ILLINOIS

Mar 12 2026ENVIRONMENT

Field Trip to Restore Fulton’s Prairie: A Community Visit

The Fulton Historical Society is arranging a day out on March 15 at two in the afternoon, taking folks to a nearby prairie restoration project. The event is led by Dean Huisingh, who founded the society and also runs a conservation foundation that works to protect Illinois plants and animals. He

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Mar 11 2026POLITICS

Illinois Senate Race: New Faces Step Forward

A 24‑hour gap after Senator Dick Durbin said he would not run again saw Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton announce her bid for the seat, signaling a possible shift in Illinois’ Senate representation. The state’s Senate seats have long split between the Chicago area and downstate, but Durbin’s

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Feb 11 2026SPORTS

New Stadium Dreams for Portage and the Chicago Bears

Portage, a city in Indiana, is hoping to land a big deal by offering 300 acres of its own land for a Chicago Bears football stadium. The plan, dubbed “Halas Harbor, ” plays on the Bears’ famous headquarters in Lake Forest and aims to bring the team closer to its fan base in Northwest Indiana. The si

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Nov 26 2025LIFESTYLE

The Changing Face of Thanksgiving Shopping

Thanksgiving has always been about family, food, and gratitude. But in recent years, it's also become a day of intense shopping. People wait in long lines, hoping to snag the best deals. This trend has changed the way many people spend their holiday. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, used t

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Jun 14 2025POLITICS

A Longtime Politician Falls from Grace

The man known as Illinois' "Mr. Speaker" has seen his political career come to an abrupt end. Michael Madigan, who held significant power in the state for decades, was recently handed a 7. 5-year prison sentence. This comes after a lengthy trial where he was found guilty of corruption charges. Madi

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Jun 01 2025POLITICS

What Happened This Week in Illinois and Chicago?

The month of May has flown by, and there's a lot to catch up on. Let's dive into the key events that shaped the past week. Lawmakers in Springfield have been working overtime as the spring legislative session wraps up. They're racing against time to finalize a budget without resorting to "broad-bas

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May 13 2025CRIME

How Small Crimes Can Lead to Big Evictions

In Illinois, a set of rules called crime-free housing laws are causing big problems for some residents. These laws let police and landlords kick out tenants if they are suspected of breaking any law. This can happen even if the tenant is found innocent later. It's a harsh reality that has affected m

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Apr 10 2025POLITICS

Illinois Senator's $4M Donation Controversy: A Closer Look

A prominent Illinois senator is at the center of a campaign finance controversy. The Illinois State Board of Elections has accused the senator of accepting nearly $4. 1 million more in donations than allowed by state law. The senator, however, disagrees with this assessment and believes the issue wi

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Jan 04 2025POLITICS

Jimmy Carter's Legacy, New Laws, and Chicago's Mixed Bag

Kicking off the year, former President Jimmy Carter, who rose from being a peanut farmer to leading the country and then devoted his life to humanitarian work, passed away at 100. It was a somber start to 2025. In New Orleans, a terrorist attack claimed 14 lives and injured over 30, leading to the p

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