Target reduced its extended holiday return deadline by five weeks. Walmart restricted cash refunds for items returned without a receipt. Retailers may impose stricter return policies due to a rise in return fraud and costs.

A gas leak from an underground line at BP Whiting Refinery in Indiana caused odors in the Chicago area. BP is responding with cleanup and air monitoring, reporting no health risks.

Illinois expands reproductive rights with a new law preventing discrimination based on reproductive health decisions. It covers various areas, including employment and housing, to safeguard individuals’ choices.

A woman was sexually assaulted in her home by a knife-wielding assailant in West Rogers Park, Chicago. The suspect, with a facial tattoo, stole items and fled; he remains at large.

The Salvation Army reports lower donations and volunteer numbers this holiday season, impacting their fundraising goals. They are adapting by introducing digital payment options at red kettles.

Chicago faced dense fog causing poor visibility and an advisory from the National Weather Service, affecting driving conditions and forecasted to continue with rain and potentially snow.

A man died after a physical altercation with Joliet police at a gas station

A tow truck driver was killed, and his teenage son seriously injured in a Christmas Eve crash in Kankakee County involving their vehicle and two semis. The incident is under investigation.

A DUI crash in Waukegan on Christmas Eve resulted in one death and two injuries when a man drove into a house. The driver now faces reckless homicide and DUI charges.

Some stores and pharmacies, including CVS and 7-Eleven, are open on Christmas Day, offering last-minute necessities with altered hours, while most department stores remain closed.

The Chicago Police Department reports a string of commercial burglaries in Area Two, where thieves yank off doors using vehicles to steal cash registers and more.

Jeston Harris was charged for shooting an 11-year-old boy in Chicago; the boy was hit accidentally after Harris fired at a vehicle. Harris turned himself in and awaits a detention hearing.

Chicago's holiday forecast predicts steady cloud cover with highs near 39 degrees, chances of drizzle, and mild conditions compared to the severe cold in 1983.