Monday marks the start of classes in Chicago Public Schools, bringing with it questions about the district’s budget and the impact of a fully elected school board.
A historic power outage in northwest Indiana has left 52% of Gary’s NIPSCO customers without power for 11 days. We spoke with people about their experiences as they wait for electricity to be restored and debris to be cleared.
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In a collaboration with the Chicago Children’s Theatre and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the singer-songwriter set 14 nursery rhymes to music to teach children a love for both music and language.
In the Loop & Say More
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The Chicago Department of Public Health released new data Thursday showing HIV infections decreased by about 38% last year. The data comes as community groups continue to push for the city to restore funding for HIV prevention efforts.
Chicago put together bids for both the 2028 and 2032 Democratic National Committee conventions. A source with knowledge of the planning said Chicago is still in consideration for the latter.
The second installment of 2025 property tax bills are expected to hit mailboxes on or before Sept. 1, according to the board.
Costs for back-to-school supplies are expected to be higher. How much would some CPS families spend?
A Deloitte survey of Chicago K-12 parents found they planned to spend $794 per child on back-to-school items this year, up 7% year over year.
In Illinois, there have been no major changes to voting — though voters are confused about their rights, including whether they need to bring proof of citizenship to the ballot box.
None of the five candidates had overwhelming support in a recent poll of 600 likely Chicago voters. The Chicago Teachers Union’s pick, Hilario Dominguez, had the most support with 20% of respondents saying they’d vote for him.
A 50% to 66% toll increase for passenger vehicles is expected to raise around $1 billion a year for construction projects. The hike was allowed under a provision of the state’s new transit funding law.
It comes days after the governor signed a bill allowing homeowners in the state to participate in disaster relief programs that aren’t typically covered under standard insurance policies, and less than two months after he made a similar declaration following rounds of severe storms in April and June.
The race had been held on the already busy July 4 weekend, and the city and NASCAR were trying to find an alternative when the clock ran out.
Cubs fans and Sox fans swarmed Wrigley Field to watch the highly anticipated rivalry game. Fans wore Cubs or Sox gear, repping their preferred Chicago team. But a few couldn’t decide which one to choose.
The CTU is framing the suit as its president, Stacy Davis Gates, “standing up to the multimillion dollar marketing firm Illinois Policy Institute,” the Liberty Justice Center and Austin Berg, the institute’s marketing vice president.
The macabre discovery of dozens of unrefrigerated, decomposing bodies at a South Side funeral home is prompting legislative calls for tighter government regulation of an industry that has operated largely free of state controls.
In a letter to the Justice Department relying heavily on Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ reporting, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi questioned whether the hearings provide due process for immigrants trying to remain in the U.S.
Chicago’s summer flirtation with Greek froyo boutiques is still in the pop-up stage. And while New York and Miami have more options, Chicago restaurants are filling the gap.
Northwestern University said Saturday the African Studies program is transitioning away from its status as a university-wide research institute and center, while a staff member says employees were told it was closing.
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In Case You Missed It
- Colleges scramble after court strikes down in-state tuition for Illinois undocumented students
- What to know about the 2026 Chicago Air and Water Show
- After six months in ICE detention, a Chicago tamale vendor rebuilds her life
- Lights out for a Roscoe Village cafe’s outdoor dining — even as others shine on
- Shedd Aquarium to receive four more beluga whales from Marineland
- Funeral home shocker, pollution, mad bomber: Far South Side neighbors have been through a lot
- Chicago’s Austin neighborhood was christened ‘Soul City.’ It’s still waiting for its landmark.
