Illinois EPA says federal regulators stepped back from oversight after nearly half a million gallons of asphalt fouled the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. State officials say asphalt and wildlife impacts persist.

Chicago rapper MAF Teeski was arrested and released on bond after battery-related charges were reported. Details remain limited as the case unfolds.

Oak Lawn settled with Hadi Abuatelah for $825,000 for a 2020 incident where he was punched by police; the village claims it's not an admission of guilt.

Criticism arises as the Trump administration plans to exclude nursing from the professional degrees list for federal loan eligibility, potentially limiting funds for students. This decision, facing backlash, might worsen the nursing shortage.

City records show more than $8.2 billion in unpaid fines and fees, with about $1 billion added since late 2023. Officials are weighing debt sales and tighter collections amid a $1.15B budget gap.

The Illinois Department of Revenue warns shoppers about cybercriminals during the holidays and provides online safety tips, including secure payment methods and avoiding public Wi-Fi.

Attorney General Raoul successfully defended services for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, ensuring they aren't impacted by immigration status.

The Damen Green Line station reconnects the Near West Side with a glass‑fronted station, barged steel bridge and a public mosaic. Designers leaned on mass timber and natural ventilation to make the stop a civic anchor for nearby development.

Illinois is launching the 2026 Supportive Housing Institute to combat homelessness by providing training to development teams, led by IHDA in partnership with CSH.

Two maintenance workers died in a murder-suicide at Dana Point Condominiums in Arlington Heights, with one man fatally shooting the other and himself.

State and city health officials say Candida auris detections are rising in Illinois, with clusters in hospitals and long‑term care; experts urge tighter screening and cleaning.

Darius Kennedy, 31, was fatally shot by police at St. Louis Airport after refusing to drop a knife and advancing on officers despite a taser being used.

A developer team tied to Harley Clarke and Celadon has revealed early concepts to restore Pullman’s Hotel Florence into a boutique hotel, event hub and affordable housing.