Merrillville officials say cleanup can take weeks after EF-2 tornado tore through town
Town officials said it could be weeks before they clear all the trees, then construction materials, and after that, rebuilding can finally begin.
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Town officials said it could be weeks before they clear all the trees, then construction materials, and after that, rebuilding can finally begin.
Illinois has seen more tornadoes in 2026 than in any year on record.
Another tornado outbreak is possible in the Chicago area Wednesday with two more rounds of storms on the way.
Days after storms brought 13 tornadoes to Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana, utility crews were still working to restore power to customers who were still in the dark Monday morning.
The National Weather Service confirmed multiple tornado touchdowns on June 11 across Illinois and Indiana.
The Rymeck family is thanking the journalist who was on the scene after their home was destroyed and came to their aid.
Thursday night's tornado outbreak in the Chicago area continues a concerning trend of increasing tornado frequency in the Upper Midwest.
After a powerful tornado hit Streator, Illinois, on Thursday, home after home was leveled, leaving debris as far as the eye can see.
Communities are waking up to destruction after tornadoes ripped through Illinois and Indiana.
Streator, Illinois, is another area being surveyed for tornado touchdowns after houses were completely destroyed. Trees were shredded and came crashing down on cars and roofs.
Hebron resident Beth Bowen told CBS News Chicago that when she got out of her house safely, she found her garage had collapsed. "We felt the pressure, our ears were popping, we thought the doors were going to blow over in our laundry room, it was shaking so bad," Bowen said. "We felt the house move."
A tornado outbreak pounded the Chicago area on Thursday evening, with multiple twisters reported, leaving behind an extensive trail of damage stretching from the western suburbs to northwest Indiana.
The Chicago area was pounded by severe storms for hours on Thursday afternoon and evening, with multiple reports of tornado damage stretching from the southwest suburbs to northwest Indiana.
Apparent tornadoes were spotted all across the Chicago area, from the far south and southwest suburbs into Northwest Indiana, Thursday evening, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.
Storm chaser Scott Lasker was in Streator, Illinois for a tornado outbreak when he found himself suddenly helping to rescue a trapped homeowner.
Stormchaser Gary Cox joined CBS News Chicago by phone from the area of Livingston and La Salle counties to tell us about the multiple tornadoes he's seen Thursday afternoon.
A line of severe storms - the second of the day - is barreling toward the Chicago area, capable of producing an outbreak of violent tornadoes this evening.
Noah Simmons remained on the air during a tornado warning in Fort Smith when a lamp in the studio caught fire. He kept his composure even as the smoke started to get thicker.
Severe weather season has been off to a very active start in Illinois, with everything from flooding, hail, and damaging winds, and the most tornadoes of any state in the nation so far.
The National Weather Service Monday confirmed two more tornadoes from Friday's outbreak of severe storms, bringing the total confirmed tornadoes in the greater Chicago area to nine.
A tornado that touched down in the community of Lena late last week has been estimated as an EF-2, but may be upgraded, officials said Monday.
The Sheriff’s office in Stephenson County, Illinois, was set to provide an update Monday about the reported tornado that touched down in the community of Lena late last week.
Recovery efforts are underway on Saturday after a tornado touchdown has been reported in Lena, Illinois, about 48 miles west of Rockford.
A tornado touchdown has been reported in Lena, Illinois, about 48 miles west of Rockford, part of a massive storm system that is barreling toward Chicago.
An outbreak of severe weather across the Midwest and Great Plains states Tuesday included at least three confirmed tornadoes in Kansas.
The Senate approved a House-passed resolution aimed at reining in President Trump on Iran, marking the first time such a measure has made it through both chambers.
Forty years ago this week, the battered body of Tony "The Ant" Spilotro — the Chicago mob's man in Las Vegas — was found buried in a shallow grave in an Indiana cornfield, along with that of his brother, Michael.
The 2026 NBA Draft gets under way, with the Chicago Bulls up for the No. 4 overall pick.
Juan Ortiz is a member of the Chicago Hornets, a wheelchair basketball team. He estimated that nearly three quarters of the Hornets — himself included — started using wheelchairs because they were shot.
Athletic director Jamie Pollard said rising costs and financial uncertainty facing athletic departments nationwide drove the decision to add alcohol sales at Iowa State venues.
The Senate approved a House-passed resolution aimed at reining in President Trump on Iran, marking the first time such a measure has made it through both chambers.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson weighed in Tuesday on a proposal to create a Department of Gun Violence Prevention for the city.
Tuesday marked the first Chicago Public Schools budget hearing of the summer, as the district faces a $ $733 million shortfall.
The Supreme Court rejected a former Louisiana inmate's effort to sue state prison officials after they shaved his dreadlocks in violation of his religious beliefs.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has said agents will take a less public-facing approach, and the chair of the Illinois Accountability Commission says he is already hearing signs of a new arrest uptick.
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.
A new study from the Cook County Treasurer's office underlines growing concerns about the impact the Illinois megaprojects bill could have on the county's property tax base and overall fiscal health.
