Severe storms cause widespread damage in Chicago area
A line of severe storms triggered multiple tornado warnings in the Chicago area Wednesday afternoon.
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Latest News
MoreStorms peel roof off school in Gary, rip down trees around Northwest Indiana
A tornado is suspected to have been to blame for some of the damage in Gary.
Overnight snow to make Thursday morning commute a challenge in Chicago
Wet snow showers will increase after midnight and become widespread overnight.
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan to be sentenced in June
Madigan was convicted Feb. 12 of bribery conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud charges on Wednesday, but acquitted of seven others.
1 dead in Aurora police shooting after dragging officer from car in Geneva
A Geneva police officer was investigating a driver who appeared to be intoxicated when the driver fled the scene, dragging the officer from his car.
Community worried about proposed cuts to music program at Oak Lawn school
Several speakers made their voices heard — highlighting the importance of the performing arts to their high school experience.
Woman shot, killed on CTA Red Line platform on Chicago's South Side
The victim's identity has not been released, but police said she is between 25 and 35 years old.
Man steals police squad car, mail truck in suburban Chicago, authorities say
The suspect was taken into police custody, but no charges had been reported in the case late Wednesday.
Bears sign return specialist Devin Duvernay, re-sign RB Travis Homer
Duvernay has 1,053 yards on punt returns and 2,162 yards and two touchdowns on kickoff returns over four seasons with Baltimore and one with Jacksonville.
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First Alert Weather
Overnight snow to make Thursday morning commute a challenge in Chicago
Wet snow showers will increase after midnight and become widespread overnight.
Meet The First Alert Weather Team
CBS 2 News Chicago's weather forecast model — First Alert — helps digital users and traditional television viewers stay on top of Chicago's dynamic weather.
How to prepare for natural disasters during Severe Weather Preparedness Week
In the event of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and floods, we can't stop these natural disasters from happening, but we can be prepared when they happen.
CBS News Chicago Investigators
MoreNewly obtained video, photos document more problems at crematory in trouble with state
The new documentation shows how bodies were being handled at the Heights Crematory in south suburban Chicago Heights dating back years.
Illinois Comptroller seeks to shut down crematory accused of improperly handling bodies
Mendoza's office has suspended Heights Crematory and has also filed a complaint to revoke the license permanently.
Grieving mother demands answers after son died in a state mental health facility
A mother has filed a lawsuit against the State of Illinois and others her son's death by suicide. Internal documents and emails show missteps that may have led to her son's death.
Latest Videos
MoreLatest Videos
Severe storms leave houses, school damaged in Gary, Indiana
A tornado is suspected to have been to blame for some of the damage in Gary. Jermont Terry reports.
Shooting on CTA platform raises questions about how safety measures are working
The shooting that killed a woman on the 69th Street Red Line platform was the first homicide on the Chicago Transit Authority system this year. Tara Molina reports.
Man arrested after illegally dumping tires in Gary, Indiana
Investigators found the vehicle using the city’s automated license plate readers.
CBS News Chicago team takes shelter in Kankakee amid tornado warning
Shardaa Gray was south of Chicago in the Mobile Weather Lab late Wednesday afternoon when air-raid sirens fired off for a tornado warning.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson calls for compromise to avert a teachers' strike
The mayor met Wednesday with CPS Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates, and Ald. Jason Ervin (28th), head of the City Council Budget Committee.
Chicago Sports
Bears sign return specialist Devin Duvernay, re-sign RB Travis Homer
Duvernay has 1,053 yards on punt returns and 2,162 yards and two touchdowns on kickoff returns over four seasons with Baltimore and one with Jacksonville.
Elmhurst University women's track team wins first-ever conference title
Leading the Blue Jays' barrage was sprinter Alyssa Busker, who was historically good en route to two individual event wins along with a relay title.
Blackhawks fall to Kraken, have lost 6 of 7 games
The 'Hawks sit near the bottom of the standings in the West.
Wildcats try out for NFL on Northwestern Pro Day
Whether they get drafted or sign as free agents, the pro 'Cat hopefuls are out to prove they can make the jump to the NFL.
Ball used by 1919 White Sox put back where it was found, in hopes of breaking curse
The infamous baseball turned up in 2022 inside Tribune Tower.
Dodgers beat Cubs 4-1 in season opener in Japan
Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw five strong innings, Shohei Ohtani had two hits and scored twice and the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 in Major League Baseball's season opener at the Tokyo Dome.
Coby White leads balanced scoring effort as Bulls deal Jazz 10th straight loss
White, who shot 9 of 19 from the field and 2 for 10 from long distance, was helped by 6-for-7 shooting from the line.
Wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus signs 1-year deal with Bears
Zaccheaus spent last season with the Washington Commanders, and also played for the Atlanta Falcons from 2019 through 2022 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023.
Illinois men's, women's teams get ready for 2025 NCAA debuts
The Fighting Illini – both men's and women's teams – are getting ready for their 2025 NCAA Tournament debuts.
