Stories by Patty Wetli

After confirming several black bear sightings in southern Illinois in recent weeks, wildlife officials issued a reminder to residents in northern Illinois that furry guests might also pay a visit here.

Kimberly Cheatle, who had served as Secret Service director since August 2022, had been facing growing calls to resign and several investigations into how the shooter was able to get so close to the Republican presidential nominee. 

The actor-comedian is revving up the Bluesmobile to reminisce about the years he teamed up with John Belushi as the Blues Brothers, taking Hollywood and the Billboard charts by storm.

The Rev. Corey Brooks and Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh reflect on where the presidential race goes after the RNC last week. 

We’re live from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with local reaction to former President Trump’s VP pick and this weekend’s attempted assassination.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $4.3 billion in funding Monday as part of its Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program, and Illinois was a big winner, nabbing $430 million.

Several other areas also suffered damage from straight-line winds, according to the National Weather Service.

Illinois’ leading Democrats are following President Joe Biden’s lead in backing Vice President Kamala Harris following the president’s surprise announcement Sunday that he was ending his reelection bid. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is among them.

One video from July 6 shows a tense moment in which former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson yelled at 36-year-old Sonya Massey over moving a pot from the stove. He threatens to shoot her, Massey ducks then briefly rises and Grayson fires his pistol at her three times.

In her first congressional hearing over the July 13 assassination attempt, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle repeatedly angered lawmakers by evading questions, citing ongoing investigations. She called the attempt on Trump’s life the Secret Service’s “most significant operational failure” in decades.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker stayed mum on his endorsement plans when news first broke that President Joe Biden was dropping out of his reelection race, but a day later the Illinois governor joined with other leading Democrats in endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.

Say hello to Nagamo (Na-GA-mo), the sole surviving piping plover hatchling at Montrose Beach.

According to the Chicago Police Department, 20 people were shot in 14 separate incidents between Friday and Sunday evenings.

“President Biden united the country by defeating Donald Trump in 2020 and Chicago is grateful for his leadership and his service,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “Today, President Biden cemented his legacy as the rare leader who puts people above himself.”

Democrats are set to hold their convention in Chicago on Aug. 19-22. What was supposed to be a coronation for Biden now becomes an open contest in which nearly 4,700 delegates will be responsible for picking a new standard-bearer to challenge Republican Donald Trump in the fall.

President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the presidential election and will no longer seek a second term in office. The decision comes one month before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. 

On the heels of the RNC, Republicans are revved up about Donald Trump’s chances in November. Meanwhile, more Illinois leaders call for Joe Biden to step aside as the Democratic candidate.

Chicago’s trees bore the brunt of damage caused by back-to-back storms July 14-15, which spawned a total of five tornadoes in the city.

A growing chorus of Democratic lawmakers called Friday for President Joe Biden to drop his reelection bid, even as the president insisted he’s ready to return to the campaign trail next week to counter what he called a “dark vision” laid out by Republican Donald Trump.

Butterfly sculptures have landed at nearly 20 parks across Chicago as part of the ongoing Flight of the Butterflies exhibit that kicked off this spring.

New safety requirements for carbon dioxide pipelines as well as a temporary ban on their construction are now in effect after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill that passed the General Assembly earlier this year.

Illinois American Water, which serves 1.3 million people, is seeking a $152.4 million rate increase. Aqua Illinois, which serves 273,000 people, is seeking a $19.2 million increase. The requests must be reviewed by the Illinois Commerce Commission before the utilities are allowed to modify their rates.

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory will shut down a significant part of its operations from Aug. 26 to Sept. 8, WTTW News has confirmed.

The tally could continue to rise as survey crews are still in the field investigating damage at numerous additional sites across the region.

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is asking voters to approve a 0.035% increase in property taxes when they head to the polls on Nov. 5.

The RNC officially comes to a close as Donald Trump accepts the GOP nomination for president. We’re live in Milwaukee.