Chicago

Chicago Public Schools laid off 161 employees to address a $732 million budget deficit, with 82 central office and 80 citywide positions affected.

Chicago is expected to experience heat index values up to 105 degrees from Tuesday through Thursday, with the National Weather Service issuing excessive heat warnings and poor air quality alerts. The city will see high temperatures reaching 94 degrees on Wednesday, though conditions will be less oppressive than an earlier July heatwave. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, seek shade, and stay hydrated during peak heat periods.

Two men were wounded in separate Chicago shootings, including a drive-by on the West Side. Police reported details about the incidents overnight.

Chicago is experiencing a heat wave with highs near 98 degrees today and Wednesday. The heat is expected to persist through Thursday before a slight cooldown later in the week.

Philadelphia detectives have significantly increased their clearance rates for homicides and nonfatal shootings over the past decade, with homicide clearance rates rising from 45% in 2016 to 82% in 2023. The quick arrest of two 16-year-old suspects in the June 2024 fatal shooting of William 'Billy' Schmidt exemplifies this trend, attributed to reduced homicide rates and advancements in crime-solving technology.

A Chicago woman's body was found in a garbage can on the south side. Police are investigating her death, and her family is calling for justice.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias released two new campaign commercials on Monday, emphasizing modernizing the office while seeking reelection. The timing of the ads has drawn attention amid speculation about his potential mayoral aspirations.

Rev. Michael Pfleger, a Chicago priest, has faced four accusations of past wrongdoing in recent years, all of which cleared him. He was recently suspended again following a new accusation, and he claims priests do not have the presumption of innocence.

The Chicago, IL weather forecast this week indicates heat index values around 100 on Tuesday and Wednesday.

A City Council committee may vote Monday on a potential sale of Chicago's parking meters, which could determine their ownership for years.

Extreme heat is affecting Chicago, prompting the opening of cooling centers as the heat index approaches 100°. The article highlights the availability of cooling centers and provides safety guidance for residents.

A Chicago man and a suburban woman are facing felony gun charges following separate arrests in Cook County. Sheriff's police confirmed the charges, which stem from two distinct incidents occurring on the same day.

Federal funding cuts to Permanent Supportive Housing programs in Chicago could threaten stable housing for chronically homeless individuals, forcing nonprofits to shift to shorter-term transitional housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced plans to deprioritize these programs, risking displacement for vulnerable residents like those at Deborah’s Place.

Fixin’ Franks, a Chicago-based hot dog stand located in Home Depot stores, was founded in 1998 by Conley Shirley and is now owned by his son Jordan Shirley. The business originated as a coffee cart before pivoting to hot dogs based on a suggestion from Home Depot management. Fixin’ Franks has expanded to 17 locations in the Chicago area, using sausages from Eisenberg and Makowski’s Real Sausage Company instead of Vienna Beef.

Chicago alders are set to consider a $9.5M wrongful conviction settlement, a parking meter lease transfer, and funding for The 78 as part of the Finance Committee's agenda. The agenda includes discussions on financial and legal matters related to city governance and development.

A man was charged with trespassing at Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's home in Chicago on the Fourth of July after allegedly jumping over a fence in the backyard, according to court documents.

Rahm Emanuel was interviewed on 'Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan' on July 12, 2026. The transcript mentions his roles as former White House chief of staff and Chicago Mayor.

Rahm Emanuel participated in an interview on 'Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan' on July 12, 2026. The transcript details his appearance on the program.

Artificial intelligence is likely operating in the background of your daily life, highlighting its integration into everyday routines. The article emphasizes the pervasive yet often unnoticed role of AI in modern life.

Funeral arrangements have been announced for George E. Johnson, a Black hair care pioneer and Chicago businessman who died Monday, July 6, at age 99 from natural causes.

Chicago is experiencing a pleasant summer day to end the weekend, with a significant temperature increase expected during the upcoming workweek.

Twelve people, including a 14-year-old boy, were shot overnight in Chicago in separate incidents, according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).

Chicago retained its position as the top city on Orkin’s 2026 Bed Bug Cities List for the fifth consecutive year, followed by Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland, and Indianapolis. The rankings, based on bedbug treatment data from May 2025 to May 2026, highlight increased bedbug activity in tourist destinations like Tampa and Myrtle Beach, while cities such as Nashville and Oklahoma City rose in the rankings.

Kansas City is vying to become the 'Soccer Capital of the World' by leveraging its 2026 FIFA World Cup hosting role, replacing Chicago after its withdrawal due to contractual disputes. The city has organized extensive preparations, including showcasing youth soccer and infrastructure, to highlight its commitment to the sport. Kansas City's bid aims to shift its global identity from a barbecue and NFL-focused city to a premier soccer destination.

The article reports a warm summer day in Chicago with temperatures reaching the mid-80s.

A group of thieves attempted to steal an ATM from a West Side restaurant in Chicago but failed, according to CPD. The incident occurred early Saturday morning.

A 36-year-old motorcyclist was killed, and their 9-year-old passenger was critically injured in a crash on South Damen Avenue in West Englewood, Chicago, around 11:20 p.m. Friday night.

A suspect wanted for a Chicago homicide was arrested after a police chase in Hollywood, Los Angeles, which ended in a rollover crash. Officials linked the suspect to a Rockford murder case.

Illinois' assault weapons ban withstood a legal challenge, though future challenges are anticipated. Chicago's first fully-elected school board race is becoming highly competitive.

The family of 24-year-old Chicago content creator Bibiano Ruano, known online as 'BIBI THE KING,' is again seeking answers more than a year after his unsolved shooting death. They have renewed their plea for information despite the lack of resolution in the case.

Matt Brewer is competing in the crowded race for Chicago mayor. The Point, a TV show, airs on WGN and streams on WGN+ each weeknight at 6:45 p.m. CT.

A Castle Rock homeowner remembers a mother bear and her two cubs that were part of his daily life after moving from Chicago to Colorado four years ago. The incident occurred following a shooting involving the bears.

Two Chicago teens who lost friends to gun violence are advocating for youth-led violence prevention initiatives instead of participating in teen takeovers.

Annette Guzman, Johnson's city budget director, is monitoring the blame game over a $130 million deficit.

A Chicago man was convicted on federal charges for plotting to have two potential witnesses killed before they could testify in his cousin's murder trial. The case involved a murder-for-hire scheme, with the accused expressing a desire to 'have them off the board.'

A Chicago man has been convicted on federal murder-for-hire charges for plotting to kill two potential witnesses in his cousin's murder trial. The conviction relates to efforts to eliminate individuals who could testify in the cousin's trial.

A Chicago man was convicted of plotting to kill witnesses in his relative's murder trial. The relative was accused of shooting and killing a woman in 2020, and the plot was foiled in the summer of 2024.

Scattered storms today will transition to sunny weather this weekend, followed by a prolonged heat wave with temperatures reaching 90 degrees next week in Chicago.

Two males died following a crash involving a semi in Hegewisch, Chicago. Authorities responded to the 2700 block of East 130th Street around 9:15 a.m. when the semi's driver attempted a left turn.

Protesters are planning a rally in Chicago to oppose the Trump administration's decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians and Syrians, leaving them vulnerable to deportation. Approximately 350,000 Haitians and fewer Syrians in the U.S. lost their TPS protections.