Stories by Associated Press

According to motor club federation AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now back to $4. The average price a year ago was $3.14 a gallon. In Cook County, the average was even higher at $4.34.

One year of employee discipline data, obtained by WTTW News, reveals more than 700 cases of misbehavior across Chicago Public Schools. Case outcomes ranged from verbal warnings and written reprimands to suspensions and Do Not Rehire designations. Frequently, those banned from returning to work quit during the disciplinary investigation.

Wildfire smoke clouds the Chicago region, closing beaches and canceling outdoor events. Plus, a bleak budget reality as Chicago Public Schools eyes layoffs and a spending freeze.

Smoke causes inflammation by triggering the body’s immune system to go into overtime to fight the irritant. Scientists have found it can harm the brain, the skin and men’s sperm, with almost no system of the body spared.

Chicago’s air quality has fallen out of the “hazardous” range but remains at unhealthy levels as winds began pushing wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota northeast.

The longstanding program provides airlines financial assistance to operate routes to smaller communities that would not have air service because it wouldn’t be profitable for the airlines.

State Rep. Carol Ammons is charged with multiple counts of wire fraud, making false statements and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, is also accused of aiding in attempts to cover up the alleged crimes.

Federal health officials have identified lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations across five U.S. states as a source of the widespread outbreak of diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora.

One of the strongest security features of U.S. elections is the fact that they aren’t conducted at the federal level. America votes in more than 10,000 different election jurisdictions, each with different rules set by state and sometimes local governments.

CPD spent approximately $700,000 more on overtime during the first six months of 2026 than it did during the same period in 2025, according to a database published by Inspector General David Glockner.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is urging anyone who may have been victimized by federal immigration agents during “Operation Midway Blitz” to come forward and detail their experiences to the Chicago Police Department.

Chicago Supt. Larry Snelling’s retirement began Wednesday after a nearly three-year tenure leading the nation’s second largest police department. He leaves behind a city that’s seen significant declines in violent crime but has not completed federally mandated reforms.

A disappearing skyline and air quality alerts as wildfire smoke blankets Chicago. Plus, layoffs and a spending freeze — we unpack how Chicago Public Schools plans to close its massive deficit.

In the Austin community on Chicago’s West Side sits the J.J. Walser House, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1903. A local organization is working to preserve the landmark and transform it into a community asset for generations to come.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an air pollution action day for the northeastern part of the state.

President Donald Trump is set to address the nation on Thursday night on topics he said will include elections and voting machines, suggesting he is likely to revisit some of the unproven claims he has previously made about Republican losses, particularly his own in 2020.

An analysis is ongoing to determine when — and how much — Chicago can afford to send to its pension funds in addition to the $2.85 billion that state law requires the city to contribute this year, officials said.

Night Out in the Parks events and Movies in the Park have been cancelled as well.

The 409-page document includes a disclosure that some of the content was developed with the use of AI tools like ChatGPT.

If approved by regulators this December, the amended request would add around $7-8 to monthly bills for typical residential customers, down from the $10-11 sought in the original request.

The bird-friendly ordinance has now been sent to the Zoning Committee for consideration. A hearing is tentatively scheduled for July 21.

Since taking office last year, President Donald Trump has approved about 65 requests for major disaster declarations and denied more than two dozen others from states, tribes or territories seeking federal financial assistance following hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, floods and fires.

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

The cost of some goods declines as inflation cools — but uncertainty remains. And a Justice Department memo could have major implications for people with disabilities.

While DOJ opinions don’t change the law, disability rights advocates worry the memo could be the first step toward the department backing away from enforcing the integration mandate.

New data released this week showed inflation cooled slightly in June. But there’s still uncertainty around what comes next for this issue, which has been a thorn in the side of many Americans for the past five years.