Stories by Patty Wetli

The piping plover hatchling is prepping for their first migration south.

The federal lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. According to the complaint, the five plaintiffs claim they were unfairly targeted by off-duty police officers who work as security guards at the Home Depot store at 47th Street and Western Avenue.  

Chicago is preparing to host the major event — and most importantly — keep everyone safe. Local and federal law enforcement agencies have been organizing their security details since April 2023. 

CPD and the Secret Service on security plans for the upcoming Democratic National Convention. And how the city is preparing for a possible surge in migrants ahead of the DNC. 

City and state transportation officials showed off their recommended plan to overhaul North DuSable Lake Shore Drive on Thursday, touting its expected benefits for all modes of travel. But the “Redefine the Drive” project got a chilly reception from some transportation advocates and lawmakers.

For the Illinois agricultural community, along with craft, gardening and baking enthusiasts, the Illinois State Fair is like a combination of Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, Olympics and a carnival.

The S&P 500 jumped 2.3% for its best day since 2022 and shaved off all but 0.5% of its loss from what was a brutal start to the week. 

Coach Matt Eberflus said Thursday that the quarterback will start the team’s second preseason game, along with all other starters who are healthy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are two-and-a-half times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White women. A new state law aims to remedy that by expanding insurance coverage during and after pregnancy. 

Chicago began the day 28-89, on pace to finish 39-122, which would be the worst major league record since the National League's Cleveland Spiders were 20-134 in 1899.

One man has died after being rescued from Lake Michigan near the Adler Planetarium on Wednesday, according to Chicago police officials.

Why Black Lives Matter is not endorsing Kamala Harris for president. A new state law aims to lower mortality rates for mothers and their newborns. And a community space opens in Bronzeville. 

While the majority of Black voters tend to vote Democratic, not all are lining up to endorse Harris. In a recent statement, the advocacy group Black Lives Matter has called into question Harris’ candidacy and the process by which she’s been nominated.

A new community gathering space has officially opened its doors in Bronzeville. It will offer a variety of activities raging from arts and sports to business support and wellness. 

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed multiple bills expanding reproductive rights in Illinois on Wednesday, including codifying a federal law that allows medical professionals to perform an abortion in response to a clinical emergency.

Lincoln Park Zoo has been increasing its profile as a caretaker of plants and trees as much as animals, and it now has official accreditation as a botanic garden to show for it.

A month after a downstate sheriff’s deputy killed a woman in her home, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton are calling for the resignation of Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Cambell.

Amin Betuni, 37, of Palos Hills, entered into a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, admitting that he shipped items on three occasions in 2022 in violation of federal export regulations.

A major reason for the increase is that some Democratic-controlled states enacted laws to protect doctors who use telemedicine to see patients in places that have abortion bans, according to the quarterly #WeCount report for the Society of Family Planning, which supports abortion access.

Reaction to Kamala Harris’ pick for running mate. And we talk gold medals and Golden Girls at the Paris Olympics.

The Olympics have their own language, traditions and rules — ones that are ever-evolving. It can be a lot to take in. Here are the answers to some of the most asked questions about the Paris Games.

The S&P 500 climbed 1% to break a brutal three-day losing streak. It had tumbled a bit more than 6% on a raft of concerns, including worries the Federal Reserve had pressed the brakes too hard for too long on the U.S. economy through high interest rates in order to beat inflation.

Want to rent an apartment? You’ll need identification. A valid driver’s license or ID is also typically needed to get a job, apply for benefits or visit the doctor. That can present an obstacle for individuals who’ve been in prison or jail, during which time their IDs were lost or expired.

“It’s an honor to be asked, even if some of those questions are like a colonoscopy,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said of the vetting process. 

CPS and Chicago Department of Public Health officials on Tuesday issued a notice to students and families, reminding them to get their health records in order before classes resume later this month.

The selection caps the Midwestern Democrat’s short but swift ascent from a relative unknown to a leading driver of the party’s attacks on Donald Trump and the MAGA agenda.