featuring several events throughout the weekend.
WHERE: Millennium Park and other locations
WHEN: Through Sunday, Sept. 29

Oktoberfest Chicago

WHAT: The 22nd annual Oktoberfest Chicago, featuring traditional Bavarian cuisine, craft beer and live entertainment
WHERE: St. Alphonsus Church, 1429 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 27 – Sunday, Sept. 20

Lyric Opera of Chicago: ‘Rigoletto’

WHAT: Lyric Opera of Chicago opens its 2024/2025 season with Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto, based on a play by Victor Hugo.
WHERE: Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago
WHEN: On stage through Sunday, Oct. 6

Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert

WHAT: The next chapter of the Oscar-winning Spider-Verse Saga Concert Series, known for groundbreaking soundtracks, comes to Chicago for two shows.
WHERE: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 28

‘Ain’t Too Proud’ – The Life and Times of The Temptations

WHAT:  “Ain’t Too Proud” follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
WHERE: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 24 – Sunday, Sept. 29

MALEVO

WHAT: As seen on America’s Got Talent, Argentinian male dance group MALEVO offers a high energy, percussive performance based on the traditional Malambo folk dance associated with gauchos.
WHERE: The McAninch Arts Center (MAC), 425 Fawell Blvd. Glen Ellyn, IL
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 28

Chicago Salsa Festival

WHAT: The Chicago Salsa Festival features several big name performers, like Willie Colon, El Gran Combo and more.
WHERE: Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 28

Kings of Leon

WHAT: The rock band Kings of Leon bring their “Can We Please Have Fun” Tour to Chicago.
WHERE: Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S. Linn White Dr., Chicago
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 28

Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)

WHAT: The iconic band, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, is currently on its final tour, dubbed “The Over & Out Tour.”
WHERE: United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 27-Saturday, Sept. 28

Gold Over America

WHAT: Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour, starring Simone Biles and America’s best gymnasts, an event designed to inspire the next generation of champions.
WHERE: United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 30

‘Live & Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney’ featuring Tony Kishman

WHAT: For six years, Tony Kishman starred in Beatlemania, and Beatlemaniacs rave about his visual and vocal resemblance to Paul McCartney.
WHERE: The Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St, Des Plaines
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 27

‘Oliver!’

WHAT: HOTT Productions, NFP (Helping Others Through Theatre), presents “Oliver.”
WHERE: Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Ct., Schaumburg
WHEN: Friday, Sept.  27-Saturday, Sept. 28

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Man found guilty in connection to murder of Bradley police sergeant

A man who was accused of killing a suburban Bradley police sergeant with her own weapon in December 2021 was found guilty in her murder by a Kankakee County jury Thursday after approximately 70 minutes of deliberation.

Darius Sullivan, who was 25 at the time of the killing, was found guilty on counts of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer and three counts of endangering the life of a child.

Sullivan shot Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic to death after officers responded to a noise complaint regarding barking dogs inside a parked car near a hotel on Dec. 29, 2021.

Rittmanic’s partner, Officer Tyler Bailey, discovered the vehicle belonged to Xandria Harris, a person who was with Sullivan at the time of the killing and also faced charges.

Harris was an acquaintance of Bailey’s, and met Rittmanic in the hotel lobby and asked if any rooms were booked under Harris’ or Sullivan’s names.

The hotel employee sent the officers to room 308, which was booked by Sullivan, who was wanted on outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court and had previously fled from Bradley officers who had tried to detain him on the warrants, Rowe said.

The officers didn’t receive a response from the room after their initial knock around 10:13 p.m. About a minute later, officers knocked again — this time with Bailey loudly saying, “It’s the Police Department” and asking Harris to exit the room to address the complaint about the noisy dogs, Rowe said. Harris allegedly responded, “Yes,” and indicated she would be coming out of the room.

The officers knocked on the door at least three more times over the span of several minutes, telling Harris to come out, Rowe said. Each time, she responded saying she was coming.

After about 14 minutes of waiting, Harris tried to squeeze herself through the door and close it allegedly in an attempt to prevent officers from taking Sullivan into custody.

Rittmanic and her partner both repeatedly asked Harris to stop blocking the doorway, Rowe said. Eventually, Sullivan came around the corner in the hotel room armed with a 9mm handgun equipped with a drum clip, prosecutors said.

