Home bakers and microbakeries in Chicago are stretching sourdough beyond boules — think plant-based brioche doughnuts, charcoal loaves, bagels and a new Bucktown shop.

A board member at Ever, the Michelin‑starred Fulton Market restaurant, is accused of diverting about $1.4M, prompting an active criminal inquiry.

St. Charles approved multi‑year utility increases on April 6 to pay for lead‑line replacements and aging mains; a typical combined bill could rise to about $298 by 2029.

State troopers seized about 99.7 pounds of suspected meth on I‑74 near Bloomington and arrested a 25‑year‑old man. Authorities say the haul was worth roughly $500,000 and the driver faces trafficking charges.

Windy, warmer Wednesday with gusts to 35–40 mph. Showers and thunderstorms likely tonight into Friday, with localized heavy rain possible.

A Kenosha mother has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide after investigators reclassified her daughter Layla’s 2022 death as a homicide.

Kraft Heinz recalled about 367,812 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon after lab testing flagged possible Listeria contamination. Check UPCs, lot codes and use‑by dates and discard or return affected packs.

London quant Qube signed a lease for just over 29,000 square feet on the 39th floor of BMO Tower, adding a Chicago office as trophy demand tightens. The owners say the building is roughly 84% leased.

Deere agreed to deposit $99 million into a settlement fund and pledged expanded repair access as part of a proposed deal that resolves a 2022 class action. The company still faces a separate FTC enforcement case.

BG Hospitality's Fire + Wine is coming to Fox Haven Square in St. Charles with wood-fired pizzas, seasonal pastas and a four‑seasons room overlooking the plaza.

A McHenry man was charged after Sycamore police say he secretly recorded men in a grocery-store restroom; investigators say similar videos were found on his phone.

A $50M magic mansion debuts on the Magnificent Mile next Saturday — dining, secret rooms and close‑up illusions across more than 37 rooms. Tickets and reservations open the same day.

Palestinian students at DePaul filed IDHR complaints alleging they were branded antisemitic for Gaza‑related speech. CAIR‑Chicago is representing them and will outline the filings at a campus press conference.