Stories by Blake Thor

Bally’s is slowing construction on parts of its $1.7 billion casino and entertainment complex in River West, following the Chicago City Council’s approval of video gambling terminals in bars and restaurants.

For only the second time in 18 years, Chicago’s rival baseball teams will face off in a Crosstown Classic with both squads boasting winning records.

At the end of July, several water systems from Minnesota to Georgia suddenly went offline. While officials restored them, cybersecurity experts now say the outages may have been caused by Iranian hackers, raising larger questions about the security of America’s critical resources.

Democrats remain mixed over what ideological direction the party should take. But across a series of closely watched primaries, they are sending a clearer message about the party’s path forward: They want change.

The vaccine, called mFLUSIVA, is expected to be a versatile new option for people seeking protection from influenza and an important step forward for the widespread adoption of mRNA technology. 

Illinois lawmakers will have a new item on their agenda when they convene for the fall veto session in November — finding an extra $150 million for Chicago Public Schools. The Chicago Board of Education approved a budget that assumes additional state funding to avoid layoffs.

A divided Chicago Board of Education last week approved a nearly $10 billion budget that relies on an additional $150 million in state funding. The spending plan comes after weeks of debate among CPS officials, board members and labor unions over how the district should close a $732 million budget gap.

CPS CEO Macquline King joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss her revised budget and why she thinks board members should pass it. 

The Illinois Tollway board is considering a 15-year, $26.5 billion construction plan to address deteriorating roads and reduce congestion across the state’s tollway system.

CPS CEO Macquline King unveiled a proposed $9.88 billion budget to close the district’s funding gap. The plan calls for $200 million in TIF funding, the layoff of 760 teachers and 801 support staff, and five unpaid furlough days for CPS employees.

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.

While DOJ opinions don’t change the law, disability rights advocates worry the memo could be the first step toward the department backing away from enforcing the integration mandate.

According to the Illinois Department of Human Services, more than 12 million monthly SNAP payments are made to more than 1.9 million people in Illinois.

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.

Northwest Side congressman Mike Quigley is officially running for Chicago mayor. The nine-term U.S. representative from Illinois’ 5th District launched his campaign at the historic Uptown Theatre.

Alexander Iniguez Mercado, 20, is accused of participating in a group chat on the messaging app Signal with others who appeared to discuss plans for the attack.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s annual “June boom” is about to begin, bringing an end to months of speculation. Their rulings could have sweeping implications for birthright citizenship, presidential power, transgender athletes and more.

More than 100 former federal prosecutors published an open letter blasting Chicago’s U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, claiming he “tarnished the reputation” of the office in the wake of the botched “Broadview Six” case.

The Chicago Bears will build their next stadium in Hammond, Indiana — maybe. The team made the announcement Friday after years of negotiations with Illinois state lawmakers over a deal to build a stadium in either Arlington Heights or on the Chicago lakefront.

Commonwealth Edison, Chicago’s primary electricity distributor, announced in May that its customers should expect monthly bills to increase by $2 to $3 beginning June 1.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced last week that immigrants applying for a green card must do so from outside the U.S.

A federal tax-credit scholarship program created last summer under the “Big Beautiful Bill” could send millions to Illinois students, if Gov. JB Pritzker or the Illinois General Assembly decides to opt in.

CPS leaders are citing rising pension payments and operating costs, while arguing the district needs greater support from state and federal leaders. Some policy analysts, meanwhile, say the district is responsible for its own deteriorating finances.

While President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached some agreement on trade deals, questions still loom large over Taiwanese independence and which country will emerge as the dominant world power for decades to come.

The Weber family will mark 80 years since arriving in the U.S. with a May 20 screening of “UnBroken” at the Wayfarer Theater in Highland Park, hosted by the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.

A new investigation by Injustice Watch, a nonprofit newsroom focused on the Cook County court system, revealed that Cook County prosecutors are challenging efforts by wrongfully convicted individuals to clear their names and secure compensation.