CBS to host "The Great American Block Party 250" special on July 4
CBS will host a primetime special celebrating America's 250th birthday on Saturday, July 4, with exclusive performances and the largest fireworks show in history.
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CBS will host a primetime special celebrating America's 250th birthday on Saturday, July 4, with exclusive performances and the largest fireworks show in history.
July 4th fireworks and celebrations in 2026 will mark the United States' 250th birthday. Here's where to see Independence Day fireworks in Chicago, surrounding suburbs and in Northwest Indiana.
A possible record-breaking 4th of July travel period is underway at Chicago's airports on Wednesday.
Some early-morning park walkers who found themselves in the middle of a fireworks disaster on Saturday — and they worry it could have been worse.
One might expect a firework injury to happen in the middle of someone’s after-dark display. But it was actually some early-morning park walkers who found themselves in the middle of a disaster — and they worry it could have been worse. Sara Machi reports.
Neighbors said it was a miracle that no one was hurt in the fire in a Bridgeport alley on July 4th.
Anyone who lives in Chicago knows not a 4th of July goes by without fireworks booming across the city. However, it is illegal to light them except in displays with a permit — and the fire in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood amounted to a very visual reason why. Lauren Victory reports.
Village and park leaders said people preferred this over having the fireworks at Tinley Park Rib Fest.
Here are some simple things to do to stay out of the hospital. About 15 percent of all fireworks-related injuries affect the eyes.
Jackie Kostek has all kinds of tips and ideas for throwing a great last-minute event.
July 4th is just around the corner! Here's where you can see fireworks displays around Chicago, the suburbs and Northwest Indiana in 2025.
As more than 2 million travelers are expected to pass through Chicago airports during the July 4th holiday weekend, American Airlines is using new technology to help them make their connections.
Millions will travel for the July 4th weekend and to help with the crowds, both United and American airlines at O'Hare are using new technology that tracks passengers who might miss their connections.
The CFD placed its focus on sparklers, saying while they may seem harmless, they account for the second highest percentage of fireworks injuries.
The CFD placed its focus on sparklers, saying while they may seem harmless, they account for the second highest percentage of fireworks injuries.
Rich Naponelli, owner of Dog Training Elite Chicago, offers tips on keeping animals comfortable during patriotic celebrations.
Rich Naponelli, owner of Dog Training Elite Chicago, said that fireworks can be triggering to pets as they don't know when to expect them.
Robert Crimo III was not in the courtroom Thursday as his sentence was read. Marissa Sulek reports.
Judge Victoria Rossetti gave Robert Crimo III seven consecutive life sentences for the murder convictions, plus 50 years for each of the 48 attempted murder charges. Sabrina Franza reports.
Jury selection continued for a second day on Tuesday in the murder trial of the man accused of killing seven people and wounding dozens of others in Highland Park, Illinois, during the 4th of July parade in 2022.
"We are here to say emphatically, this is enough. It's enough. When this reckless violence ravages across our city at this magnitude, we are losing a piece of the soul of Chicago," Mayor Brandon Johnson said.
From the annual parade in Palos Heights to one of the largest fireworks displays the state has in Itasca, the festivities were plentiful this Independence Day.
City leaders said meticulous planning went into the occasion, providing space for both remembrance and family traditions two years after the 2022 mass shooting.
Another year of Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest means a lot of calories consumed. Here's the breakdown.
Fireworks and more are on display starting this weekend for the Fourth of July Holiday, with many places in Chicago and the suburbs to sit and enjoy the colorful celebration.
Brayan Rocchio hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave the Cleveland Guardians a 6-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a four-game series between the top two teams in the AL Central.
A new AI-powered tool being used by some police departments claims to turn a shell casing into an investigative lead in under 24 minutes.
New data from the Chicago Police Department shows violent crime in the city is slightly up from the record lows of 2025.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to watch Fourth of July fireworks at and around Navy Pier Saturday as the city celebrates America's 250th birthday.
Illinois State Police said two people have been arrested in connection to the remains of a Plainfield man that were found in Lake Mattoon in June.
Dr. Debra Houry, who resigned in protest from the health agency, said the spread of misinformation impacted lives.
David Hearn is accused of ripping out a piece of sealant on the bottom of the Reflecting Pool on June 19, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch is making moves to remove state Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield) from office.
Special Agent-in-Charge Douglas DePodesta, who has led FBI Chicago for the past three years, is leaving his post on July 6.
Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling announced Wednesday that he is retiring later this month.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul this week warned residents cleaning up from last month's storms to be on the lookout for scams.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed several new consumer protections into law, including a ban on junk fees.
CBS News Chicago has learned that Illinois home insurance premiums are not only higher than the nation's average, but going up faster too.
As an alternative to legalizing video gambling terminals citywide, Bally's offered to open slot machine lounges at O'Hare and Midway, saying the move would replace the $6.8 million the city budgeted from VGTs.
