An 11-property Sherwin‑Williams portfolio across Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota sold for $18.74M after brokers secured rare 15‑year lease extensions. The deal attracted a Michigan institutional buyer.

A Will County committee advanced a controversial 2,400‑acre Earthrise solar project near Crete, promising tax revenue and union jobs while drawing farmer opposition. The proposal now heads to a mid‑April county‑board vote.

A 60-year-old woman was critically wounded in a stabbing inside a South Shore home early Tuesday; detectives have opened an investigation but have released few details.

The Griffin Museum will reopen its long-dormant south portico next year with a cafe, terrace and direct access to Jackson Park ahead of the Obama Center opening.

A St. Charles chef is launching Roaming Hoolies, a trailer-based Irish pub for parties and parades. The 20-foot build will seat about 15–20 and includes draft lines.

Nora and Gary Facko say their 37-year-old son was shot by Palos Hills officers on Feb. 15; state police are investigating and will refer the file to Cook County prosecutors.

A 14-year-old passenger was killed Sunday after a car ran into stopped vehicles at 183rd and Governors Highway in Homewood. Police arrested a 36-year-old driver and the investigation is ongoing.

Districts across Illinois say federal staff cuts, a rescinded guidance and delayed Title III dollars are forcing them to budget conservatively to protect bilingual and EL supports.

Longtime Woodlawn residents at Chaney Braggs formed a tenant union after learning a prospective buyer may raise rents or tear down their building as the Obama Center nears. Organizers are pushing officials to use preservation rules to keep homes affordable.

A House committee advanced a bill to extend Illinois’ voluntary pension buyout program, part of Gov. Pritzker’s plan to chip away at the state’s massive pension debt. Supporters tout multibillion savings while critics call the gains limited.

Wrigleyville mainstay Uncommon Ground is seeking a new operator as its owners prepare to retire, leaving the Lakeview venue — and its Greenstar brewery — in play.

Batavia’s council paused plans for a new downtown TIF tied to a QT9 headquarters renovation while staff refines the financing and timing. The move delays an April hearing and pushes decisions into the fall.

Supper‑club veterans Daniel Parker and Liz Bendure have opened Txa Txa Club’s all‑day cafe at 3268 W. Fullerton, serving an eclectic, seasonally rotating menu. The space doubles as a steady kitchen for their event work.