A Lotto player won a $1 million jackpot at a BP in Wadsworth, Illinois; the store gets a $10,000 bonus. The winner has one year to claim the prize, and lottery officials recommend securely signing the winning ticket.

The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert for LGBTQ+ Americans, warning of potential violence, especially during Pride month, based on intelligence reports.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Chicago held what was expected to be its final mass following a century of service, due to its merger with Saint Mary of the Lake. Parishioners mourn the loss, hoping the church avoids demolition.

Tavon Tanner, who survived being shot at age 10, graduated high school, overcoming the trauma and challenges of his past, with support from his community.

The Chicago Spring Half Marathon and 10K drew 8,000 runners with road closures facilitating the event; families supported athletes across a scenic course with a new finish line.

Galveston County Sheriff's Office prepares for "Jeep Weekend" with a major security operation, increased arrests from last year, and some local businesses choosing to close during the event.

Chicago police cleared a pro-Palestinian protest camp at DePaul University, citing safety and operational concerns; two were arrested. President Manuel regretted the action but deemed it necessary.

17-year-old Dorothy Jean Tillman II becomes the youngest to earn a doctoral degree from Arizona State University, following an academic journey that started at age 10.

An Illinois man won $1 million from a scratch-off lottery ticket bought at a supermarket in Farmington, and he plans to buy a new minivan and vacation in Aruba.

Illinois residents are set to receive a share of a multi-million-dollar settlement from a finance scam involving Think Finance, with the CFPB distributing checks averaging $1,100 to victims of non-existent loan repayments.

Illinois honored fallen firefighters and awarded living heroes at the 31st Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor Ceremony in Springfield.

NASA approved the University of Chicago undergrads' satellite project, set for a 2026 launch. The CubeSat will utilize laser transmission for secure data encoding.

The former Wadsworth Elementary School in Woodlawn, Chicago, which served as a temporary migrant shelter, has closed as the city's migrant population decreases.