Kitten season has pushed Chicago Animal Care and Control and local rescues to capacity, prompting waived-fee adoptions and expanded spay/neuter and foster efforts.

Will County opened cooling centers Monday as a heat surge pushed heat indices above 100°F; the Joliet Salvation Army is among sites offering air‑conditioned relief. Call ahead to confirm hours.

Ideal US Talent filed WARN notices saying nearly 1,400 Chicago-area gig workers will be laid off starting July 1, 2026; the company says contracts are moving to a third party.

Skilled maintenance workers at six Prime Healthcare hospitals in Illinois say they could strike July 2 after the union says members lost seniority and protections under new ownership.

A Chicago-area man won $1.3M after a Quick Pick he bought at a BP in Oswego matched all five Lucky Day Lotto numbers. The station will collect a $13,000 seller bonus.

The 55th Chicago Pride Parade steps off this Sunday at 11 a.m. under the 'Free To Be Proud' theme, led by the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and community grand marshals.

Bronzeville neighbors say a giant tree still blocks an alley near 43rd and Cottage Grove two weeks after high winds toppled it, leaving trash overflowing and cars damaged.

DuPage Amateur Radio Club will stage ARRL Field Day at Wilder Park June 27–28 to show how ham radio can link neighborhoods and hospitals when phones fail.

Evanston will host the Illinois stop of Opal's Walk for Freedom on June 19, pairing a symbolic 2.5-mile lakefront walk with a Juneteenth festival at Arrington Lagoon.

Thousands packed MLK Park in Aurora for a four‑hour Juneteenth festival hosted by African American Men of Unity, blending music, poetry, games and vendors.

Chicago's Dyke March returns to Pilsen this Saturday for its 30th anniversary. Organizers are fundraising $10,000 to cover costs and keep the event grassroots.

Cook County awarded $5M to nine community groups for street outreach and victim services, and a $15M application round opens July 1.

Chicago Public Library cardholders now get full New York Times All Access, including archives, Games, Cooking and Wirecutter, via in-branch reading or daily 24‑hour codes.