Workers and employers across the Chicago area will face different minimum wage rates beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2026, depending on the location of the job. Illinois’ statewide minimum wage will remain $15 per hour for workers age 18 and older, while the base rate for tipped employees will stay at $9 per hour. The statewide increases required under a 2019 law ended after those rates took effect on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Chicago Minimum Wage Rises to $17.05

Shriners Children’s Chicago is marking 100 years of pediatric specialty care in 2026, recognizing a century of treatment, therapy and family support. Founded in 1926 by the Medinah Shriners of Chicago, the hospital began by providing free orthopedic treatment to children during the polio epidemic. Shriners Children’s Chicago Marks a Century of Care The hospital later treated children affected by bone tuberculosis and other serious conditions that hav

CHICAGO — The Chicago Pride Parade 2026 will step off at 11:00 AM CDT on Sunday, June 28, with a two-mile route through Uptown, Lakeview and Lincoln Park. The free 55th annual event is scheduled to run until 2:00 PM and carries the theme “Free to Be Proud.” Chicago Pride Parade 2026 route and viewing areas The parade stages at Sheridan Road and Broadway, but public viewing begins at Grace Street and Broadway. It will move south on Broadway and Hals

Chicago suburbs storm damage toppled trees and power lines, flooded roads and left nearly 3,000 ComEd customers without electricity after powerful storms crossed northeastern Illinois. Tornado and flash-flood warnings were issued as damaging winds, hail and heavy rain affected communities northwest of Chicago and parts of the city. Chicago Suburbs Storm Damage Hits Bartlett In Ba

Obama Center museum tickets for fall 2026 will go on sale to the public on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, after strong demand reduced much of the initial inventory. The timed-admission tickets will cover visits from September 2026 through January 2027. The Obama Foundation announced the additional release on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Founding members will receive early access beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2026. How to Reserve Obama Center Museum Tickets for Fall 2026

At least 13 people were injured in the Princeton Park shooting after two gunmen fired from a red SUV into a crowd on Chicago’s South Side, police said. The shooting happened at about 11:00 PM CDT on Friday, June 19, 2026, on West 95th Street near South Wentworth Avenue. Two victims were listed in critical condition, and police had not announced any arrests. What Police Said About the Princeton Park Shooting Chicago police sai

CHICAGO — Obama Presidential Center museum tickets were sold out for the grand opening weekend as the new cultural and civic institution welcomed the public on Friday, June 19, 2026. The South Side center opened one day after a dedication ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026, featuring performers, speakers, celebrity guests and three former U.S. presidents. The public debut coincided with Juneteenth. Former

Historic Opening of Obama Presidential Centre Barack Obama marked the official opening of his presidential centre in Chicago on Thursday, drawing a star-studded audience that included former US presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Joe Biden. The $850 million facility hosted political leaders, celebrities, and musicians, offering a platform to celebrate Obama’s legacy of “hope.” Notably absent

Target’s free ice cream event in Niles, Illinois, will bring the retailer’s Summer Treat Truck to the Chicago suburb on Saturday, June 27. The giveaway is scheduled from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Target store at 6150 West Touhy Avenue, while supplies last. The supplied announcement did not state the year of the event. Target Free Ice Cream Event in Niles: What Visitors Can Get Visitors can choose double scoops of Target’s Favorite Day ic

Fashion Outlets of Chicago has been named the best outlet mall near O’Hare in a national ranking of shopping centers across the United States. The Rosemont, Illinois, destination earned the No. 1 position for its combination of outlet stores, dining, entertainment, contemporary art and convenient access for Chicago-area residents and airport travelers. Why the Best Outlet Mall Near O’Hare Ranked First The two-level, 530,000-square-foot shop

Chicago Midway airport food has become more varied, giving travelers local dining options beyond basic fast food before boarding a flight. For passengers looking for where to eat at Midway Airport, the current lineup includes Chicago-linked names, comfort food, burgers, fried chicken, Italian beef and made-to-order sushi. Chicago Midway Airport Food Options With Local Flavor Midway still has familiar quick-service choices, but

Chicago suburbs tornado risk is rising as forecasters warn of another round of severe storms across northern Illinois on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The National Weather Service in Chicago said the tornado threat had increased, with two possible waves of storms expected during the day. The most concerning period is expected between 4 PM and 8 PM CDT, especially along and north of I-88. Chicago Suburbs Tornado Risk Highest North and West of the City

A Belmont Avenue Shell station in Chicago will offer $1.99 gas during a limited T-Mobile and Shell promotion on Tuesday. The discounted fuel will be available at the Shell station at 4357 W. Belmont Ave., near Kostner Avenue, from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM. The specific calendar date for the Tuesday promotion was not provided in the available source information. Belmont Avenue Shell $1.99 Gas Promotion Details The pro

Chicago weekend storms remain possible as humid air stays over the region, bringing mid-80s temperatures, lakefront cooling and a stronger rain chance before 90-degree heat returns later in the week. The source forecast did not provide confirmed calendar dates, so weekday references are preserved without adding unverified dates. Thunderstorms moved through the Chicago area overnight, but by about 7 AM Central time, most of the activity had shifted south and was leaving the

A Melrose Park Amazon shooting left one person dead on Thursday, June 4, 2026, after gunfire was reported at an employee garage in the Chicago suburb, officials said. Authorities are searching for the suspect after the fatal shooting at an Amazon Fulfillment Center facility on North Fifth Avenue in Melrose Park, Illinois. Melrose Park Amazon Shooting Under Investigation Police were called shortly after 9:00 AM local time on Thursday, June 4, 2026, after reports

Chicago green fireball boom reports spread across the Midwest after a bright green object crossed the night sky over the Chicago area on a Monday night. The source material did not provide a calendar date or exact time, but reports described sightings from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio. Chicago Green Fireball Boom Reports Across the Midwest Hundreds of people reported seeing a bright green fireball over the Chicago area and ne

Naia Chicago Riverwalk has opened as a new Mediterranean dining destination at 300 N. LaSalle Street in downtown Chicago, bringing Greek-Levantine cuisine, riverfront seating and dock-and-dine access to the city’s popular riverfront corridor. The 12,000-square-foot restaurant, developed by DineAmic Hospitality Group, is located directly under Chicago Cut Steakhouse and stretches along the Chicago River from LaSalle Street to Wells Street. The full opening date was not provided in

Smyth Chicago 2026 ranking news has placed the West Loop fine dining restaurant at the top of North America’s culinary map. Smyth was named No. 1 in North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026, making the Chicago restaurant the region’s top-ranked dining destination. The ranking was announced during the 2026 awards ceremony in New Orleans, where Smyth was also named The Best Restaurant in Midwest USA 2026. Smyth Chicago 2026 Ranking Puts W

Chicago Zillow listings were restored after a federal court order required Midwest Real Estate Data, known as MRED, to return listing access to the real estate platform. The order, issued on Friday, May 22, 2026, temporarily restored Chicago-area home listing data on Zillow after thousands of listings were removed during a legal dispute over property data, private listings and platform display rules. MRED-Zillow Dispute Centers on Private Listings

Six Flags Great America will celebrate its 50th Anniversary Day Bash on Friday, May 29, 2026, in Gurnee, Illinois, with a one-day throwback event featuring vintage entertainment, special exhibits, themed treats and fireworks.