The last minute dash to catch a deal the Sunday before Christmas was clouded with concerns about the economy for some holiday shoppers.
"The economy is not doing so well," said Albano Latifi, of Elmwood Park. "If you're preparing for tax hikes and stuff like that, fiscal cliffs, you have to save in order to spend on those taxes once they do come."
The sounds of the holiday shopping season were drowned out by concerns about the possibility of tax increases, spending cuts and still no deal in Washington.
Yet despite the looming fiscal cliff droves of shoppers decked the aisles.
"I got some jewelry from Tiffany's, I got some shoes, some perfume and stuff like that for everyone and family," Latifi said.
He said he saw more discount sales this year at Old Orchard Mall in Skokie.
And in Chicago's Loop, other shoppers took to retail stores like Target.
"I actually got a handheld massager for $16.99, which is going to my mom," Tamara Jones, of Chicago, said. "I got a Brita filter for someone, so there's definitely some deals if you look hard enough."
Big deals at the big box stores attracted swarms of holiday shoppers. That's despite new research from Bankrate.com that says one in three Americans has cut back on personal spending in the past month due to looming uncertainty.
"I definitely take more consideration into the things that I do purchase," Jones said. "The fiscal cliff is something that is in the back of my mind, but I just try to shop smart regardless of what's going on economically."
At the Macy's downtown, tourist Katie Dowd said she's doing her part to boost the economy and holiday cheer, despite financial concerns.
"I think it's definitely busier and for me personally, my job is going well," Dowd said. "So I'm happy to spend the money on my family and the ones I love."
Thursday, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:55 PM EDT2013-06-13 01:55:01 GMT
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:27:58 GMT
A southwest suburban teen pleaded guilty to being drunk when he fatally struck a 4-year-old girl chasing a ball in the street has been sentenced to probation and community service.
A southwest suburban teen pleaded guilty to being drunk when he fatally struck a 4-year-old girl chasing a ball in the street has been sentenced to probation and community service.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:55:58 GMT
Police ask the Albany Park/Mayfair community to be vigilant, walk in pairs and avoid strangers, after a woman was sexually assaulted Monday night near the entrance to a CTA Blue Line station.
Police ask the Albany Park/Mayfair community to be vigilant, walk in pairs and avoid strangers, after a woman was sexually assaulted Monday night near the entrance to a CTA Blue Line station.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:56:25 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:39 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:39:42 GMT
Preliminary reports show industrial chemicals seeped into Lake Michigan on Monday afternoon, causing the closure of Porter Beach. Officials said Chicago beaches are not expected to be affected.
Preliminary reports show industrial chemicals seeped into Lake Michigan on Monday afternoon, causing the closure of Porter Beach. Officials said Chicago beaches are not expected to be affected.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:50:40 GMT
Canine units were employed Tuesday, in the search for missing University of Chicago student Austin Hudson-Lapore, 20. He was last seen after taking his final exams last Wednesday.
Canine units were employed Tuesday, in the search for missing University of Chicago student Austin Hudson-Lapore, 20. He was last seen after taking his final exams last Wednesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:46:15 GMT
The last several days in Chicago have been especially violent bringing the issue to a "tipping point." More than 50 people have been shot since Friday. But what can be done to stem the violence?
The last several days in Chicago have been especially violent bringing the issue to a "tipping point." More than 50 people have been shot since Friday. But what can be done to stem the violence?
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:04:19 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency workers are on the scene of a trench collapse in Queens that trapped one person on Tuesday evening.
Emergency workers are on the scene of a trench collapse in Queens that trapped one person on Tuesday evening.The collapse happened at 119-02 83rd Avenue in Kew Gardens at about 4:50 p.m., the FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:46:32 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.
Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:18 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:18:24 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
