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Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Westchester) said this week that lawmakers in Springfield are focusing on affordability during the Illinois General Assembly's spring session for 2026.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Westchester) said this week that lawmakers in Springfield are focusing on affordability during the Illinois General Assembly’s spring session for 2026. While that likely sounds good to voters, it is not great news for the Chicago Bears.
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.
Lawmakers in Springfield are looking to address the high water bills being reported in some suburbs from customers of Illinois American Water.
Illinois could soon join a growing list of states where terminally ill patients would be allowed to take life-ending medication prescribed by a doctor.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Westchester) was at Chicago's Union Station Thursday morning to tout a successful legislative session that ended with a transit funding bill.
A new funding plan for public transportation surfaced Thursday evening without new taxes on entertainment or package deliveries that were part of previous plans.
With the annual veto session in Springfield drawing to a close on Thursday, Illinois lawmakers are racing to figure out how to avoid massive cuts to the Chicago area's public transit systems.
Illinois lawmakers return to the state capital in Springfield Tuesday for the fall veto session, with no shortage of things to address.
Police said the shooter's intended target was an estranged relative who lives in the area, and the suspect was not at the home she intended to target.
Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) penned an opinion piece that ran in the Chicago Tribune Tuesday morning explaining why he says the Bears should be paying more into the system, not less.
Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) is not ready to support the tax break. As Megan De Mar reports. Buckner says the Bears should be paying more into the system, not less.
As Chicago Public Schools face a $734 million budget shortfall, some local officials are holding a public hearing over the district's finances.
On Thursday afternoon, a plaque dedicated to Harris was unveiled at the entrance to the garden, located near the south end of Belmont Harbor.
CTA, Metra, and Pace officials are preparing "doomsday budgets" after Illinois state lawmakers didn't address the Chicago area mass transit system's massive budget shortfall during the spring legislative session.
The $55 billion budget plan unveiled Friday night by Democratic leadership would include new taxes on gambling as well as tobacco and vape products.
The proposal would replace the Regional Transportation Authority — which oversees the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra commuter rail, and Pace suburban buses.
Lawmakers have yet to announce a specific plan for addressing a $771 million budget deficit looming over the Chicago area's public transportation system. Sara Machi reports.
A bill proposed by an Elgin high school student that will put supplies of opioid antagonists like Narcan in Illinois libraries passed the Illinois Senate unanimously.
The bill does not address the Regional Transportation Authority's $770 million budget shortfall.
The state budget for the next fiscal year must be tackled by May 31.
Meanwhile, lawmakers have signed several bills that are stacking up on Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk awaiting his signature this Memorial Day. Tara Molina reports.
Several bills are on Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's desk, and transit funding remains unresolved. Tara Molina reports.
The Illinois Prisoner Review Board, which is responsible for letting prisoners out on parole, may soon have to undergo mandatory training on domestic violence.
The Illinois Prisoner Review Board, which is responsible for letting prisoners out on parole, may soon have to undergo mandatory training on domestic violence. Marissa Sulek reports.
Winter weather alerts are in effect near Chicago area as snow moves in on Wednesday.
One of multiple hearings starts Wednesday for the four people charged with shooting and killing Chicago police Officer Aréanah Preston in 2023.
Steve Buzil with SitClose Tickets was outside Soldier Field doing another media interview about ticket sales on Sunday when he came across Ruth and Mikey.
The district said the victims were attempting to go ice fishing, and both were struggling to keep their heads above water.
The incident happened shortly before 4:30 p.m. in the vicinity of the 1400 block of North Lawndale Avenue, according to police.
Rick Garcia, a longtime Chicago LGBTQ+ activist and community leader who was at the forefront of many civil rights victories, died this week.
Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the committee's chairman, said the panel will move next week on holding them in contempt.
The Supreme Court heard two cases involving laws from Idaho and West Virginia that ban transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports.
The group of journalists who won a preliminary injunction over federal agents' use of force have filed to have the same judge hear the state's new lawsuit against the Trump administration.
Does the Chicago Bears' dramatic improvement this season, culminating in their first playoff run in five years, change the discussion about where they will build a new stadium?
Police in the west Chicago suburb of Geneva are warning of a scam involving spoofed phone numbers.
Protesters on Tuesday were cranking up the heat on Peoples Gas over a recently proposed rate hike that would add an additional $10 to $11 a month to utility bills.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
As this holiday season nears its end, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias issued a warning Tuesday about text scams.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
January is Radon Action Month, and the Cook County Department of Public Health is urging residents to test their homes for radon.
