A Sun‑Times and UChicago data dive finds wildly different hospital prices across Chicago and machine‑readable price files remain too messy for most shoppers.

QuikTrip will break ground Friday on a $20M travel center at 1340 May Road, promising a 5,400‑sq‑ft store, QT Kitchen and multiple fuel pumps.

Windy City Smokeout expands into a five-day festival July 8–12, adding a Wednesday kickoff and more than 20 pitmasters to the United Center parking lot.

A Chicago man was arrested and charged after postal inspectors linked years of stolen mail to him. Authorities say the probe is ongoing and more charges may follow.

Mayor Brandon Johnson pledged to enforce Chicago’s short‑term rental rules and target unregistered listings after local reporting showed a surge in some neighborhoods. His post signals tighter oversight of platforms and repeat violators.

A vehicle smashed into a Gage Park gas station at 52nd and Western as suspects attempted to steal an ATM. Police are investigating and initial reports say the storefront suffered heavy damage.

Soil testing is underway on Bronzeville’s Kenwood embankment as organizers push to build a two‑mile elevated trail that would link the South Side to the lakefront. The project has early foundation and city support.

A 42-year-old rideshare driver was shot in the leg Monday night in North Lawndale; he drove to Mount Sinai Hospital and is in good condition while detectives investigate.

First responders searched Washington Park Beach Monday after a child was seen entering Lake Michigan and failing to resurface, police said. Crews focused near the catwalk south of the lighthouse.

A 38-year-old man was killed Monday after a fight inside a South Lawndale business; police say no arrests have been reported. Detectives are investigating.

A national cooking‑studio chain is proposing a Westridge Court location near Naperville’s Block 59; the planning commission backed the move and the matter now goes to City Council. City records show the business earlier sought a River Road site.

Automate 2026 turns McCormick Place into a robot showcase, with a NVIDIA-sponsored Humanoid Pavilion and hundreds of live demos from major automation vendors. The four-day event highlights how AI is changing industrial robotics.

Human remains were found Friday in a Darien backyard; county forensics and the coroner are working to identify the person. Investigators say processing is ongoing.