After 30 years, Johnny’s Kitchen & Tap will close next Monday and relaunch as Lake Street Tavern in June, keeping its signature rotisserie chicken and ribs.

George Cardenas has formed an exploratory committee to test a Chicago mayoral bid after a narrow Board of Review win. His role on the tax appeals board could make property values a campaign issue.

A new basement club, East Wind, has soft-opened in Aurora with jam nights, pool and a mission to serve immigrant communities.

As ICE activity rose, Chicago high-school teachers organized off-duty sanctuary teams — running know-your-rights sessions, ICE-watch shifts, safe-passage routes and small emergency funds. These ad-hoc efforts aim to keep students learning while families cope with enforcement fears.

Friedman Properties is weighing new uses for the Medinah Temple after Bally’s temporary run, with preservation rules and Bally’s schedule shaping options.

Cool mid‑50s day in Chicago; frost possible tonight outside the urban core. Gusty northwest winds this afternoon and a warm Saturday ahead.

A Chicago police sergeant was charged in federal court in an alleged scheme to collect more than $40,000 in PPP loans for a business prosecutors say didn’t exist.

Parents and educators packed a District 65 board meeting after administrators flagged the district-run SACC program as a potential target in a multimillion-dollar budget squeeze. The district has posted site-level changes for 2026–27 while unions warn the cuts would displace hundreds of children.

Voters across Northwest Indiana head to the polls Tuesday to decide whether Rep. Frank Mrvan wins renomination and which Republican will challenge him this fall. Coverage will track returns after polls close at 6 p.m.

A surprise bump in tax receipts has given Springfield short‑term budget breathing room, but state forecasts warn FY27 could be tighter.

Bryson Graham will run the Bulls' basketball operations after joining from Atlanta. The former Pelicans executive takes over as the team prepares for a busy draft and offseason.

A man's body was pulled from a pond near Des Plaines; the Cook County Medical Examiner is handling identification and detectives are investigating.

A community-backed coffee-and-donut spot, Jeffery Java & Juice, is being built at 7104 S Jeffery Blvd in South Shore. The shop plans vegan donuts and Ethiopian coffee.