CHICAGO - The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has accused Chicago Public Schools (CPS) leadership of rejecting crucial compromises aimed at finalizing a long-overdue contract, potentially leading to increased disruption and chaos for all stakeholders. This development comes as the Board of Education prepares to vote on a contentious budget amendment addressing funding for the proposed teachers' contract and a disputed pension payment.

CHICAGO – The Chicago Board of Education is set to vote on a crucial new budget this Thursday, as negotiations between city officials and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) intensify in an effort to finalize a long-awaited contract agreement.

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL – A quiet Sunday afternoon turned tragic when firefighters responding to a house fire in Crystal Lake discovered a deceased individual inside the residence. The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department reported that emergency crews were dispatched to a home on Della Street shortly before 3:30 p.m. after receiving reports of smoke coming from the single-family home.

CHICAGO – Nearly three decades of wrongful imprisonment ended in a moment of triumph as Robert Johnson, a Chicago man who was convicted of murder at just 16 years old, was officially exonerated on Tuesday. The courtroom erupted in rare cheers as the Cook County prosecutor’s office formally dismissed all charges against him, marking the end of a nearly 29-year battle for justice.

CHICAGO – Authorities are investigating a series of overnight break-ins at smoke shops on the city’s Northwest Side, with suspects still on the run. The first attempted burglary occurred around 5:53 a.m. at Smoke Valley, located in the 3300 block of North Milwaukee Avenue in the Irving Park neighborhood. According to Chicago police, two suspects tried to force their way into the business using a hammer but were unable to gain entry. The pair quickly fled the scene in a black SUV.

CHICAGO, IL – Federal prosecutors have dropped charges against James McIntyre, a Chicago-based trans youth advocate accused of forcefully shaking the hand of Republican U.S. Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina. The case, which ignited national debate, ended without explanation in a recent court filing in Washington, D.C. Superior Court.

CHICAGO - In an unanticipated turn of events, charges against two Chicago men accused of assaulting and robbing a 60-year-old man in Uptown have been dismissed, thanks to surveillance footage that contradicted the initial allegations. This case demonstrates the profound impact of video evidence in the judicial process and raises questions about the reliability of eyewitness testimony.​

A cruise vacation didn't go exactly as planned for Jason and Tammy Merritt when their luggage never showed up at their cabin on Carnival Magic. According to news reports, the incident resulted in a lifetime ban for another passenger and a complex legal situation.

Listen up, fellow Americans! I've learned the hard way that hospital billing is a minefield. My personal experiences have taught me one crucial lesson: NEVER pay a hospital bill without thorough scrutiny. I once received a mysterious bill during college that turned out to be for someone with my same name who had no insurance. Last year, they overcharged me $100 and even sent it to a collection agency after I spent hours on the phone challenging it.

Regional offices assisting U.S. citizens with Social Security benefits are being closed by the Trump administration. The Department of Government Efficiency has terminated leases for five of Georgia’s 34 Social Security offices.

CHICAGO, IL — A troubling gap in Chicago’s traffic stop data has surfaced, raising concerns about law enforcement transparency and accountability. In 2024, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) reported 295,846 traffic stops to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), a figure required by state law. However, internal records indicate that an additional 210,622 traffic stops were conducted but never officially documented, leaving a glaring hole in police oversight and public trust.

CHICAGO — A 30-year-old man is in critical condition following a stabbing incident in the Loop on Monday night. Authorities responded to reports of a stabbing in the 100 block of North Clark Street shortly before 9:20 p.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim with stab wounds to his leg and neck. He was immediately transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.​

Like many young women, Shantell Pollard was full of ambition and had dreams for her future. She loved to dance, sing, do makeup, and model. She was friendly and embraced life with open arms. Tragically, those dreams came to an end on Halloween night.

ILLINOIS - The United States Postal Service (USPS) has been facing significant financial difficulties for years, largely due to the rise of digital communication and declining mail volume. Now, the situation has taken a new turn with the unexpected resignation of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and potential plans for widespread job cuts across Illinois and other states.

