Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert has died at 84 at his Illinois home. The longtime Republican congressional leader served as speaker from 1999 to 2007 before a federal banking conviction tied to payments concealing past sexual abuse transformed his legacy. Dennis Hastert, the former U.S. House speaker who became one of Washington’s most powerful Republicans before his legacy was consumed by revelations of sexual abuse and a federal conviction, has died at age 8

This Chicago Marathon 2026 guide covers the October 11 race route, start times, Grant Park access, transportation, spectator rules, runner tracking and post-race plans. Runners and visitors can use it to navigate one of Chicago’s largest annual sporting events. The 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take over Chicago on Sunday, October 11, 2026, bringing 55,000 participants onto a 26.2-mile course that starts and finishes

Chicago Marathon street closures begin ahead of the October 11, 2026 race, with major restrictions around Grant Park and dozens of race-day closures across the city. Here is what drivers, residents, runners and spectators should know about the route and reopening times. Major Chicago Marathon street closures will begin this week as the city prepares for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 11, 2026. The

A U.S. citizen was injured after federal immigration agents mistakenly detained him during an enforcement operation in Evanston, Illinois, according to local police. The September 20 encounter is now under investigation after officers found the man on the ground and later documented injuries to his head, neck and teeth. The incident unfolded in Evanston, about 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, while federal agents were searching for a fugitive. The man’s

Ohio State vs Illinois returns to Columbus on September 26, 2026, as the No. 7 Buckeyes and Fighting Illini open Big Ten play at 2-1. The matchup renews the Illibuck rivalry, with Illinois making its first Ohio Stadium visit since 2017 and Ohio State carrying a 10-game series streak. COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 7 Ohio State hosts Illinois on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Ohio Stadium in the Big Ten opener for both teams. Kickoff is sch

JoJo’s ShakeBAR Highland Park pop-up will bring Biggie Shakes to Michael’s Grill & Salad Bar from September 17-30, 2026. The limited run features Chocolate Nirvana, The Wonder Years and an exclusive Birthday shake with a cake-batter flavor on Chicago’s North Shore. JoJo’s ShakeBAR is bringing its oversized Biggie Shakes to Michael’s Grill & Salad Bar in Highland Park, Illinois, for a limited-time collabor

Chicago’s bird migration alert asks residents and building managers to reduce nighttime lighting as large numbers of birds move south through Illinois. The guidance is intended to limit disorientation and building collisions during peak fall migration. Chicago officials are urging residents and building managers to reduce unnecessary nighttime lighting as a major wave of migratory birds moves south through Illinois and the Great Lakes region.

Illinois medical cannabis rules now include PMOS with chronic pain and sickle cell disease as qualifying conditions. IDPH approved the additions after advisory review, allowing providers to certify eligible patients and bringing the state’s approved-condition list to 58. Illinois has added polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS, with chronic pain and sickle cell disease to the conditions that can qualify patie

Ifest 2026 Schaumburg will bring culture, creativity and community service together on Saturday, August 15, at National India Hub in Schaumburg, Illinois. The free cultural fest will feature dance, music, fashion and multilingual performances while creating opportunities for people to connect. Schaumburg event celebrates cultures together Ifest 2026: A Celebration of Culture, Unity & Commun

  Illinois back-to-school sales tax holiday 2026 runs August 7-16, cutting the state portion of sales tax by 5 percentage points on eligible school supplies and qualifying clothing and footwear under $125 per item, while local taxes still apply across the state. Illinois shoppers can pay a reduced state sales tax rate on qualifying back-to-school purchases during a 10-day tax holiday ru

Illinois water cyberattack reporting remains split across general safety rules and federal guidance. A pending bill would require cybersecurity programs and incident procedures as utilities confront threats to connected control systems across the state. Illinois reporting rules leave a cyber gap Illinois water systems operate under general emergency-notification rules, but the state still lacks

Chicago storms swept across northeastern Illinois and northwest Indiana on Monday, July 27, 2026, producing winds above 100 mph, large hail, flash flooding, widespread power outages, possible tornado reports and major travel disruptions. 100 mph winds sweep across the region A powerful line of Chicago storms crossed northeastern Illinois and northwest Indiana on Monday, July 27, 2026, producing

The Illinois tax holiday comparison shows major differences across nearby states in 2026. Illinois offers a 10-day state-rate reduction, Iowa provides a two-day clothing exemption, and Missouri removes state and local tax from qualifying school purchases for three days. Illinois offers the longest nearby holiday

Illinois tax holiday savings depend on how much a family spends on qualifying products from August 7-16, 2026. The state rate falls by five percentage points, producing savings of $5 per $100. Clothing and footwear must cost under $125 per item, while eligible school supplies have no price cap. Families save $5 for every $100 For the full schedule, reduced tax rate and shopping rules, read our

The Illinois tax holiday eligible-items checklist explains what receives the reduced state tax rate from August 7-16, 2026. Clothing and footwear must cost under $125 per item, while qualifying student school supplies have no price cap. Computers and textbooks remain excluded. Reduced rate applies only to listed products

The Illinois tax holiday 2026 runs from Aug. 7 through Aug. 16, reducing the state sales tax portion by five percentage points on qualifying clothing, footwear and school supplies. Apparel and shoes must cost under $125 per item, while eligible student supplies have no price cap. Illinois tax holiday begins August 7

Illinois drivers will not face the scheduled 1.3-cent motor fuel tax increase in 2026. The Illinois gas tax will remain at 48.3 cents per gallon through Thursday, December 31, 2026, before rising to 49.6 cents on Friday, January 1, 2027. Illinois Gas Tax Increase Delayed for Six Months The scheduled increase was suspended beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The temporary pause does not reduce the existing gasoline tax. It postpones only the inflation-link

Illinois universal lead testing for children began Wednesday, July 1, 2026, replacing the state’s previous ZIP code-based approach. Under the new standard, children across Illinois are to receive automatic blood lead tests at 12 and 24 months, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Illinois Universal Lead Testing Replaces ZIP Code Limits IDPH announced the change on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Previously, automatic testing requirements foc

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

Tick-bite emergency room visits are rising as Illinois tick season reaches one of its busiest periods. Federal health data shows weekly tick-bite ER visit rates in every U.S. region except the South Central states are at their highest level for this point in the year since 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Illinois tick season brings several species into focus The Illinois Department of Public Health says