As thousands of Chicagoans wrap up road trips over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, gas prices in the city have reached the highest levels seen in four years.
Consumer and environmental advocates said Monday that they found overcharges buried in the most recent rate-hike request by Nicor.
One week away from Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of the summer travel season, with gas prices remaining high, negotiations were set to resume Monday at the largest oil refinery in the Midwest.
Illinois is among the top 13 states seeing a rise in alpha-gal syndrome cases, with residents living in southern Illinois at the highest risk, according to a 2025 study.
After Bruce Willis was diagnosed with dementia, his wife Emma Heming Willis found a new purpose as a health advocate.
The North Shore suburb of Wilmette this week became the latest Chicago-area municipality to discover mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus this year.
Dr. Peter Stafford was working with a missionary group in the Congo when he came down with the virus last month.
While 330 Ebola infections are confirmed in central Africa and huge challenges remain, hundreds more suspected cases "have been cleared out," the WHO says.
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.
DraftKings announced Monday that it is closing its sportsbook operation at Wrigley Field after only about two years.
After more than 80 years, there will be no Ann Sather restaurant location in the 900 block of West Belmont Avenue in Chicago's Lakeview community, effective in June.
Clive Davis helped shape the careers of music stars including Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston.
Claude Guillemot and a flight instructor were flying in a twin-motor Cessna 421 on Friday evening. An investigation into the crash is underway.
James Burrows directed more than 1,000 episodes of television, including every episode of the original "Will & Grace."
In a full circle moment, actor Gary Cole returns to the very same local stage where he began his professional acting career.
Record producer Tay Keith was found dead in his Nashville home by officers performing a welfare check, police said.
John Drummond reports on how Tony Spilotro attracted unwanted attention as the Chicago Outfit's man in Las Vegas, while his brother Michael also found himself in trouble. Meanwhile, Phil Ponce reports on the discovery of the brothers' badly beaten bodies in an Indiana cornfield. These Channel 2 News reports first aired June 23 and 24, 1986.
Sunny and mild Tuesday with highs in the mid-70s before clouds move in and showers develop overnight.
The City of Chicago is suing Airbnb, saying the rental company has repeatedly violated the city's Shared Housing Ordinance and other consumer protection laws.
As Social Distortion goes on tour, their fans are buying T-shirts and recycled from old concert tees.
France just recorded its hottest day ever with an average temperature of 85.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Three Chicago-area beaches are under advisories for "high bacteria" levels on Tuesday.
Forty years ago this week, the battered body of Tony "The Ant" Spilotro — the Chicago mob's man in Las Vegas — was found buried in a shallow grave in an Indiana cornfield, along with that of his brother, Michael.
The City of Chicago is suing Airbnb, saying the rental company has repeatedly violated the city's Shared Housing Ordinance and other consumer protection laws.
The Senate approved a House-passed resolution aimed at reining in President Trump on Iran, marking the first time such a measure has made it through both chambers.
A search resumed for a child who disappeared in Lake Michigan near a beach in Michigan City, Indiana, on Monday night.
After a violent holiday weekend, Chicago city leaders are expected to announce new support for a dedicated Department of Gun Violence Prevention.
Newly released cell phone video of a police shooting in south suburban Country Club Hills appears to contradict what a federal agent claims happened during an undercover gun trafficking sting operation last week.
"A house of horrors." That's how one former Chicago foster child described Aunt Martha's Integrated Care Center, a facility that's been at the center of a years-long CBS News Chicago investigation.
Kindbody entered into an agreement with a cryogenic storage facility in Massachusetts, but not all patients received the email.
A Chicago woman says a life insurance policy she paid into for 25 years was cancelled over a $112 shortfall that she never knew existed, and now, at 82 years old, she's uninsurable.
The 2026 NBA Draft gets under way, with the Chicago Bulls up for the No. 4 overall pick.
Athletic director Jamie Pollard said rising costs and financial uncertainty facing athletic departments nationwide drove the decision to add alcohol sales at Iowa State venues.
Chicago (40-37) snapped a three-game losing streak and pulled into a first-place tie with Cleveland (41-38) in the AL Central.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly trading three-time All-Star Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls.
The 24-year-old will catch and bat fourth in his season debut against the Guardians, returning from hamstring and knee injuries originally suffered in the World Baseball Classic.
Forty years ago this week, the battered body of Tony "The Ant" Spilotro — the Chicago mob's man in Las Vegas — was found buried in a shallow grave in an Indiana cornfield, along with that of his brother, Michael.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson weighed in Tuesday on a proposal to create a Department of Gun Violence Prevention for the city.
Authorities believe two ransom notes addressed to Nancy Guthrie's family — including a note that said she had died — were likely sent by the person or group of people who abducted her.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has said agents will take a less public-facing approach, and the chair of the Illinois Accountability Commission says he is already hearing signs of a new arrest uptick.
Chicago police on Monday issued a community alert about two sexual assaults that occurred in the South Shore community this month.
