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

Jazz Fest

Don Byron of the Don Byron New Gospel Quintet performs during the 5th annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival at the University of Chicago's Mandel Hall in Chicago, Ill., on Saturday, September 24, 2011. (Andrew A. Nelles/ For The Chicago Tribune)

Town Jug

 Larkin's Luka Bogicevic (14) holds the TownJug after the Royals' victory over rival Elgin on Saturday at Memorial Field. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

Elgin's Travon Hal (55) reacts after Larkin takes the lead during the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Field. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media 

Link: http://couriernews.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/7817495-417/larkin-edges-rival-elgin-in-50th-varsity-town-jug-game.html

Even More Football

South Elgin players take to the field of the brand new South Elgin High School Stadium in South Elgin, Ill., on Saturday, September 17, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

South Elgin's Tommy Asa (15) shakes off Metea Valley's Breon Hoosier (20) during the first quarter at South Elgin High School in South Elgin, Ill., on Saturday, September 17, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

South Elgin senior Eric Dela Merced cheers during the third quarter of Saturday's football game against Metea Valley. The contest marked the first-ever home game for the Storm on it new on-campus field. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 

Larkin's Kyle Newquist (12) carries the ball during the second quarter at St. Charles East High School in St. Charles, Ill., on Friday, September 16, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media 

Bears vs. Falcons

Bear's Devin Hester (#23) rushes up for a gain of 53 yards during the third quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on Sunday, September 11, 2011. Andrew A. Nelles/Chicago News Cooperative
Bear's Matt Forte (#22) evades Falcon's Brent Grimes (#20) for a 23-yard gain during the first quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on Sunday, September 11, 2011. Andrew A. Nelles/Chicago News Cooperative

Bear's Amobi Okoye sacks Falcon's quarterback Matt Ryan during the third quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on Sunday, September 11, 2011. Andrew A. Nelles/Chicago News Cooperative

Bear's Roy Williams (#11) celebrates after receiving a pass for a 15 yard gain during the second quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on Sunday, September 11, 2011. Andrew A. Nelles/Chicago News Cooperative

Bear's quarterback Jay Cutler pauses during a third quarter timeout at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on Sunday, September 11, 2011. Andrew A. Nelles/Chicago News Cooperative

 Bear's Brian Urlacher (#54) scores a touchdown off of a recovered fumble during the third quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on Sunday, September 11, 2011. Andrew A. Nelles/Chicago News Cooperative

 Bear's Devin Hester (#23) runs out of bounds as the Falcon's Chris Owens (#21) dives in during the third quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on Sunday, September 11, 2011. Andrew A. Nelles/Chicago News Cooperative

 Bear's quarterback Jay Cutler reacts after throwing an intercepted pass during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on Sunday, September 11, 2011. Andrew A. Nelles/Chicago News Cooperative

HS Football

Streamwood's Alex Crocker (21) slips past Elgin's Elrich Keophilalay (32) during the second quarter at Elgin High School in Elgin, Ill., on Saturday, September 10, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

Nice Light For Golf

Elgin's Derek Strohmaier tees off on the 11th hole Tuesday at the Elgin Country Club. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |

Flags

Volunteers including Kevin Spagnola, of Algonquin, Ill., assemble flags outside of Otto Engineering in Carpentersville, Ill., on Sunday, September 4, 2011. The flags will be part of the 10th anniversary Healing Field in Carpentersville. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

Football - Week 2

 Elgin quarterback Devin Simon prepares for a hand-off during the third quarter at Streamwood High School in Streamwood, Ill., on Friday, September 2, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

Bartlett's Lorenzo Mitchell (#25) celebrates his touchdown in front of Elgin's Devin Gilliam (#4) during the first quarter at Streamwood High School in Streamwood, Ill., on Friday, September 2, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media