Advocacy group wants to use Chicago's Thompson Center as migrant shelter
More than 15,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago since last August. Shelters and police stations are at or near capacity.
Thompson Center
Advocates want to turn Thompson Center into migrant shelter
Gov. Pritzker is also speaking out about the housing crisis – expressing his concerns about the city’s current plans to build base tent camps for the migrant population. CBS 2's Marybel Gonzalez reports.
4 stories you need to know about at 4 p.m.
A man is facing criminal charges for hopping a fence at Midway International Airport, a private developer has purchased the Thompson Center, help is on the way to address soaring gas prices, and former Vice President Mike Pence has rolled out a Republican policy platform.
Gov. Pritzker finalizes agreement to sell Thompson Center for $70 million
Under the deal, the state will get a $70 million up-front payment, while keeping 425,000 square feet of renovated office space in the Thompson Center.
Protesters Oppose Vaccine And Mask Mandates
While Illinois is seeing a decline in COVID-19 cases, the debate rages on about mask and vaccine mandates.
Gov. JB Pritzker Announces $70 Million Plan To Sell Thompson Center To Developer Who Plans To Preserve Building
The decision is a win for preservationists, who had feared the sale of the Thompson Center would lead to its demolition.
Dozens Rally At Thompson Center To Halt Deportations
Dozens of people rallied for immigrant rights outside the Thompson Center downtown Thursday afternoon.
Illinois Driver Services Facility In Thompson Center Reopens After COVID Shutdown
More than a year after it closed due to the pandemic, the Illinois Driver Services facility in the basement of the Thompson Center reopened on Monday.
City Council Committee Backs Zoning Change For Thompson Center To Assist State's Efforts To Sell Building
Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) said Gov. JB Pritzker requested the zoning change as the state begins the process of seeking potential buyers, who might seek to replace the Thompson Center entirely, or add a skyscraper to the site.
Architecture Titan Helmut Jahn Killed In Bicycle Accident In Kane County
Architect Helmut Jahn, designer of Chicago's Thompson Center, was killed in a crash with two vehicles while bicycling in Campton Hills Saturday.
Thompson Center Going Up For Sale, Gov. JB Pritzker Officially Seeks Bidders For Oft-Troubled Office Building
"The sale of the Thompson Center has been discussed for nearly 20 years and we are taking another important step to making it a reality," Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement.
Why Are Five Illinois Driver's License Facilities In The Chicago Area Closed, Some With No Date Set For Reopening?
It's an astounding number – more than 1 million people are driving with expired licenses or using expired IDs in Illinois right now. Making the problem worse in the Chicago area is that almost a half dozen Illinois Secretary of State's driver's license facilities are closed.
Gov. JB Pritzker And Top Staff Working From Home After Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19
The employee had been in close contact with Pritzker and other staff members, who have all tested negative for the virus.
Opening Statements Begin In Trial Of Man Charged With Killing CPD Cmdr. Paul Bauer
Opening statements are set to begin Tuesday in the murder trial of a man charged with killing Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer.
Illinois Supreme Court Candidate Forum Set For Chicago
Organizers say six of the seven primary candidates running to replace retired Justice Charles Freeman are expected to attend.
Family Of Police Cmdr. Paul Bauer, Who Was Shot And Killed In 2018, Sues Online Gun Marketplace Armslist
A lawsuit Wednesday accused an online gun marketplace of complicity in the shooting that killed Chicago Police Cmdr. Paul Bauer two years ago.
Computer Chaos At Licensing Facilities Nationwide, Including Secretary Of State's Office
The hassle was felt from Chicago to Chatanooga. Licensing outlets from Tennessee to Michigan to Massachusetts and Kansas all reporting problems with the network of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
Pritzker Administration Picks Ernst & Young As Project Manager To Oversee Sale Of Thompson Center
The Thompson Center has long been criticized as an overly expensive and inefficient home for state government offices in Chicago.
After Light Pole Falls Downtown, Expert Says City Inspections Are Long Overdue
At least two poles besides the one that came toppling over have also been taken down outside the Thompson Center after one fell, as the city has finally decided to inspect them.
Light Pole Appears To Have Snapped From Base Before Falling, Injuring Woman Outside The Thompson Center
"I saw the light pole fall. And the lights just went scattering all over the place."
Woman Injured By Falling Light Pole Outside Thompson Center
A woman was injured Thursday afternoon when a street light pole fell on her outside the Thompson Center.
The Oft-Troubled History Of The James R. Thompson Center
Gov. J.B. Pritzker's decision to put the James R. Thompson Center up for sale got the morning insiders curious – is selling a prized possession really the way to balance the budget?
Pritzker, State A Step Closer To Sale Of Thompson Center
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday announced a major step toward the sale of the James L. Thompson Center in the Loop.
