Showers and thunderstorms likely this afternoon in Chicago with gusts to 25 mph and a high near 72°F. Cooler, drier weekend follows; heavier storms possible Monday.

A shooting investigation closed southbound lanes of the Bishop Ford near State Street Thursday, with traffic detoured onto I‑57 while state police investigated.

The American Lung Association's State of the Air gave Chicago‑Naperville an F for ozone and warns more than 2.2 million Illinois children live with unhealthy air as city leaders weigh stricter rules.

Opus completed a 52,174-square-foot build-to-suit plant for Elgin Recycling in Gilberts, adding an R2-standard shredder and expanded electronics-processing capacity.

Morningstar is reportedly in talks to lease roughly 300,000 sq ft at Google’s revamped Thompson Center, a potentially big retention win for the Loop.

A Cook County judge gave Robert Drummond 20 years after he pleaded guilty in the 2021 killing of 19-year-old Yarianna Wheeler, who was seven months pregnant when her body was found near Waukegan Harbor.

Chicago lunchroom workers plan a downtown sit‑in after months of stalled talks with CPS, pressing for a $40,000 minimum and better staffing. The district says deep budget shortfalls complicate any new recurring costs.

Sunny and warm with highs near 80°F; patchy morning fog and a line of storms expected late tonight into Friday.

Aurora police say a 16-year-old fled officers on an electric scooter and was found with a loaded Glock 19; he faces multiple weapon counts and is in juvenile custody.

Party City has returned inside more than 700 Staples stores, pairing balloons and décor with Staples’ print services after the brand’s bankruptcy and sale. The rollout is rolling out to more locations through 2026.

A new Central Street teahouse from local retailer Yaoyu Tong focuses on rare Japanese teas, slow tastings and a minimalist space away from the boba rush.

A South Side woman was found strangled inside a Greater Grand Crossing apartment after a lawyer alerted police. Detectives say a man is in custody and the death was ruled a homicide.

Guzman y Gomez is opening three new Chicagoland sites — Lincoln Square, Naperville and Lakeview — and hired two U.S. executives as it expands locally.