Author: staff

Toy shopping has transformed over the past 100 years, whether because of advancements in the products themselves or the marketplace. Using national toy archives and data curated by The Strong, from 1920 to today, Stacker searched for products that caught hold of the public zeitgeist through novelty, innovation, kitsch, quirk, or simply great timing, and then rocketed to success. Here are the top holiday toys from the year you were born, counting up from 1920 to today. May they fill your heart—and stockings!—with joy. Visit thestacker.com for similar lists and stories.

Colton Sissons’ goal gave the Predators a 2-1 lead with 8 minutes, 27 seconds left in the third. Filip Forsberg found a seam to Sissons, who fired to Marc-André Fleury’s glove side. Fleury made a diving play on the puck, but it dribbled underneath his pad.

Thomas, who had 65 yards on 13 carries, scored both touchdowns in the third quarter on runs of 15 and 3 yards as the Cru (15-0) extended a two-point halftime lead. Brandon Cunningham kicked a 20-yard field goal, his third of the night, to open the fourth quarter. Kenneth Cormier added an 11-yard run just two minutes later after an interception.

Joaquin Martinez, of Des Plaines, holds a flag of the Virgen de Guadalupe as he and other immigration rights supporters walk in the 16th annual posada through the streets of downtown in Chicago on Dec. 17, 2021. The one mile journey, which symbolizes Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, started at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Center and ended at St. Peter’s Church. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Even though gas costs about $1.25 more per gallon, or about $3.45 per gallon of regular, about 5.1 million Illinoisans will be driving while around 290,000 will opt to fly. The rest — just over 146,000 — would be taking trains, buses or cruises, according to AAA.

But major “non-lobbying costs” were included in refunds. For example, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, who’s under indictment, was listed in a chart as being paid $1.8 million in compensation and benefits in 2011 for “non-lobbying activity.” John Hooker, a former top executive and lobbyist also indicted, received $1.15 million in compensation and benefits in 2011 for similar “non-lobbying” activity. And Fidel Marquez, an ex-executive who oversaw lobbying and who has pleaded guilty, earned $748,000 in 2012, also for “non-lobbying activity.” Those payments are included in ComEd’s proposed refund, ComEd said.

Then, the chief of staff began ignoring the aide’s phone calls, lying about meetings being canceled, and bad-mouthing her to Sims, according to the complaint. In May 2017, Sims questioned the aide about the staff member’s fraying relationship with the chief of staff, leading to the aide reporting that he sexually harassed her, the complaint states.

Still, the Bears have a lot to work through over the weekend as they forecast which players and coaches may or may not be available Monday night. Desai said Friday that he has felt fine all week. But if he were unable to make it to Soldier Field for the game against the Vikings, senior defensive assistant Mike Pettine would take over the coordinator duties. Pettine has spent eight seasons in that role in his career. He was also the defensive overseer and play caller during his time as Browns coach in 2014 and 2015. Bears safety Tashaun Gipson, who played under Pettine in Cleveland those two seasons, expressed confidence that the Bears would be in good hands under his guidance.

Nonetheless, lawmakers in October approved a package with broad bipartisan support that also will allow Wintrust Arena, the home court of the Chicago Sky and the DePaul Blue Demons, to apply for a sportsbook license, putting the WNBA champions on equal footing with the home stadiums of men’s professional teams in the city.

In a statement on the village website, Koziol explained that he proposed the sale as an alternative to the union fighting the issue. There are 83 sworn officers in the village, but with each having up to a dozen uniforms and coats, and some buyers donating extra, they hoped to raise $15,000 to $20,000 selling the patches at the police headquarters.