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The most popular baby names in Illinois are fairly predictable because we seem to get into patterns with them. You'll see many of the same baby names in the same positions on the list year after year, but popular pet names can and do change from one year to the next. Here are the names Illinoisans decided to give their puppies and kittens this year.

Having seven high schools ranked in the top 50 high schools in the entire country is pretty cool, but in order to send your kid to one of Illinois' top ranked high schools, you might have to call a realtor and moving company.

Lake party, beach party, pool party, backyard party, basement party, and an amazing kitchen party. This completely rebuilt Illinois home couldn't be more fun.

I can't think of a better example of having your cake and eating it, too. What is Illinois' richest small town? It's the same place that also happens to be surrounded by gorgeous tree-lined nature preserves.

The holidays, starting with Thanksgiving, are centered around a lot of food. Whether it's family dinners, guests coming by for drinks and appetizers, or just the overall presence of a whole bunch of food, your pets are going to want to get in on it. Here are the things you should really avoid giving to them, regardless of the amount of begging.

Foodies get ready to have one of your life's best holiday food experiences.

Last year saw increased mountain lion sightings across Iowa, Wisconsin and the Midwest in general. Those numbers seem to be on an upward trend, as another one was recently spotted in Allamakee County.

You aren't likely to see a creature like this in your backyard ever, but it just happened to a woman who lives near Hornick, Iowa as a rare blonde raccoon appeared and there are photos and videos to prove it.

This discovery has triggered a rapid emergency response, with wildlife biologists converging on the Midwest from as far as Vermont and New Hampshire.

The weird stuff left behind in this abandoned barn in Illinois must have some WILD stories to share.