Thompson Center On List Of Most Endangered Illinois Buildings
"People all over Illinois are working to save special places that help tell the unique stories and history of their neighborhoods despite the many challenges that stand in their way."
Pritzker Signs Law To Sell Iconic Thompson Center In Chicago
Preservationists love the design but tenants have complained of year-round temperature problems and the building has not been maintained.
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Woman's body left on side of the road in Lake County
Police said it appeared the woman was the victim of a homicide and that her body was dumped during the early morning hours.
Chicago police search for suspects who wounded bystander
Police said the three men were involved in an aggravated battery on September 16th.
Chicago department stores of the past come alive in Elmhurst exhibit
There was a time when if you wanted to go shopping, you used to have to come downtown to the city's big department stores to get what you needed.
Chicago First Alert Weather: Rainy on Friday
According to CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon, it'll be partly cloudy and not as cold Wednesday night with lows in the low 30s.
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Migrants say they were kicked out of Chicago Police station and into frigid cold
"This is not a game," a police captain is heard saying on video. "I want everybody out this station; out this lobby… all this junk out of here."
WATCH NOW: CBS 2 News Chicago
Breaking News, First Alert Weather, Exclusive Investigations & Community Journalism
Woman's body left on side of the road in Lake County
Police said it appeared the woman was the victim of a homicide and that her body was dumped during the early morning hours.
Chicago police search for suspects who wounded bystander
Police said the three men were involved in an aggravated battery on September 16th.
Chicago department stores of the past come alive in Elmhurst exhibit
There was a time when if you wanted to go shopping, you used to have to come downtown to the city's big department stores to get what you needed.
CBS 2 Investigators
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Man called to report SUV on train tracks in Michigan, but Amtrak train hit it anyway
Amtrak said they were never notified of the SUV on the tracks before the crash last week, was despite a warning call a full 41 minutes earlier.
Could 'design flaw' blamed for Yellow Line accident be a broader problem on the CTA?
The National Transportation Safety Board said the Chicago Transit Authority was operating on out-of-date information with regard to stopping lengths.
After 38 are injured when CTA train hits snowplow, questions about what went wrong
National Transportation Safety Board investigators will be digging into the train crash - piece by piece.
Parents furious after girls are subjected to racist taunts at Minooka Community High
Minooka Community High School has faced allegations of tolerating racism in the classroom before.
Fallen Chicago firefighter Andrew Price remembered as a "light of sunshine"
Price's body was escorted to the Medical Examiner's office alongside his friends and family on Monday.
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Former Illinois House GOP leader Jim Durkin won't run for Cook County state's attorney
"If you're going to run in a race, you have to run knowing that you have a good chance of winning, and I see no path winning with Trump at the top of the ticket," Durkin said.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin leads Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence crisis
"Across the country, gun violence is a public health epidemic, plain and simple," Durbin said.
Jurors hear wiretapped conversations between Ed Burke, mole Danny Solis
At the time, Solis was also a sitting member of the Chicago City Council, as alderman of the 25th Ward.
House begins latest effort to expel George Santos after damning ethics probe
The House will try for a third time this year to expel New York Rep. George Santos after the Ethics Committee released a scathing report detailing his alleged lawbreaking.
Burger King franchisee operations manager testifies on pressure from former Ald. Ed Burke
Meanwhile, one of the attorneys for Burke co-defendant Peter Andrews tested positive for COVID-19.
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St. Charles residents flee senior community after 300% increase in costs
Over the last several weeks, the Saint Charles senior living community has become a bit of a ghost town.
Rivers Casino Des Plaines warns of data breach affecting customer, staffer information
Casino officials said on Thursday, Nov. 2, they determined hackers got into their system and stole personal information about Rivers Casino staffers, customers, and online sports book customers.
Illinois congressman steps in after feds fail to reimburse COVID-19 testing labs
We previously told you about small business owner Janine Morabito's struggle after getting stiffed by Uncle Sam. There are several others in the same boat.
Consumer watchdog lists '10 Worst Toys' for 2023, highlights child safety concerns
W.A.T.C.H. – World Against Toys Causing Harm – issued a list Wednesday of toys they said are hazardous and should not be in children's hands.
Whereabouts of Chicago area woman's 2019 tax return is a mystery for more than three years
CBS 2's Lauren Victory unraveled what went wrong.
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UChicago study finds fatty acid found in some red meat can help fight cancer
Before you grab your steak knife, the scientists emphasize that the point of the study is not to advise people to eat more red meat.
Northwestern student says he was hit by norovirus outbreak, and it sent him to ER
The City of Evanston has linked the outbreak to the Big Wig Tacos & Burritos at 950 Church St. in downtown Evanston, which had a $1 burrito night for Northwestern students this past weekend.
