USDA rejected four women nominated to the United Soybean Board and appointed men instead, prompting appeals from state boards and criticism from farmer leaders. The choices reshape who controls checkoff priorities.

Cloudy and cool Wednesday with isolated showers and a frost risk Friday night into Saturday. Gardeners, cover tender plants.

Chicago is putting $16.2 million into a new mental‑health phase that brings care into schools, transit hubs and the street.

A shooting on I-88 near Keslinger Road in Maple Park sent investigators to the tollway and snarled afternoon traffic; one person was hospitalized.

Lyric Opera, Ravinia and other Chicago arts groups backed an Illinois bill to ban speculative 'ghost' ticket listings after patrons were turned away and venues lost thousands.

Mayor Brandon Johnson said Chicago will update sewers and water lines to protect health and better withstand extreme storms. The plan highlights long‑running lead‑line and flooding problems.

A 25-year-old man was shot in the head Monday afternoon on the 11000 block of South Vernon Avenue and is in critical condition at Advocate Christ Medical Center.

Cool, breezy Tuesday with gusts near 30 mph and spotty late-night showers. Small Craft Advisory through 10 AM and frost risk Friday night.

Reports of shots fired closed northbound I‑294 near the Halsted ramp in South Holland; troopers reopened lanes by mid‑morning and reported no injuries.

Chicago police released photos of four men sought in an April 6 attempted robbery aboard a CTA bus in Belmont Central.

A Highland Park man pleaded guilty after police say he sexually abused a 15-year-old at a Northbrook Life Time Fitness; he was given probation and must register. Northbrook police say other victims may exist.

A Chicago father says his son endured years of bullying at Noble Street College Prep and was recently threatened with a knife. He says the school failed to act.

Chicago has signed a new contract with Ernst & Young to hunt for budget savings; procurement records show a multi‑million dollar ceiling as aldermen demand details. EY’s 2025 review flagged $530M–$1.4B in possible efficiencies.