Stories by Ben Szalinski — Capitol News Illinois

Nearly 300 new Illinois laws will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Chicago is once again hosting collection sites for real trees at 27 locations around the city, Jan. 3-17.

Revisiting some of our favorite conversations that we've had on "Chicago Tonight" this year.

The mayor lets the budget he objects to go into effect. And a Chicagoan wins CNN’s Hero of the Year Award.

Quilen Blackwell, whose nonprofit Southside Blooms transforms vacant lots on Chicago’s South Side into flower farms that employ at-risk young people, is the 2025 CNN Hero of the Year.

A Dec. 18 concert by the ever-superb Chicago Symphony Orchestra was a stunner, with Klaus Mäkelä in top form.

Leo said he had spoken “explicitly” with Gov. JB Pritzker and urged him to not sign the bill into law. Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich did the same, Leo told reporters as he left his country house in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.

The city budget, which will take effect Jan. 1, will double CPD’s overtime budget from $100 million to $200 million, the first increase since 2020, when the budget for police overtime went from $95 million to $100 million, records show.

The Illinois Supreme Court is set to weigh in next year on whether serious Chicago Police Department misconduct cases must be heard publicly.

The Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace are encouraging residents to celebrate responsibly and take advantage of the free late-night transit services to get around on New Year’s Eve.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to allow the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area to support its immigration crackdown.

Before testing positive for rabies, the dog was surrendered to a local rescue and euthanized after the dog had a “marked” change in behavior on Dec. 16, according to a news release.

From light shows to plays, sing-alongs and festive pop-ups, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season. We’ve rounded up some of the season’s highlights in Chicago and the suburbs.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision not to veto the budget he called “morally bankrupt” immediately averts what could have been the city most severe fiscal crisis in more than 40 years.

According to the Chicago Police Department, a 44-year-old man was killed in a shooting just before 1:30 a.m. in the 100 block of North Wells.

Are Chicago police officers being held accountable for misconduct? And the years-long battle over police discipline makes its way to the Illinois Supreme Court.

The Justice Department’s release of thousands of documents and pictures related to investigations into Jeffrey Epstein on Friday was highly anticipated and provided a glimpse into the life of the late sex offender and his associations with some of the richest and most powerful people in the world.

The announcement came shortly after a council of Kansas lawmakers voted unanimously inside a packed room at the state Capitol to allow for STAR bonds to be issued to cover up to 70% of the cost of the stadium and accompanying mixed-use district.

Illinois U.S. Reps. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Delia Ramirez, Jonathan Jackson and Danny Davis toured the controversial west suburban facility Monday, months after being denied access.

More than 550 personalized license plate requests were denied by the Illinois Secretary of State’s office this year after it deemed them inflammatory, profane, offensive or too difficult to read.

Officer Elmer Carrillo Jr. is the first CPD officer to be terminated for failing a drug test since Illinois legalized the recreational use of marijuana, and is the first to be fired by the Police Board in nearly a year and a half amid a protracted legal battle, records show.

“We may not have the majority of the City Council but we do have the people,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said just before the the Chicago City Council voted to approve a budget he fiercely opposed.

The Chicago City Council takes the first step toward passing a rival budget plan. And the Bears threaten to take their ball and go to a new home — in Northwest Indiana.

A new report by state regulators projects energy shortfalls will begin in northern Illinois by 2029 and the rest of the state by 2031 if lawmakers and grid operators don’t act.

Instead of allowing police to impose so-called “snap” curfews just 30 minutes in advance, a new plan calls for more lead time before dispersing large crowds.

Mayor Brandon Johnson stopped short Friday of promising to veto that spending plan but said he has “serious and significant concerns about the plan, which he and the city’s top financial officials contend would leave the city with a deficit of more than $163 million.