Norovirus outbreak linked to $1 burrito special for Northwestern University students
Investigators have learned that people reported stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea after eating at Big Wig Tacos & Burritos.
Peaches, plums, nectarines recalled due to deadly listeria outbreak
CDC investigating fruit from HMC Farms after one person died and 10 are hospitalized following a listeria outbreak.
Another eye drop recall pulls 28 products from store shelves
Kilitch Healthcare India is recalling the products more than three weeks after the FDA warned against their use.
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Who is moving into those vacant Bed, Bath & Beyond stores?
Who will be moving into closed Bed, Bath & Beyond stores nationwide and in the Chicago area? Court documents provide some clues.
South Shore yoga studio strives for inclusive, calm vibe
It's Small Business Saturday 2023, a big day to highlight the success of entrepreneurs who started small and are working hard to make it big.
Shoppers turn out in Ravenswood for Small Business Saturday
Three of the trolleys were running on Small Business Saturday, making eight stops in Ravenswood so people could visit their favorite shops.
Chicago's Berlin nightclub closes doors; union says club made "wrong decision"
Berlin announced that "the party" ended at 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 19.
Chicago's Big Shoulders Coffee tops list of best independent coffee shops
"With multiple locations in the Chicago area, Big Shoulders Coffee is a must-stop for no-nonsense artisan beans, roasted to perfection," USA Today wrote.
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Blackhawks get goals from Dickinson, 3 others, top Kraken
The Blackhawks had dropped six of seven. They held off the Kraken in the final minutes.
Bulls get pounded by Celtics, have now lost 8 of 9
DeMar DeRozan and Coby White led the Bulls with 19 points apiece.
Blackhawks to terminate Corey Perry's contract for "unacceptable" conduct
The Blackhawks said Perry engaged in "unacceptable" conduct that violated terms of his contract and the team's internal policies "intended to promote professional and safe work environment."
Illinois' Newton named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
Newton is widely regarded as one of the best defensive linemen in the country and led all Power Five defensive tackles in quarterback pressures.
Northwestern's David Braun named Big Ten Coach of the Year
During what was widely expected to be a difficult season, Northwestern defied the odds and finished the regular season with a 7-5 record, becoming bowl-eligible.
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American Blues Theater opens permanent home on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago
The new venue features two theater spaces – a 137-seat proscenium and a 40-seat rehearsal studio.
Daryl Hall gets restraining order against John Oates
The pair made up the pop rock duo Hall & Oates, and put out 18 studio albums together.
"Blue Bloods" wrapping up in 2024 after its 14th season
A long-time anchor to the Network's successful Friday night lineup, "Blue Bloods" is Friday's #1 primetime program and the #3 broadcast drama on television.
The Rolling Stones tour coming to Chicago's Soldier Field in June
The Solider Field show is scheduled for June 27, 2024.
David Letterman returns to "The Late Show" for first time since 2015
David Letterman hosted "The Late Show" for over 20 years, from 1993 to 2015.
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Day of Giving: Bank of American matching donations
Julie Chavez with the Bank of America community relations team shares more on the Day of Giving.
Day of Giving: On the front lines
The American Red Cross volunteers are responding to disasters and saving lives. Paul Bamman responded to those in need after the wildfires in Maui.
Day of Giving: Joy Squier with the American Red Cross
Joy Squier with the Red Cross joined CBS 2's Audrina Sinclair and Brad Edwards.
Day of Giving: CNA donation
Thank you to CNA Insurance for their $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross during the Day of Giving.
Chicago police search for suspects wounding bystander
Chicago police are asking for your help to identify three suspects - who were running down the street in Albany Park - armed with guns and wounding an innocent bystander.
Crime
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Woman's body left on side of the road in Lake County
Police said it appeared the woman was the victim of a homicide and that her body was dumped during the early morning hours.
Police seek to identify men from running gun battle in Chicago in September
It happened in the 3600 block of West Belmont Avenue near Central Park Avenue – just a couple of blocks west of the Belmont Blue Line stop.
Two men charged in shooting of Bedford Park police officer
The officer, who is a veteran with more than 15 years with the Bedford Park Police Department, had emergency surgery on Sunday. At last check, he was still in the ICU, but is expected to make a full recovery.
Jurors hear wiretapped conversations between Ed Burke, mole Danny Solis
At the time, Solis was also a sitting member of the Chicago City Council, as alderman of the 25th Ward.
Video shows thieves smashing into, burglarizing Edgewater neighborhood bakery
Video shows one man pulling out a hammer and breaking the glass. The crooks then climb in through the broken window, and start looking for cash once inside.
