Erin Yarnall

Illinois

Freelance writer for hire. She/her. @depaulu alum. Very slow marathoner. Words in @altpress, @timeout, @torontostar, @chicagotribune, @eatthisnotthat + more!

Articles

10 of the grisliest crime tours in Chicago

1 week ago | timeout.com | Erin Yarnall |Alex Floyd-Douglass |Talia Stanton

get your guideget your guideExplore the seedy underbelly of Chicago on these fascinating crime toursTuesday May 27 2025FacebookTwitterPinterestEmailWhatsAppContributors: Alex Floyd-Douglass & Talia StantonAdvertisingOften defined by its amazing restaurants, beautiful beaches, lively jazz scene and culturally significant architecture, there's another side to Chicago that most tourists don't get the opportunity to delve into ...
Gurnee considering sales tax increase to replace grocery tax

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Erin Yarnall

Gurnee may increase its home rule sales tax to recoup revenue lost when Illinois officially ends its grocery tax at the start of 2026. When food is taxed at a grocery store, that excess revenue goes back to local municipalities, but that will no longer be the case starting on Jan. 1. After passing House Bill 3144, Illinois is eliminating its 1% grocery tax, but is allowing municipalities to make up that funding by either implementing their own grocery tax, or increasing other taxes.
Things you probably don’t know about Wisconsin brats

3 weeks ago | upnorthnewswi.com | Erin Yarnall

More beloved in the state than hot dogs, Wisconsin brats are a barbecue, ballgame, and summer staple of the state’s cuisine. When it comes to favorite locally produced cuisine, Wisconsin brats probably rank near the top for many of the state’s residents. Bratwursts didn’t originate in Wisconsin; instead, they were brought over by German immigrants. But the Midwestern state has surely made the sausage its own. Wisconsin brats have their own unique cooking method—and even their own buns.
Here are the biggest news stories for Wisconsin Millennials

4 weeks ago | upnorthnewswi.com | Erin Yarnall

There’s always something going on in Wisconsin. Check out the biggest news stories in the state from 1981 to 1996. The Midwest is ill-advisedly referred to as “flyover country,” as if there aren’t exciting things going on in the region worthy of a visit. But there’s always something going on in Midwestern states, like Wisconsin, including some pretty massive news stories. We’ve tracked down some of the biggest news stories over a 16-year span, from 1981 to 1996.
Blondshell is Angry, Bitter, and Branching Out on Sophomore Album “If You Asked for a Picture”

1 month ago | stagedhaze.com | Erin Yarnall

Having a fantastic, self-defining debut album, like Blondshell did with 2023’s self-titled release, Blondshell, is an impressive feat. But it might be an even bigger challenge to follow something like that up. How do you recapture the confessional, angst-ridden, ’90s-inspired magic of that first album, while also expanding on it and saying something new?
9 Wisconsin towns that look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale

1 month ago | upnorthnewswi.com | Erin Yarnall

New Glarus was founded by Swiss immigrants, and that heritage is reflected in its architecture. (New Glarus Chamber of Commerce) Sure, fairy tales are works of fiction, but they don’t always have to be.
Gurnee board formalizes public-comment guidelines

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Erin Yarnall

The Gurnee Village Board on Monday adopted guidelines and decorum standards for anyone speaking at public meetings. The board approved an ordinance that codified those procedures for public comment in a 5-1 vote, with Trustee Jeanne Balmes the only one voting against the measure. For the most part, the ordinance doesn’t cover new ground, according to Village Administrator Patrick Muetz, but instead makes those standards official.
BIZZY Makes Bad Decisions on a Good Song in “Don’t Tell the Girls”

2 months ago | stagedhaze.com | Erin Yarnall

No one can be perfect all the time, and that includes Nashville singer BIZZY, who sings about making a truly terrible choice—going back to a lame ex—in her latest single “Don’t Tell the Girls.” The song, which was released today via Big Loud Rock, captures the instantly relatable feeling of totally messing up in your adolescence. Who among us can’t relate to making some pretty bad choices in our 20’s?
Follow the Great River Road Wine Trail for spectacular vineyards & views

2 months ago | upnorthnewswi.com | Erin Yarnall

The Great River Road is an unforgettable trip, not just for the views of the Mississippi River, but also because of the numerous wineries along the way. There are a few key items that help to turn any road trip into the best trip ever: great music, great company, and great places to stop along the way, like an abundance of wineries and vineyards.
Challenger concedes in ‘clean’ Gurnee mayoral race; ‘The people have spoken, resoundingly’

2 months ago | chicagotribune.com | Erin Yarnall

Gurnee Mayor Tom Hood appeared headed for a second term in office after his opponent, Trustee Quin O’Brien, conceded the election Tuesday night. Hood was leading 69.5% to 30.5%, or 2,308 to 1,013 votes, according to unofficial results posted late Tuesday night by the Lake County Clerk’s Office. Hood said that he estimated 98% of the vote was in at that time, and he had received a concession call from O’Brien.