Community Journalism
MoreChicago church plans to turn shuttered South Side liquor store into grocery store
The building is at the corner of 79th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue — an area with a history of violence. The church that has purchased it hopes to bring new life to the area.
Marathon runner chasing Olympic dreams while fasting for Ramadan
Sabrina Baftiri has been running since middle school. She became a standout at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, winning an impressive 17 All-American awards.
Suburban Chicago boxing gym focuses on helping people fight addiction with a workout
The boxing gym, BVL Boxing Solutions in Mokena, was started by one family who suffered a heartbreaking loss a year ago.
Chicago student scholars battle at Genius League Math Masters tournament
"We have an NCAA sports-style math tournament going on, where they're competing bracket-style until they get one champion," said Sylus Green, co-founder of the Creator Genius League at The 5:30 Scholars Program.
Politics
More PoliticsFormer Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan to be sentenced in June
Madigan was convicted Feb. 12 of bribery conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud charges on Wednesday, but acquitted of seven others.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says there is no reason for a teachers' strike to happen
The mayor met Wednesday with CPS Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates, and Ald. Jason Ervin (28th), head of the City Council Budget Committee.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addresses teachers' negotiations, sanctuary city testimony
The mayor had a few eyebrow-raising comments Tuesday.
Trump administration releases new trove of JFK assassination files
One professor said this JFK assassination files release is "certainly the most useful" of any so far "because of the redactions being removed."
Early voting in Wis. Supreme Court race tests enthusiasm on both sides
Wisconsin voters are casting the first ballots in a pivotal state Supreme Court race that will determine whether liberal or conservative justices control the highest court in the crucial presidential battleground.
Consumer News
More Consumer NewsChicago area man wins nearly $400K on sports bet, only to have it all canceled
Mark Aiello's winning bets banked $389,000 — enough for his daughter's future college education. But a moment was about all it lasted, as all his bets were suddenly canceled as if he'd never made them.
Chicago restaurateurs alarmed by threat of 200% tariff on alcoholic beverages from Europe
This threat was a response to the EU's 50% tariffs on American whiskey, which are set to go into effect next month.
Help us pick Chicago's Top Dog
We're looking for Chicago's Top Dog, and we need your help. Nominate your favorite Chicago institution serving up Chicago-style hot dogs, and it might show up in our brackets.
Co-op grocery store aiming to open in Lombard amid rising food costs
A couple in DuPage County are opening a co-op grocery store they hope can address the strain of ever-rising food costs.
Chicago suburb bans electric vehicle charger installations in garages
Rosemont, Illinois, is putting the brakes on installing electric vehicle chargers inside parking structures, more than a year after an EV caught fire.
Health News
More Health NewsFDA to increase testing for heavy metals in infant formula, RFK Jr. says
About one in five newborns in the U.S. start out on infant formula, making it a crucial source of nutrition.
Chicago musician writes song to help find kidney donor
A musician from Chatham has written a song to help find a kidney donor, a musical plea to end his yearslong wait for a transplant.
Researchers at Northwestern Medicine seek to learn how to slow down aging
Have you ever wondered how your body is aging, or why some people seem more vibrant the older they get? Those are some of the questions a doctor at Northwestern is trying to answer.
Chicago health care workers say start of COVID pandemic feels like yesterday, yet forever ago
Five years ago, Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Medical Intensive Care Unit was in the process of being transformed into a COVID ICU.
Chicago doctor has warning about measles in U.S., spring break travel
A second person has died in the measles outbreak that started in West Texas.
Business News
More Business NewsRichard Roeper, Michael Sneed among those leaving Chicago Sun-Times amid buyouts
A total of 30 employees agreed to resign after accepting a buyout from ownership.
Chicago church plans to turn shuttered South Side liquor store into grocery store
The building is at the corner of 79th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue — an area with a history of violence. The church that has purchased it hopes to bring new life to the area.
Owner of Chicago's Momentum Coffee worries about tariffs, possible recession
CBS News Chicago checked in with Momentum Coffee owner Nikki Bravo on Wednesday to see how she was doing with the uncertainty in the market.
Chicago restaurateurs alarmed by threat of 200% tariff on alcoholic beverages from Europe
This threat was a response to the EU's 50% tariffs on American whiskey, which are set to go into effect next month.
Furriers take issue with proposed ordinance that would ban sale of new furs in Chicago
Under the city ordinance, fur retailers in Chicago could no longer sell real fur coats. They could only sell those made with synthetic materials.
Weather
Entertainment
More EntertainmentLollapalooza 2025 lineup announced with Doechii, Sabrina Carpenter
The Lollapalooza 2025 lineup is here, featuring Doechii, Sabrina Carpenter, and Olivia Rodrigo among the headliners.
New book documents oral history of Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an essential part of summer in Chicago, and a new book has created a record of the oral history of one of the city's most defining festivals.