Severe flu season is sending many people to hospital emergency rooms across the country, including in the Chicago area.
Unionized health care workers this week took aim at Northwestern Medicine, saying the health care system needs to hire more people before expanding the emergency room at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that its recommendations for childhood vaccines will not be affected by a change in federal guidelines.
The first pediatric flu death for this year's flu season has been reported, Illinois health officials said, as flu cases across the state continue to rise.
Does the Chicago Bears' dramatic improvement this season, culminating in their first playoff run in five years, change the discussion about where they will build a new stadium?
The Piggery, a popular barbecue restaurant and bar in the northwest corner of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, announced Thursday that it is going out of business.
The Lincolnwood Town Center mall in the north Chicago suburb of Lincolnwood has been sold to a developer, the village announced Wednesday.
They do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but a longtime Chicago fried chicken institution said imitation went too far after a new business opened with a very similar name.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
Scott Adams, the cartoonist who created the "Dilbert" comic strip, has died at the age of 68, his first ex-wife revealed on Tuesday.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch and stream the 2026 Golden Globes.
Bob Weir wrote or co-wrote and sang lead vocals on Grateful Dead classics including "Sugar Magnolia," "One More Saturday Night" and "Mexicali Blues."
Chicago Theatre Week brings value-priced tickets for shows from Feb. 5 until Feb. 15 at Chicago's stage venues. Tickets can sell for $30, $15, or even less.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. is perhaps best known for his role as state Sen. R. Clayton "Clay" Davis on HBO's "The Wire."
Meteorologist Laura Bannon has the extended forecast.
One of multiple hearings starts Wednesday for the four people charged with shooting and killing Chicago police Officer Aréanah Preston in 2023.
The Women's Soul Line Dance Group began just more than a year ago as a weekly gathering with just five women there, but has grown into a Tuesday staple that draws nearly 60 women of all ages.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released new numbers about the overall economy, showing modest inflation of .3% last month and 2.7% in the year. Streaming video services were a major outlier and saw an inflation of nearly 20% in the same period.
For Just $5, Cinemark theaters are letting people fill up their own buckets up to 400 ounces of popcorn. That's more than three gallons.
Winter weather alerts are in effect near Chicago area as snow moves in on Wednesday.
One of multiple hearings starts Wednesday for the four people charged with shooting and killing Chicago police Officer Aréanah Preston in 2023.
Steve Buzil with SitClose Tickets was outside Soldier Field doing another media interview about ticket sales on Sunday when he came across Ruth and Mikey.
A man has been charged with reckless homicide and driving under the influence in a crash that killed two people outside Chicago Police Headquarters in 2024.
The district said the victims were attempting to go ice fishing, and both were struggling to keep their heads above water.
Lead-based paint was banned for serious health reasons in 1978, but most homes built before then remain covered in it.
Fire department officials in Chicago's western suburbs said drone technology has been helping keep firefighters safe and make a major impact on public safety.
With the stores becoming a common target for thieves, some of the stores in the Chicago area are taking new steps to fight back.
As thousands of people are expected downtown for New Year's Eve celebrations, Mayor Johnson, the Chicago police, and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications are trying to get out ahead of any safety concerns.
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
Steve Buzil with SitClose Tickets was outside Soldier Field doing another media interview about ticket sales on Sunday when he came across Ruth and Mikey.
Ramova Theater in Bridgeport is setting up for a Bears vs. Rams watch party for thousands of fans Sunday.
The Chicago Bears are on a hot streak, which means fans looking for tickets to Sunday's playoffs game are a target for scammers and fraudsters.
Sports experts said there may be some advantages they have on their side to keep the playoff winning streak going.
Johnson made it clear that he didn't like the Packers in a locker room video following their Wild Card win.
A man was left in critical condition Tuesday morning after he was shot while driving in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood and went on to crash his car.
Adam Beckerink, the man charged with murder in the death of his estranged wife, Caitlin Tracey, was set to appear for a detention hearing Tuesday after being extradited to Chicago.
A man has been charged with stabbing a CTA passenger to death while the victim was sleeping on a Blue Line train over the weekend in the Loop.
The state of Illinois and city of Chicago are suing the Trump administration and Department of Homeland Security for unlawful use of force and dangerous tactics in immigration raids.
A man and a 6-year-old boy were stabbed in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood Sunday night.