As Harris struggled with the officers, Sullivan pointed the gun and shot Bailey in the head, Rowe said. He then allegedly turned the gun to Rittmanic and shot at her as she tried to run away.

Sullivan allegedly chased Rittmanic down the hallway before pinning her against a door. Sullivan struggled to unjam his gun using his right hand and mouth while also trying to disarm Rittmanic with his left hand, Rowe said.

As the scuffle ensued, Sullivan called out to Harris, telling her to “cock the gun, cock the gun,” prosecutors said. Harris joined Sullivan, helping him successfully disarm Rittmanic.

The two then stood over Rittmanic pointing guns at her as she laid on the floor, already shot once, Rowe said. She begged Sullivan not to shoot her.

“Sgt. Rittmanic was pleading with them to, ‘Just leave, you don’t have to do this, please just go, please don’t, please don’t,’” Rowe said. “She was desperately pleading for her life.”

With Harris holding Sullivan’s gun, Sullivan allegedly fired two shots from what prosecutors believe to be Rittmanic’s gun, striking the sergeant in the neck area.

After the shooting, Harris handed Sullivan keys and told him, “You have to go,” Rowe said. Sullivan fled down the hotel’s stairwell before leaving in a vehicle. Meanwhile, Harris retreated to the hotel room, where she gathered her belongings and got her two children, who were in the room at the time, before fleeing, Rowe said.

Rittmanic, 49, and Bailey, 27, were taken to hospitals in critical condition, and Rittmanic later died, police said. Bailey remained in intensive care until late January 2022.

Sullivan was arrested without incident about 9 a.m. by the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force after he walked out of a home in North Manchester, Indiana, a town about 35 miles west of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Harris, accompanied by her attorney, surrendered at the Bradley Police Department about seven hours after Sullivan’s arrest.

During her bond hearing, Rowe said Harris “actively assisted and enabled Darius Sullivan throughout the course of the murder of Sgt. Rittmanic and [attempted] murder of officer Bailey, and she is equally responsible.”

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Ex-Vikings QB Tommy Kramer says he has dementia

 Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer has been diagnosed with dementia, he announced on social media.

The 69-year-old Kramer, who played 13 of his 14 seasons in the NFL with the Vikings and made the Pro Bowl after leading the league in passer rating in 1986, posted on his X account Wednesday that he was formally diagnosed with the cognitive decline a little more than year ago at the Cleveland Clinic as part of a health and wellness program for former NFL players.

Kramer said he was inspired to share about his condition after the revelation Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre made Tuesday during a congressional hearing that he has Parkinson’s disease. Kramer said his doctors told him at his one-year checkup that the dementia hasn’t advanced and that he has stopped consuming alcohol to better cope with it.

“Please, no sympathy,” Kramer wrote. “I’ve lived a great life and wouldn’t change a thing. Nobody wanted to win more than me and I never gave up, and that’s exactly how I’m going to battle this.”

Kramer, a native of San Antonio, was drafted in the first round out of Rice by the Vikings in 1977. He was given the nickname “Two-Minute Tommy” for his late-game success, most famously a 46-yard Hail Mary pass for a touchdown in 1980 that was tipped and caught with one hand by Ahmad Rashad to cap a comeback victory over Cleveland that clinched a division title for Minnesota. Kramer passed for 456 yards and four touchdowns in that game.

Kramer is second in Vikings history in passing yards, behind Hall of Fame member Fran Tarkenton, but much of his career was interrupted by injuries. He became the starter in 1979, the only season in which he played all 16 games. Kramer played his final NFL season in 1990 for New Orleans.

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Midway Airport's premium lounge opens to public. Here's a glimpse inside

Travelers will get their first look at Midway Airport’s first-ever premium lounge this week, as Chicago officials held a grand opening ceremony on Wednesday.

The lounge, known as “Club MDW,” will open Thursday near Gate B1 as part of the airport’s Central Market, according to a press release from the Chicago Department of Aviation.

Mayor Brandon Johnson and other dignitaries enjoyed the new lounge on Wednesday, the first in the nearly-100 year history of the airport.

