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

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,

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that federal food assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will not be distributed beginning November 1, as the federal government shutdown extends with no resolution in sight. The announcement intensifies concerns across the country as millions of Americans who rely on SNAP face the prospect of losing their primary means of purchasing food. According to the USDA’s notice, the agency will not tap into th

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

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

Illinois has again demonstrated its academic strength, with two of its premier universities named among the best in the United States for 2026. The latest national ranking evaluated hundreds of colleges and universities across the country, measuring their performance on multiple dimensions of quality and student success. Northwestern University and the University of Chicago both earned places in the top 30, highlighting Illinois as one of the most academically accomplished states in the nation.

In a sharp escalation of political and policy tensions, United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded the imprisonment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, both Democrats, accusing them of failing to safeguard federal immigration officers. The comments came as the administration prepared to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago, one of the nation’s largest and most politically influential cities, despite firm objections from local and state auth

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

Chicago, Illinois — A political and legal confrontation is unfolding between Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and President Donald Trump after the governor condemned and sought to block what he described as an unlawful military deployment to Chicago. Calling the move “unconstitutional and unwarranted,” Pritzker said the Trump administration’s actions amount to a dangerous overreach of executive power designed to create fear and confusion rather than ensure public safety.

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

A major new addition to pediatric healthcare in the Chicago suburbs has officially opened its doors. Lurie Children’s has unveiled a 75,000 square-foot outpatient center in Schaumburg, designed to expand access to specialized care for children and families living in the northwest suburbs. Located at 1895 Arbor Glen Boulevard, the facility began welcoming patients this week and is expected to serve as a central hub for a wide variety of children’s health services. The new

President Donald Trump paid tribute to Charlie Kirk during the activist’s funeral, calling him a “great American hero” and a “martyr” for freedom. As thousands gathered to honor Kirk, Trump shared what he said were among Kirk’s final words to him, connecting his memory to the ongoing crime crisis in Chicago. “He was an all-American in everything he did,” Trump said. “One of the last things he said to me was, ‘Please sir,

A tense confrontation unfolded outside the federal immigration facility in Broadview on Friday morning, where protesters and facility staff clashed during a demonstration against enforcement operations. The suburban site, long associated with processing and detention, became the center of a heated standoff linked to “Operation Midway Blitz.” The protest began with about two dozen demonstrators holding signs and chanting in opposition to immigration enforcement. As the

A suspect is in custody following a series of early morning shootings that targeted two homes in suburban Shorewood, including the residence of an Illinois state senator. The incidents occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning, prompting an intensive investigation by local law enforcement. Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, representing Illinois’ 49th district, confirmed that her home was struck by gunfire, though thankfully, neither she nor her family sustained any injuries.

Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed Executive Order 2025-04, launching a statewide initiative to secure vaccine access across Illinois as the fall respiratory virus season approaches. The governor emphasized that the move was necessary following widespread confusion over shifting federal COVID vaccine guidance and controversial decisions by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Pritzker explained in his announcement that no Illinois family should have to question w

A federal immigration enforcement operation in Franklin Park, Illinois, ended in violence on Friday, leaving one suspect dead and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent hospitalized with severe injuries. The dramatic events unfolded less than 20 miles west of downtown Chicago and prompted school lockdowns and street closures in the area. According to officials, ICE agents were conducting targeted law enforcement activity in Franklin Park when they attempted to stop a veh

The troubling case of suburban ice cream shop owner Steven Weisberg has taken another serious turn as a new lawsuit has been filed against him following allegations that extend beyond his business. Weisberg, who owns the once-popular shop Flavor Frenzy in Addison, is already facing criminal charges after police discovered a hidden camera in the restroom of his shop. Now, a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court reveals that authorities allegedly found an additional hidden camera ins

Tensions are rising in Chicago as immigration advocates prepare for multiple protests against the Trump administration’s newly announced enforcement initiative, “Operation Midway Blitz.” The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the operation will target what it described as “criminal illegal aliens” in Chicago and across Illinois. The move has triggered demonstrations, community alerts, and sharp criticism from state and local officials. On Tuesday

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 tragic accident in Glencoe claimed the life of a 48-year-old woman on Saturday morning after she was struck by a Metra train. Authorities confirmed that the victim, identified as Daniella V. Weisman of Glencoe, was fatally injured near Green Bay Road and Maple Hill Road shortly after 9:30 a.m. The incident not only resulted in the loss of a community member but also of a dog that was found dead at the scene. Responders from the Village of Glencoe arrived quickly after receiving re