Trains, Tragedy And Transitions: 2018 In Lake Forest, Lake Bluff

LAKE FOREST, IL — As we approach the end of an eventful year, it's time to take a look back at some of the most memorable stories of 2018 on Chicago's North Shore. The most-read stories of the year have included coverage of politics, government, business, real estate and law.

Take a look back at some of people and events that made news in the biggest local stories of the year from Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Patch:

Hiawatha Expansion On Hold Until Local Concerns Addressed: IDOT

LAKE FOREST, IL — The proposed expansion of Amtrak's Hiawatha service has been put on hold indefinitely after opposition from north suburban communities located along the tracks. In letters delivered... Read more

Licensing Deal Gives Lake Bluff Golf Course 5-Year Lease On Life

LAKE BLUFF, IL — The Lake Bluff Golf Club will remain open for at least five more years under an agreement approved Monday by the Lake Bluff Park District Board of Commissioners. The district said... Read more

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Lake Bluff Rejects Offer From Lake Forest To Take Over Fire Department

LAKE BLUFF, IL — The village of Lake Bluff rejected an offer from Lake Forest to take over the Lake Bluff Fire Department. Lake Forest city officials made an unsolicited offer in a letter last month... Read more

Chase Threatens To Sue Lake Forest Over Use Permit: City Attorney

LAKE FOREST, IL — Alderman declined to give final approval a special use permit for a Chase Bank drive-thru bank location on the site of the former McDonald's at 884 Waukegan Rd. at a meeting earlier... Read more
LATER: Lake Forest Gets Second Chase Bank Location In Former McDonald's

Principal Drops Rhymes In Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rap Battle

LAKE FOREST, IL — A rap battle created by high school students poking fun at the rivalry between two posh suburbs is being shared beyond the North Shore. Created for this year's talent show at Lake... Read more

Lake Forest High School Walk Out In Gun Violence Protest

LAKE FOREST, IL — Lake Forest High School administrators will not discipline students who leave the building as part of a national school walkout Wednesday. Students will not be marked with an unexcused... Read more

Backyard Chicken, Beekeeping Pilot Programs Approved In Lake Bluff

LAKE BLUFF, IL — The Lake Bluff Village Board approved pilot programs to allow residents to keep bees or chickens in their yards. Trustees voted 4-1 to approve the beekeeping program and 4-2 to allow... Read more

Village Board Approves Short-Term Rental Pilot Program

LAKE BLUFF, IL — A tiebreaking vote from Village President Kathy O'Hara granted passage to a two-year pilot program permitting certain Lake Bluff residents to offer up their property for rent though... Read more

Stray Bullet Kills Lake Forest Academy Grad On Anniversary Trip

MEXICO CITY — A woman from the north suburbs was fatally shot Saturday while celebrating her first wedding anniversary in Mexico City. Authorities confirmed the 27-year-old... Read more

Kayaker's Body Discovered After Companion Comes Ashore Alone In Lake Forest

FORT SHERIDAN, IL — The body of a 20-year-old Glenview man was found on the shores of Lake Michigan, nearly two weeks after he and a friend took off in kayaks from... Read more

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Ex-Lake County Coroner Pleads Guilty To Misdemeanors

WAUKEGAN, IL — Former Lake County Coroner Thomas Rudd pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of disregarding the election code, more than a year after he was indicted on perjury charges for signing... Read more

City Council Rejects Car Wash Proposal

LAKE FOREST, IL —The Lake Forest City Council rejected a plan for a car wash at the corner of Everett and Waukegan road Monday in front of a standing room only... Read more

Amtrak Lobbying Report Recommends Discipline For Lake Forest Officials

LAKE FOREST, IL — A special counsel investigating how Lake Forest spent $192,000 on lobbyists without the City Council knowing about it recommended "appropriate personnel action" short of termination... Read more

City Government Transitions:

Lake Forest City Manager To Step Down Next Year
Bob Kiely, the longest-serving manager in Lake Forest history, announced he plans to retire in January 2019... Read more

Lake Forest Names New City Manager
Jason Wicha, Skokie's assistant village manager, will replace retiring City Manager Bob Kiely in January, Lake Forest officials announced... Read more

Lake Forest City Attorney Resigns Over Lobbying Payments Report
It was "unacceptable" for the City Council to promote "one-sided and legally baseless assertions" against the former mayor, Filippini said... Read more

Lake Forest Mayor Rob Lansing Will Not Seek Re-Election
Lansing said other priorities prevented him from seeking a second term in a surprise announcement... Read more

Lake Forest Caucus Picks Past Alderman To Become Future Mayor
This year's winner of the city's award for distinguished public service will likely be the only candidate for mayor on next year's ballot... Read more

Major Crimes:

Navy Dentist Murdered By Naturalist Ex In Lake Forest: Coroner

LAKE FOREST, IL — The woman who was murdered in downtown Lake Forest Wednesday morning has been identified as Claire VanLandingham. Investigators believe the 27-year-old woman was killed by Ryan Zike,... Read more

MORE: Downtown Lake Forest Shooting: 2 Dead, 'Unusual Scene', Slain Lake Forest Navy Dentist Made Anti-Domestic Violence Video

Grayslake Man Accused Of Robbing Banks In Lake Forest, Deerfield

CHICAGO — The FBI believes a Grayslake man carried out a pair of bank robberies last winter in Deerfield and Lake Forest. According to federal investigators, the man scouted out each bank before returning... Read more
AFTER: Lake Forest Bank Robbery Suspect Struck Deerfield Last Week: FBI