A new nationwide dining report has placed Chicago firmly in the spotlight, with OpenTable announcing that 16 restaurants from the city have earned a place on its anticipated Top 100 Restaurants for 2025 list. The annual list, released on Tuesday, reflects strong feedback from diners across the country and highlights restaurants that consistently deliver exceptional experiences. OpenTable stated that the selections were shaped by “diner demand,” relying on more than 10 million verified rev

Cook County property owners are finally set to receive their long-delayed second installment property tax bills, with officials confirming that 1.8 million bills are expected to be mailed by Friday. The bills, which are normally delivered during the summer, will carry a due date of December 15, marking the end of a months-long delay that left many residents uncertain about their financial planning for the year. The delay stems from an extensive modernization of Cook County’s aging

On Tuesday night, residents throughout the Chicago metropolitan area were treated to a rare celestial display as the multi-hued ribbons of the aurora borealis lit up the sky following a powerful solar flare. From the heart of the city to suburban neighbourhoods, witnesses described vivid shades of pink, purple, green and yellow drifting across the horizon, signalling the arrival of an energetic stream of solar particles. Meteorologists and space-weather experts attribute the spectac

A powerful early-season winter storm brought heavy lake effect snow to parts of northeastern Illinois and northwest Indiana on Monday, causing significant travel disruptions, hazardous driving conditions, and widespread school closures. The unseasonal snowfall, which arrived in the middle of fall, blanketed some communities with more than a foot of snow while leaving others with little more than a dusting. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a winter storm warni

The holiday season has officially begun to make its presence felt across the Chicago area. From dazzling décor and festive lights to store promotions and the unmistakable scent of seasonal treats, the city’s malls are transforming into winter wonderlands. But perhaps the most heartwarming sign of all is the arrival of Santa Claus himself. For families eager to capture a cherished holiday photo or simply share a moment of joy with the beloved figure in red, many malls across the region are

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced significant flight reductions across 40 major U.S. airports, including Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway, beginning Friday. The move comes as the agency struggles to maintain safety standards during what has become the longest government shutdown in American history, now stretching into its 37th day. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned earlier this week that the continued shutdown could cause “mass chaos, cancellati

After a stretch of mild early November weather, the Chicago area is preparing for a sharp change as the first chance of snowflakes appears in the forecast. The region is expected to shift from calm and breezy days to a colder, wetter pattern as the weekend approaches, bringing rain that may mix with light snow as temperatures drop. Forecasters predict that dry and breezy conditions will dominate through midweek before rain moves in late Thursday night and continues into Friday. Anothe

Chicago’s annual wave of holiday spirit is arriving just a little later this year. Popular radio station 93.9 LITE FM has announced that it will officially begin broadcasting nonstop Christmas music on Tuesday, November 4, marking the start of its 25th year as Chicago’s go-to station for festive tunes. The station confirmed that the seasonal switch will take place at 3 p.m., when it transitions to “around-the-clock holiday music.” Listeners across the Chicago area can tune i

SPRINGFIELD — In a decisive move to address a looming financial crisis in the state’s transportation network, Illinois lawmakers approved a new $1.5 billion public transit funding bill in the early hours of Friday morning. The legislation, passed during the final moments of the veto session, aims to secure the future of Chicago’s major transit systems and prevent what officials described as a potential “fiscal cliff.” The new measure, which avoids the more controversial st

CVS Health has announced plans to close 16 Oak Street Health primary care clinics across the United States by the end of February 2026, citing the move as part of a broader effort to strengthen its financial position and long-term sustainability. The closures follow a comprehensive review of the company’s clinic operations and come amid a changing healthcare landscape that has placed significant pressure on medical providers. The decision arrives two years after CVS Health acquire

With exactly 100 days remaining until the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, hundreds of athletes from across the United States are entering the crucial final phase of preparation in their pursuit of a place on Team USA. Competitors in disciplines such as figure skating, ice hockey, and speed skating are training intensely, aiming to secure their spot among the elite who will represent the nation on one of the world’s most prestigious sporting stages. The 2026 Winter Olympics will

CHICAGO — Several Chicago Public Schools have earned top positions in the newly released rankings of Illinois’ “Best Elementary Schools” for the 2025–2026 academic year, according to data compiled from federal education sources. The annual report placed Chicago institutions prominently among the state’s top performers, alongside high-achieving schools from Rockford, Hinsdale, and Naperville. The latest rankings evaluated more than 47,000 public elementary schools and 23,

Federal immigration enforcement operations across Chicago and its suburbs over the past week have drawn sharp scrutiny, as multiple incidents involving U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have raised questions about potential violations of a federal court order and the agencies’ own use-of-force guidelines. In one of the most widely circulated incidents, a video recorded Saturday in Chicago’s Irving Park neighborhood showed a masked federal ag

Flight operations at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport were disrupted on Saturday after an equipment malfunction caused significant slowdowns and delays throughout the day. The issue led to the implementation of a ground delay program, resulting in average delays of nearly 40 minutes as air traffic controllers worked to safely manage aircraft movements. According to official information from the Federal Aviation Administration, the issue began in the late morning when a techn

The streets of Chicago’s Little Village turned tense on Thursday morning as heavily armed federal agents clashed with residents during an enforcement operation near the Discount Mall at 26th and Troy. The scene unfolded amid growing public concern over the expanding presence of federal officers in local neighborhoods. Witnesses reported the use of chemical irritants, including tear gas and pepper bullets, while helicopters hovered overhead and residents recorded the confrontation on their p

After closing its downtown location last year, a Chicago cultural landmark is set to make a celebrated comeback. The Chicago Museum of Broadcast Communications, one of the nation’s few institutions dedicated to preserving the history of television and radio, is reopening with a new pop-up space in the city’s West Loop. The museum, which had been closed since 2023 following more than four decades of operation, will welcome visitors once again starting this week. The new pop-up lo

Mass demonstrations are expected across the United States on Saturday as protesters gather in thousands of cities and towns for the second “No Kings” protest of the year. The coordinated events are being organized in opposition to what participants describe as increasingly authoritarian actions by President Donald Trump and his administration. The “No Kings” movement, which has been active since early 2025, is centered on defending democratic institutions, civil liberties, a

Chicago is preparing to welcome what will become the world’s largest magic-themed entertainment venue, as developers unveiled the first look at The Hand & The Eye, a grand project that promises to redefine the city’s cultural and nightlife scene. The venue, set to open in spring 2026, will occupy the historic McCormick Mansion located at the northeast corner of Ontario and Rush Streets in the Near North neighborhood. Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism and

CHICAGO – Federal immigration officers working in the Chicago area will now be required to wear body cameras following a court order issued by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis. The decision came after the judge reviewed video footage and reports showing the use of tear gas and other crowd-control measures during protests against immigration enforcement operations. The mandate aims to ensure accountability and transparency amid growing public concerns over the treatment of demonstrators and co

BROADVIEW, Ill. — The controversial fence surrounding the Broadview United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center has been removed, ending weeks of tension between federal officials, local authorities, and community members. The fence, which was erected amid rising protests and safety concerns, had become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement in the Chicago area. Late Tuesday evening, crews arrived with a flatbed truck carrying