Stories by Andrew Montequin

Until recently, these state programs were split across three state agencies and the governor’s office. But since July 1, they’ve all been brought under the umbrella of the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC). 

While Mayor Brandon Johnson has yet to announce if he’s running for a second term, he still has the backing of one of his most prominent supporters.

With a Thursday vote looming on the next Chicago Public Schools budget, a revised proposal from the district looks to avoid furloughs to close its $732 million deficit, but still leaves 1,601 layoffs on the table — including 759 teachers.

For only the second time in its history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis.

In addition to Saturday’s All-Star game at the United Center and Friday’s three-point contest at Wintrust Arena, events will be taking place around the city throughout the weekend.

New data released this week showed inflation cooled slightly in June. But there’s still uncertainty around what comes next for this issue, which has been a thorn in the side of many Americans for the past five years.

A 2021 ordinance established the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, or CCPSA, and gave the commission power to set department policy, review the police budget and select superintendent finalists.

About 13 billion gallons of combined storm and waste water flowed into two Cook County reservoirs this past weekend, part of the region’s network of stormwater management infrastructure.

Reports of immigration-related arrests around the country surged at the end of June, including 10,000 arrests over a five-day period.

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.

“(The Bears) haven’t said, ‘OK, we’re done. We don’t want to talk anymore, we don’t want to hear from you, we are moving to Indiana,’” state Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) said. “There’s at least one site we know they’re very interested in, in Illinois, and that’s Arlington Heights.”

Data centers are a hot topic in Illinois and around the country. Alongside more construction comes more public scrutiny.

State Republican leaders criticized the General Assembly session schedule and new taxes in this year’s budget. But they saw progress in their overall inclusion in budget talks, and also advanced several pieces of bipartisan legislation.

It was well past 4 a.m. Monday when the Illinois House of Representatives adjourned for the summer. The budget had been balanced, and a flurry of bills were sent to the governor’s desk. But a busy finish to the spring session left some of the biggest decisions until the very end.

Jose Medina will face new felony charges of contraband possession in a penal institution after jail staff allegedly found a shank in his possession.

The redistricting battle that began in Texas last year continues to have ripple effects across the nation.

Global health organizations are racing to stem an Ebola outbreak in central Africa. While the immediate threat is still far away from Chicago, local specialists are working to ensure the city is prepared for all possibilities.

Gas prices in Chicago are up 70 cents from one month ago, and nearly $1.70 compared to last year, according to data from AAA.

As of May 13, the World Health Organization reported eight confirmed cases related to the MV Hondius cruise ship, along with one inconclusive and two probable cases. Meanwhile, public health officials in Illinois reported a possible hantavirus case in Winnebago County that is unrelated to the cruise ship outbreak.

It’s been just over a year since white smoke billowed out of the Sistine Chapel, announcing the election of a new pope. Now, a new biography looks at Pope Leo XIV’s life, his influences and his first months leading the Roman Catholic Church.

Plans to extend the CTA Red Line to the Far South Side of Chicago are finally on track. The Red Line extension project broke ground last month, after decades of planning and months of federal funding uncertainty.

For the decades we’ve been using social media, there’s been a debate over how youth should be able to access it.

With the spring legislative session coming to a close at the end of May, the clock is ticking to approve a budget. Meanwhile, affordability is front of mind for many, as bills on megaprojects and zoning reform make their way through the General Assembly.

Since March, multiple rounds of severe storms have caused flooding, plus hail damage and even tornadoes. A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, and that moisture can turn into rainfall.

NASA’s 10-day Artemis II mission showed off the rigor and precision that has made the agency a household name.

Anjanette Young has become the leading voice for reform, seven years after a botched police raid at the wrong address left her handcuffed while naked in her Chicago home. Now, a bill bearing her name could reshape how officers execute warrants in Illinois.