Chicago Polar Plunge Raises More Than $1M
Organizers credit the extra excitement to a challenge by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to "The Tonight Show" host Jimmy Fallon. Both Fallon and Emanuel made the plunge, attracting attention to the event.
Watch CBS News
Organizers credit the extra excitement to a challenge by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to "The Tonight Show" host Jimmy Fallon. Both Fallon and Emanuel made the plunge, attracting attention to the event.
Lake Michigan set a new record for ice coverage over the weekend, when ice levels reached 93.29 percent.
Right now Lake Michigan is 90-percent covered in ice and when it melts, it could save you money.
After having a meltdown early last week, Lake Michigan is just over 90 percent covered in ice, which equals the highest levels ever recorded.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Friday he'll know better than to bet against Chicago's kids, after he ended up having to eat his words when he challenged them to read 2 million books last summer.
Members of the U.S. Coast Guard station at Calumet Harbor have been training today for what they expect will be an increase in lake rescues in a season that's already seen more people on the ice or in the water than usual.
Last week's brief thaw melted much of the ice covering Lake Michigan, but three of the Great Lakes still remain nearly entirely on ice.
It's been so bitterly cold for so long in the Upper Midwest that the Great Lakes are almost completely covered with ice. The last time they came this close was in 1994, when 94 percent of the lakes' surface was frozen.
The Commander acknowledges there's some irony in the name: Biscayne Bay, for a Coast Guard ice breaker which is moored at Navy Pier.
The long deep freeze across the Upper Midwest this winter has left a whopping 80 percent of the Great Lakes covered in ice.
By meteorological standards, the winter of 2014 has been nothing short of impressive.
Placing dam-like structures in Chicago waterways would be an almost foolproof method of preventing Asian carp from reaching Lake Michigan, while a less pricey electric barrier system also has solid prospects for shielding the Great Lakes from the invasive fish.
A sailboat left floating at the dock at the end of last season is now frozen in the ice-covered water, a curiosity to local ice fishermen, and people who pass by on the lakefront path.
An Army Corps of Engineers report has a U.S. Senators, local mayors and waterway industry representatives speaking out against one of its solutions to stop the spread of Asian Carp.
Firefighters rescued a dog from Lake Michigan on Friday, after the animal fell off a ledge on the South Side.
About 12:15 a.m., a 31-year-old man was heard screaming for help from the water near where the river meets Lake Michigan.
A U.S. Coast Guard ship loaded with more than 1,200 Michigan Christmas trees has arrived in downtown Chicago.
Witnesses saw him driving east on Balbo Drive at Lake Shore Drive, but instead of making a left turn, he kept going, onto the sidewalk, down a pedestrian path, and into the lake.
Local officials are issuing a new warning of damage to Lake Michigan and problems for homeowners as a result of climate change, reports WBBM's Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
Windy conditions at the lakefront will make for very choppy conditions on the lake, with dangerous pounding waves prompting a warning for anyone who might want to go swimming, despite the chilly conditions.
A male Jet Skier who went missing several miles off the shore of Lake Michigan Saturday afternoon was found safe, police said.
Indefinite discharges of raw sewage into Lake Michigan won't cut it for a coalition of environmental groups, which Thursday asked a federal judge to set aside a proposed consent decree.
The National Weather Service warned lakefront visitors Thursday that swimming conditions are going to be dangerous in Lake Michigan, due to high waves and rip currents.
A southwest suburban family is thankful for their rescuers and their smart phone. They became stranded on a sinking vessel on the lake off Portage on Labor Day when they called for help.
Officials closed North Avenue Beach Monday afternoon, blaming hazardous surf. Meanwhile, nearly half of Chicago's public beaches remained under swim advisories.
Chicago (86-69), which leads the major leagues with 214 home runs, began the day tied with Philadelphia and San Diego for the three NL wild cards.
Chicago police say three unknown suspects were traveling in a dark-colored Jeep sport utility vehicle and damaged 28 vehicles outside a parking lot.
The museum says the goal is to preserve the lives, experiences, and histories that live within those objects as part of a broader historical record.
Ed Sheeran opened his solo concert in Philadelphia on Saturday with comments about Gaza, saying what is happening there is "catastrophic and unjustifiable."
The defense said Katlar Parchman, 19, is a nursing assistant, goes to church, does community service, but was not the person who caused Kyle Bickham's death.
President Trump said Friday that three outlets would be banned from the White House, "effective immediately."
Fuel prices continue to climb across the country, and that has U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) pointing the finger at President Trump.
Americans are optimistic about scientific advances in AI, but concerned that AI may take jobs.
The vice president headlines a Council Bluffs rally Friday, his second Iowa stop this year. He's been one of the GOP's most visible midterm surrogates, with trips to Kansas, Wisconsin and Ohio.
The U.S. military has escorted one billion barrels of oil and over 2,000 commercial vessels out of the Persian Gulf in the last couple of months, the Pentagon said.
Fuel prices continue to climb across the country, and that has U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) pointing the finger at President Trump.
Nicor customers will get a break on their bills this fall after Illinois Attorney General Kwame Roul reached an agreement with the utility to cut $140 million from its requested rate hike.
