Chicago is preparing for the 2024 DNC with heightened security measures involving local and federal agencies to prevent unrest and ensure public safety.

Chicagoland janitors secured new contracts with wage increases and improved benefits, with downtown workers receiving a 15% raise and suburban workers 19% over three years. The deal includes employer-paid healthcare and additional paid leave.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul files a lawsuit against Mariner Finance, accusing it of deceptive loan practices, including adding hidden fees and unwanted add-on services to consumer loans.

The Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale, Illinois, will permanently close on April 21, with redevelopment plans for a mixed-use complex. Other Chicago malls are diversifying to remain viable.

Former workers at the closed Signature Room have won $1.5 million in back pay and benefits after the restaurant violated state law by not providing proper notice before shutting down.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker proposes increasing the sports betting tax from 15% to 35% to raise an estimated additional $200 million annually for the state's treasury.

The Green City Market in Chicago is opening a month earlier than usual, with the Lincoln Park market beginning on April 6 and the West Loop market in May, to offer an extended season of fresh local produce.

A woman known as Jane Doe 300 filed a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse by former gynecologist Fabio Ortega and accuses Endeavor Health of failing to act on prior complaints.

Blommer Chocolate is closing its original Chicago plant due to high costs, laying off over 200 workers, but will expand its HQ and invest in other facilities.

A long-vacant Chicago lot will soon host a new Starbucks, with construction beginning after years of delay due to environmental challenges and zoning regulations. The project is expected to spur growth in the West Lawn neighborhood.

Spring Hill Mall in suburban Chicago closed on March 22, with the Village of West Dundee planning redevelopment into a mixed-use neighborhood. Some stores will remain, and officials are assisting displaced businesses.

Restaurateur David Pisor faces financial turmoil as his Etta Collective files for bankruptcy, with debts including a $2.5 million loan default. Etta assets are up for auction, while a stalking horse bid sets the starting price at $675,000.

John Ronan Architects has been selected to design the Fallen Journalists Memorial in Washington, D.C., with a concept emphasizing transparency and light to honor press freedom.