The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois Department of Agriculture issued a joint statement Friday afternoon, reminding the public to use caution around waterfowl or other wild birds.

Is this the end of the line for Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez? And Mayor Brandon Johnson finally gets his budget passed.

The strikes by baristas and other workers were scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle and could spread to hundreds of stores across the country by Christmas Eve. Starbucks Workers United, the union organizing Starbucks’ baristas, said at least 10 locations were closed down as of midday Friday.

Party City’s “very best efforts have not been enough to overcome” its financial challenges, he added, resulting in the company’s collapse. The CEO said the company struggled to contend with inflation, which sent the company’s costs higher and dragged down consumer spending.

The Park District could burn roughly 140 acres of natural areas in the 2024-25 season. Controlled burns help knock back invasive species while promoting growth of native plants.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is hosting First Day Hikes at 15 state parks on Jan. 1.

Community members weigh in on a proposal to demolish the Damen Silos. Local efforts to protect monarch butterflies. And how a local charity is working to increase donations this holiday season. 

Charitable giving dropped more than 2% in 2023, according to a Giving USA report. But local organizations are making efforts to reach their donation goals just in time for the new year. 

Population assessments show monarch populations have declined by 59% from 2023 to 2024. The unique pollinators are an important part of the ecosystem, but also have deep cultural connections.

Madigan, who is charged alongside McClain, is alleged to have orchestrated multiple corruption schemes, wielding his political power to reward loyal allies and enrich himself. Both men are each charged with racketeering, bribery and wire fraud and each have pleaded not guilty.

Sammy Sosa appeared to acknowledge using performance enhancing drugs during a career in which he hit more than 600 home runs, and the Chicago Cubs said they were ready to welcome back their former star.

The board announced a special meeting for Friday evening where it will take up only a small handful of items, including the schools chief’s possible termination and a settlement with CPS.

The union called it the largest strike against the company in U.S. history, although Amazon said it did not expect the labor action to impact its operations.

Chicago’s South Side residents have a 30-year life expectancy gap compared to their North Side counterparts. Advocate Health Care is working to address that disparity with a new $1 billion investment plan that includes replacing Advocate Trinity Hospital with a new facility.

The city’s budget director on what’s in the 2025 spending plan. We tour the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s new facility. And plans to improve health disparities on the South Side.