Last-minute Christmas shoppers line Chicago's State Street
It was the final hoorah. Some call this "Super Saturday," and all of those out and about were soaking in the final moments before Christmas.
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It was the final hoorah. Some call this "Super Saturday," and all of those out and about were soaking in the final moments before Christmas.
It's been a few weeks since the lobby of their police station was full of migrant families. But officers at Chicago's 14th District in Logan Square didn't stop thinking or worrying about them. On Saturday, they decided to deliver those families a Christmas surprise, and CBS 2's Noel Brennan tagged along.
With less than two days before Christmas, the clock was ticking for last-minute shoppers. It was a madhouse in downtown Chicago as many rushed to wrap up their shopping. CBS 2's Darius Johnson had the latest on the holiday shopping rush Saturday.
Angela Thompson is a Chicago Public Schools crossing guard who holds an annual toy drive.
She makes sure kids get to school and home safely, but she's also sending them home with gifts. Angela Thompson is a Chicago Public Schools crossing guard who holds an annual toy drive. CBS 2's Shardaa Gray told the story of the crossing guard who pays for the gifts herself, with help from some donations.
Much like the town, the post office keeps Christmas decorations up year-round but it's during the holidays when it sees the most visitors.
While Dec. 25 was still days away, it felt like Christmas morning inside the McCormick Place on Saturday.
It's an event that brought together the mayor, 38 Chicago aldermen, and many more local and state leaders, but politics was not the focus. Christmas in the Wards is about the families who benefit from the mission of a nonprofit. CBS 2's Noel Brennan showed what it's all about.
The study suggests the holiday tradition can reduce stress and mental fatigue by putting people in touch with nature.
Decked out in a Santa hat and bearing gifts in walked Obama himself. He wanted to spread a little cheer to the pre-K class ahead of the winter break.
If you don't have your tree yet, you might get a move on.
"I really don't like to see no child left behind and that's with anything."
The tree is filled with ornaments honoring those Chicago police officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty.
Some very special kids had their day brightened thanks to a long-distance video call all the way from the North Pole.
For nearly 80 years, Catholic Charities has been providing gifts for families during the holidays for its annual Celebration of Giving.
For the last 76 years, Catholic Charities has continued its Celebration of Giving for the holiday season. Every year, thousands of families throughout Cook and Lake counties receive generous gifts for Christmas. This year, the preparation happens inside a 17,000-square-foot warehouse in Fulton Market that has been transformed into Santa's Chicago Workshop.
Year after year, thousands of families across Chicago receive gifts for the holiday through an effort by Catholic Charities called the Celebration of Giving. But this year, the gift giving is falling short, and more help is needed. CBS 2's Darius Johnson went behind the scenes of the massive undertaking that is meant to provide hope for the holidays.
Experts showed how quickly a fire could spread and had tips to keep your family safe.
They started off-loading Christmas trees that will go to hundreds of families in Chicago.
Crews will unload more than 1,200 Christmas trees to donate to Chicago families.
Jason Lesniewicz of Choose Chicago shares a list of local events that will get you in the holiday spirit.
CBS 2's Marissa Perlman reports from Fulton Market, where the holiday spirit is alive and well with lots to experience.
Grab the family and hop aboard the holiday bus decked from head to toe with the merriest decorations.
People gathered for the big countdown Friday afternoon to light up the 45-foot tree full of holiday spirit.
The glow of 50,000 lights will illuminate Millennium Park as the City of Chicago prepares for the 110th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, and CBS 2 proudly led the festivities. People were gathering for the big countdown Friday afternoon to light up the 45-foot tree full of holiday spirit.
While much of the city is quiet on Christmas Day, Chicago's Chinatown buzzes with tradition, food and family.
It was an extra special Christmas Day for 50 recruits from Naval Station Great Lakes, who were surprised with a trip off base in the middle of bootcamp for some holiday cheer.
More than 1,500 people are feeling the Christmas joy thanks to St. Sabina Church in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
For the ninth year in a row, a Chicago nonprofit lined up a caravan of cars and toys to make surprise stops around the city, mainly on the South Side.
"Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria," President Trump said.
"Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria," President Trump said.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
Pope Leo XIV has revealed he privately urged Gov. JB Pritzker not to sign a bill legalizing medical assistance in dying in Illinois.
President Trump invoked a law called Title 10 to bring members of the Illinois National Guard under federal service over the objections of state and local leaders.
A host of new laws in Illinois will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. From gun safety to rogue towers, protection from squatters, medical assistance in dying, protections for immigrants and more, here are some of the most notable changes in the new year.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
With less than two weeks until Christmas, if you're sending gifts to people far from home, the deadlines to get them there on time are fast approaching.
A condo owner in Country Club Hills says he's forced to sell his home after his condo association failed to reimburse him for repairs to his leaking roof. Edward Hadnott's condo has sat empty since a major roof leak in 2022.
