The IHCC Foundation will award 52 $5,000 microgrants to Chicago small businesses affected by federal immigration enforcement. Applications run Aug. 24–Sept. 14.

A pleasant Friday gives way to a hot, humid weekend — highs climb into the 90s and heat indexes may top 100 by Monday.

Kane County will replace certain rabies shots at no cost after the manufacturer recalled doses given at county clinics last year.

Senators introduced a bipartisan bill to reauthorize ASAP, the federal program that pays for elevators, ramps and other accessibility upgrades at rail stations. Chicago projects and riders stand to gain if Congress acts.

Cardinal Cupich told five Chicago parishes that retired Father Kenneth Fleck faces a decades‑old sexual‑abuse allegation. Fleck denies the claim; the archdiocese is investigating.

Cook County now has three diversion tracks for some nonviolent gun possession cases — GAP, FTWOP and RJCCs — but early data show limited referrals and narrow eligibility.

Gov. Pritzker signed a law naming July 25 Emmett Till Day in Illinois, honoring the Chicago teen whose 1955 murder helped galvanize the civil‑rights movement. The designation will be observed statewide on Till’s birthday.

Site Selection placed Kane County at No. 17 for corporate expansion projects, a ranking county officials say reflects recent manufacturing, logistics and data‑center wins.

Naperville’s new 1% grocery‑tax receipts are trailing projections, and council members have asked staff to model a 0.25% home‑rule sales‑tax increase as a possible replacement. The swap would broaden the tax to restaurants and many retail purchases.

A Metra UP-NW train struck a car near Devon Avenue and Northwest Highway on Chicago’s Northwest Side, halting inbound and outbound service and triggering major delays.

UrbanStreet wants to turn the former Motorola atrium in Schaumburg into about 300 apartments, adding retail, a hotel and parking as part of the District at Veridian.

A pedestrian was struck by a freight train near Wheaton’s Metra station on Thursday, halting UP‑West service and prompting delays for commuters. Authorities say the victim’s condition was unknown.

A wind‑driven upwelling plunged nearshore Lake Michigan waters into the 50s across popular beaches, leaving lifeguards and park staff urging caution. Satellite and buoy feeds showed a narrow cold strip along the coast.