The Latest Breaking News from Illinois

A lifer sighting of a little blue heron, a quote on Illinois swamp rabbits, an observation of St. Louis Canyon, and the start of Wisconsin fall color are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

CHICAGO — Less than two months before the midterm elections, Vice President Kamala Harris rallied a welcoming crowd of abortion-rights supporters in Chicago on Friday where she heralded Illinois Democrats for playing key roles in pushing for reproductive rights and pushed voters to make their voices heard on Nov. 8.

Illinois takes in immigrants sent by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the Bears beat the 49ers in a rain-soaked season opener in our best photos of the week.

The University of Illinois and 11 community colleges statewide — more than ever — are offering courses to prepare students for jobs in the cannabis industry.

Social media users shared a range of false claims this week

After lifting the statewide school mask mandate at the end of February and lifting vaccination requirements on college campuses earlier this summer, the Democratic governor called it the latest part of his plan “to carefully unwind the state’s COVID-19 executive orders.”

We currently have a group of asylum seekers staying at one of our hotels in Countryside.

When Ukrainian and Afghan refugees came to the Chicago area, they were welcomed. These new asylum seekers are also fleeing violence, conflict, and persecution, but the treatment they’ve received from some who call themselves leaders could not be more disparate.

I attended bond court hearings a few weeks ago along with community advocates and other elected officials.