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 new wave of indoor entertainment is coming to the Chicago suburbs as Slick City, billed as the world’s first indoor slide park, is set to open its second Illinois location in Orland Park next week. The park, located at 66 Orland Square Drive, will host its grand opening event on Thursday, October 16, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The celebration will feature a live DJ, face painting, giveaways, and special promotions for attendees. According to the company, the event marks another miles

National Guard troops from Texas were seen on Tuesday at a U.S. Army training facility in Illinois, marking the most visible step yet in the Trump administration’s controversial plan to deploy military personnel to the Chicago area. The move has ignited a wave of political opposition and legal challenges from state and city officials who argue that the action is unconstitutional and politically motivated. Military personnel wearing uniforms with the Texas National Guard insignia w

President Donald Trump has directed the deployment of 400 members of the Texas National Guard to Illinois, Oregon, and other states, according to an announcement from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker on Sunday night. The decision has drawn strong criticism from Pritzker and other state officials, who accuse the administration of overstepping its authority and disregarding state sovereignty. The governor revealed that the federal government did not coordinate with Illinois before the decision w

The Department of Homeland Security has announced a new initiative called Operation Midway Blitz, aimed at stepping up immigration enforcement in the Chicago area with a specific focus on individuals it described as criminal illegal aliens. The announcement came only days after reports indicated that several federal agencies were preparing to surge manpower into the city. The operation was highlighted in a DHS social media post that cited the tragic case of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old woman

A northeast Columbus resident is celebrating good fortune after purchasing a $1 million winning Powerball ticket at a local convenience store. Lottery officials confirmed the winning ticket was sold at Hudson Express Carryout in East Linden, marking one of two million-dollar tickets purchased in Ohio from the most recent drawing. The second Ohio ticket worth $1 million was sold at Poor Boys Kwik-Stock in Champaign County, further adding to the excitement across the state. Saturday&r

A salmonella outbreak across multiple states in the United States has been linked to certain packaged home delivery meals, prompting a nationwide health alert. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one person in Illinois and more than a dozen others across the country were sickened after consuming meals distributed by Metabolic Meals. Sixteen confirmed cases, including seven hospitalizations, have been reported across ten states, though officials warned the actual numbe

The Powerball jackpot continues to grow, reaching a massive $1.1 billion for the drawing on Monday, September 1, 2025. However, the winning numbers for that night did not result in a jackpot winner. Players in multiple states did walk away with significant prizes, but the jackpot rolls over to a higher value, continuing the excitement for the next drawing. Powerball Results for Monday, September 1, 2025

The Powerball jackpot continues to grow after no ticket matched all six numbers in the August 6 drawing. Although the top prize of $449 million went unclaimed, thousands of Ohio players walked away with various prizes, including one lucky winner who secured a $1 million prize. The winning numbers drawn on Wednesday were 15, 27, 43, 35, and 53, with the Powerball number being 9 and the Power Play multiplier set at 2x. While the massive jackpot eluded players across the country, Ohio

A Frisco resident is celebrating a $2 million Powerball win from the July 9, 2025, drawing. The lucky winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, purchased the second-tier winning ticket at Walmart Supercenter #5866, located at 8555 Preston Road in Frisco. The winning ticket matched all five white ball numbers (5-9-25-28-69), but did not match the red Powerball number (5). However, the prize was multiplied to $2 milli

A lucky suburban resident is the winner of a life-changing $1 million prize after purchasing a lottery ticket from a local gas station in the village of Justice, located just southwest of Chicago. The ticket, which matched all six winning numbers in the Lotto Million 1 game, was sold at a Citgo station situated in this quiet suburban community. The winning numbers drawn on July 10 were 5, 11, 16, 23, 25, and 39, according to the Illinois Lottery. The fortunate ticket holder has

As summer rolls in and school halls fall silent, families across Illinois are seeking affordable and enriching ways to spend time together. Whether it’s a day in the park, a movie outing, or a refreshing swim, the season offers many leisure options. But for those looking to make the most of summer without stretching their budget, Illinois libraries have something unique in store. The Explore More Illinois program is quietly transforming how residents experience the state&

  Dolton, Illinois – In a move that has stirred both local and international attention, the Village of Dolton has announced plans to acquire the boyhood home of Pope Leo XIV—formerly Robert Francis Prevost—through the legal authority of eminent domain. The modest brick residence, located at 212 East 141st Place, is being described as a “piece of papal history” by a national auction house currently listing the home. However, prospective buyers hopin

In a major legislative move, the Texas Senate has approved a bill to shut down the Texas Lottery Commission, potentially bringing dramatic changes to how the state’s lottery is managed. The bill now heads to the Texas House for further consideration. The decision follows months of controversy surrounding the use of online ticket sales and third-party courier services. Critics raised concerns about regulatory loopholes and lack of oversight, prompting Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other lawma

Severe thunderstorms swept through several regions in Illinois and Indiana on Thursday, leaving a trail of destruction and disrupting the lives of thousands of residents. Strong winds, lightning, and heavy rain led to widespread power outages and triggered tornado watches across both states as emergency services and utility crews scrambled to respond to the impact. As of 10 p.m. Thursday, Illinois utility provider ComEd reported a total of 1,104 outages across the state, with m

In a critical move to reform the Texas Lottery, a new Senate bill filed by Senator Bob Hall could provide the much-needed lifeline to an increasingly scrutinized institution. Senate Bill 3070, introduced at the tail end of the Senate session, seeks to abolish the Texas Lottery Commission and place oversight of the state-run lottery under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. This bold step aims to address concerns raised over illegal activities and enhance accountability within th

In a groundbreaking development for Indian higher education, the Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) has received official approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a degree-granting campus in India. The Chicago-based university’s Mumbai campus is set to open in 2026, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in computer science, engineering, and business. This makes Illinois Tech the first US university to receive UGC approval under India&rsq

A tragic incident in Chatham, Illinois on Monday afternoon has left a community reeling after a car crashed through the wall of a local daycare center, killing four people and injuring six others. The victims, all female students aged between 4 and 18, were attending the Youth Needing Other Things (YNOT) Outdoors camp, an after-school program, when the devastating event occurred. According to police officials, the vehicle drove through the east side of the YNOT facility on Breckenridge Road at a

Residents of Illinois are being urged to stay vigilant after a dead rabbit found in Tuscola tested positive for tularemia, a bacterial disease that poses a risk to both humans and animals. The Douglas County Health Department confirmed that the rabbit was discovered and tested following reports of unusual animal deaths in the area. Tuscola, located about 25 miles south of Champaign, became the focus of public health attention after the positive result. Adding to the concern, officials also re

A trip to Chicago ended with far more than sightseeing and selfies for one lucky tourist who now returns home $3.1 million richer. The unexpected windfall came courtesy of the Illinois Lottery’s FastPlay Ultimate Diamond Jackpot game, with the winning ticket purchased at Komal Wine and Liquors near O’Hare International Airport. The winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, snagged a $3,188,104 jackpot while enjoying a visit to one of America’s most iconic cities.