Veteran civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, one of the most influential Black political figures in modern American history, died on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, prompting an outpouring of tributes from political leaders and activists across the globe. He was 84. While the exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed, Jackson had been living for several years with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological condition that affects movement and speech. Jackson rose to national p

Dozens of schools, libraries, museums, and local businesses across the Chicago area closed Friday as extreme cold grips northeastern Illinois. The region is under an Extreme Cold Warning, with wind chills expected to drop as low as -35 degrees, creating dangerous conditions for travel and outdoor activity. Public safety officials have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid exposure to the frigid temperatures whenever possible. More than 100 schools, including the city’s largest

A graduate student in Chicago is taking on an extraordinary challenge: running every street in all 77 neighborhoods of the city. Joabe Barbosa, who studies at Roosevelt University, treats the sprawling urban landscape as his personal treadmill, running at all hours and in all kinds of weather. “I run 1 a.m., 3 a.m., 7 a.m., 5 p.m. — any time of the day, any weather,” Barbosa said. “I’m always safe and I always meet lovely people.” Barbosa’s journey began in August 2024 a

Operations at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport were significantly disrupted Tuesday after a burst water pipe forced the evacuation of the airport’s primary air traffic control tower, triggering a prolonged ground delay program and affecting hundreds of flights throughout the day. Federal aviation officials confirmed the incident occurred during the early morning hours and continued to impact air traffic well into the evening. The situation began at approximately 1:10 a.m. when a water pipe failed inside the main air traffic control tower. The incident prompted the immediate evacuation of air traffic controllers working in the facility as a safety precaution. Controllers were temporarily relocated to the airport’s south control tower, where they resumed operations under adjusted procedures to maintain essential flight management functions. Shortly after the evacuation, the Federal Aviation Administration implemented a ground delay program for O’Hare. The measure was designed to manage air traffic flow while staffing and operational capacity were reduced. As of mid-morning, the FAA indicated that the ground delay program remained in effect and was expected to continue for much of the day, with projected delays extending into the evening hours. Flight tracking data showed widespread disruption across the airport, one of the busiest aviation hubs in the United States. More than 400 flights were reported delayed by Tuesday morning, with many experiencing wait times exceeding 45 minutes. The delays affected both arriving and departing flights, creating a ripple effect across domestic and international travel schedules. FAA officials confirmed that the main air traffic control tower remained closed as crews assessed the extent of the damage caused by the water intrusion. The full impact on equipment and infrastructure had not yet been determined, and officials said it was too early to estimate when normal operations would be fully restored. An investigation was launched to determine the cause of the pipe failure and to evaluate any structural or maintenance issues that may have contributed to the incident. Airport authorities worked alongside federal officials to manage passenger flow and minimize congestion within terminals. Travelers were advised to check directly with airlines for updated flight information and to allow extra time when traveling to or from the airport. Airlines adjusted schedules and staffing as they worked to accommodate delayed passengers and reposition aircraft. Despite the disruption, officials emphasized that safety remained the top priority and that the relocation of controllers allowed critical air traffic services to continue. The incident underscored the complexity of airport operations and the cascading impact that infrastructure issues can have on air travel, particularly at major hubs such as O’Hare. As repair efforts and inspections continued, officials said updates would be provided as more information became available. The FAA noted that restoring full capacity would depend on the outcome of the damage assessment and the completion of necessary repairs, while reiterating its commitment to maintaining safe and efficient air travel operations.

Global K-pop sensation BTS has officially announced its highly anticipated return to live performances with a massive world tour scheduled across 2026 and 2027. This will be the group’s first major tour in several years, drawing excitement from fans worldwide and marking the largest tour of their career. The tour will include more than 70 stops across multiple continents, with Chicago confirmed as one of the major North American dates, highlighting the group’s enduring global appeal.

A large new T.J. Maxx store is set to open in one of Chicago’s most active retail districts, further strengthening Lincoln Park’s position as a major shopping destination. The off-price retailer will occupy a prominent 26,000-square-foot space at 939 W. North Avenue, located at the southeast corner of North Avenue and Sheffield Avenue, according to a recent announcement from the development team behind the project. The store will serve as a key anchor tenant within a renovated c

A River North restaurant has earned national attention for its distinctive blend of design and cuisine, marking another milestone for Chicago’s evolving dining scene. Crying Tiger, which opened in October at 51 W. Hubbard St., has been named among the most beautiful new restaurants in America for 2025, according to a recently released national ranking highlighting standout hospitality spaces across the country. The restaurant was recognized for its ability to merge Chicago’s ind