An Illinois law banning "swipe fees" on taxes and tips — already delayed twice by lawmakers — appears to be on life support after a federal judge that once permitted it issued a permanent injunction against it this week.
In a major turnaround in the opioid crisis, overdose deaths are falling across Chicago and Cook County.
The north Chicago suburb of Glenview became the latest Illinois municipality this week to confirm mosquitoes testing positive for the West Nile virus this year.
Environmental and community groups are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to act on a petition challenging U.S. Steel Gary Works operating permit renewal.
In the four years since Roe v. Wade was overturned and Illinois became a destination for abortion care, Illinois providers and advocates have rebuilt the state's infrastructure to support the tens of thousands of people who travel to the state for abortion services every year.
June is National Aphasia Awareness Month, raising awareness of a disorder that affects a person's ability to speak, write, and understand both spoken and written language.
The Chicago Bears this weekend said they are assessing land at Wolf Lake Terminals in Hammond, Indiana, for a possible new stadium.
As an alternative to legalizing video gambling terminals citywide, Bally's offered to open slot machine lounges at O'Hare and Midway, saying the move would replace the $6.8 million the city budgeted from VGTs.
Daley's Restaurant, known as Chicago's oldest, has served Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood for more than 130 years.
Walgreens is set to close in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood on Thursday, and there's growing concern about where families will get their medications.
The owners of Gene & Georgetti steakhouse are suing a concessions operator over their expansion at Midway International Airport.
Renowned singer-songwriter and Chicago-area native John Prine will be honored with a mural at the Old Town School of Folk Music in the Lincoln Square community.
Victor Willis, lead singer of the disco group Village People, whose hit "Y.M.C.A." became a fixture at rallies for President Trump, has died at the age of 74, his wife and the band said.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding plans include a rehearsal dinner and a late-night celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York City, according to sources familiar with the security planning.
Chicago rapper Twista has pleaded guilty to willfully failing to pay income taxes.
Lionel Richie's Chicago concert at the United Center has been postponed after the singer became sick at his tour opener in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Mostly cloudy and still hot Friday with afternoon and evening thunderstorms likely, including some that could become strong. Highs around 90.
A new AI-powered tool being used by some police departments claims to turn a shell casing into an investigative lead in under 24 minutes.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to watch Fourth of July fireworks at and around Navy Pier Saturday as the city celebrates America's 250th birthday.
New data from the Chicago Police Department shows violent crime in the city is slightly up from the record lows of 2025.
A judge ruled the three men charged in an attack on a CBS News Chicago crew and others will remain in custody until they go to trial. One of them is charged with a hate crime for hurling racist slurs at our photojournalist.
A new AI-powered tool being used by some police departments claims to turn a shell casing into an investigative lead in under 24 minutes.
The men charged with attacking a CBS News Chicago crew near the Adler Planetarium were ordered detained until trial on Thursday.
Illinois State Police said two people have been arrested in connection to the remains of a Plainfield man that were found in Lake Mattoon in June.
A naked man was arrested and charged after three women were assaulted in downtown DeKalb Thursday.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to watch Fourth of July fireworks at and around Navy Pier Saturday as the city celebrates America's 250th birthday.
A new AI-powered tool being used by some police departments claims to turn a shell casing into an investigative lead in under 24 minutes.
University of Illinois - Chicago scientists took their lab work to the streets of the South Side during this week's heat wave, checking on tree cover and tree health in some of Chicago's more vulnerable neighborhoods.
In a major turnaround in the opioid crisis, overdose deaths are falling across Chicago and Cook County.
An Uber driver who was assaulted during a ride said he begged Chicago police officers not once but twice for help, but was left to fend for himself.
CBS News Chicago has learned that Illinois home insurance premiums are not only higher than the nation's average, but going up faster too.
Brayan Rocchio hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave the Cleveland Guardians a 6-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a four-game series between the top two teams in the AL Central.
The Cubs (49-38) have won five straight after sweeping the Padres (43-42), who have lost five in a row.
Dean Kremer pitched six impressive innings in his return from a quad injury, and the Baltimore Orioles avoided a sweep Wednesday with a 6-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
Alex Bregman, Michael Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong added homers to help the Cubs win for the 10th time in 12 games.
Colson Montgomery and Junior Perez homered during Chicago's seven-run third inning and the White Sox pounded the Baltimore Orioles 9-3 on Tuesday night.
A man was ordered detained Thursday after the shooting death of an employee at an Amazon Fulfillment Center in Matteson, Illinois, earlier this week.
A man is charged for sexually assaulting a woman while she was jogging on the 606 Trail in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood over the weekend.
Burglars crashed a sport-utility vehicle into a convenience store in Chicago's Loop early Thursday morning.
The men charged with attacking a CBS News Chicago crew near the Adler Planetarium were ordered detained until trial on Thursday.
The FBI said in a statement Wednesday that some ransom notes in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance have been "deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy," and other "demands may potentially be legitimate and are still being investigated as such."