Fraud scheme used fake cashier's checks to target vehicle sellers in Illinois counties. Illinois – A St. Louis man has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison for his role in a sophisticated vehicle sale fraud scheme that deceived private sellers in at least four Illinois counties. The elaborate operation, which involved counterfeit cashier’s checks, targeted unsuspecting victims in Madison, Jasper, Bond, and Fayette counties, among others.

ALTON, Ill. — A dump truck collision in Alton, IL on Tuesday morning, March 18, 2025, left nearly 2,800 Ameren Illinois customers without power, disrupting homes and businesses across multiple communities.

CHICAGO – The Thai community in Chicago is reeling after a catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Asia, leaving destruction in its wake. As search and rescue operations continue, many local residents with ties to Thailand are anxiously awaiting updates on their loved ones back home.

BROOKLYN, Ill. — A Brooklyn police officer suffered severe injuries early Sunday morning after a suspect intentionally drove into him during a high-speed pursuit, officials said. The chase, which started in Illinois, ended in St. Louis when the suspect crashed and was taken into custody.

CALIFORNIA – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on March 11 it is offering a $20,000 reward for tips leading to a penalty or conviction in the case of a decapitated California sea lion.

CHICAGO, IL – A 13-year-old boy was found shot to death in a backyard in Chicago’s Lawndale neighborhood early Monday morning, sparking renewed calls for the reinstatement of ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system that was recently deactivated by city officials.

CHICAGO — Former high-ranking officials of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) have voiced concerns over recent policy changes they believe have hindered crime-fighting efforts and contributed to a rise in violence across the city. They specifically point to the discontinuation of the gang database and alterations to pursuit policies as detrimental to proactive policing strategies.​

Gen X’ers swear they had Mad Max-level freedom as kids: biking miles alone, playing in woods until streetlights came on, and surviving on PB&Js packed in brown paper bags. But millennials/Zillennials side-eye this like, “Sure, Jan.” So—did 80s parents really not care, or is this just Hollywood romanticizing?

My dog of six years caught a cold, and my mom gave him Tylenol. By the next morning, he was gone. A simple online search would’ve told her that dogs can’t have Tylenol, but she never bothered to check. She’s given him grapes and chicken bones before, too. I was away at school, and my family didn’t even tell me until a week later—after they had already buried him. I never got to say goodbye.

COOK COUNTY – A Cook County man already behind bars for violating his parole has been formally indicted in connection with a violent road rage stabbing that took place in Des Plaines, Illinois last year.

For many, headaches are an all-too-familiar part of daily life. Whether it’s the dull throb of tension or the sharp pulse of a migraine, reaching for medication can feel like the only option. But what if relief could come from your plate instead of a pill bottle?

CHICAGO, Ill. – A quiet night in Chicago’s Gage Park neighborhood turned into a scene of chaos after two people were found dead inside an apartment, followed just minutes later by a stabbing inside a nearby bar. Authorities are now working to determine if the two incidents are connected.

CHICAGO - In a move that has sent shockwaves through the legal community, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday targeting the well respected Chicago-based law firm, Jenner & Block. The order mandates a comprehensive review of the firm's security clearances, government contracts, and access to federal buildings, citing concerns over alleged partisan activities.

It started with a perfectly normal Tuesday afternoon. I was working from home, minding my business, when I heard aggressive knocking at my front door. Standing there was Barbara, my next-door neighbor and newly elected HOA board member, clutching her phone like it was a weapon.

I never thought unemployment could destroy your soul like this. Ten months with zero income, twenty interviews that went nowhere. My unemployment benefits have dried up, and I'm losing myself.

CHICAGO – Illinois is experiencing a historic surge in community college enrollment, marking a significant milestone in the state’s education landscape. Governor JB Pritzker recently announced that Spring 2025 enrollment in Illinois community colleges has jumped by an impressive 8.9% compared to last year. This increase is the highest year-over-year Spring enrollment growth recorded since the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) began tracking enrollment data in the late 1990s.