11 Illinois Stories That Made You Say 'What?' In 2023

ILLINOIS — Amid cheerful success stories, devasting crime and everything in between, 2023 saw its fair share of head-scratching, eyebrow-raising news.

Remember when a burglar picked up the phone while robbing a bank? Or how about the "parade of middle-aged men" at a suburban house? There was also the time a local eatery was "honored" by a visit from O.J. Simpson.

As we prepare to leave 2023 in the past, Patch rounded up some of the odd stories that stood out this year.

'It's Just A Butt': Streamwood Runner Goes Viral In Exposing Trip-Up

Alyssa Konkel figures that everyone has to be known for something in life. But when it comes to finding her own 15 minutes of fame, Konkel decided to go big or go home ­— even if it meant exposing herself to the world.

The 26-year-old Streamwood resident became an overnight social media sensation, all thanks to a video she posted of a treadmill mishap caught on her gym’s security camera. The video shows Konkel running on the treadmill during a morning workout at her Schaumburg gym. That's when things took a turn for the worse and when Konkel lost her footing before unexpectedly —and quite literally — her pants.

BananaGate: Manhattan Man, Others Befuddled By Bananas On Train Tracks

It started about a year and a half ago. A lone green, unripened banana, found — Placed? Left? Dropped? Tossed? — at a railroad crossing on Manhattan Road in Elwood. Manhattan resident Benjamin Skwirut first spotted it on his way to work at 5:30 a.m. He was intrigued and likes bananas. He circled back, grabbed the stranded fruit and figured he'd eat it once it ripened.

It sat on his desk but never turned, so he tossed it in the trash. A banana's destiny, unfulfilled.

Ten days later, again — another banana. Same spot. Early morning hours. A coincidence? A plot? It ap-peel-ed to him.

"They’re falling off a train," Skwirut said he first thought, which didn't quite seem to fit. "Ironic that they’re falling off in the same spot."

They kept coming. Sometimes one — a finger, as it's known. Sometimes a few, or a whole hand.

Police: Bear Damages Deck Furniture, Is 'Likely Hungry'

The Lake County Sheriff's Office is urging the public to take precautions to protect themselves from a black bear that caused damage to deck furniture and potted plants at a home in Lake County over the weekend.

Officials shared a photo of the black bear, which was walking on a deck, and let residents know the Illinois Department of Resources had learned the bear is now in unincorporated Antioch. Christopher Covelli, deputy chief for the Lake County Sheriff's Office, said the bear caused damage to some chairs, a table, potted plants and other deck furniture at a home.

"The bear is likely hungry and looking for food," he said. The sheriff's office received two reports of bear sightings Saturday.

Burr Ridge Eatery 'Honored' By O.J. Simpson Visit

The owner of Burr Ridge's Capri Ristorante touted a visit by O.J. Simpson in June, saying in a video he was "very honored" to have the former professional football player as a guest.

That turned out to be a public relations problem for the restaurant, prompting an apology and a claim that the video was posted in error — and that the person responsible was fired.

Plainfield Man Trapped Cat In Tube, Used 'Weed Pen' To Get It High

A Plainfield man is accused of trapping a household cat in a tube and using a "weed pen" to attempt to get it "high," according to police.

Officers were dispatched to a home on Nov. 2 for a domestic disturbance. The caller informed police that a 21-year-old man intentionally tried poisoning a household cat after getting into a verbal argument with family members, police told Patch.

Elmhurst Rapper's Yard Won't Blend In

Don't expect Elmhurst resident Jim Hodapp's front yard to blend in with the others in his cul-de-sac. He has let the grass grow long enough to be fined for it.

A few times, he has made his case for letting his grass grow to the City Council, sometimes rapping his message.

He said he wanted his house to become the newest national park, calling it Wildflower Lawn National Park. He said he would donate his yard for the park, but would like to stay in the two-story house.

Hinsdale Bank Burglar Answered Phone: Police

A woman broke through a rear window last month at a Bank of America branch in Hinsdale and rummaged through a teller's drawer but found no money, police said.

While there, the woman answered a phone call from an employee, but she said nothing, police said. Officers later swabbed the phone for possible DNA evidence.

Mountain Lion Hit, Killed By Car On I-88 In Kane County

In October, authorities responded to what they thought was a collision between a car and a deer Sunday night on Interstate 88 in Kane County, only to learn the vehicle actually hit a mountain lion.

Hinsdale 'Angry Karen' Goes Viral Resisting Cops

A Hinsdale woman accused of trying to bite a local officer has racked up millions of views on YouTube.

In March, 12 minutes of Hinsdale police footage was posted showing the arrest of 45-year-old Shawn N. Mullarkey at her $1 million house in the 100 block of West Walnut Street.

Mullarkey refused to get out of her car and closed the garage door while officers were inside.
"You are under arrest," she was told.

"I am not," she said.

'Parade Of Middle-Aged Men' At Burr Ridge Home

A Burr Ridge resident says she is concerned about a house made up of middle-aged men across the street.

At this week's Village Board meeting, a resident said she realized the house was unusual after her family moved in two years ago. She described the house as "really troublesome" and "very shabby." She said cars are coming and going constantly, with a "parade of middle-aged men."

"My neighbors and I have called the police constantly over bizarre behavior, paintball shooting, illegally parked cars," she said. "Just two weeks ago at this home, they painted male genitalia on the skylights that I could see from my driveway."

Man Barricaded In 7-Eleven Bathroom Punches Police

A Joliet man was arrested early Monday morning after he punched two Plainfield police officers several times while he was barricaded in a 7-Eleven bathroom, officials said.

Officers responded to the 7-Eleven after receiving a call that a man spilled soda all over the counter before he barricaded himself in the bathroom, refusing to comply with an employee's request to leave the store, police told Patch.