The U.S. stopped minting pennies this week, and some groups have issued a warning about the headaches that can create for some businesses and consumers.
Why is one school in the west Chicago suburb of Lisle paying a water bill three times higher than another? The answer has to do with a private utility company.
Millions of people with an Affordable Care Act health plan face a massive jump in premiums next year — this chart shows just how much.
It's the holiday season, which means it's the most common time of year for norovirus to spread. Here's what you need to know about this winter stomach bug.
A study conducted in part by Chicago's Northwestern Medicine found that tanning beds not only triple the risk of melanoma, but can also damage DNA across nearly the whole skin surface.
An investigation into the case of a Michigan man who contracted rabies after an organ transplant provided more details on the infection's origin.
The newest measles vaccination numbers released by Chicago Public Schools shows immunizations are finally moving in the right direction.
The Chicago Bears are expanding their search for a new stadium to Northwest Indiana, even though they already own land in Arlington Heights and have also proposed a new lakefront stadium in Chicago.
A Culver's is coming to Chicago's South Loop, a real estate broker has confirmed.
A new vision for passenger rail is on track in southeastern Wisconsin. The MARK Passenger Rail Commission held its inaugural meeting on December 5, 2025, at Racine City Hall.
U.S. Steel says it'll resume making steel slabs at its Granite City Works plant in Illinois amid strengthening demand.
Traffic at O'Hare International Airport is growing faster than expected, and this has Chicago city leaders wanting to make big changes to future construction plans at the airport.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
The singer said an MRI showed a cancerous spot on one of his lungs after he recovered from a lengthy bout of bronchitis.
James Ransone, the actor who played Ziggy Sobotka in the HBO series "The Wire" and appeared in many other TV shows and movies, has died.
Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre is hosting "The Phantom of the Opera," and staff offered a firsthand look at the iconic chandelier inside the theater this week.
The special features interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O'Connell and Mandy Patinkin.
While much of the city is quiet on Christmas Day, Chicago's Chinatown buzzes with tradition, food and family.
The U.S. launched strikes on ISIS targets in Nigeria on Thursday, according to a post on Truth Social by President Trump.
It was an extra special Christmas Day for 50 recruits from Naval Station Great Lakes, who were surprised with a trip off base in the middle of bootcamp for some holiday cheer.
Get the latest seven day forecast from our First Alert Weather team.
More than 1,500 people are feeling the Christmas joy thanks to St. Sabina Church in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
While much of the city is quiet on Christmas Day, Chicago's Chinatown buzzes with tradition, food and family.
For the ninth year in a row, a Chicago nonprofit lined up a caravan of cars and toys to make surprise stops around the city, mainly on the South Side.
The sprawling 20-acre campus in Jackson Park, just blocks from the lake, includes buildings, gardens, playgrounds, and a 225-foot museum tower.
"Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria," President Trump said.
One year ago, the Chicago Bears were fighting for draft positioning. Now they've clinched a playoff spot in the first year of a new coaching regime.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
Some Chicago area hospitals are at risk of significant flooding both in and around the buildings, according to new KFF Health News/Fathom models.
Lawmakers in Springfield are looking to address the high water bills being reported in some suburbs from customers of Illinois American Water.
Electric bills in the Chicago area could go up as much as $70 in the next three years because of data centers, according to the Citizens Utility Board.
Advocates and legislators are seeking solutions and and accountability for a pattern of Chicago police arresting Black gun owners on firearms charges despite valid FOID and CCL licenses.
One year ago, the Chicago Bears were fighting for draft positioning. Now they've clinched a playoff spot in the first year of a new coaching regime.
As the 11-4 Chicago Bears prepare for their Sunday night matchup with the 11-4 San Francisco 49ers, one player earned an extra Christmas present from the league thanks to his impressive performance against the Green Bay Packers.
Travis Konecny scored and added his 300th career assist, leading the Philadelphia Flyers past the Blackhawks 3-1 and handing depleted Chicago its sixth straight loss.
The Bulls trailed 117-107 but closed the game on a 19-6 run.
Three Chicago Bears players have been named to the 2026 NFC Pro Bowl roster: safety Kevin Byard III, center Drew Dalman, and left guard Joe Thuney.
A woman was released on electronic monitoring Wednesday after authorities said she drove drunk and caused a crash that injured a family of four in Lombard, Illinois.
Multiple cars were broken into this week in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Four women have been charged with leading police on a high-speed chase after stealing from a retail store in the west Chicago suburb of Villa Park.
A woman has been charged with attacking four people at a CTA bus stop in the Lawndale neighborhood, including a woman she allegedly slashed with a broken beer bottle after threatening that woman's mother.
Three teens have been charged with sexually assaulting a classmate this past summer at a graduation party for St. Viator High School students.
