8A Playoffs

 Lyons' players including Nicholas Demes (74) celebrate after their Class 8A playoff victory at Streamwood High School in Streamwood, Ill., on Saturday, October 29, 2011. (Andrew A. Nelles/ For The Chicago Tribune)

 Lyons' Michael Thomas (20, right) is hugged by Jemari Burks (10, left) after their Class 8A playoff victory. ( Andrew A. Nelles, Chicago Tribune / October 29, 2011 )

 Bartlett's Aaron Everson (27) runs in the team's second touchdown during the first quarter. ( Andrew A. Nelles, Chicago Tribune / October 29, 2011 )

Bartlett's Aaron Everson (27) slips past Lyons' Billy Cramsie (24) during the first quarter. ( Andrew A. Nelles, Chicago Tribune / October 29, 2011 )

Foreclosures Leave Pockets of Neglect and Decay

 Thomas Burton, 77, toured a foreclosed and vacant house, a mirror image of his own longtime home, on West Wilcox Street. Andrew A. Nelles for The Chicago News Cooperative

Thomas Burton, 77, outside of a foreclosed and vacant house, a mirror image of his own longtime home, on West Wilcox Street. Andrew A. Nelles for The Chicago News Cooperative

Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/28/us/foreclosures-lead-to-crime-and-decay-in-abandoned-buildings.html

U.S. Army Spc. Wayne Simmons, who returned home from being stationed in South Korea, hugs his daughter Pheonyx, 7, after surprising her in class Wednesday at Algonquin Lakes Elementary in Algonquin. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

Story: http://couriernews.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/8433749-417/soldier-stationed-overseas-gives-daughter-a-surprise-visit-at-algonquin-school.html

Theo Epstein

 Theo Epstein, President of Baseball Operations, during a press conference at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill., on Tuesday, October 25, 2011. Andrew A. Nelles for the Chicago News Cooperative

 Theo Epstein, President of Baseball Operations, speaks with Tom Ricketts, chairman of the Chicago Cubs, during a press conference at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill., on Tuesday, October 25, 2011. Andrew A. Nelles for the Chicago News Cooperative

Theo Epstein, President of Baseball Operations, greets fans including Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers, right, at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill., on Tuesday, October 25, 2011. Andrew A. Nelles for the Chicago News Cooperative

More Photos Here: http://www.chicagonewscoop.org/mcgrath-epstein-unfazed-in-debut-as-cubs-president/

New Forest Preserve

Valerie Blaine, nature programs manager for the Kane County Forest Preserve District, tells visitors about prairie plant life during Saturday's grand opening of Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve in Plato Township. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 Larkin's Erik Rodriguez (10) battles with Bartlett's Fabio Aiello (7) during the first half at St. Charles East High School in St. Charles, Ill., on Saturday, October 22, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |

The Shady World of Immigrant Notarios

Mario De La Rosa at his home in Waukegan, Ill., on Tuesday, October 11, 2011. Mario de la Rosa was a victim of Margaret Carrasco, who is accused of posing as an immigration lawyer. Andrew A. Nelles for Chicago News Cooperative

CNC: http://www.chicagonewscoop.org/fraud-charges-expose-shady-world-of-legal-representation-for-immigrants/

NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/us/fake-lawyers-and-notaries-prey-on-immigrants.html?_r=1&ref=chicagonewscooperative

Flight 191 Memorial

 Andrew Lux, of Lake Geneva, Wis., makes an imprint of the name of his grandfather, Captain Walter H. Lux, who was the pilot of Flight 191, at the Flight 191 Memorial at Lake Park in Des Plaines, Ill., on Saturday, October 15, 2011. Flight 191 crashed near O'Hare Airport on May 25, 1979, killing 273, after one of the airplane's engines separated from the wing. The memorial at Lake Park in Des Plaines, Ill. was unveiled for family of the victims Saturday.(Andrew A. Nelles/ For The Chicago Tribune)

 Flowers left during the unveiling of the Flight 191 Memorial at Lake Park in Des Plaines on Saturday. (Andrew A. Nelles, For the Chicago Tribune / October 15, 2011)

Link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-memorial-to-273-plane-crash-victims-to-be-unveiled-20111015,0,3002141.story

Violence Protest

Eric Galarza Sr. (center) and Denisse Galarza (left of center), the parents of murder victim Eric Galarza Jr., outside their home in Elgin on Saturday. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |

Story: http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/8215095-418/elgin-march-against-gang-violence-draws-200.html

Rally

Students including Dundee-Crown High School junior Taylor Feld, 16, hold signs and chant during a rally protesting the extension of tax breaks for the Sears EDA in Hoffman Estates, at Harry D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin, Ill., on Thursday, October 13, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 Sal "Red Hawk" Camacho of Elgin, Ill., cooks as part of an
educational display during the Native American Cultural Day and Bison
Blessing at Lords Park in Elgin, Ill., on Saturday, October 1, 2011. |
Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 

Bartlett's Ryan Wolfe hits out of a sand trap on the 13th hole during the Bartlett Class 3A Boys Golf Sectional at Bartlett Hills Golf Course in Bartlett, Ill., on Monday, October 10, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

Chicago Horse Polo

 Polo player Tracy Regas poses with her horse Hornero at Silver Spur Equestrian Center in Maple Park, Ill., on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. Regas will participate in the Chicago Beach World Cup at North Avenue Beach. (Andrew A. Nelles / For RedEye)

 Polo player Tracy Regas poses with Godiva at Silver Spur Equestrian Center in Maple Park, Ill., on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. Regas will participate in the Chicago Beach World Cup at North Avenue Beach. (Andrew A. Nelles / For RedEye)

High School Golf

St. Charles North's John Carroll prepares to putt on the 8th hole during the Upstate Eight boys golf tournament at St. Andrews Golf Club in West Chicago, Ill., on Thursday, September 29, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media