Inspectors found roughly 100 rodent droppings at the Dollar Tree in Hegewisch on March 25 and told the store to fix it. They came back April 1. There were still about 100 droppings — now also in the customer shopping aisles — and the wall holes that let the rodents in hadn't been sealed either.

Chicago’s police superintendent defended officers at a heated oversight hearing after federal immigration raids and a Border Patrol shooting prompted public outrage. The commission voted to seek an inspector general audit as questions about accountability mount.

A judge has ordered the Forest View terminal operator back into the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal after fresh asphalt deposits showed up following last year’s spill. Regulators and local officials say more physical recovery and monitoring are needed.

An ATF agent opened fire during an operation at the Pullman Walmart; three suspects were arrested and officials say no officers or civilians were hurt.

A late‑night St. Charles collision on April 1 left a 27‑year‑old Elgin motorcyclist dead; a 29‑year‑old driver now faces felony charges.

A Rockford resident hit a $1 million top prize on the Illinois Lottery’s $25 Crossword 50X scratch-off. The selling store gets a $10,000 bonus and the winner plans to share with family.

Leasing and move‑ins are underway at The Junction at OC Living, a 75‑unit, mixed‑income building in North Lawndale. Most units are reserved as affordable and the site sits next to a new health and retail hub.

Dos Toros is reopening in the Loop this May after leaving Chicago in 2022.

The owner of the 261‑room Royal Sonesta Chicago River North has put the hotel at 505 N. State Street on the market, a high‑profile listing for downtown Chicago. Investors will watch the sale as a test of demand for large urban hotels.

Police swarmed the Douglas neighborhood after an apparent shooting near 35th and King Drive; details remain limited and investigators are canvassing the scene.

A landmarks hearing could protect the Art Deco 2 N. Riverside and make a planned $70M rehab eligible for a Class L tax incentive.

Students and Hillel leaders say they were corralled and shouted at while tabling at UIC in October 2025, and they say the university’s response was inadequate. Community groups are pressing for faster investigations and clearer reporting tools.

Inclement weather forced the White Sox to move Opening Day to Friday at 1:10 p.m.; Thursday tickets remain valid and the team posted new lot and gate times.