Chicago's most viral headlines of 2024
Insects emerged from the ground, the moon eclipsed the sun, a purse full of cereal was spotted and Chicago fell in love with a rodent-shaped hole.
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Insects emerged from the ground, the moon eclipsed the sun, a purse full of cereal was spotted and Chicago fell in love with a rodent-shaped hole.
A North Aurora woman is already counting down to 2041 because she can't wait for the drone of the 17-year cicadas to fill her front yard once again.
Bettina Sailer is already counting down to 2041 because she can't wait for the drone of the 17-year cicadas to fill her front yard once again. CBS 2's Noel Brennan reports.
The periodical cicadas that have blanketed parts of the American Midwest this spring are strange creatures, but they have nothing on some of their superfans. Cicada "superfans" from making an extended field day (or, rather, field month) with the twin emergence.
The "Bug Bites" event was inspired by the 17-year periodical cicada emergence across the Chicago area this spring and summer.
While there were no cicadas, a tostada with grasshoppers was among the items on the menu at the Bug Bites dinner at Big Star West Town.
Field Museum collections assistant Jim Louderman tells CBS 2 all about the bugs that could be observed, and even eaten, at Big Star West Town Tuesday night -- as well as why people should enjoy their time with the 17-year cicada this year.
Cicadas were not to be on the menu, but other insect-based dishes were, at Big Star West Town.
Veterinarians emphasize it's rare for a cicada-eating issue to turn into an emergency for pets. But with vets seeing such issues across the Chicago area nonetheless, experts have some advice.
Veterinarians emphasize it’s rare for a cicada-eating issue to turn into an emergency for pets. But with vets seeing such issues across the Chicago area nonetheless, experts have some advice. CBS 2's Tara Molina reports.
Christen Jeschke wrote the book to soothe her children, who were terrified by the onslaught of cicadas on the East Coast in 2021.
The growing noise of cicadas might give you a headache, or just become white noise, but for some people living with special needs the sound can be extremely disruptive.
While Ravinia says the summertime insect is no problem, those living near the venue in Highland Park are already sick of their ear-piercing mating calls.
While Ravinia says the summertime insect is no problem, those living near the venue in Highland Park are already sick of their ear-piercing mating calls. CBS 2's Jermont Terry reports.
Periodical cicadas used to reliably emerge every 13 or 17 years — but spring arriving sooner interferes with the bugs' internal alarm clocks.
From a big congratulations to Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy High School graduate Livia Brown to a cicada who just wanted to hang out. Here's what caught Suzanne Le Mignot and Mary Kay Kleist's eye this week.
They posted a graphic on Facebook stacking cicadas up with a bunch of other noisemakers.
Each was decorated by local artists and business owners.
Twenty-five hand-painted plaster cicadas now line the streets in Glen Ellyn. All perched on planters, benches, and other spots. Each was decorated by local artists and business owners.
CBS 2’s Ed Curran is tracking the noise, and says it is 76 decibels where he is – similar to a vacuum cleaner.
Ricardo Aguilar caught some in his granddaughter's backyard in Glenwood, and Elizabeth Gilewicz of Riverwood shared a helpful tip to keep the insects from climbing high on trees.
Scientists at the Field Museum will study its DNA to figure out why a tiny number of cicadas have blue or white eyes.
"It's a taste you won't find anywhere else, and it's only available once every 17 years!" Noon Whistle Brewing said.
Blue-eyed cicadas are genetic mutations that rarely occur.
Extremely-rare blue-eyed cicada was found in Wheaton. Now, it will be on display at the Field Museum as part of its rare collections, and the local family that discovered it talks about their fantastic find.
Two people were injured after a serious crash on US-41 involving two semi trucks in North Chicago early Thursday morning.
A judge will decide whether the Chicago man convicted in what's known as the Bali "suitcase murder" will get an early release.
Peters hit a two-run shot that made it 6-2 in the fifth. He and Munetaka Murakami are the first rookies in franchise history to homer in five straight games in the same season.
McCauley, 36, was killed around 3 a.m. Tuesday at the Thorntons gas station. A witness said he alerted the clerk to masked gunmen in the parking lot before the shooting.
At least nine parked cars were smashed into and had valuables stolen from inside on the morning of Aug. 25, according to Chicago police.
New rules governing who can use electronic bikes and scooters, including where and how fast they go, will go into effect next year following Gov. JB Pritzker's signature on Wednesday.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Wednesday he has joined a multistate lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service challenging new rules that purport to give it authority to regulate mail-in voting in federal elections.
The group of 24 states and the District of Columbia argues the Postal Service's new rule violates the Constitution and federal law.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) on Wednesday called for answers from the Department of Justice, saying along with other lawmakers that the Chicago immigration court needs revisions when it comes to unaccompanied immigrant children.
The Chicago Public Schools are back in the swing of things, with hundreds of laid-off educators back in the classroom.
Cook County homeowners are again facing a sharper increase in property taxes this year than businesses, the Office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announced Monday.
Contracted linemen from out of state sat idle in a Griffith church parking lot for hours without work orders from NIPSCO, as residents in Northwest Indiana approach two weeks without power.
