Cook County

Chicago has seen a 52% decline in domestic violence homicides in 2026 compared to 2025, attributed to increased funding for gender-based violence services, implementation of Karina’s Law, and reforms under the Pretrial Fairness Act. The city allocated $23.2 million for such services, while Cook County invested nearly $5 million.

Cook County has recorded 220 gun homicides through June 2024, a 24% increase from the same period last year, but a 50% decline from the 2021 peak. Federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act enabled over $350 million in community-based violence intervention investments, with a 2025 Northwestern University study showing these efforts reduced violent crime arrests by 73% for program participants.

Severe storms in Chicago are ending a week-long heatwave but bringing concerns of damaging winds, lightning, and flash flooding. The National Weather Service reported wind gusts up to 70 mph, recent heavy rainfall in Kane County, and a flood advisory in Cook County.

Chicago dismissed citations against nearly 20 street vendors, including Leydy Murillo, after a city crackdown on unlicensed vendors in downtown areas. The dismissals follow arrests, confiscation of carts, and fears of immigration enforcement detentions, with vendors expressing anxiety about ongoing threats and ICE involvement.

Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling announced his retirement this month. The minimum wage has officially increased in Chicago and Cook County.

The minimum wage increases for workers in Chicago and Cook County take effect Wednesday. The changes apply to both Chicago and Cook County.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation to address severe weather, flooding, and tornadoes affecting multiple counties over several months. The proclamation aims to mobilize state resources and expedite recovery efforts, with potential federal funding through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Response program.

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear two cases challenging assault weapons bans in Cook County, Illinois, and Connecticut. The decision could determine the constitutionality of such bans under the Second Amendment, potentially affecting similar laws in other states. The cases, Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins, will be argued in October 2023, with a ruling expected by 2024.

Chicago and Cook County have increased the minimum wage for many workers, with new rates taking effect Wednesday. Employers in Chicago with four or more workers must pay at least $17.05/hr, while Cook County employers must pay at least $15.40/hr for workers 18 and older.

The Supreme Court will hear cases challenging bans on semiautomatic rifles like the AR-15 in Connecticut and Cook County, Illinois. Similar laws exist in about a dozen states, including major cities, with gun control groups and rights organizations presenting opposing constitutional arguments.

The Supreme Court will hear a Second Amendment case challenging Cook County's assault weapon ban, which could determine the ban's future. The case centers on the legality of restricting specific firearms under constitutional protections.

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to Cook County’s assault weapons ban, which prohibits possession of firearms like AR-15s. The case, consolidated with a similar challenge from Connecticut, will determine whether the Second and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee the right to own such rifles. The decision follows the 2022 Bruen ruling, which established a framework for evaluating gun laws based on historical tradition of firearm regulation.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear cases challenging bans on semiautomatic rifles, including the AR-15, in Connecticut and the Chicago area. The court will determine if such bans violate the Second Amendment, following a conservative-leaning court that expanded gun rights in 2022. States like Connecticut and Illinois argue these weapons are commonly used in mass shootings and can be constitutionally banned, while gun rights groups claim the bans infringe on Second Amendment protections.

The U.S. Supreme Court will review bans on semiautomatic rifles, including AR-15s, in Connecticut and the Chicago area, with similar laws in other states. The case arises after a 2022 ruling expanded Second Amendment protections and follows debates over gun control measures in response to mass shootings. Opponents argue such bans violate constitutional rights, while proponents claim they address public safety risks.

A 20-year-old man was charged after a loaded ghost gun was discovered during a traffic stop in Cook County. Investigators also recovered over $1.3 million in stolen cargo in a separate case.

Illinois saw a 36% decrease in opioid overdose deaths from 2023 to 2024, with synthetic opioid deaths dropping 38%. Cook County and Chicago reported a 37% decline. Experts attribute the drop to expanded treatment access, Narcan distribution, and harm reduction strategies.

An Oak Lawn man was found with a loaded gun, mushrooms, a pot cigar, and $10,000 in cash during a traffic stop on Chicago’s South Side, according to the sheriff.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart suggests a dedicated CTA police force may be needed to address safety concerns on Chicago's public transit train system.

Henry Graham was convicted of involuntary manslaughter after attacking Russell Long, a Northern Trust executive, on the Magnificent Mile in 2023. A Cook County judge cited Illinois case law from 1921, stating a single-punch death does not constitute first-degree murder, leading to the lesser charge.

A Chicago man was sentenced to 18 years in prison for a hate crime stabbing attack that seriously injured a 55-year-old man.

Tiffany Henyard, who is running for office in Georgia, received a legal victory as a Cook County judge ruled her ex-landlord must pay her $1,500.

