How did Riot Fest get William Shatner? Fire eaters, a Wiener's Circle dog, and more

Next week, Riot Fest returns to Douglass Park, and alongside big names like Twenty One Pilots, Nas, and Alanis Morissette, one performer will be making his heavy metal debut at 95 years old.

• Sep 10

Punk rock icon Patti Smith honored with 2026 Harold Washington Literary Award

Chicago native and "Godmother of Punk" Patti Smith was back in her hometown on Thursday night to receive this year's Harold Washington Literary Award

• Sep 10

Final preparations underway for Mexican Independence Day festivities in Chicago

Final preparations are in full swing ahead of a busy stretch of days that will mark Mexican Independence Day throughout Chicago.

• Sep 10

Hammond public schools ban metal water bottles from classrooms

Public schools in Hammond, Indiana, have banned metal water bottles in the classroom.

• Sep 10

Hundreds of millions of migrating birds flying over Chicago on their way south

Nearly 300 million birds flew over the Chicago area on Wednesday night. Another 276 million are expected to make the same trip Thursday night.

• Sep 10

255 reported crimes in two years on two River North blocks

Chicago police crime data show 255 reported crimes in the last two years on the two blocks where the former Hard Rock and Rainforest cafés sit vacant. Neighbors have been calling the city about the alley between them for six years.

• Sep 10

Mayoral hopeful Alexi Giannoulias hoping to keep the Bears in Chicago

Five months until the 2027 mayoral election in Chicago, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is leading in early polling, and has a commanding lead in fundraising.

• Sep 10

Three years in, Cook County Sheriff's safety efforts on Mag Mile show results

A three-year effort by the Cook County Sheriff's Office to help bring down crime on the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago appears to be working.

• Sep 10

Trump shares more details on $5,000 dividends in exclusive interview

CBS News Texas political reporter Jack Fink spoke with President Trump for an exclusive interview during the president's visit to North Texas.

• Sep 10

Judge denies disability groups' motion to block IL medical aid in dying law

A federal judge denied a motion to block the start of Illinois' medical aid in dying law from taking effect this weekend, following a lawsuit filed by disability rights advocates.

• Sep 10

Police searching for group wanted for damaging cars in Kenwood

Police are searching for a group wanted for damaging multiple cars in Chicago's Kenwood neighborhood early Thursday morning.

• Sep 10

Matt O'Shea is latest alderman to give up Chicago City Council seat

Matt O'Shea, who has been the alderman of Chicago's 19th Ward for the last 16 years, is the latest to announce he is giving up his Chicago City Council seat after this term.

• Sep 10

Chicago health officials warning of potential measles exposure at Union Station

The Chicago Department of Public Health is warning commuters of a potential measures exposure at Union Station last month.

• Sep 10

Illinois Poet Laureate Mark Turcotte proud to appear at Printers Row Lit Fest

Book lovers will gather this weekend for the 41st Printers Row Lit Fest​ in Chicago's South Loop.

• Sep 10

Metra launches art contest for kids to create a safety superhero

Metra is looking for students to design a safety superhero for the commuter rail agency's 20th annual safety competition.

• Sep 10

Show More