Police say 32-year-old Dennis Laird was arrested and charged in two violent robberies near Wrigley Field and River North. He faces multiple felony counts and is due in court Friday.

Drones helped sheriff's deputies spot three people looting a freight car in Gresham; two men were arrested and 12 portable AC units were recovered.

A large fire response in Lincoln Park early Friday saw firefighters battle a blaze at an apartment building; initial video shows heavy smoke and multiple units on scene.

A Turkish smokehouse has opened in Mount Prospect with halal, slow‑smoked meats and nightly flamethrower performances at Randhurst Village.

Minooka will cut ribbons on a 92,700‑sq‑ft field house Aug. 15 and a 56,200‑sq‑ft career and technical center Aug. 29, both open to the public.

A WBEZ–Chicago Sun‑Times probe found Illinois’ excessive‑idling law is rarely enforced while downtown residents report daily diesel plumes from idling buses and trucks. City departments issued most local tickets, but the state produced almost no citations.

Two people were killed and five others wounded early Friday on the 5100 block of South Wood Street in Back of the Yards. Police say two suspects opened fire and detectives are investigating.

Patients say they paid thousands for implant work and were left with temporary dentures and ongoing pain; state and criminal probes are now underway.

I-290 (Eisenhower) was shut in Westchester after a suspicious incident near Mannheim Road left one person dead and prompted a bomb squad response.

A person died after a shooting Thursday in the parking garage of an Amazon facility in Melrose Park. Investigators are reviewing surveillance while the suspect remains at large.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely Friday in Chicago with gusts to 30 mph and a Small Craft Advisory on Lake Michigan. Heavy downpours could slow the evening commute.

Caleb Williams will appear on Madden NFL 27's cover, marking a franchise first and spotlighting his breakout season.

The Blue Angels will not perform at Chicago’s Air and Water Show on Aug. 15–16, 2026; the Thunderbirds are listed for those dates. DCASE will publish the full lineup in mid‑July.