Environmentalists have been taken aback by a campaign ad in which Gov. J.B. Pritzker touts the expansion of Rockford Airport, which will demolish an 8,000-year-old remnant prairie.

Ald. Nicole Lee (11th Ward) said she hopes the fact that she is Chicago’s first Chinese American City Council member helps combat a wave of anti-Asian crime that has frightened residents of Chinatown.

Even before the pandemic began, the rates of sexually transmitted diseases were on the rise across the U.S. But now Congress is cutting funding to clinics that help provide testing and combat the spread of illness.

Most gasoline sold in the U.S. is blended with 10% ethanol. The Environmental Protection Agency will issue an emergency waiver to allow widespread sale of 15% ethanol blend that is usually prohibited between June 1 and Sept. 15 because of concerns that it adds to smog in high temperatures.

State lawmakers on the newly passed budget featuring direct tax relief. Willie Wilson enters the race for mayor. New inflation numbers are out. And a Lakeview staple prepares to bake its last pastry.

Philanthropist and businessman Willie Wilson is once again running for mayor. It’s the third time he has sought the top job at City Hall. Wilson’s previous two mayoral bids were unsuccessful, as was his run for the U.S. Senate in 2020.

With three community meetings complete, the roulette ball bounces back to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who is expected to make her decision within the next two months and pick one of three proposed Chicago casino locations. 

It’s a bittersweet month as the Lakeview neighborhood says goodbye to Dinkel’s Bakery, a staple in the neighborhood that has been making sweet desserts for decades. 

Rob Friedman uses social media to promote the game baseball. Fans of Friedman may better know him as Pitching Ninja. As @PitchingNinja, Friedman posts interviews with and videos of pro athletes, often providing tips on pitching mechanics. It’s free for anyone to access and use to perfect their skills.

Illinois legislative leaders Dan McConchie, Don Harmon, Tom Demmer, and Chris Welch join “Chicago Tonight” to break down the budget, efforts to fight crime, tax relief and more.

In their final days of the annual spring session, members of Illinois’ General Assembly approved a series of bills targeting public safety.

A breakdown of laws recently passed in Springfield. Plus, the outlook for the pandemic with the CEO of Rush Hospital. Chicago has a new top tourism ambassador, and the latest business headlines from Crain’s.