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.
The finale was delayed by rain and unplayable conditions on the water-logged outfield warning track.
Police said the two incidents were not related and the investigation into the shootings remains ongoing.
In a heartfelt sign-off, Cooper reflects on the stories, risks, adventures, and human connections that defined his two decades with television's most iconic newsmagazine.
Alex Bregman doubled in a run, pinch-hitter Pedro Ramirez had an RBI and the Cubs posted two unearned runs to win for the 10th time in their last 13 games.
A head-on crash this weekend left a 71-year-old woman dead and her adult son injured in the west Chicago suburb of Geneva.
President Trump hasn't committed to a firm number of people who will receive clemency — he's scheduled to have a meeting on pardons Friday afternoon, sources said.
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.
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.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were married as they celebrated their wedding with hundreds of guests Friday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
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.
Geneva police said a 40-year-old Aurora man was driving a blue Chevrolet Camaro north on Randall Road when his car veered outside the yellow center line into southbound traffic. He hit a red Nissan Versa being driven by the 71-year-old woman head-on, police said.
During the funeral, there were chants for revenge for the death of Iran's leader, who was killed at the beginning of the war with the U.S.
Zac Favors, 11, brought Zac's Big Clean Up to Beverly Park, just one of the parks he wants to beautify.
The sun returns on Monday with a warm-up on the way. Meteorologist Mary Kay Kleist has the latest in First Alert Weather.
Chicago police early Sunday were investigating a mass shooting that left six teens wounded in Chicago's West Garfield Park neighborhood, as well as a shooting minutes earlier that wounded a seventh teen.
Chicago police early Sunday were investigating a mass shooting that left multiple teens wounded in Chicago's West Garfield Park neighborhood.
A head-on crash this weekend left a 71-year-old woman dead and her adult son injured in the west Chicago suburb of Geneva.
A Delta Air Lines flight landing in Chicago was hit by a firework as it was coming to land at Midway International Airport on Saturday.
Police said the two incidents were not related and the investigation into the shootings remains ongoing.
A person was killed in a crash on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway in Chicago's western suburbs this weekend.
About 13,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries in 2025, and with America's 250 birthday celebration about to start, doctors worry even more people could get hurt this year.
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.
The finale was delayed by rain and unplayable conditions on the water-logged outfield warning track.
Alex Bregman doubled in a run, pinch-hitter Pedro Ramirez had an RBI and the Cubs posted two unearned runs to win for the 10th time in their last 13 games.
In less than a month, Chicago Sky rookie Gabriela Jaquez went from winning a national title at UCLA to being drafted fifth overall by the Sky.
A Chicago-area NASCAR race once again faced off with severe weather this weekend.
Colson Montgomery hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning off Tim Herrin for the second of his two RBIs, helping the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 on Saturday night.
A head-on crash this weekend left a 71-year-old woman dead and her adult son injured in the west Chicago suburb of Geneva.
A man was found stabbed early Sunday morning in the South Austin neighborhood on Chicago's West Side.
A man is dead after being shot in the West Garfield Park neighborhood on Chicago's West Side early Sunday morning.
Police early Sunday were investigating a slashing that left a man wounded on a Chicago Transit Authority bus.
Chicago police early Sunday were investigating a mass shooting that left six teens wounded in Chicago's West Garfield Park neighborhood, as well as a shooting minutes earlier that wounded a seventh teen.
