Crystal Lake woman pleads guilty to "sexual conduct" with a dog. There are apparently videos. “This case involved deeply disturbing conduct that was uncovered through a thorough investigation and the forensic examination of electronic evidence." wgntv.com/mchenry-coun...

Crystal Lake woman pleads guilty to sexual conduct with an animal

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — A Crystal Lake woman is now awaiting sentencing after she pleaded guilty to sexual conduct with an animal this week. On Thursday, Katelyn Heiden, a 28-year-old Crystal Lake res…

wgntv.com

“We want to make sure that Arlington Heights and Illinois have an opportunity, as well as Indiana, to put their best foot forward.” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has muddied the already murky waters in the Bears' stadium saga. wgntv.com/news/arlingt...

Goodell: Illinois still possible for new Bears stadium

ATLANTA (WGN) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has weighed in once more on the Chicago Bears stadium saga, letting the world know Illinois isn’t out of the race just yet. Goodell spoke to NFL…

wgntv.com

As we’ve reported locally over the past year, the Trump Administration’s claim that they’re focused on “the worst of the worst” doesn’t come close to matching reality. Here’s the latest national snapshot of who is being arrested: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

ICE Arrests Soar as People With No Criminal Record Are Increasingly Targeted (Gift Article)

As immigration arrests hit record highs, ICE appears closer than ever to meeting its goal of 2,000 daily arrests.

nytimes.com

"Thank you God and thanks to all who stood by me." Father Michael Pfleger, the longtime pastor of St. Sabina Church, is reinstated as senior pastor Monday after an investigation into a decades-old sexual abuse allegation. wgntv.com/news/chicago...

Father Michael Pfleger reinstated at St. Sabina after investigation into sexual abuse allegation

Father Michael Pfleger, the longtime pastor of St. Sabina Church on Chicago’s South Side, was reinstated as senior pastor Monday after an investigation into a decades-old sexual abuse allegation.

wgntv.com

Whether it's the power company in northwest Indiana or the power players who control democratic politics in Illinois and just passed the biggest toll hike in state history... why do they make us feel so powerless? I have some thoughts...

5 suspects charged in a $2M Indianapolis jewelry store heist were reportedly heading for Chicago and affiliated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. fox59.com/news/indycri...

Teen suspects charged as adults in $2M Indy jewelry heist where employees were duct taped at gunpoint

INDIANAPOLIS — Two teenagers arrested earlier this month after a $2 million Indianapolis jewelry heist involving a South American theft gang are now being charged as adults in Marion County court. …

fox59.com

NEW: NIPSCO's new power restoration timeline for those still impacted: End of Friday: • Griffith • Hobart • Merrillville • East Chicago Saturday: • Hammond • Highland • Schererville Sunday. • Lake Station Monday: • Munster Tuesday: • Gary wgntv.com/northwest-in...

NIPSCO’s latest outage numbers; Gary mayor provides update at WGN

MUNSTER, Ind. — NIPSCO provided its latest outage numbers Friday and Gary mayor Eddie Melton joined WGN Morning News to provide an update. As of Friday morning, there are 45,528 customers without p…

wgntv.com

FALSE ALARM (again): For the second time in a week DuPage County's tornado sirens sounded when there was no weather threat. "There is no severe weather, and this was not part of a planned test.  We are investigating the cause and apologize for the confusion." -DuComm

O'Hare revises sequence for new concourse and global terminal construction: * Concourse D will be completed in 2028 * First 14 gates of Concourse E in 2030 * O’Hare Global Terminal in 2033 * Final 10 gates of Concourse E in 2034

Who's bluffing in the Bally's casino showdown with Chicago? Bally's stopped construction on a portion of its casino project downtown - and the taggers have already made their mark with graffiti. Bally's blames Chicago. The city blames the casino operator. We get into it with "1 More Question."

Buckle up: Illinois Tollway approves biggest ever price hike. wgntv.com/news/illinoi...

