Stories by Shelby Hawkins

President Donald Trump has so far declined to sign the measure, calling it a “big yawn.” The housing bill will automatically become law on July 10 unless the president decides to veto it.

What’s in the bipartisan housing bill that’s sitting on the president’s desk. And remembering a legendary Black entrepreneur.

The legislation is based on similar bills from California and New York. Lawmakers estimate that the three states account for roughly 40% of the U.S. AI market, thus effectively establishing a de facto national standard in lieu of federal regulations.

Chicago’s pension debt has grown by nearly 11% since 2020, adding approximately $3.5 billion to the city’s debt, records show.

Some areas reported 8 to 10 inches of rain in a 48-hour period.

Chicago piping plover monitors are mourning the loss of a second chick in less than a week at Montrose Beach.

Why some transit commuters are seeing more law enforcement on their ride. And one on one with Chicago’s aviation commissioner.

Since March, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart has placed teams of officers — 50 per day, working 12-hour shifts — on the Green and Red lines.

For many transgender people, finding an affirming place where they can simply be themselves isn’t something they take for granted. As transgender identities continue to be the subject of political and legal debates across the country, organizations like Brave Space Alliance say the demand for their services remains constant.

Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports operate around the clock to keep people and goods moving around the globe. Managing it all, from the runways to the restaurants, is the city’s Department of Aviation.

A wide-ranging new state law on hemp and other cannabis regulations was “long overdue,” Gov. JB Pritzker said Thursday at an event in Chicago to celebrate the new law he signed last month.

It’s become one of the enduring scenes of the U.S. team during this World Cup: jubilant U.S. players joining tens of thousands of fans in singing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

Manufacturers selling food in California must now use two standardized labels — a “Best if Used By” label for peak quality and “Use By” label for product safety.

Chicago’s U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros on Thursday announced the results of “Operation New Dawn,” a 60-day law enforcement enforcement initiative that included 11 federal agencies working together in a “cohesive, unified partnership” targeting dangerous criminals.

O’Hare’s busiest day of the six-day holiday travel period is expected to be Sunday, when more than 300,000 passengers are expected to pass through the airport.

The eaglets are the first born in a Chicago park in 100 years.

The head of the FBI’s Chicago field office is abruptly leaving his position, according to a resignation message he sent to colleagues and multiple people familiar with the situation who said he was told to retire.

The satirical news site The Onion isn’t waiting to take possession of Infowars to launch a parody of Alex Jones ’ conspiracy platform.

Across the United States, many Americans are celebrating their country’s 250th birthday by closing their ears to all the partisan shouting. Instead, in varied ways, they are tuning into their own personal concepts of America the Beautiful.

According to Chicago Police Department data, there were 210 homicides recorded through the end of June, an increase of nearly 6% compared to the first six months of 2025 — a year that ended with Chicago’s lowest homicide total in 60 years.

House speaker’s demand of fellow Democrat comes after months of silence over sexual harassment allegations.

Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.

Chicago’s top cop, Larry Snelling, announces his retirement. And the separation of church and state is under fire from a White House commission.

A report from the Presidential Religious Liberty Commission calls for a clawback of the separation of church and state, a fundamental American legal principle for more than two centuries. President Donald Trump created the commission via executive order last May.

State lawmakers failed to pass a legislation this spring that would help the state regulate the growing data center industry, and Gov. JB Pritzker suspended state incentives for new data center projects.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling announced Wednesday he plans to retire this month after three decades with the department and three years as its leader.