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.
One way to get to know any culture is to try its food. Like it or not, fast food is undeniably American, and Chicago helped revolutionize the industry.
A Chicago teen said she was punched in the face and robbed of her phone charger while heading to a CTA Red Line stop downtown earlier this week.
Ryan Jeffers hit a go-ahead three-run homer, Bailey Ober struck out seven in 5 1/3 innings and the surging Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago Cubs 5-2 on Friday night.
A Chicago man who got sick from cyclosporiasis amid a nationwide outbreak said it's been a terribly unpleasant experience, and as uncomfortable as it might be to talk about the topic, he wants his story and experience to help others.
Sam Antonacci hit a two-run home run, Braden Montgomery matched his career-high with four RBIs, and the Chicago White Sox extended their winning streak to four with a 12-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez ended her Democratic primary campaign for Wisconsin governor Friday, citing financial problems she said would distract from an election Democrats need to win.
President Trump delivered a speech on election security Thursday night at the White House. Here are the facts behind some of his claims.
State Rep. Carol Ammons is charged with multiple counts of wire fraud, making false statements and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, is also accused of aiding in attempts to cover up the alleged crimes.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has yet to announce if he'll seek re-election next year, but a new poll reveals he faces a tough road ahead if he does run for another term.
Chicago Public Schools officials on Wednesday announced plans to lay off hundreds of teachers and other staff and impose five furlough days to help close a $732 million deficit for next school year.
Chicago remained the most bed bug-treated city in the country, according to Orkin's latest annual rankings covering a full year of residential and commercial treatment data.
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.
A lettuce supplier to fast-food giant Taco Bell has been linked to a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of people, the CDC said.
Chicago just barely made the top 20 in the American College of Sports Medicine's 2026 ranking of the country's fittest cities.
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.
Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois are both seeking rate increases that would raise monthly bills by as much as $28, while their parent companies seek regulatory approval to merge — a deal a consumer watchdog says would give one company control of nearly all regulated water customers in the state.
The Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general from several states secured a right-to-repair settlement Wednesday with agriculture equipment giant Deere & Co. — commonly known as John Deere — that requires the company to let farmers and independent shops fix their own equipment.
Chicago Soul Café opened Monday at 6248 S. St. Lawrence Ave.
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.
Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" is the first film shot entirely on 70mm IMAX cameras, and Cinemark Seven Bridges in Woodridge is 1 of roughly 30 theaters nationwide equipped to show it that way.
Brenda Fricker won an Academy Award for 1989's "My Left Foot," played the Pigeon Lady in "Home Alone 2" and appeared in "A Time to Kill" and "So I Married an Axe Murderer."
The actor's agent said he was providing more information following news reports "which contain inaccuracies and outright falsehoods."
New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known for "Jurassic Park" and "The Piano," died Monday at 78, his family says.
The 46th Taste of Chicago is cashless for the first time, accepting only credit cards, with a drone and fireworks show scheduled for approximately 9:15 p.m. Friday near Buckingham Fountain.
Chief meteorologist Albert Ramon has the latest First Alert Weather forecast.
One way to get to know any culture is to try its food. Like it or not, fast food is undeniably American, and Chicago helped revolutionize the industry.
A Chicago teen said she was punched in the face and robbed of her phone charger while heading to a CTA Red Line stop downtown earlier this week.
A Chicago man who got sick from cyclosporiasis amid a nationwide outbreak said it's been a terribly unpleasant experience, and as uncomfortable as it might be to talk about the topic, he wants his story and experience to help others.
An Indiana State Police trooper who was shot in the line of duty one week ago has been released from the hospital.
A Chicago man who got sick from cyclosporiasis amid a nationwide outbreak said it's been a terribly unpleasant experience, and as uncomfortable as it might be to talk about the topic, he wants his story and experience to help others.
A Chicago teen said she was punched in the face and robbed of her phone charger while heading to a CTA Red Line stop downtown earlier this week.
One way to get to know any culture is to try its food. Like it or not, fast food is undeniably American, and Chicago helped revolutionize the industry.
An Indiana State Police trooper who was shot in the line of duty one week ago has been released from the hospital.
Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" is the first film shot entirely on 70mm IMAX cameras, and Cinemark Seven Bridges in Woodridge is 1 of roughly 30 theaters nationwide equipped to show it that way.
Neighbors in the Avalon Park neighborhood said their community has been plagued by squatters, weeds, rats, and water leaks – all thanks to an abandoned home that's been sitting vacant for years.
Chicago has been feeling the heat this week, with highs in the 90s the past five days, but officials are making moves to cool off some of the hottest parts of the city, specifically Chicago Park District fieldhouses where many turn to keep cool.
Gene Rush survived throat cancer, but he didn't survive a trip to the Porter County Jail over 4th of July weekend. His family said jail staff failed to provide lifesaving medical care.
Haze from Canadian wildfire smoke that has settled in Chicago on Thursday is directly connected to climate change, according to experts, who said days like this could be more problematic moving forward.
A pair of jewelry importers have been charged in federal court in Chicago with smuggling millions of dollars in gold jewelry into the U.S. to avoid taxes, schemes uncovered by a federal task force that has surpassed $1 billion in recoveries and penalties over the past year.
Ryan Jeffers hit a go-ahead three-run homer, Bailey Ober struck out seven in 5 1/3 innings and the surging Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago Cubs 5-2 on Friday night.
Sam Antonacci hit a two-run home run, Braden Montgomery matched his career-high with four RBIs, and the Chicago White Sox extended their winning streak to four with a 12-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Azura Stevens scored 18 of her 20 points in the first half, Sydney Taylor added 17 points, and the Chicago Sky beat the Seattle Storm 95-90 on Wednesday.
Dylan Cease struck out the side in the first inning, combining with 10 relievers on a three-hitter in a show of pitching dominance that led the American League to a 4-0 win over the National League in the All-Star Game.
The Cliburns are one of 10 sets of twins in MLB history to reach the major leagues.
A Chicago teen said she was punched in the face and robbed of her phone charger while heading to a CTA Red Line stop downtown earlier this week.
Ronald L. Fischer, who was featured on "America's Most Wanted," fled Rhode Island during his criminal trial for first-degree sexual assault in 2005.
Three men were hurt and one was killed in a shooting in Chicago's Washington Park neighborhood Thursday night.
A judge could decide Wednesday if a man accused of shooting and killing Chicago police Officer John Bartholomew and critically wounding his partner is fit to represent himself at trial.
A woman was arrested in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, Tuesday and charged with the death of her newborn child nearly 25 years ago.
