Chicago is more than six months away from choosing its next mayor, but seven candidates have already announced campaigns. Anyone hoping to get on the ballot can begin circulating petitions next week.

Finger pointing as officials say Chicago is facing a budget deficit. And are the country’s voting systems secure?

In a recent speech, President Donald Trump discussed foreign interference, noncitizen voting and vulnerabilities in the American election system — reiterating some widely disproven charges. The administration released a trove of heavily redacted documents.

City officials said last week Chicago is grappling with an $89 million shortfall — revised down from the $130 million figure the mayor announced earlier this month.

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.

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.

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

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.

District officials on Wednesday outlined their $9.88 billion budget proposal for the 2027 fiscal year, as they combat “serious financial challenges” including declining enrollment and revenue and greater student need.

An outbreak of a diarrhea-causing parasitic infection has hit more than half of U.S. states, including in Illinois, which has 194 confirmed and probable cases as of Monday.