Heartland will close all four Chicago shelters for unaccompanied children after a federal contract lapse, leaving roughly 337 staff facing layoffs and children facing transfers.

Veteran film critic Richard Roeper is joining NBC 5 Chicago as an entertainment and culture contributor, beginning this Friday. He’ll appear on Chicago Today and the station’s digital platforms.

The Bulls have fired EVP Artūras Karnisovas and GM Marc Eversley after a 29‑49 season; ownership says it hears fans' frustration and will review the front office.

An appeals court found racial bias in jury selection and sent the Augustus wrongful-death suit back for retrial.

Weeks after the Chicago Department of Public Health suspended Penny's Noodle Shop's license for a rat infestation, the 35-year Lakeview institution failed a re-inspection — the rodent droppings were still there, and had now spread into the ventilation ducts.

Oswego planners will review site plans for a proposed 25,000‑sq‑ft HomeGoods at Prairie Market East; the project requires a major PUD amendment and carries a potential $1.5M incentive.

Oak Lawn police say a 76-year-old woman was found dead at home; a person of interest is in custody and the case is being treated as domestic.

A surge of poorly documented certificate-of-error filings has frozen tens of millions in Cook County tax refunds while officials sort valid claims.

Mojo Coffee is moving into the former Starbucks at 70 W. Madison, a move that highlights shifting ground-floor retail in the Loop. The lease was reported April 6.

After two turbulent seasons in Chicago, Angel Reese was traded to the Atlanta Dream on April 6, 2026, with the Sky collecting 2027 and 2028 first‑round picks. The move reshapes both clubs' offseason plans.

Hundreds of neighbors turned out as Francis W. Parker unveiled a plan to rebuild a Belden building, add a pedestrian overpass and DarkSky‑certified field lights — and many pushed back. The proposal includes an affordable‑housing pledge but has reignited old property fights.

A jury convicted Devontrell Turnipseed for the 2022 Loop shooting that killed a 38-year-old security guard. The verdict revives questions about armed private security at downtown clubs.

A Michigan City man was sentenced to 70 months after pleading guilty to selling fentanyl and a handgun fitted with a machine‑gun conversion device. Prosecutors say the case ties the drug trade to illegal gun modifications.