“Midway International Airport is an essential gateway for our city, and The Club MDW is a key part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the travel experience here in Chicago for leisure and business passengers,” Johnson said in a statement. “Our commitment to investing in Midway reflects our mission to continue delivering a world-class experience that meets the needs of all travelers.”

Photo Credit: Chicago Department of Aviation

According to CDA officials, access to the lounge will be available via a day pass, which can be purchased for $50. Passes are also available via a variety of platforms, including Priority Pass and LoungeKey.

The lounge has a capacity of nearly 100 people according to officials, and will be open 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to the press release.

Photo Credit: Chicago Department of Aviation

Beers from Revolution Brewing and Two Brothers will be available at the bar in the lounge, along with locally sourced menu items, according to officials.

More information can be found on the Club MDW website.

Photo Credit: Chicago Department of Aviation

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The US government's free COVID test kit website has a new message — again. Here's what we know

A government website meant to provide information on ordering free COVID test kits from the United States Postal Service has a new message — again.

The updated message comes one day after the website redirected to the USPS, and two days after the page was laden with error messages.

As of Wednesday, Sept. 25, the website COVIDtests.gov led users to a message from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response, an organization part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services which oversees COVID testing.

“Coming soon!” the site said. “Order your free COVID-19 tests at the end of September 2024.”

The message went on to say that “starting in late September,” every U.S. household would be eligible to order four free test kits through the site COVIDtests.gov.

“Please come back in late September to order your free test kits,” the message concluded.

Tuesday, the website COVIDtests.gov had led to a USPS site, though orders weren’t available to be placed.

“Reopening,” the message on the site said Tuesday. “This program for ordering free at-home COVID-19 tests will restart in late September 2024.”

“Come back to place your order in late September 2024,” the message continued, saying that kits would be available “while supplies last.”

The message also encouraged residents to check the expiration dates of any current kits, as the shelf life of many had been extended.

Monday, the COVIDtests.gov website was down altogether.

Many who tried to access the webpage received error messages. For some, a message later read “Coming soon! Order your free COVID-19 Tests at the end of September 2024,” before another error code appeared.

The message left many questioning when the kits would officially open for ordering as fall and winter virus season approaches, and a new COVID variant raises questions.

The U.S. Health and Human Services agency that oversees COVID testing had not announced an exact date for ordering to begin, recently saying only that it would start back up in “late September, 2024.”

The agency did not immediately respond to NBC Chicago’s request for comment.

What to know about the new round of free at-home COVID tests

The tests will detect current virus strains and can be ordered ahead of the holiday season when family and friends gather for celebrations, an HHS spokesperson said in an earlier emailed statement. Over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home tests typically cost around $11, as of last year.

The program restart comes as the government is once again urging people to get an updated COVID-19 booster, ahead of the fall and winter respiratory virus season. U.S. regulators recently approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine that is designed to combat the recent virus strains and, hopefully, forthcoming winter ones, too. Vaccine uptake is waning, however. Most Americans have some immunity from prior infections or vaccinations, but data shows under a quarter of U.S. adults took last fall’s COVID-19 shot.

The Biden administration has given out 1.8 billion COVID-19 tests, including half distributed to households by mail. It’s unclear how many tests the feds have on hand.

Tens of billions of tax-payer dollars have been used to develop COVID-19 tests, vaccines and treatments.

Here’s what else you should know:

What are the symptoms?

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Altered sense of smell
• Congestion
• Fever or chills
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Recent reports have centered on specific gastrointestinal symptoms and COVID.

Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, a scientific consultant for the CDC and epidemiologist, said “gastrointestinal issues including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea” have been previously identified as possible symptoms of COVID-19.

“We do not have specific data about the incidence of GI symptoms with the current strains of the virus, but COVID-19 symptoms can certainly differ based on the variant and the individual,” Jetelina told NBC Chicago in July.

Last year, a Chicago-area doctor said she’s noticed shifts in the most common symptoms her patients reported as the JN.1 variant rose to dominance.

Dr. Chantel Tinfang, a family medicine physician with Sengstacke Health Center at Provident Hospital of Cook County, noted at the time that many of the cases she saw reported less of the fever, body aches and chills, and presented more with sore throat, fatigue and coughing.