A law firm has filed a class action lawsuit against NIPSCO, alleging the utility's failure to manage trees and vegetation has left thousands of Northwest Indiana residents without power for up to two weeks.
Dozens of cases of E. coli and salmonella in multiple states are linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say.
A new Illinois law signed by Gov. Pritzker offers up to $1,000 to eligible homeowners hit by storm damage, but the money won't be available until next year — and the program only covers certain areas of Chicago.
Patients taking the first-of-a-kind pill, called daraxonrasib, lived for a median of 13.2 months compared with 6.7 months for chemotherapy recipients, studies showed.
Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois, used performed a complex operation to preserve mobility for a 3-year-old boy who had to have part of his leg amputated after suffering a horrific accident with a lawnmower.
Possible measles exposures have been reported at a high school in Maple Park, Illinois, and a pediatric clinic in South Elgin, Kane County health officials said.
Dozens of cases of E. coli and salmonella in multiple states are linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say.
Moderna and Merck announced study results that reflect a "landmark moment" in treatment for one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer.
A Wisconsin prosecutor says he will not file election bribery charges against billionaire Elon Musk even though the state's bipartisan elections commission said he likely broke state law.
An expert blames Illinois lawmakers and "internecine political problems" for the failure to seal a deal for a new stadium within the state for the Chicago Bears.
Real estate investment and development firm Concord Capital has acquired nine apartment buildings on Elaine Place, a single-block residential street in Chicago's East Lakeview community.
The Chicago Plan Commission voted Thursday to approve a plan to redevelop Ford City Mall into an industrial complex, despite objections from some neighbors.
A new Barnes & Noble bookstore opened in the heart of downtown Chicago on Wednesday, while separately, a building that used to house an old Barnes & Noble store in the Gold Coast was being demolished.
People around the world, including Chicago, continued to gather Wednesday to pay tribute to the late Dolly Parton.
Tim Curry was known for his iconic performances in cult classics like "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and the original screen adaptation of Stephen King's "It."
Audience members at a stage performance of "9 to 5: The Musical" in the U.K. were heard gasping aloud at the news of Dolly Parton's death Tuesday.
Dolly Parton was a native and lifelong resident of Tennessee, but she made numerous visits and forged numerous ties to Chicago over the years.
Dolly Parton became an icon over her six-decade career as a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, movie and TV star and theme park owner who donated millions to help others.
Two people were injured after a serious crash involving two semi trucks in North Chicago.
This weekend, NASA will launch its newest space telescope, and it’s a powerhouse with a camera capable of imaging more than a billion galaxies.
A judge will decide whether the Chicago man convicted in what's known as the Bali "suitcase murder" will get an early release.
Experts investigated how Americans really feel about hot topics like bare feet on the plane, seat reclining and, of course, the battle of the armrests.
The venue will dedicate its Saturday, Aug. 29, night show to the country music legend, with a number of artists expected to take part.
A judge will decide whether the Chicago man convicted in what's known as the Bali "suitcase murder" will get an early release.
McCauley, 36, was killed around 3 a.m. Tuesday at the Thorntons gas station. A witness said he alerted the clerk to masked gunmen in the parking lot before the shooting.
An immigration court judge in Chicago on Wednesday ordered six children to be deported after they were deemed abandoned by state courts.
At least nine parked cars were smashed into and had valuables stolen from inside on the morning of Aug. 25, according to Chicago police.
Two people were injured after a serious crash on US-41 involving two semi trucks in North Chicago early Thursday morning.
Police in west suburban Oak Brook used a new tool aimed at limiting high-speed chases to catch a fleeing van while responding to a burglary call overnight.
The program was launched by the utility company last year, with some saying it makes it easier to address problem poles.
She was counting down the days to the first day of 5th grade until her school district told her she didn't have a spot there. Now, a federal judge has ordered the district to put the 10-year-old girl with autism back in her neighborhood school.
Who you gonna call if someone locks you out of your own charity? That's the question members of a Ghostbusters-themed nonprofit say they're asking.
Residents of Ogleby Towers on Wednesday morning spoke out about the system that constantly changes their rent, which they say makes it hard to budget.
Peters hit a two-run shot that made it 6-2 in the fifth. He and Munetaka Murakami are the first rookies in franchise history to homer in five straight games in the same season.
Eduardo Rodriguez struck out nine in seven innings, Jordan Lawlar homered and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0.
Pinch-hitter Ryan Waldschmidt hit a game-winning, two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied to stun the Chicago Cubs 5-4 on Tuesday night.
The 6-foot-10, 250-pound former NBA player was removed from Sunday's game after he was confronted by Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
Peters also went deep in the sixth, extending his career-high homer streak to four games.
A man was arrested and charged with taking part in a shooting that killed a mail carrier in Chicago's West Pullman neighborhood in 2024.
One person was killed and another was wounded in a shooting Sunday night at a hotel in northwest suburban Wheeling.
At least four people were killed, and 17 more were injured, in weekend shootings across Chicago as of Sunday, according to police.
Chicago police this weekend issued a warning about a string of armed robberies in the city's Bronzeville community.
Illinois State Police and the FBI announced this weekend that they may have a new lead, though not a suspect, in the 1992 murder of college student Tammy Zywicki.
