Stories by Andrew Montequin

The median sale price for homes in Chicago hit $425,000 in July, according to data from Illinois Realtors. That’s a 13.3% increase from last year. Across the state, the median price of $338,000 represented a 6% increase in a year.

For decades, four species of invasive carp have been working their way toward the Great Lakes. On their way, they’ve left a trail of decimated native fish populations and injured boaters.

Candidate John Kelly kicked off his first-ever campaign in July, but that doesn’t mean he’s a stranger to City Hall. Prior to joining the race, Kelly spent his career as a lobbyist, representing well-known clients in the city including the White Sox, the United Center and Bally’s.

Public concern has grown around data centers’ energy usage, noise pollution, water consumption and emissions. Now, as Chicago leaders race to catch up, they won’t be starting from square one.

Between tornadoes, wildfire smoke, flooding and heat, the weather in Chicago this summer has been nothing short of extreme. But winter is coming.

Across two hospitals, 16 community health centers and Cook County Jail, Cook County Health aims to provide healthcare to patients, regardless of their ability to pay. But with federal policy changes looming, the health system’s budget is facing new challenges.

Though Illinois leads the nation in nuclear energy generation, a recently lifted moratorium on new nuclear power plant construction means the race is on to bring new plants online — a task that can take years.

While hospitals have so far not reported major disruptions to services, more frequent supply shortages show the need for contingency plans.

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.