“We still see some patients experiencing decreased appetite, a loss of taste or smell. So it kind of depends,” she said. “One patient was just very, very tired. Like she couldn’t really do much. And that’s when you know … it’s different. It’s not just coughing and shortness of breath. We still see that though.”

She suggested consulting with your doctor if your symptoms don’t begin to improve outside of the recommended isolation period.

How long does COVID last?

As for timing, symptoms can last for several days, but in some cases, even longer.

“Some people who have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions (PCC),” according to the CDC.

Such symptoms can last for weeks and possibly even years.

Previous timing guidelines centered around five to 10 days, however.

What to do if you test positive?

In March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its COVID guidelines to mirror guidance for other respiratory infections. Those who contracted COVID-19 no longer need to stay away from others for five days, the CDC said, effectively nixing the five-day isolation recommendation.

People can return to work or regular activities if their symptoms are mild and improving and it’s been a day since they’ve had a fever, but the CDC still recommends those with symptoms stay home.

“The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication,” the guidance states.

Once activities are resumed, the CDC still recommends “additional prevention strategies” for an additional five days, including wearing a mask and keeping distance from others.

The agency is emphasizing that people should still try to prevent infections in the first place, by getting vaccinated, washing their hands, and taking steps to bring in more outdoor fresh air.

As part of the guidance, the CDC suggests:

• Staying up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.
• Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
• Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors. 

The change comes at a time when COVID-19 is no longer the public health menace it once was. It dropped from being the nation’s third leading cause of death early in the pandemic to 10th last year.

Most people have some degree of immunity to the coronavirus from past vaccinations or from infections. And many people are not following the five-day isolation guidance anyway, some experts say.

What to know about new XEC variant

According to Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California, the XEC variant “appears to be the most likely one to get legs next.”

At this juncture, the XEC variant appears to be the most likely one to get legs next. Its current status nicely tracked by @Mike_Honey_ 's threadhttps://t.co/4AnLa3MXfz

— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) September 15, 2024

Topol reported the subvariant is a “recombinant of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3” variants and has been “showing up in many countries with a growth advantage.” He added, however, that it could take time to learn the variant’s full extent.

The variant’s rise comes from a recent mutation, Topol told the LA Times.

While KP.3, nicknamed the FLuQE variant, and its subvariant KP.3.1.1, or the deFLuQE variant, each had mutations of their own, XEC took the mutation even further, making it a “very pathogenic, very immune evasive variant.”

He noted that it could be behind a recent wave that is sickening people who otherwise may not have contracted COVID.

The variant’s prominence remains largely abroad, with XEC still not widely detected enough to make it on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention variant proportions data tracker.

According to the CDC estimates, the dominant variant in the U.S. is still KP.3.1.1, which represents more than half of COVID cases currently.

Data reported over the weekend showed the highest percentages of the variant seen in Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK.

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Israel says it killed a Hezbollah commander as the two sides exchange more strikes

The Israeli military said it killed a top Hezbollah commander Tuesday as part of a two-day bombing campaign that has left more than 560 people dead and prompted thousands in southern Lebanon to seek refuge from the widening conflict.

With the two sides on the brink of all-out war, Hezbollah launched dozens of rockets into Israel, targeting an explosives factory and sending families into bomb shelters.

Families that fled southern Lebanon flocked to Beirut and the coastal city of Sidon, sleeping in schools turned into shelters, as well as in cars, parks and along the beach. Some sought to flee the country, causing a traffic jam at the border with Syria.

Issa Baydoun fled the village of Shihine when it was bombed and drove to Beirut with his extended family. They slept in vehicles on the side of the road because the shelters were full.

“We struggled a lot on the road just to get here,” said Baydoun, who rejected Israel’s contention that it hit only military targets. “We evacuated our homes because Israel is targeting civilians and attacking them.”

Israel-Hamas War Sep 23

Lebanon sees deadliest day of conflict since 2006 as Israeli strikes kill 492

Lebanon Sep 23

What to know about the growing conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah

Well-wishers offered empty apartments or rooms in their houses in social media posts. Volunteers set up a kitchen to cook for the displaced at an empty Beirut gas station that first became a hub for volunteers after a devastating port explosion in 2020.

