chicagotimesmagazine

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Jazz Maestro and Film Composer Lalo Schifrin Passes Away at 93

By Chicago Times Magazine – June 27, 2025 Lalo Schifrin, the acclaimed Argentine-American composer, pianist, arranger, and conductor, passed away on June 26, 2025, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 93. Born in Buenos Aires in 1932, Schifrin was a prodigious musical talent from a young age, steeped in both classical music and jazz. His career spanned over six decades, leaving an…

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D-Day: Breach of the Atlantic Wall

By Chicago Times Magazine – June 6, 2025 June 6, 1944. A date etched into the annals of history, a day that marked the beginning of the end for Nazi tyranny in Western Europe. D-Day, the largest amphibious invasion ever undertaken, saw Allied forces storm the beaches of Normandy, France, in a monumental gamble for freedom.   For years, the Allied powers had debated and meticulously planned the…

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McHenry County Sees Alarming Surge in Suspected Opioid Overdoses

By Chicago Times Magazine – March 5, 2025 A significant increase in suspected overdose deaths and non-fatal opioid overdoses has prompted the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) to issue an urgent public health alert. The surge, observed over the past four weeks, has raised serious concerns among local health officials. While official toxicology reports are pending to confirm the…

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The Berners Street Hoax: The Rankest Prank of the Regency Era

By Chicago Times Magazine – November 27, 2024 In the foppish days of the Regency Era, some events stand out not for their gravity or global impact, but for their sheer ingenuity and the chaos they sowed. One such incident, the Berners Street Hoax, remains a testament to the wit and audacity of its mastermind, Theodore Hook.   In the year 1809, London was a city abuzz with social activity and…

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FAA Approves SpaceX Starship Super Heavy Project at Boca Chica

By Chicago Times Magazine – October 12, 2024 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted SpaceX approval to launch its Starship Super Heavy rocket from the Boca Chica Launch Site in Texas. The approval comes after an environmental review process and addresses concerns raised by environmental groups and local residents. The Starship Super Heavy is a reusable spacecraft designed to…

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Construction Workers Targeted

By Joseph B. Accardo, Chicago Times Magazine – September 21, 2024 Now, I am not one to complain about how some need to earn on the street, but this new trend of armed robbers targeting construction workers on the South Side is just downright disgraceful. It’s another slap in the face to everyone who’s ever put in an honest day’s work. These poor guys are just trying to make a living, build a…

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Villa Park Man Given 70 Years For Murder

By Chicago Times Magazine – September 13, 2024 A Villa Park man was sentenced to 70 years in prison on Thursday for the murder of his girlfriend in May 2021. Marco-Antonio Rubio, 29, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in March 2024. According to DuPage County State’s Attorney, Robert Berlin, the 24-year-old female victim was found stabbed to death in her home on May 19, 2021. Rubio had been…

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Wauconda Man Arrested After DUI Crash

By Chicago Times Magazine – September 1, 2024 A Wauconda man was arrested on August 28, 2024, after allegedly driving under the influence and causing a traffic crash on Route 22 near Old McHenry Road in Long Grove. The driver then allegedly fled the scene on foot. According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the crash after receiving a 911 call around 3:25 pm. The…

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Colonel Williams Selected As Illinois Army National Guard Commander

By Chicago Times Magazine – August 30, 2024 Governor JB Pritzker announced the selection of Colonel Lenny Williams as the next Assistant Adjutant General – Army of the Illinois National Guard and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard. With this appointment, Colonel Williams will be promoted to Brigadier General.   Brigadier General Williams will serve as one of two Governor-appointed…

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City Of Chicago Faces Growing Budget Deficits

By Chicago Times Magazine – August 30, 2024 The City of Chicago today released its 2025 Budget Forecast, a comprehensive financial plan outlining the city’s projected revenues, expenditures, and fiscal challenges for the next three years. The forecast, based on historical data and current economic trends, paints a concerning picture of the city’s financial health. According to the forecast,…

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A Personal Observation: Amazon's Local Connection

By Chicago Times Magazine – August 30, 2024 While driving around the Chicago area, our staff noticed a growing trend: Amazon delivery trucks allegedly being serviced at local auto repair shops. This is a departure from the traditional model of large, centralized repair facilities. It’s a testament to Amazon’s commitment to cutting costs and strengthening community ties. The benefits of this…

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New Mob Economy Calls For Street Named For Capone

By Al Brown, Chicago Times Magazine – August 24, 2024 In a city steeped in a history of corruption and organized crime the question of naming a major thoroughfare after Al Capone should be an easy “yes” and not provocative one. Why? Because Chicago and Illinois have embraced the burgeoning legal gambling and cannabis industries, or what many like to call the mob economy.  Capone would be…

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Cézanne's "Le pain et les œufs"

By Chicago Times Magazine – August 24, 2024 Paul Cézanne, a master of the post-Impressionist movement, often challenged traditional artistic conventions. One of his most iconic works, “Le pain et les œufs,” is a testament to his innovative approach. This seemingly simple still life is a revolutionary piece that laid the groundwork for modern art. At first glance, “Le pain et les œufs” appears…

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Near North Side Robbery

By Chicago Times Magazine – August 22, 2024 The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the busy streets on the Near North Side of Chicago. An old man, 75-year-old Jacob, was strolling along West Chicago Avenue, lost in thought of the times when he was young and the wife he loved that had died. Suddenly, he felt a cold sensation at the back of his neck. A voice, low and menacing, demanded his…

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Back to Gold: A Shiny Solution To Monetary Madness

By Chicago Times Magazine – August 11, 2024 In the relentless barrage of television commercials, one theme has become increasingly pervasive: the urgent plea to buy gold. These ads paint a picture of impending financial doom, where the only salvation lies in a gleaming, tangible asset. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with diversifying one’s investment portfolio, the incessant drumbeat of…

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Illinois Corn Crop Thrives In July Despite Weather Challenges

By Chicago Times Magazine – August 10, 2024 Illinois corn farmers are reporting a promising crop for July, despite facing a rollercoaster of weather conditions throughout the month. While heavy rainfall in some areas caused temporary setbacks, overall, the state’s corn is in good shape. According to the latest USDA Crop Progress report, 81% of Illinois corn was rated Good to Excellent as of…

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Berkeley Man Charged In Fatal Overdose Of Darien Man

By Chicago Times Magazine – August 2, 2024 A Berkeley man has been charged with drug-induced homicide in connection with the fatal overdose of a Darien resident. Willie Woodgett, 37, of the 1400 block of Morris Ave, is accused of supplying the narcotics that led to the death of a man in Darien. According to DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, the victim arranged to purchase illegal…