The parks advocacy group said it isn’t chasing the Bears out of Chicago, but wants an “open, clear and free discourse driven by the public instead of private interests.”
Stories by Patty Wetli
The Solar Eclipse Is a Month Away, But the Time to Get Your Viewing Glasses — and Smartphone Filters — Is NOW
If you've been sleeping on the North American total solar eclipse of 2024, it's time to start paying attention. The big event — on April 8 — is fast approaching and folks who haven't prepared could find themselves left out in the dark.
It’s Time to Spring Forward, and Schedule a Nap for Sunday
Daylight saving time officially arrives at 2 a.m. Sunday.
Remember Chicago’s Native and Pollinator Garden Registry? It’s Finally Getting off the Ground
More than two years after Chicago's City Council passed an ordinance creating a Native and Pollinator Garden Registry, an advisory board has finally been appointed to oversee the operation.
A Chicago Resident Requested a Parkway Tree. The City Planted an Invasive Species
Just because a species is known to be invasive doesn’t mean it’s officially regulated as such. One Chicagoan learned that lesson the hard way.
Buddy Guy to Headline Chicago Blues Festival During Farewell Tour
The blues legend will close out the festival, set for June 6-9.
Former Home of Butternut Bread, ‘Pride of the South Side’ and Whitewashed Mural All on Preservation Chicago’s 2024 ‘Most Endangered’ List
Preservation Chicago announced its annual "7 Most Endangered" list Wednesday.
Number of Active Eagle Nests Now Up to 4 in Will County
It's the first time four active nests have all been located on Will County forest preserve property.
Demolition Begins on Illegal Building in Humboldt Park
The illegal building, intended as an archive for the neighboring landmarked National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, has been at the center of controversy since 2022.
Invasive Dupes, Part 5: The Common Reed’s Identity Crisis is a Doozy
For the last in our series on invasive species that can be mistaken for natives, here’s one of the trickiest: phragmites, also known as common reed.
What the Heck Happened to February in Chicago? It Was the Warmest on Record, But It Could Have Been Weirder
It’s official, Chicago: February 2024 was the warmest in 153 years of recording keeping.
Invasive Dupes, Part 4: Two Tiny Mussels, One Big Difference
In honor of National Invasive Species Awareness Week, we’re posting daily “dupes” — invasives that can easily be confused with native species. Today we’re featuring two tiny freshwater mussels that couldn’t have less in common.
At Least 11 Tornadoes Confirmed by National Weather Service Following Tuesday’s Severe Storms
It was a wild day that saw Chicago just miss out on setting a record-high temperature for February before a powerful cold front moved through the region.
Invasive Dupes, Part 3: A Rose by Another Name Is a Multiflora Disaster
In honor of National Invasive Species Awareness Week, we’re posting daily “dupes” — invasives that can easily be confused with native species. Today brings us to a truly unexpected subject: the rose.
Tornado Watch Issued for Chicago Region Through Late Tuesday Night
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the Chicago region, much of northern Illinois and parts of northeast Indiana, through 10 p.m. Tuesday.
Invasive Dupes, Part 2: Crayfish vs. Crayfish — Seeing Double
In honor of National Invasive Species Awareness Week, we’re posting daily “dupes” — invasives that can easily be confused with native species. Today we’re tackling crayfish.
Second Pair of Bald Eagle Mates on the Nest in Will County. How Big Will the Eaglet Boom Be?
The Forest Preserve District of Will County confirmed a second pair of eagles are incubating eggs in a newly-built, enormous nest.
February Is Going Out on a Wild Note: Record-Breaking Warmth, Wildfire Warnings, Tornadoes and Maybe Snow
The forecast for last week of February has a little something for everyone. Buckle in for a wild ride.
Invasive Dupes, Part 1: Teasel vs. Thistle, Will the Real Native Please Stand Up
In honor of National Invasive Species Awareness Week, we'll be posting daily "dupes" — invasives that can easily be confused with native species.
Look at That Face: Brookfield Zoo’s Baby Seal in the Running for Cutest Newcomer
The grey seal pup was born Feb. 17. He’ll stay behind the scenes for the next month and a half while bonding with his mom.
Bald Eagles Confirmed Nesting in Will County. Eaglet Watch Is On
All signs are pointing to another successful year of bald eagle mating in Will County.
Are Early Birds a Sign of Climate Change, Weird Weather, Neither, Both? It’s All of the Above, Experts Say
Red-winged blackbirds, American robins, and sandhill cranes are among the species of birds Chicagoans have spotted in recent days on the leading edge of spring migration. But wait — according to the calendar, it’s still winter.
Shedd’s Rescued Sea Otter Pup Makes Public Debut as He Continues to Thrive, Doubling in Size and Cuteness
The still-unnamed pup arrived at Shedd Aquarium in November 2023 and recently made his public debut after acclimating behind the scenes.
Monty and Rose #4Ever. Park District Names Dune Habitat for Piping Plover Lovebirds, On Valentine’s Day No Less
The Park District Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday to rename the plovers’ Montrose Beach meeting spot the Monty and Rose Wildlife Habitat.
With Monarch Butterfly Population at Near Record Low, Chicagoans Have Their Marching Orders: Every Milkweed Stem Counts
Aster Hasle, a conservation scientist at the Field Museum, said, “Our role in the Midwest is to build that population back up. There is a lot that we can do here to provide habitat that’s going to help.”
Forget Something? Drawings of Proposed White Sox Stadium Leave Nature Out of the Picture, Advocate Says
Any development on the Chicago River should address concerns about climate resilience, biodiversity, sustainability and pollution, advocates say. "It would be an enormous mistake to not take that seriously," said Margaret Frisbie, of Friends of the Chicago River.
