In addition to a special four-day celebration of Millennium Park, city officials announced dates for major summer events including an earlier-than-usual Air and Water Show.
Stories by patty wetli
Chicago Announces Big Plans for Millennium Park’s 20th Anniversary, Sets Dates for Major Summer Fests
Jan 9, 2024 | Patty Wetli
2 Rounds of Snow Heading for Chicago, Accumulation Totals Will Vary Widely
Jan 8, 2024 | Patty Wetli
Parts of the Chicago region could get socked with upwards of 8 inches of snow while areas closest to the lake could see just an inch or two, forecasters said.
Yellow Line Trains Running Again 7 Weeks After Crash Injured Nearly 40 People
Jan 5, 2024 | Patty Wetli
The trains are running at reduced speeds of 35 miles per hour “out of an abundance of caution,” officials said.
Look Who’s Here: Bald Eagle Watch is on in Illinois as Winter Population Swells
Jan 4, 2024 | Patty Wetli
Illinois boasts the largest population of wintering bald eagles outside of Alaska. They’re attracted to our not-quite-frozen waterways.
Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks Coming to Soldier Field in June
Jan 4, 2024 | Patty Wetli
Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks will headline a double-bill at Soldier Field on June 21, officials said Thursday morning.
Meet the ‘Bird of the Year’: The Golden-Winged Warbler is a Vibrant Great Lakes Native in the Midst of a Conservation Crisis
Jan 3, 2024 | Patty Wetli
Celebrate the golden-winged warbler while it’s still around. It’s suffered one of the steepest population declines of any songbird in the last half century.
Real Winter is Coming, Make Sure Your Rain Barrel is Ready — and by ‘Ready’ We Mean in Storage
Jan 2, 2024 | Patty Wetli
Before the deep chill hits, make sure to disconnect the barrel, unhook the hoses and spigot, and drain the barrel completely.
Who’s Dreaming of a Wet Christmas? Chicago Holiday Forecast Looking Warm and Rainy
Dec 20, 2023 | Patty Wetli
In fact, Dec. 25 isn’t going to feel particularly wintry at all.
Chicago Announces New Year’s Eve Fireworks Along the River
Dec 20, 2023 | Patty Wetli
Fireworks will launch from six bridges, with a countdown to midnight projected on the Merchandise Mart.
Chicago TreeKeepers Raise the Alarm About ‘Cemetery of Saplings’ to City’s Urban Forestry Advisory Board
Dec 19, 2023 | Patty Wetli
Chicago has touted the tens of thousands of trees it’s planted in recent years. But the city’s volunteer TreeKeepers say too many saplings die for lack of a maintenance plan.
Southside Blooms is Now Part of Chicago’s Official History, Entering the Field Museum’s Botanical Collection
Dec 19, 2023 | Patty Wetli
“Our work is part of the sweep of human history. It’s very humbling,” said Quilen Blackwell, co-founder of Southside Blooms.
Streets & San Announces Second Annual Snowplow Naming Contest. You’ll Need to Dig Deep for Fresh Puns, Chicago
Dec 18, 2023 | Patty Wetli
The submission deadline is Jan. 12. Six new names will be chosen for Chicago’s fleet of plows.
3.1 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Southern Illinois, Second Tremor To Hit State in 2 Months
Dec 18, 2023 | Patty Wetli
This latest seismic activity was centered near the small town of Waltonville (population 432), roughly 110 miles south of Springfield.
The Stars Are Aligning for Chicagoans To Catch the Geminid Meteor Shower Tonight. Yes, Really.
Dec 14, 2023 | Patty Wetli
Clear skies, a new moon and relatively warm temperatures will make for a great opportunity to catch the peak of the Geminid meteor shower Thursday — even in Chicago.
Chicago Film Critics Name ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ the Year’s Best Picture. Will Oscar Agree?
Dec 13, 2023 | Patty Wetli
In what could be a preview of the 2024 Academy Awards, “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Oppenheimer” received top honors from the Chicago Film Critics Association.
Google Unveils New Rendering of Thompson Center Renovation, Says the Atrium is Staying
Dec 13, 2023 | Patty Wetli
Google intends to bring the Thompson Center’s design into the 21st century “while maintaining its iconic form,” the company said.
This Fish Story Is a Whopper, But True: Record-Breaking 750,000 Pounds of Invasive Carp Hauled From Illinois River
Dec 11, 2023 | Patty Wetli
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reporting an intensive 10-day “harvest” operated that netted 750,000 pounds of invasive silver carp, pulled from the Illinois River near Starved Rock.
Could Ice Scrapers Become Obsolete? UIC Researchers Study What Makes Ice Stick
Dec 8, 2023 | Patty Wetli
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago set out to explore what makes ice tick. Specifically, how does ice stick to surfaces?
Friends of the Parks Says ‘No Way’ To Chicago Bears Building New Stadium on Lakefront
Dec 8, 2023 | Patty Wetli
As reports surfaced Thursday that the Bears were exploring Soldier Field’s south parking lot as a potential site for a new stadium, opposition immediately mobilized.
End Your Week on a Cute Note With a Look at Shedd Aquarium’s New Rescued Sea Otter Pup
Dec 7, 2023 | Patty Wetli
Shedd is one of only 11 institutions in North America with the resources to give a rescued sea otter pup a home.
Arnold Randall, Transformational Leader of Cook County Forest Preserves, Stepping Down in January
Dec 6, 2023 | Patty Wetli
Arnold Randall has announced he will step down at the end of the year as general superintendent of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, a position he's held since 2010.
Juanita Irizarry, Who Took on George Lucas and Won, Is Stepping Down From Friends of the Parks
Dec 5, 2023 | Patty Wetli
After eight years as executive director of Friends of the Parks, Juanita Irizarry is stepping down at the end of the year, telling WTTW News, “I’m looking forward to radical rest.”
Voodoo Doughnut Sets Dec. 16 Opening Date in Fulton Market, Get Ready for a Taste of West Coast Weirdness
Dec 4, 2023 | Patty Wetli
Voodoo Doughnut has announced a Dec. 16, 8 a.m., opening date for its Fulton Market shop at 945 W. Randolph St.
Big Win for Grasslands as Openlands, Wetlands Initiative Celebrate $1.5M Federal Grant to Restore 1,000 Acres at Midewin
Dec 1, 2023 | Patty Wetli
The grant was awarded through the America the Beautiful Challenge. The program, now in its second year, is funded in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade Will Roar Through Chicago on Sunday
Nov 30, 2023 | Patty Wetli
Imagine if Santa wore leather and had reindeer named Harley and Davidson — that’s the annual Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade.
Graceland Cemetery Debuts Visitor-Friendly Entryway Designed to Breathe New Life Into This Historic Treasure
Nov 30, 2023 | Patty Wetli
Graceland Cemetery has debuted a new entryway designed to draw people in rather than keep people out, embracing its status as one of Chicago’s great green spaces.