The mayor’s proposal drew swift and vehement opposition from landlords and business groups, with whom he has long been at loggerheads.

Chicago is more than six months away from choosing its next mayor, but seven candidates have already announced campaigns. Anyone hoping to get on the ballot can begin circulating petitions next week.

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office will provide blue envelopes free of charge at DMV facilities and participating law enforcement agencies across the state, according to Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. The statewide blue envelope program officially launches January 1, 2027.

If the board’s decision stands, Patty García will have a much smoother path to replacing U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, her former boss, in Congress.

The policy was updated nearly four months after Mayor Brandon Johnson told reporters existing CPD policy complied with an executive order he promised Chicagoans would lay “the groundwork to prosecute Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents for criminal misconduct.”

Finger pointing as officials say Chicago is facing a budget deficit. And are the country’s voting systems secure?

In a recent speech, President Donald Trump discussed foreign interference, noncitizen voting and vulnerabilities in the American election system — reiterating some widely disproven charges. The administration released a trove of heavily redacted documents.

City officials said last week Chicago is grappling with an $89 million shortfall — revised down from the $130 million figure the mayor announced earlier this month.

State and local health officials have still not identified a cause or source behind the higher number of cyclosporiasis cases the state and the city is seeing compared to previous years. The disease, which can cause frequent and watery diarrhea, is spread by consuming contaminated food or water.

With a vote next week scheduled on Chicago Public Schools’ $9.88 billion budget plan, members of the city’s Board of Education on Monday shared concerns over proposed cuts, a lack of state funding and their voting timeline.

Between temperatures that feel like 100 degrees and hazardous wildfire smoke that shut down beaches and pools, spending time outside this summer hasn’t always been the most enticing (or safe) plan.

According to motor club federation AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now back to $4. The average price a year ago was $3.14 a gallon. In Cook County, the average was even higher at $4.34.

One year of employee discipline data, obtained by WTTW News, reveals more than 700 cases of misbehavior across Chicago Public Schools. Case outcomes ranged from verbal warnings and written reprimands to suspensions and Do Not Rehire designations. Frequently, those banned from returning to work quit during the disciplinary investigation.

Wildfire smoke clouds the Chicago region, closing beaches and canceling outdoor events. Plus, a bleak budget reality as Chicago Public Schools eyes layoffs and a spending freeze.

Smoke causes inflammation by triggering the body’s immune system to go into overtime to fight the irritant. Scientists have found it can harm the brain, the skin and men’s sperm, with almost no system of the body spared.