Nearly 1,000 workers across Illinois are expected to lose their jobs during the first half of the year, according to recent data released through the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act. A spreadsheet published by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shows that employers across several industries issued layoff notices affecting a total of 985 employees during November alone. State officials reported that most of the layoffs are scheduled to begin in

Chicago’s newly approved budget is now in effect, introducing a series of tax changes that will be rolled out in stages throughout the year. While some measures began immediately on Jan. 1, others are scheduled to take effect in the coming weeks and months, gradually reshaping costs for consumers and businesses across the city. Among the changes that began with the start of the new year is an increase in the checkout bag tax. Shoppers now pay 15 cents per grocery bag, up from the

Residents across the Chicago metropolitan area awoke Monday morning to snow-covered roads, sharply colder temperatures and powerful winds following the rapid passage of a cold front through northeast Illinois overnight. Wind gusts climbed as high as 60 miles per hour in some locations, creating hazardous travel conditions and significantly reducing visibility during the morning commute. Weather officials issued a wind advisory for the entire Chicago area, while a winter weather advi

Brookfield Zoo is offering Chicago-area residents and visitors an excellent opportunity to explore one of the region’s most popular attractions without paying an admission fee, as the zoo has announced free entry on most days throughout January and February. The expanded winter free admission schedule gives families, students, and animal enthusiasts a chance to enjoy a meaningful outdoor experience during the colder months while keeping expenses low. With a wide variety of exhibits and thousan

Fans attending Chicago Bears games at Soldier Field will now have a new option for verifying their age when purchasing alcohol, as the stadium begins accepting digital Illinois driver’s licenses and state identification cards stored in Apple Wallet. The update takes effect starting Saturday, coinciding with the Bears’ matchup against the Green Bay Packers, marking a significant step in the expansion of mobile identification use at major sporting venues. Illinois Secretary of Sta

Fans attending Saturday night’s primetime matchup at Soldier Field will have a new way to stay warm as the Chicago Bears introduce a distinctly local twist on a classic cold-weather beverage. A Chicago-style hot chocolate, crafted specifically for the game against the Green Bay Packers, will make its debut inside the stadium, offering supporters a combination of comfort and regional character. The beverage blends traditional hot cocoa with Jeppson’s Malört and Amaretto, creatin

A new international fashion entrant has arrived on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile as Mango formally opened its first Illinois store on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s ongoing national expansion. The two-story boutique, located at the prominent intersection of Michigan Avenue and Erie Street, represents the company’s 60th U.S. location and underscores its intention to strengthen its presence in major retail corridors across the country. Crowds gathered ahead of the

The Chicago Bears may have seen their push for a top playoff position take a hit after their recent loss to the Green Bay Packers, but the organization is moving forward with preparations for a potential postseason appearance. The team announced on Tuesday that fans will soon be able to purchase tickets for possible home games during the 2025 NFL postseason, signaling continued optimism as the regular season enters its final stretch. Beginning Thursday, single-game tickets for a pot

Chicago is preparing for another round of winter weather as the region transitions from a brief warm-up into a renewed surge of Arctic air. The active start to December continues to unfold with multiple chances for snow and a significant drop in temperatures expected over the coming days. The latest forecast follows a weekend in which several inches of snow accumulated across the city and surrounding suburbs, adding to the large piles already lining neighborhood streets after recent plowing o

Patchy and freezing fog settling over parts of the Chicago area early Tuesday led to difficult travel conditions during the morning rush, with officials cautioning motorists about sudden visibility drops and the potential for slick roads. The National Weather Service noted that the rapidly forming fog created visibility of half a mile or less in several communities, particularly in areas south and west of the city. The agency added that the combination of frozen surfaces and lingering moistur

A winter storm watch has been issued for the entire Chicago region as the area prepares for the possibility of significant snowfall during the weekend following Thanksgiving. Weather officials have included all of northern and central Illinois along with northwest Indiana in the alert, signaling that the system is expected to affect a large portion of the region. The watch will take effect at 3 a.m. on Saturday and remain in place through Sunday morning, covering a period during which travel con

The 91st annual Chicago Thanksgiving Parade will take place on Thursday, marking the start of a major holiday weekend as visitors and residents prepare for several days of celebrations across the city and surrounding suburbs. The long-running event, known for drawing tens of thousands of spectators, will once again fill the downtown corridor with floats, dancers, marching bands, specialty performers and an array of local and national talent. Organizers expect a strong turnout as families make

Chicago’s major airports are preparing for an exceptionally crowded holiday period, with officials projecting the busiest Thanksgiving travel week ever recorded across the city’s aviation system. The Chicago Department of Aviation reported that nearly two million passengers are expected to pass through O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport between Tuesday and Monday, December 1. The projection reflects a strong holiday travel surge fueled by both airline scheduli