Illinois announces five new State-Designated Cultural Districts to boost economic development and preserve community culture and history, with eligible areas able to apply for up to $3 million in funding.

The Illinois State Treasurer returned a Purple Heart to the family of WWII veteran Cpl. Henry Van Der Noord, an initiative part of Operation Purple Heart to restore military honors to rightful recipients.

Englewood residents are on alert due to a spate of armed robberies, with the Chicago Police issuing a warning and describing the suspects as two African-American males using a black Chrysler for getaways.

Chicago's City Council is set to vote on a "snap curfew" ordinance aimed at preventing "teen takeovers," with mixed opinions on its potential to empower police with extreme discretionary power.

AG Kwame Raoul, with 16 other attorneys general, opposes a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal weakening the Endangered Species Act by altering the definition of "harm."

Actor George Wendt, known for playing Norm Peterson on "Cheers," has died at 76. His career included TV, film, and stage. He earned six Emmy nods for "Cheers."

Two men were killed in a Chicago business shooting in Roseland; Monte Potts, 34, and Dexter Williams, 38, were identified as the victims. The suspected shooter is in custody; no charges filed yet.

Malcolm Harris, 40, is charged with attempted murder for allegedly hitting and dragging a Chicago police officer with his vehicle during a traffic stop.

A second victim died from a shooting in Roseland, Chicago during an argument at a business. Two men were shot; one succumbed at the scene, the other later in hospital. Suspect in custody; investigation ongoing.

Dontai McGregor, 20, has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a 30-year-old male in June 2023, as reported by Chicago Police.

A tree branch falling on CTA Yellow Line tracks near Dodge station caused morning delays and service suspension, which was resolved with shuttle buses until normal operations resumed.

The Chicago Sun-Times issued an apology after a summer guide with AI-generated errors, like recommending non-existent books, was published due to a freelancer's lack of fact-checking.

Police are searching for 17-year-old Kevin Johnson, last seen in Chicago's 6300 block of S. Ashland. He is 6'1", 160 lbs, with a medium brown complexion, brown eyes, and black hair. Public assistance is requested.