Drivers in Chicago and beyond were paying the highest gas prices ever recorded for the Labor Day holiday as millions of Americans were making their way home on Monday.
Around 115 million domestic and international tourists visited Illinois last year, pushing visitor spending past $50 billion for the first time and generating more than $88 billion in total economic impact.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit Thursday against ABC Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric Inc., alleging deceptive business practices.
Nearly half of Americans with medical debt owe at least $2,000, forcing them to make tough choices, new research shows.
A judge on Tuesday was expected to place two shuttered Chicago-area safety-net hospitals into receivership.
Cardinal Blase Cupich and a group of Catholic nuns have joined a federal lawsuit challenging Illinois' Medical Aid in Dying law, which is set to take effect in just over a week.
Flies have been everywhere this summer in the Chicago area, and some of them bite. But why is this happening?
Prime Healthcare is drawing criticism after announcing it will stop obstetrics services at three Chicago-area hospitals.
The future of Rate Field was back in the spotlight on Wednesday.
Plans for a new Chicago White Sox stadium in the South Loop have residents near the existing ballpark in Bridgeport concerned, not just because the team might be leaving, but also what might be coming nearby.
A new report from the University of Illinois Chicago said federal immigration enforcement led to $1.26 billion in unspent money at retail establishments and restaurants in Cook County.
Around 115 million domestic and international tourists visited Illinois last year, pushing visitor spending past $50 billion for the first time and generating more than $88 billion in total economic impact.
A new Whole Foods Market is coming to Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.
Duncan Sheik died on Thursday night, his family said.
Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas all released statements Tuesday on Instagram saying they were withdrawing from Ed Sheeran's tour.
Performer Macklemore is being dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop tour after making on-stage statements that some found controversial.
Dubbed the "Designer to the Stars," Bob Mackie won nine Emmy Awards, a Tony Award and was nominated for three Oscars.
The stage was set and the air was humid as rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, took the stage for the first of two Chicago concerts at Soldier Field Thursday night.
The company said that Gemini managed to gain access to that company and two others by finding passwords online or guessing the login information.
Saturday marked the second of three days of fun with live entertainment, food, and, of course, beer. On Sunday, there will be a dog parade.
The event featured experts in workshops and presentations about parenting. Organizers say the event was created to remind moms that taking care of themselves isn't selfish, but essential.
There are 96 days until Christmas, but kids got into the holiday spirit early to audition for the 49th production of the play at the Goodman Theatre.
Journalists from MS NOW, CNN and Politico are seen walking away from the White House grounds after their press badges were revoked at the security post Saturday morning.
The defense said Katlar Parchman, 19, is a nursing assistant, goes to church, does community service, but was not the person who caused Kyle Bickham's death.
An off duty Cook County Sheriff's correctional officer was among 3 men injured in a shooting in River North.
Heavy rain and storms are prompting flooding concerns in the Chicago area.
Saturday's headliners, including Tool, Nas, Morrissey, Bad Religion and Bright Eyes, will now take place during the 6 p.m. hour.
Chicago police say three unknown suspects were traveling in a dark-colored Jeep sport utility vehicle and damaged 28 vehicles outside a parking lot.
The village of Grayslake is touting a new massive data center, but neighbors say they weren't given an opportunity to make their voices heard before the project was approved.
A Cicero woman is suing Uber and a driver after the driver allegedly sexually assaulted her. She and her boyfriend said Uber hired him despite the driver having a criminal background.
Both hospitals were supposed to be placed in receivership, but after five hours of closed-door negotiations on Tuesday, it is still unclear what the future holds for both hospitals.
Chicago police crime data show 255 reported crimes in the last two years on the two blocks where the former Hard Rock and Rainforest cafés sit vacant. Neighbors have been calling the city about the alley between them for six years.
A three-year effort by the Cook County Sheriff's Office to help bring down crime on the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago appears to be working.
Chicago (86-69), which leads the major leagues with 214 home runs, began the day tied with Philadelphia and San Diego for the three NL wild cards.
Chicago dropped into second in the AL Central after it blew a six-run lead in an 11-8 loss to Detroit on Friday night.
Hao-Yu Lee and Riley Greene each hit a two-run homer in a five-run eighth inning as the Detroit Tigers rallied from six down to beat the Chicago White Sox 11-8.
Jose Trevino lined a two-run single to right field with the bases loaded in the seventh inning and the Cincinnati Reds rallied for a 6-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
With heavy rain in the forecast on Saturday night, the White Sox have moved up their game against the Detroit Tigers.
An off duty Cook County Sheriff's correctional officer was among three men injured in a shooting during fight in River North early Saturday morning.
A man was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after firing shots at an Indiana State Police trooper and fleeing the scene on Friday afternoon in rural LaPorte County.
A second person has been charged with killing a man by pushing him out of a moving CTA Red Line train last week on the South Side.
Darreon Plummer's flight to Washington state after Da'J Flowers was killed was itself evidence he committed the crime, the judge said, rejecting a defense request for electronic monitoring.
Inside the home, owned by Eugene Horsch and connected to his father, R.C. Horsch, authorities have found a trove of digital images, a so-called laboratory of chemicals and a small marijuana grow operation.