Cook County Public Defender discusses cashless bail and electronic monitoring amid high-profile cases in Cook County and Illinois. Aphonso Talley, a 7-time convicted felon on electronic monitoring, allegedly killed a Chicago Police officer and injured another.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for northwest Cook County, with a tornado warning in effect for parts of northeastern Kane and northwestern Cook Counties. The storms caused quarter-sized hail, 70 mph winds, and tree damage in Bartlett before moving southeast into the metro area. A severe thunderstorm watch remains active for multiple counties until 10 p.m.

Ford City Mall in Chicago closed ahead of a city-ordered deadline due to a defective fire suppression system deemed an imminent health and safety risk. A Cook County judge approved the closure after city officials cited hazardous conditions, including flooding, poor wiring, and potential sinkhole risks. Kurv Industrial has proposed replacing the mall with an industrial campus.

Cook County has released a preliminary budget forecast for the upcoming year, projecting a $336M gap in the general fund for 2027.

Cook County officials project a $550 million budget shortfall for next year, driven by Medicaid funding cuts, rising healthcare costs, and restricted transportation tax revenue. The general fund faces a $336 million shortfall, while the healthcare fund is projected to lose $215 million.

Cook County is awarding $5 million to nine community organizations for violence intervention programs and will open applications for an additional $15 million in July as gun homicides decline. The funding aims to support violence prevention efforts.

House Bill 4844 proposes requiring employers to pay workers their regular wages during jury duty in Illinois, addressing concerns that low juror pay disproportionately excludes hourly workers and low-income individuals from jury pools. The bill includes an exemption for small businesses with 25 or fewer employees.

Cook County is under a flood warning until Monday morning due to 1-3 inches of rain over the weekend. The warning extends to specific towns like Richton Park and Chicago's South Side, with meteorologist Todd Kluber noting improved conditions but ongoing risks near rivers and low-lying areas.

A California-based advocacy group, Economic Security California, aims to establish a permanent guaranteed income program funded by dedicated local taxes. The group, part of the national Economic Security Project, has supported over 100 U.S. pilot programs and emphasizes transitioning from temporary initiatives to sustainable policies. Examples include LA County’s publicly funded program and Cook County’s use of local budget funds after federal aid expired.

Storms caused widespread power outages affecting over 264,000 customers in Illinois and disrupted Chicago flights with over 1,000 delays or cancellations. The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm alerts across the Midwest, leading to damaged infrastructure, fallen trees, and flash flooding risks.

Cook County experienced a surge in carjackings during the global pandemic, reaching historic highs in 2021 with particularly violent incidents in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Recent data shows a drastic decline in carjackings following this peak.

Cook County will delay property tax bills by at least two months this year. Professor David Merriman from UIC will discuss the systemic issues causing the delay.

Gov. JB Pritzker stated he would call a special session if Illinois lawmakers reach a Bears stadium deal before their fall return. The Bears are considering a move to Hammond, Indiana, where lawmakers proposed a tax-funded stadium near a site with toxic waste issues. Previous Illinois legislative efforts for stadium funding failed in May.

A Riverdale homeowner's nearly $17,000 tax bill has sparked criticism of Cook County's assessment system. Critics, including incoming Assessor Patrick Hynes and engineer Vaughn Harrison, argue the bill represents an extreme outlier that may require correction.

Cook County property tax bills, typically sent in July, are delayed by two months, prompting the reopening of a $300 million Property Tax Bridge Fund Program for suburban tax districts. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is excluded from the loan program, risking significant financial strain as it previously incurred $220,000 daily in interest costs from short-term loans during a prior delay.

An Amazon employee, Quentin Williams, is accused of fatally shooting co-worker Travion Taylor in the parking lot of an Amazon facility in Melrose Park. A license plate reader linked Williams to the crime scene by capturing his vehicle leaving the garage immediately after the shooting. Williams turned himself in and is being held pending trial.

The I-290 Eisenhower Expressway in Cook County was closed in both directions at Mannheim Road due to police activity, with traffic diverted and law enforcement, first responders, and state police present on scene. A vehicle potentially involved was observed, but no further details were provided by authorities.

Illinois passed the Court Access, Safety and Participation Act (CASPA) to restrict Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from courthouses, but ICE arrests continue despite the law. Federal agents have increasingly targeted courthouses, prompting legal challenges and concerns about deterring immigrants from accessing justice.

A Cook County judge ruled that Manoj Prasad, CEO of Resilience Healthcare, can continue managing West Suburban Medical Center despite a lawsuit from minority owner Rathnakar Reddy Patlola, who sought a receiver to take control. Prasad closed the hospital in March, citing operational issues, while Patlola accused him of financial mismanagement and sought to evict Resilience from hospital properties.