Stories by Patty Wetli

Lincoln Park Zoo is celebrating the arrival of a baby eastern black rhinoceros, born early Thursday morning.

Juliana Stratton notches a commanding win in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary. And a busy week at City Hall as Mayor Brandon Johnson pledges a veto — and fires a top deputy.

The Friday press conference was held at the Highlands REIT-owned Sherman Plaza in downtown Evanston. Highlands REIT, or Highlands Real Estate Investment Trust, has a portfolio of investment properties in several states that also includes an empty correctional facility in Colorado.

On Friday, the CTA filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration seeking an immediate restoration of the funds for the two projects.

The bright daylight fireball was visible across a large swath of the U.S., from Illinois to Maryland to New York, at approximately 7:55 a.m. Central time.

James “Jimmy” Gracey, a college student from Illinois who was found dead after going missing while in Barcelona on a break, was likely the victim of an accident, Spanish regional police said Friday.

CBS News said Friday it is shutting down its storied radio news service after nearly 100 years of operation as part of a round of layoffs, blaming a shift in radio station programming strategies and challenging economic times.

Chuck Norris, the martial arts grandmaster and action star whose roles in “Walker, Texas Ranger” and other television shows and movies made him an iconic tough guy — sparking internet parodies and adoration from presidents — has died at 86.

The Illinois congressional delegation could be getting a new look. Four members either are retiring or left to run for higher office, opening up the opportunity to usher in a new generation of leaders.

How Republican nominee Darren Bailey is trying to flip the governor’s mansion red. And two congressional candidates on their big primary wins.

Illinois is gearing up for a rematch. Former state legislator Darren Bailey won the Republican nomination for governor on Tuesday, meaning he will face incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker in the November general election.

A CPS spokesperson said school leaders have started soliciting feedback from its school community on the decision to consider a school name change after multiple allegations of abuse came to light against the former president of The United Farm Workers union.

At issue before the 7th Circuit is a constitutional challenge to the Protect Illinois Communities Act, a sweeping ban on assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines.

The ruling is based on a civil suit brought against Amazon by two former employees after they were not compensated for pre-shift health screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Rep. Margaret Croke finally prevailed in the Democratic primary for Illinois comptroller as the Associated Press declared her the winner Thursday afternoon.

Authorities have been searching for James “Jimmy” Gracey, a junior at the University of Alabama, since earlier this week after he went to a nightclub in Barcelona and failed to return to his short-term rental.

Destroying those videos will lead “to the permanent loss of evidence that may be essential for lawsuits and other challenges to police practices,” according to the city's Department of Law.

Attorneys for the four remaining defendants in the “Broadview Six” conspiracy case are seeking documents that may show the Trump administration pushed for the indictments in the politically charged case.

Named after the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, the act aims to increase youth voter registration.

Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Juliana Stratton’s big win and much more. And the Chicago City Council reverses course — moving to end a phaseout of the tipped minimum wage.

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi on Tuesday night conceded defeat to Pat Hynes, a one-time employee of the incumbent’s office, in the Democratic primary.

Gov. JB Pritzker’s reelection bid kicked off in earnest Wednesday, the day after his uncontested primary wrapped up.

“I will not abandon phasing out the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers at a time when Trump’s wars and tariffs are making it increasingly difficult to live and raise a family throughout the city and country,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement.

An American college student visiting friends for spring break has gone missing in Spain, his family said, adding police there have his phone.

The City Council voted unanimously to explicitly grant the the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, known as COPA, the authority to investigate whether Chicago Police Department officers helped federal agents carry out deportations.