Aurora’s infrastructure committee will consider a near‑$169,000 design contract to replace a dilapidated fence along Orchard Road with a precast concrete sound wall. The vote would move a years‑old effort another step toward construction.

Chicago says it will begin awarding contracts this spring after dozens of bids to replace food and retail at O’Hare’s Terminals 1 and 3. The move could reshape the airport’s dining and shopping lineup.

City planners have moved to expand a Canal/Congress TIF to free roughly $50M to buy and rehab the Greyhound terminal at 630 W. Harrison St.; hearings start this spring.

NICTD plans to spend about $2.75 million to add gates, lights and bells at the Hegewisch South Shore station after the death of Grace Bentkowski. The work follows a diagnostic study and months of pressure from her family.

A Waymo-backed measure would greenlight autonomous-vehicle pilots in Illinois and could allow statewide robotaxi service after a three-year test, drawing both praise and fierce opposition.

An American Airlines jet at O'Hare struck a de‑icing truck during snowy conditions, delaying Flight 2121 while crews took the aircraft out of service for inspection.

A morning water main break in Dixmoor shut two schools and cut water to nearby homes as crews worked to repair the damaged line.

The NTSB's preliminary review found no flight‑control or engine anomalies in the Piper PA‑30 crash at DuPage Airport that killed two people.

Southwest Airlines is ending open seating and introducing assigned seats, aligning with other airlines and responding to customer preferences and investor pressure.

A Metra Milwaukee District West train struck a vehicle near Bartlett Monday, halting inbound and outbound service and triggering extensive commuter delays.

A minor Amtrak derailment early Monday blocked platforms at Chicago's Union Station, prompting Metra advisories and potential delays on BNSF and Southwest Service lines.

A House appropriations report included $1.1M to demolish Ivanhoe Elementary and $850K to expand a cargo apron at Gary/Chicago International Airport. Local leaders say the moves pair cleanup with cargo‑led growth.

Preliminary FAA data show O’Hare recorded 857,392 takeoffs and landings in 2025, pushing Chicago past Atlanta to lead the nation. The surge follows a record summer and new gates.