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One Simple Way Illinoisans Can Score More Free Vacation Time This Year
Now that 2024 is halfway over, it's time to get strategic about how you use your remaining paid vacation days, aka, getting the most bang for your vacation day bucks!. Last December I discovered the joy of using only 4 paid vacation days to get nearly two weeks off, and I fully intend to take full advantage of it this year too.
Beware of Passport Renewal Scams for Illinois Travelers
Stay vigilant against passport renewal scams that could compromise your personal information and travel plans this year. I remember when I got my first passport. It was such a process; I had to send in my Social Security Card for verification and they'd send it back in them mail weeks later. I was incredibly nervous someone was going to steal my identity.
Illinois Country Music Fans FREAK OUT Over Surprise Keith Urban Concert
Illinois' country music fans were in for a rare treat yesterday when news broke that a major star was set to perform a surprise pop-up show at a cozy Chicago bar. Carol's Pub, located at 4659 North Clark Street, is typically closed on Mondays, but it made an exception. That's...
Experts claim Illinois is home to 2 “New Ivy League” Universities
The old Ivy League consists of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and others but what schools are in the "new" Ivy League? Two of them are located here in the Land of Lincoln!. According to an article from NBC Chicago, Forbes put together a list of "New Ivies" public and private universities, and the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and Northwestern University made the list.
Can You Legally Sleep At A Wisconsin Rest Area?
It is officially road trip season in the midwest! Minnesota and Wisconsin are great places to take a little road trip, with so many things to see and do in each part of the states. Road Trip Season Means... The best part of a road trip? The snacks, the scenery...
Alert – 3 Armed & Dangerous Fugitives Could Be Hiding in Illinois
There's another alert that three very dangerous criminals are on the run and there's a possibility they could be laying low in Illinois as law enforcement efforts ramp up to apprehend them. I saw this bulletin from the United States Marshals in the Southern District of Iowa warning of 3...
Illinois’ Most Underrated Museum Brings Groundbreaking History To Life
Illinois is filled with amazing museums that are packed with interactiveness and fun. However, this one museum in Springfield brings triumph and tragedy to life and goes above and beyond to tell visitors a story. I'm a massive history lover; it was passed down to me from my Grandpa and...
Late-Night Fun Awaits: New Illinois Entertainment Center Open ’til 2AM
Step aside Scene75, a new state-of-the-art entertainment facility officially opened in Gurnee Mills, Illinois and fans are stoked. Over the years, Illinois has seen a huge increase in family-friendly entertainment centers. That trend isn't stopping any time soon!. Round1 Bowling & Arcade in Gurnee Mills officially opened and ready to...
US Marshals Desperately Chasing These Violent Illinois Fugitives
You know that a crime is serious once the US Marshals get involved. There are many fugitives in Illinois now that are on the radar of this elite law enforcement organization and they are urgently working to chase them down as soon as possible. If you're not familiar, the US...
‘Shrek 5’ Is Official, With Original Cast Returning
Some 14 years after Shrek lived happily ever after, he’s coming back for a fifth film starring the franchise’s original cast. DreamWorks itself announced the news on Twitter saying that Shrek 5 was coming to theaters “on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz.”
A Wisconsin Paradise Just Crowned ‘Most Beautiful in US’
Nestled in the pristine waters of Lake Superior, Wisconsin's Apostle Islands have recently been honored as one of the most beautiful places in the United States. Travel & Leisure fell hard and fast for this Wisconsin destination just like anyone who has spent time in the little bit of paradise. The travel website released its annual list of the 50 most beautiful places in each state.
Illinois Aldi Stores: Here’s Why You Never Hear Music In Them
Maybe this is something you never thought of because you actually have a life and you have things that are actually important to think about, but I have. Back in the day, when I was employed as a substandard stock-boy and grocery bagger at Pineway Supermarket in Oregon, Illinois, the store constantly had music playing in the background. That was appreciated by country music fans, and fairly well tolerated by those of us who aren't.
The Most Stolen Vehicles In Illinois: Is One Of Them Yours?
Just in case you might have been thinking that car thieves are a dying breed, and that you have a greater chance of having your catalytic converter stolen than your vehicle, this is a quick reminder that car theft is still very much a thing here in Illinois and across the nation.
Utah Father and Daughter Killed After Bulldozer Falls on Their Car
A Utah CEO and his 16-year-old daughter were killed by a fallen bulldozer on the highway on July 6. According to a statement from the Utah Highway Patrol, a mini bulldozer broke free from a tow truck during a turn and landed on Richard Hendrickson and his daughter Sally's GMC pickup truck.
All The Illinois Athletes Competing for Team USA in Paris Olympics
Illinoisans take immense pride in seeing a significant number of our athletes competing on Team USA at the Summer Olympics. This achievement reflects the state's strong sporting culture, excellent training facilities, and community support. Each athlete embodies the dedication and hard work synonymous with Illinois, inspiring young sports enthusiasts across...
The 4th Of July Got Kind Of Wild In These Illinois Communities
We're recovering from the holiday weekend today and taking a look back at how it went. The Monday following a holiday is never fun. We're pretty much all relearning our jobs and readjusting to our schedules and routines. For a lot of us, the 4th of July was fun. We...
Major Illinois Retailer Will Not Accept Personal Checks Starting Soon
A sign of the times is being reflected at Target. A lot of us grew up learning finances with a paper trail. That involves writing checks and recording them in your checkbook to balance it later. If you're under a certain age, that probably makes no sense to you. According...
Sin and Vice: This Wisconsin City is Ranked One of the Wildest in America
When you think "wild cities", you likely think Las Vegas, right? Maybe Los Angeles or Atlantic City. Maaaybe Chicago? But there is one Midwestern city that is ranked among the craziest in America, and it's likely not one that would be on your "wild radar". This Wisconsin city seems to...
Popular Pizza Chain with Midwest Locations May Declare Bankruptcy
A pizza chain with locations in Evansville and Owensboro could declare bankruptcy as early as this week. There are plenty of places to get a slice of pizza throughout the tri-state. Personally, I've always been a Domino's guy, but I have never been known to shy away from a slice of pie from any other establishment. There is, however, one pizza chain I have not paid a visit to that looks to be a worthwhile stop. Mod Pizza is a relatively newcomer to the pizza scene and is described as a "fast and casual" dining experience. Mod Pizza serves individual artisan-style pizzas and salads and is essentially like Subway, but with pizza.
Major Changes Coming To Olive Garden Locations in Minnesota And Wisconsin
The obsession I have with Olive Garden breadsticks runs deep. What can I say? Olive Garden is my guilty pleasure whenever I want to truly feast. There's a reason that people went nuts when they discovered you could actually buy the cheese graters they use on top of your salad and pasta! Everything just tastes better at Olive Garden. Ha!
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