A major fire broke out at the vacant Balmoral Race Track along Dixie Highway in Crete Township on May 17, sending plumes of smoke across the south suburbs as crews battled the blaze. Investigators are working to determine the cause.

A little‑known operator abandoned 603 Illinois wells, exposing weak bonding and leaving the state with a multimillion‑dollar plugging bill.

Months after Illinois' board‑disclosure law took effect, most large foundations still haven't posted board demographic data; lawsuits and agency delays are to blame.

A 37-year-old man was found shot inside a car Saturday on the 5700-block of South Damen Avenue and later died at UChicago Medicine.

Organizers in Aurora have begun collecting signatures to put two recall questions on the November ballot that would let voters remove the mayor and at-large aldermen.

An early-morning blaze at 67th and Crandon hospitalized two residents and injured a firefighter. Crews say the three-story building suffered heavy damage and the cause is under investigation.

A botched ATM heist on Chicago’s Southwest Side ended with a Cook County squad car stolen and a Dan Ryan Expressway chase; the deputy was treated and released.

Early‑morning pileup on westbound I‑290 at Ashland sent eight people to hospitals and left one person dead.

Roanoke Hospitality opened La Bella Trattoria on Rush at 101 E. Erie on May 15 and will debut Altezza Rooftop on May 28 with an aperitivo-focused menu.

Breezy Sunday with highs near 84°F and gusts to 30 mph; morning showers possible. Stronger storms could arrive Monday–Tuesday—watch local forecasts.

A South Shore mother was ordered held after prosecutors say she pulled a handgun and pointed it at children outside O’Keeffe School of Excellence. She faces multiple felony counts in Cook County court.

Breakthrough opened a 14-unit transitional housing complex in Garfield Park that pairs apartments with on-site supports for families. The Residences offers two- and three-bedroom units and connected programming.

Rita's Italian Ice is set to open in Clarendon Hills this September at the former Four Sons Mercantile, filling a downtown void left when The Daily Scoop closed. The franchisee says the shop will join village events and bring dozens of flavors to Prospect Avenue.