Jon Yates

Problem Solver updates: Water flowing; medical claim still ailing

For the first time in almost a month, the water is flowing in Cassandra Austin's town house. Austin, featured in Sunday's What's Your Problem? column, said service was restored late Friday, meaning she no longer had to pour jugs of water into her toilet...

Tags: Government Health Care, Health and Medical Professionals, Aetna Inc., Medicare

Problem Solver: Updates on stolen bank check, dog's vet bill

Who took Harriet Hausman's $4,643.75 state tax refund check remains a mystery, but the 89-year-old River Forest resident has gotten her money back. Hausman said the entire amount was deposited into her account Friday. "I have the money and I'm...

Tags: Bank of America Corp., Nicor Incorporated, Banking, Judy Baar Topinka, Theft

Problem Solver: Updates on ambulance check, doorman and yard battle

Jane Love can finally put her ambulance ride on July 9, 2011, behind her. Earlier this month, the Arlington Heights resident received a check from the city of Chicago for $868.50 — reimbursing her after a billing glitch similar to those...

Tags: Chicago Mayor, Human Interest, Unemployment Benefits, Insurance, Rahm Emanuel

Problem Solver: Double student loan payment puts dad in financial hole

Anyone with a kid in college knows tuition isn't cheap. Even at in-state public schools. So when Karl Drewno's daughter, Margaret, was accepted to postgraduate veterinary school at the University of Illinois, he knew he could not pay for everything...

Tags: Lakes and Ponds, Banking

Problem Solver: Care kit for furniture ruins leather, negates warranty

The protection plan Julie Conway bought for her Macy's leather furniture set is called WorryNoMore. Drop the "no" from the middle and, Conway says, you've got a description of the warranty's effect on her. The Deerfield resident bought a sofa,...

Tags: Macy's

Problem Solver: Motorcyclist received 38 tickets in legal parking spot

Parking along the 0-100 block of West Randolph Street isn't cheap. From 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., it costs $5.75 an hour; overnight parking costs about half that amount. At those rates, parking along the street for 24 hours would set you back a hefty $106.38....

Tags: Crime, Law and Justice, Justice System, Brendan Reilly, Judges

Problem Solver: Motorist has disconnect with emergency vehicle service

William Herman has always been loyal to General Motors. The Buffalo Grove resident worked 16 years at the old GM plant in Willow Springs, and over the years, he's bought four Chevrolets, four Buicks, three Pontiacs and three Oldsmobiles. He didn't...

Problem Solver: UnitedHealthcare's prescription drug plan a real pain

Navigating a prescription drug plan can be difficult, but Barbara Stonewater was sure she had it figured out. Last year the Aurora resident used AARP's Medicare Part D plan, run by UnitedHealthcare. Under the "preferred plan" option, her copays were...

Tags: Prescription Drugs, Drugs and Medicines, Insurance, Pharmaceuticals, Chemical Industry

Problem Solver: Computer monitor never arrives, gift card refund lost

Connor Loughlin's grandmother had nothing but the best intentions. For Connor's 16th birthday this year, she sent him a $50 Best Buy gift card to use however he wanted. On July 30, the Elk Grove Village teenager went online and used the card to...

Tags: U.S. Postal Service

Problem Solver: Son loses patience waiting for mom's medical records

Adam Jacobs doesn't know all the details about the events that led to his mother's death Sept. 10, but he'd sure like to find out. So, shortly after Charmaine Jacobs passed away from sepsis, the younger Jacobs began searching for answers. The 63-year-...

Tags: Sepsis, Nursing, Nursing Homes, Medical Specialization, Long Term Care

Problem Solver: ADT security system is canceled; customer alarmed

It wasn't by choice that Mary Lou Novak called ADT Security Services on Jan. 13 and asked to cancel her home security system. The Plainfield resident had been an ADT customer for almost 13 years and had always liked the service, but money was tight....

Tags: Consumers, Human Interest

Problem Solver: Water keeps flowing after owner asks that it stop

When Darnell James bought the house at 12053 S. Michigan Ave. out of foreclosure, he thought he was doing something good for the community. "My goal was to take some of these properties that banks are foreclosing on and give people some decent housing...

Tags: Consumers, Trials, Cook County Government, Foreclosures, Rental Service