High school students help clean up Merrillville tornado damage
Two weeks after an EF-2 tornado ravaged Merrillville, Indiana, high school students came together to revitalize their community.
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Two weeks after an EF-2 tornado ravaged Merrillville, Indiana, high school students came together to revitalize their community.
A tornado was confirmed near Huntley, Illinois, during the severe storms that pounded the Chicago area Wednesday night.
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.
Police said the girl saw a man with a gray or black dog walking northeast through the park, who attempted to lure the girl after getting her attention.
The Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus recently brought together supporters, advocates, and leaders for an event centered on connection, recognition, and joy.
In a major turnaround in the opioid crisis, overdose deaths are falling across Chicago and Cook County.
Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday issued a state disaster proclamation for eleven counties ravaged by severe weather this spring and early summer.
During the incident, a reporter and photographer were approached by three men, one with a dog, before their news truck and gear were destroyed.
The mother of a Loyola University freshman who was shot and killed in March delivered tearful testimony on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.
After the Supreme Court announced it would take up a challenge to Cook County's assault weapons ban, State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke said she is ready to defend the law before the high court.
The Supreme Court agreed to take up challenges to so-called assault-weapons bans in Cook County, Illinois, and Connecticut.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down President Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship.
The Supreme Court struck down federal limits on the amount of money a political committee can spend in coordination with federal candidates.
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.
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.
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.
Chicago rapper Twista has pleaded guilty to willfully failing to pay income taxes.
Lionel Richie's Chicago concert at the United Center has been postponed after the singer became sick at his tour opener in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Legendary musician Lionel Richie had to cut his performance short Wednesday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, leaving fans with many questions.
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.
Experts say kids don't cool off the way adults do, and want parents to keep a few tips in mind amid the dangerous temperatures.
The Mundelein Police Department said Officer Paul Viduya Jr. died in a single-motorcycle crash early Sunday morning in the city of McHenry.
Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon is tracking the latest in First Alert Weather.
NASA says its Swift Observatory telescope is falling back to Earth faster than expected, due to recent solar activity.
In a 6-3 ruling Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down White House efforts to restrict birthright citizenship, which It grants citizenship to anyone born in the country regardless of their parents' immigration status. Political Reporter Chris Tye reports.
During the incident, a reporter and photographer were approached by three men, one with a dog, before their news truck and gear were destroyed.
Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday issued a state disaster proclamation for eleven counties ravaged by severe weather this spring and early summer.
Police said the girl saw a man with a gray or black dog walking northeast through the park, who attempted to lure the girl after getting her attention.
Fourteen new laws will go into effect in Illinois on July 1, 2026.
The Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus recently brought together supporters, advocates, and leaders for an event centered on connection, recognition, and joy.
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.
CBS News Chicago has learned that Illinois home insurance premiums are not only higher than the nation's average, but going up faster too.
The Cook County Sheriff's Office has been a part of Illinois' enhanced CTA security plan and state-led task force dedicated to making it safe since the end of March. Their officers have worked more than 4,000 hours a month.
A rideshare driver was shot in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood on Monday night.
A 9-year-old boy from Arizona won a nice chunk of change recently, thanks in part to the signature of Chicago White Sox infielder and slugger Munetaka Murakami.
It was Suzuki's second career game-ending hit and Chicago's major league-leading 10th walk-off win this season.
Colson Montgomery hit a go-ahead double in the eighth inning, Jacob Gonzalez drove in three runs and the Chicago White Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 on Monday night in the opener of their series.
A memorial service was held Monday morning for Chicago Bulls broadcaster and three-time NBA champion Stacey King.
NASCAR is back in town next weekend, but not for a downtown street race — this time, for the first time in seven years, races will be held at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet.
A man was charged with videotaping a boy in a men's restroom at Woodfield Mall in Chicago's northwest suburbs last week.
Police in Burr Ridge, Illinois, issued a warning Tuesday about burglars using distractions to break into homes.
A man was sentenced to eight years in prison earlier this month for robbing a mail carrier on Chicago's Near West Side back in 2022.
A new trial was denied Monday for Marni Yang, who is serving life in prison for a 2007 shooting that left a romantic rival dead.
A Chicago Transit Authority switch worker was shot and killed in Chicago's Roseland community early Monday morning.