"Riverdance 30" dancers give Irish dance lessons on St. Patrick's Day
You can't celebrate St. Patrick's Day without a bit of Irish dancing, and Monday you could get some lessons right from the pros.
Ravinia Festival announces 2025 lineup
Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monáe and Grace Jones, and Kygo are among this year's artists performing in Highland Park from June 6 to Aug. 31.
Lyric Opera's 2025-2026 season includes "Madama Butterfly," Smashing Pumpkins tribute
The season begins with Luigi Cherubini's "Medea," Oct. 11 to Oct. 26.
Latest Videos
More Latest VideosLatest Videos
Severe storms leave houses, school damaged in Gary, Indiana
A tornado is suspected to have been to blame for some of the damage in Gary. Jermont Terry reports.
Shooting on CTA platform raises questions about how safety measures are working
The shooting that killed a woman on the 69th Street Red Line platform was the first homicide on the Chicago Transit Authority system this year. Tara Molina reports.
Man arrested after illegally dumping tires in Gary, Indiana
Investigators found the vehicle using the city’s automated license plate readers.
CBS News Chicago team takes shelter in Kankakee amid tornado warning
Shardaa Gray was south of Chicago in the Mobile Weather Lab late Wednesday afternoon when air-raid sirens fired off for a tornado warning.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson calls for compromise to avert a teachers' strike
The mayor met Wednesday with CPS Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates, and Ald. Jason Ervin (28th), head of the City Council Budget Committee.
Latest News
More Latest NewsSevere storms cause widespread damage in Chicago area
A line of severe storms triggered multiple tornado warnings in the Chicago area Wednesday afternoon.
Storms peel roof off school in Gary, rip down trees around Northwest Indiana
A tornado is suspected to have been to blame for some of the damage in Gary.
Overnight snow to make Thursday morning commute a challenge in Chicago
Wet snow showers will increase after midnight and become widespread overnight.
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan to be sentenced in June
Madigan was convicted Feb. 12 of bribery conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud charges on Wednesday, but acquitted of seven others.
1 dead in Aurora police shooting after dragging officer from car in Geneva
A Geneva police officer was investigating a driver who appeared to be intoxicated when the driver fled the scene, dragging the officer from his car.
CBS Chicago Investigators
More CBS Chicago InvestigatorsNewly obtained video, photos document more problems at crematory in trouble with state
The new documentation shows how bodies were being handled at the Heights Crematory in south suburban Chicago Heights dating back years.
Illinois Comptroller seeks to shut down crematory accused of improperly handling bodies
Mendoza's office has suspended Heights Crematory and has also filed a complaint to revoke the license permanently.
Grieving mother demands answers after son died in a state mental health facility
A mother has filed a lawsuit against the State of Illinois and others her son's death by suicide. Internal documents and emails show missteps that may have led to her son's death.
2 years after woman found dead in alley, activists renew push to solve her murder
Cook County Crime Stoppers are now offering a new $1,000 reward for information leading to an indictment or arrest in the murder of Rosa Chacon.
Crematory under investigation for bodies in trailers has been in violation before
CBS News Chicago obtained records showing Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights, Illinois had been repeatedly warned by the state for their handling of bodies waiting to be cremated.
Sports
More SportsBears sign return specialist Devin Duvernay, re-sign RB Travis Homer
Duvernay has 1,053 yards on punt returns and 2,162 yards and two touchdowns on kickoff returns over four seasons with Baltimore and one with Jacksonville.
Elmhurst University women's track team wins first-ever conference title
Leading the Blue Jays' barrage was sprinter Alyssa Busker, who was historically good en route to two individual event wins along with a relay title.
Blackhawks fall to Kraken, have lost 6 of 7 games
The 'Hawks sit near the bottom of the standings in the West.
Wildcats try out for NFL on Northwestern Pro Day
Whether they get drafted or sign as free agents, the pro 'Cat hopefuls are out to prove they can make the jump to the NFL.
Ball used by 1919 White Sox put back where it was found, in hopes of breaking curse
The infamous baseball turned up in 2022 inside Tribune Tower.
Crime
More CrimeMan steals police squad car, mail truck in suburban Chicago, authorities say
The suspect was taken into police custody, but no charges had been reported in the case late Wednesday.
Man accused of illegally dumping tires in Gary, Indiana
Investigators found the vehicle using the city's automated license plate readers.
Man sentenced to 1 year for stealing Arnold Palmer's green jacket
Richard Brendan Globensky admitted to selling stolen Masters merchandise for more than $5 million between 2007 and 2022.
Man seriously injured in stabbing on Red Line train in the Loop
The stabbing happened about 10 minutes after a woman was shot and killed at the Red Line stop at 69th Street on the South Side.
1 dead in Aurora police shooting after dragging officer from car in nearby Geneva
A Geneva police officer was investigating a driver who appeared to be intoxicated when the driver fled the scene, dragging the officer from his car.