Israel said late Tuesday that fighter jets carried out “extensive strikes” on Hezbollah weapons and rocket launchers across southern Lebanon and in the Bekaa region to the north.

Asked about the duration of Israel’s operations in Lebanon, military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said at a news conference that it aims to keep them “as short as possible, that’s why we’re attacking with great force. At the same time, we must be prepared for it to take longer.”

Tensions between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah have steadily escalated over the last 11 months. Hezbollah has been firing rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and its ally Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed militant group.

Israel has responded with increasingly heavy airstrikes and the targeted killing of Hezbollah commanders while threatening a wider operation.

Israel said a strike in Beirut Tuesday had killed Ibrahim Kobeisi, who it said was a top Hezbollah commander with the group's rocket and missile unit. Military officials said Kobeisi was responsible for launches towards Israel and planned a 2000 attack in which three Israeli soldiers were kidnapped and killed.

It was the latest in a string of assassinations and setbacks for Hezbollah, the strongest political and military actor in Lebanon and widely considered the top paramilitary force in the Arab world. The militant group offered no immediate comment on the Israeli claims.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said six people were killed and 15 were wounded in the strike in a southern Beirut suburb, an area where Hezbollah has a strong presence. The country’s National News Agency said the attack destroyed three floors of a six-story apartment building.

The U.N.’s High Commissioner for Refugees in Lebanon said one of its staffers and her young son were among those killed Monday in the Bekaa region, while a cleaner under contract was killed in a strike in the south.

Hezbollah said it launched missiles at eight sites in Israel, including an explosives factory in Zichron Yaakov, 37 miles from the border.

Hagari, the Israeli military spokesman, said 300 rockets were fired at Israel on Tuesday, injuring six soldiers and civilians, most of them lightly.

The renewed exchange came after Monday's barrages racked up the highest death toll in any single day in Lebanon since Israel and Hezbollah fought a bruising monthlong war in 2006.

On Tuesday, mourners carried 11 bodies through the streets of the Lebanese village of Saksakieh, some 25 miles north of the Lebanon-Israel border, including those of four women, an infant and an 7-year-old girl. All were killed in Israel’s bombardment of the village Monday.

Some of the bodies were draped in Hezbollah flags, others wrapped in black clothes. A wreath of flowers was placed on top of the smallest one.

Mohammad Halal, father of 7-year-old Joury Halal, said his daughter was an “innocent child martyr.”

“She is a martyr for the sake of the south and Palestine,” Halal said and defiantly stated his allegiance to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Israel said it targeted sites where Hezbollah had stored weapons. Data from American fire-tracking satellites analyzed Tuesday by The Associated Press showed the wide range of Israeli airstrikes aimed at southern Lebanon, covering an area of over 650 square miles.

NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System typically is used to track U.S. wildfires, but can also be used to track the flashes and burning that follow airstrikes. Data from Monday showed significant fires across southern Lebanon and in the Bekaa Valley.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said at least 564 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since Monday, including 50 children and 94 women, and that more than 1,800 have been wounded — a staggering toll for a country still reeling from a deadly attack on communication devices last week.

Nearly a year of fighting between Hezbollah and Israel had displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border before this week's escalation. Israel has vowed to do whatever it takes to ensure its citizens can return to their homes in the north, while Hezbollah has said it will keep up its rocket attacks until there is a cease-fire in Gaza, which appears increasingly remote.

The Israeli military says it has no immediate plans for a ground invasion but is prepared for one, after moving thousands of troops who had been serving in Gaza to the northern border. It says Hezbollah has launched some 9,000 rockets and drones into Israel since last October, including 250 on Monday alone.

The military said Israeli warplanes struck 1,600 Hezbollah targets Monday, destroying cruise missiles, long- and short-range rockets and attack drones, including weapons concealed in private homes.

Israel estimates Hezbollah has some 150,000 rockets and missiles, including guided missiles and long-range projectiles capable of striking anywhere in Israel.

Monday's escalation came after a particularly heavy exchange of fire Sunday. Hezbollah launched around 150 rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel in retaliation for strikes that killed a top commander and dozens of fighters.

