Suburban Chicago

Whoops! Rare crane rescued in Wilmette, returned to Wisconsin

The crane was captured and relocated by the International Crane Foundation and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

By Kade Heather and Mary Norkol

News

First bison babies of year born at Fermilab: ‘Calving season is the most rewarding time of the year’

Two bison were born Friday at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia. The facility’s 30-acre pasture has long been home to the grazing mammals.

By Kade Heather

Cook County Democrats selected Monica Gordon on Friday to appear on the November ballot as the party's nominee for Cook County Clerk in a special election.

Politics

Cook County Democratic leaders pick Monica Gordon to run for county clerk: 'I have some big shoes to fill'

Gordon will run in the November general election to fill the rest of the late Karen Yarbrough’s term as Cook County clerk.

By Kristen Schorsch | WBEZ Chicago

La Voz Chicago

Se declara culpable agente de seguridad de Boston que apuñaló fatalmente a Marine de Gage Park

Álvaro Larrama fue sentenciado a entre 17 y 20 años en una prisión estatal después de perseguir y apuñalar a Daniel Martínez, un ex sargento de la Marina.

By Violet Miller

Education

Arlington Heights school nurse placed on leave amid probe into possible medicine swap

One student has suffered health problems after blood tests showed signs of excessive aspirin intake and fentanyl, lawyers for the child’s family say.

By Daily Herald

This postcard-inspired mural for the city of Blue Island welcomes drivers headed south on Western Avenue from Chicago.

In Blue Island, Chris Campagna's murals aim to soften hard edges, tie together neighborhoods

By Genevieve Bookwalter

Northwestern University students stand on green grass holding signs and a Palestinian flag at a protest camp on Deering Meadow, with blurred trees in the background.

Israel-Hamas War

Northwestern students set up pro-Palestinian encampment, joining protesters nationwide

Students linked arms and formed a line against police after Northwestern leaders said the tent encampment violated university policy. By 9 p.m. protest leaders were told by university officials that arrests could begin later in the evening.

By Isabel Funk

Travis Scott performs in December in Miami.

Music

Travis Scott, Playboi Carti and Chief Keef to headline 2024 Summer Smash

The hip-hop music festival will return to Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium in June.

By Vanessa Lopez

Crime

Boston man who fatally stabbed Chicago-area Marine gets 17 to 20 years in prison

Alvaro Larrama, a bouncer at a bar, chased and stabbed Daniel Martinez to death in 2022. Martinez, a former Marine sergeant, grew up in Gage Park.

By Violet Miller

Crime

Southwest Side man charged with luring 14-year-old girl walking home from school

Arley Carrillo Mendez, 39, is charged with one felony count of child abduction and luring of a minor after he followed a girl Monday afternoon in the 5000 block of South Long Avenue.

By Sun-Times Wire

image (6).Hersh Goldberg-Polin (left) is pictured with his parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin. Goldberg-Polin was taken hostage by Hamas at a music festival on Oct. 7.

Israel-Hamas War

Hamas releases video of Hersh Goldberg-Polin — hostage with Chicago roots

The video is the first proof of life of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was captured Oct. 7 in southern Israel. His parents have Chicago ties. Last week, his mother was named one of Time magazine’s most influential people of 2024.

By Associated Press

Northwestern hazing scandal

Northwestern hazing scandal lawsuits are consolidated

Seven lawsuits filed by former football players will be temporarily consolidated with a lawsuit filed by former head coach Pat Fitzgerald during the pretrial process.

By Kade Heather

A rendering of a proposed domed stadium on the lakefront unveiled at Wednesday's news conference.

Bears Stadium

Bears reveal plans for $4.7 billion domed lakefront stadium development: 'This is not an easy project'

The plans, according to the team, will include additional green and open space with access to the lakefront and the Museum Campus, which Bears President Kevin Warren called “the most attractive footprint in the world.”

By Fran Spielman, Mitchell Armentrout, and 1 more

Crime

Orland Park man held in custody in connection with fatal Oak Forest shooting

Omar Zegar, 37, was arrested after the shooting Sunday and was charged with a felony count of aggravated unlawful use of weapon with a revoked firearm owners ID card, Oak Forest police said.

By Mohammad Samra

Highland Park parade shooting

Suspected Highland Park parade shooter granted permission to call family from jail

Robert Crimo III’s phone, tablet and internet privileges were revoked in December by a Lake County judge.

By Sophie Sherry

Environment

Cicadas' mass arrival is just a few weeks away in northern Illinois, experts say

People have spotted nymphs of the 17-year cicadas on the ground. That’s a sign the periodical cicadas are preparing to emerge. They should appear once the soil reaches 64 degrees, which is expected by late May.

By Kade Heather

Crime

Man shot dead at Schiller Park bar

Jonathan Vallejo, 38, of River Grove, suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the Friday shooting and was pronounced dead at Lutheran General Hospital, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

39-year-old slain in Oak Forest shooting remembered as 'loving father' who'd 'help anyone in need'

Three others, including a 12-year-old girl, were wounded in the shooting, Oak Forest police said.

By Mohammad Samra

Crime

1 killed, 3 hurt in Oak Forest shooting

A person was detained at the scene for alleged involvement, police said. One of the victims, a 39-year-old man, died of a gunshot wound to the head, according to police and the Cook County medical examiners office.

By Sun-Times Wire

Environment

Here's how some Chicagoans are taking an eco-friendly approach to funerals

About 60% of people are interested in exploring green funeral options, more than ever before.

By David Struett