The annual Pumpkin Smash event encourages people to compost their gourds instead of trashing them. Dozens of sites across the Chicago region will be collecting jack-o’-lanterns and gourds on Nov. 6.

The military veteran, who won a long-shot suburban congressional district a decade ago, became one of a handful of Republicans who voted to impeach Trump on the charge of inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol.

In a letter addressed to Hall of Fame chairman Lanny McDonald, dated Thursday, Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz writes that Brad Aldrich’s conduct disqualifies him being included on the Cup, and the team made a mistake by submitting his name.

The Illinois State Board of Education on Friday released enrollment and other data for the 2021-22 school year in its annual report card, which shows statewide enrollment fell from 1,957,018 students last year down to 1,887,316 students.

The announcement was made shortly after Joel Quenneville met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in New York to discuss his role in the Blackhawks’ response to claims from Kyle Beach that he was sexually assaulted by then-Blackhawks assistant Brad Aldrich.

Their final product, which still needs Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signoff, is designed to send 14 Democrats and three Republicans to Congress from Illinois. If the strategy works, Democrats will gain a seat from Illinois while the GOP will lose two.

Despite COVID-19 concerns, celebrations are coming together in Pilsen, a community just southwest of Chicago’s Loop with a substantial Mexican population.

June beetle larvae are responsible for devastating a pair of North Side parks. The Chicago Park District is set to begin treating the infestation, but things could get worse before they get better. 

The Natural Land Institute filed suit Wednesday in U.S. District Court to stop the Greater Rockford Airport Authority from tearing up the 8,000-year-old Bell Bowl Prairie as part of an airport expansion project.

According to the report, Donald Fehr, the leader of the NHL players’ association, was contacted twice about allegations connected to the assistant coach, including by a Kyle Beach confidant. 

The fate of an abortion bill and more from Springfield. Live from Pilsen ahead of Day of the Dead. The mystery grubs in Welles Park unmasked. And the Bears try to make things right against the 49ers.

After last week’s thrashing by the defending Super Bowl champs — the Bears are leading the league in one statistical category — the number of players on the COVID list.  What does this mean for the upcoming matchup with the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field?

Everyone deserves to have art in their lives, whether they’re making it or buying it. That’s Allan Bergart’s philosophy. He’s working to make art more available, and we have a preview of his latest art show, “The Fall Review.”

In a dramatic 11th-hour turnaround, Chicago Rockford International Airport officials announced Thursday a change in plans affecting the 8,000-year-old Bell Bowl Prairie remnant. Construction slated to resume Monday has been suspended until further consultations with federal agencies are completed.

Mauricio Ramirez, 32, was ordered held on $500,000 bail Thursday after he was charged with criminal sexual assault to a victim between the ages of 13-17 and aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim under 18.