Last week, thousands of communications devices, used mainly by Hezbollah members, exploded in different parts of Lebanon, killing 39 people and wounding nearly 3,000, many of them civilians. Lebanon blamed Israel, but Israel did not confirm or deny responsibility.

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Weird Al Yankovic to stop in Chicago suburbs on newly-announced 2025 tour

Iconic 1990s musician “Weird” Al Yankovic, known for his parodies of popular songs, will hit the tour circuit in 2025, with a stop at a venue in a Chicago suburb.

The “Bigger & Weirder” tour will kick off in Las Vegas in June of 2025, according to an announcement. Sunday, June 29, the Yankovic is set to play at Ravinia Festival in suburban Highland Park, according to his website. Fans interested in purchasing tickets can sign up for alerts when the on-sale date arrives.

The iconic artist will also appear at White River State Park in Indianapolis on July 3, and will circle back into the Midwest on Sept. 12 when he performs in Madison, Wisconsin, in Columbus, Ohio and Kalamazoo, Michigan.

There are several open dates on the tour’s schedule, with more information to be released at a later date.

Yankovic recently released a new single called “Polkamania,” which included portions of songs from Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and several others.

Over the years he has captured five Grammy Awards, including Best Comedy Recording for his song “Eat It,” a parody of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” He also won a Primetime Emmy for his film “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,” which starred Daniel Radcliffe and was released to rave reviews.

His most recent album “Mandatory Fun” was released in July 2014 and hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 200, his first album to top that chart.

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Is McDonald's bringing back Boo Buckets for 2024? What we know as rumors swirl

With September almost over, spooky season is nearly here — but will McDonald’s beloved Halloween Boo Buckets return for 2024?

As of Monday, Sept. 23, the Chicago-based burger chain has not made an announcement as to whether the popular pails would return for the 2024 Halloween season. However, rumors are abuzz online, with food bloggers appearing to have leaked this year’s design — and some fans are not lovin’ it.

A Sept. 5 post from the Instagram food blog account Snackolater claims that Boo Buckets are returning to McDonald’s stores for 2024, but with a “whole new look from the last few years.”

The post goes on to say that the buckets pictured in the photo may not be the exact ones coming to U.S. stores.

First introduced in 1986, the trick-or-treat pails, known as “Boo Buckets,” were a Happy Meal staple of the spooky season for several years before they “vanished for a while.” Following a prolonged absence, three iconic, throwback buckets returned for 2022 on Oct. 18.

They also returned in 2023, with the same throwback designs — Monster, Skeleton, Mummy — plus a purple Vampire bucket, a nod to the “OG purple Boo Bucket.”

The rumored designs for 2024 appear to stray away from Boo Buckets of years past, leaving some on social media to long for the nostalgic ones.

“I think you all misunderstood why we liked the boo buckets thing,” one commenter wrote on Snackolater’s post. “We like the nostalgia.”

“Meh,” another said. “its the nostalgia we want!”

In previous years, McDonald’s has announced if Boo Buckets will return — and what they will look like — in early October, with the buckets in stores beginning in mid-October while supplies last.

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Ex-Chicago Ald. Ed Burke to begin serving 2-year prison sentence Monday

Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, the longest-serving alderman in city history, will report to federal prison on Monday to start serving his sentence after being convicted on corruption charges.

Burke, 80, will serve his two-year sentence at the minimum security camp at the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute, Indiana.

In June, Burke was sentenced to two years in prison and a $2 million fine after he was convicted of illegally using his power to win private law business from developers to threatening one of Chicago’s cultural icons for his own benefit. The court set the financial value of the crimes was set at $215,000, which came with a federal recommended sentence of 78-to-97 months.

Federal prosecutors, in a 51-page court filing, pushed for a 10-year prison sentence, which would have amounted to one of the harshest public corruption sentences handed down in the city’s federal court in the last decade.

“He abused and exploited his office by pursuing his own personal and financial interests over a course of years,” prosecutors wrote in the memo. “Again and again, Burke used his significant political power to solicit and receive bribes from entities with business before the City of Chicago — all so he could obtain legal business for his private law firm.”

Meanwhile, Burke’s lawyers asked a judge to give him no prison time, which they say would “be a powerful and just expression of mercy for an 80-year-old man in the twilight of his life who has given so much of himself to so many and for so many years.”

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