CHICAGO OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER

Jun 19 2026BUSINESS

Chicago Atlantic Companies Merge to Boost Cannabis Lending

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (REFI) and Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. (LIEN) have agreed to combine into one public entity. The deal will see REFI switch its status from a real‑estate investment trust to a business development company and merge with LIEN in an all‑stock swap. After closin

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Jun 19 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Grand Opening of Obama Center: Music, Celebs and a City‑Wide Celebration

Chicago’s South Side is buzzing with excitement for the opening of the Obama Presidential Center. The event starts at 11 a. m. on Thursday and will be streamed live for those who can’t attend in person. A wide array of stars, from Bruce Springsteen to Beyoncé’s bandmate Bono, will perform on the pla

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Jun 19 2026POLITICS

A new cultural hub rises in Chicago with fun and learning

Chicago will unveil a shiny new campus this week on the south side, called the Obama Presidential Center. The site sits on 19 acres along a well-known park strip, putting culture and recreation side by side. It isn’t a library in the old sense, because presidential papers stay in Washington, D. C. I

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Jun 17 2026POLITICS

When Chicago leaders rush to blame before facts appear

Chicago’s top officials once again showed how fast they point fingers when something shocking pops up online. A burning cross in Grant Park made headlines before anyone bothered to ask why it was there. Governor JB Pritzker immediately called it proof that racism is spreading unchecked, while Mayor

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Jun 09 2026POLITICS

What Chicago’s Ethics Rules Really Mean When Big Money Talks

Chicago’s mayor has a rule: no campaign money from companies that do city work. But over the years, money still slips through. This time, an IT firm called EKI-Digital—already under fire for possible overbilling—sent a $250 donation to the mayor’s campaign. The timing is awkward. Just last year, the

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May 27 2026CRIME

Teens, parents and cops: what really happens in Chicago’s summer safety plans

Chicago’s warmer months bring two things: sunshine and hard choices. Every April, flyers pop up online promising “Hyde Park takeovers, ” big teen meetups that sometimes turn into fights, theft or worse. Last year a 14-year-old died after one of those nights. This year, adults in Hyde Park chose a di

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May 19 2026WEATHER

Storm Alert: What Chicago Can Expect Next

Chicago is bracing for more weather surprises today. A storm watch keeps running until 5 p. m. Monday for the city and nearby parts of northwest Indiana. Earlier, a warning for fast winds and small hail ended just before noon, but the warm 78-degree afternoon could spark new storms. These storms mig

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May 11 2026WEATHER

Chicago’s Sunday to shine with sun and wind, warmer days ahead

Chicago wakes up to a pleasant Sunday, thanks to mostly bright skies and a gentle breeze keeping things fresh by the lake. Clouds may drift in later, but temperatures will stay mild. Most spots outside the lakeside zone should reach the mid-60s, making Mother’s Day nice for outdoor plans. Monday ke

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May 08 2026WEATHER

Cold Start, Warm Future: Chicago’s May Weather Mix

Chicago woke up to a chilly shock, with some spots dipping below 30°F. A frost warning covered almost every county except Cook. The National Weather Service said the day was unusually cold for May. Highs should climb into the low 60s, but showers may appear. A storm expert noted that not everyone w

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May 08 2026CRIME

Remembering a Chicago Officer: A Community in Mourning

Chicago came together last week at St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church to honor Officer John Bartholomew, a 10-year veteran who was killed in the line of duty. The visitation wasn’t just a gathering—it was a sea of blue ribbons tied to trees and lampposts, a sea of small flags fluttering in the wind,

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