Aurora will pay $400,000 to settle a federal excessive‑force lawsuit brought by community organizer George Gutierrez. The deal ends litigation that included a 2025 jury finding of excessive force.

A Cook County jury convicted a former manager at Aunt Martha's Integrated Care Center after multiple youths disclosed grooming and sexual abuse at the South Side facility.

A 25‑year‑old man was shot while entering a building around 1 a.m. on Chicago’s Northwest Side; he was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in serious condition and Area Five detectives are investigating.

A Machesney Park TJ Maxx manager was charged after deputies found a hidden camera in a women’s dressing room; investigators are asking possible victims to come forward.

Chicago graduated 248 new officers on March 31, 2026, but officials say hundreds of sworn positions remain unfilled. New recruits will train on the job while filling patrol shifts across the city.

Northwestern precision fMRI shows imagination taps higher-level association systems — default and language networks — rather than only replaying sensory cortex.

Lansing police say altered Orbeez-style 'gel' guns are sparking panic and emergency calls after teens repaint the toys to look real.

Cook County warns of measles exposures at O’Hare Terminal 5 and two Niles stores this week. Health officials urge people to check vaccination status and contact county clinics.

Chicago’s 2026–2031 plan ties prevention to permanent housing and sets 22 goals across seven focus areas.

Shootings jumped 78% in Chicago during the week of March 23–29 as the city logs back-to-back monthly increases in homicides. Officials say patrols and new officers are being redeployed.

Cool, breezy Wednesday gives way to showers tonight and a gusty, potentially severe Thursday. Expect more rain through Saturday and choppy lake conditions.

A person was killed after being trapped beneath a crane at a Carol Stream metal plant; police and the DuPage coroner are investigating.

Mexico and Belgium meet at Soldier Field in a World Cup tune‑up tonight; kickoff is 8 p.m. CT with a Futbol Fiesta and TV coverage on Univision and Fox Deportes.