Illinois Tollway board votes unanimously to approve toll rate hike, says it’s necessary to fund capital investment program

The Illinois Tollway Authority Board unanimously approved a significant toll rate increase, starting in January, in order to fund a $26.5 billion capital investment program.

wgntv.com

UPDATE: Jim Oberweis & Catalina Lauf - who lost several races in Illinois - tried their luck in a GOP primary for a Florida congressional seat and lost tonight. Lauf was endorsed by President Trump. When we made a brief mention of the race a few weeks ago, Lauf replied:"Go report on your own city."

Ben Bradley@benbradleytv.bsky.social · last mo.

A "tip of the hat" to the Energizer Bunny of political candidates, Jim Oberweis. Although, that might be a kind way to refer to the perennial candidate who now has his sights set on a congressional seat in Florida. @wgntv.com

BASEBRAWL: Fight breaks out in the bleachers during the Cubs-Sox matchup. wgntv.com/news/instagr...

VIDEO: Fight erupts in bleachers during game 1 of Crosstown Classic

CHICAGO — Fans got a little more than they bargained for during game 1 of the Crosstown Classic on Monday night after a fight erupted in the bleachers. Video captured by X user @crawlyscubs sh…

wgntv.com

False alarm: DuPage County tornado sirens accidentally sounded at 3am. wgntv.com/news/dupage-...

Tornado sirens inadvertently set off during overnight test in DuPage County

DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill. — Some residents in DuPage County were awoken by tornado sirens overnight after they were inadvertently set off during a test. According to officials from the Village of Downers…

wgntv.com

After Illinois & Indiana got hammed by storms, we wondered about the politics of disaster relief. One analysis found blue states are twice as likely to have disaster aide requests rejected by FEMA. Indiana's governor told us he thinks relationships matter. wgntv.com/news/wgn-inv...

WGN Investigates: Do politics influence disaster relief?

When severe storms hit the region this week, the governors of both Illinois and Indiana said they’re working to help residents who suffered significant losses. While that could mean asking fo…

wgntv.com

"Our sole focus at this point in time is working on a world-class development in Northwest Indiana” - Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren The team revealed a second NW Indiana site is in play... wgntv.com/sports/bears...

Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren says Hammond, Indiana, is team’s ‘sole focus’ for new stadium project

As the Chicago Bears prepare to begin a much-anticipated season on the field, the team’s “sole focus” for a new stadium project is on Hammond, Indiana, with two specific sites bei…

wgntv.com

Just released inspector general's report accuses recently resigned State Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield) of a "pattern and practice of inappropriate sexual conduct." More details: wgntv.com/news/report-...

Former State Rep. Benton violated state law by committing acts of sexual harassment: IG report

A report from the Legislative Inspector General has detailed alleged misconduct by former Democratic State Rep. Harry Benton, amid scrutiny of Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch’s handling of…

wgntv.com

"She saved my life." One Chicago man’s journey to find the woman who helped him overcome drug addiction. We were there for the beautiful reunion... wgntv.com/news/cover-s...

Man meets hero who helped save him from drug addiction

A 71-year-old man in Chicago recently found the woman from the Cook County Sheriff’s treatment response team who helped him overcome drug addiction eight years ago.

wgntv.com

Federal judges seek control over their courthouses after health and safety concerns - and millions in cost overruns - at Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago. wgntv.com/news/wgn-inv...

Bill would give judges control of Chicago courthouse after safety concerns

In 2024, WGN Investigates reported on a project to remodel holding cells in the courthouse that was millions over budget and years behind schedule.

wgntv.com

If someone you cared about was murdered, would you want the people suspected of doing it to be given a plane ticket and a free pass out of the country? That's what continues to happen to people accused of carrying out a mass shooting in Chicago. @wgntv.com

Feds: Chicago investors scammed in $100M fraud scheme by "Joker" movie producer. wgntv.com/news/chicago...

Feds: Chicago investors scammed in $100M alleged fraud by ‘Joker’ movie producer

CHICAGO — His film credits include producer titles in blockbuster movies including “Joker,” “House of Gucci” and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife;” but now Jason Cloth h…

wgntv.com

A "tip of the hat" to the Energizer Bunny of political candidates, Jim Oberweis. Although, that might be a kind way to refer to the perennial candidate who now has his sights set on a congressional seat in Florida. @wgntv.com

"When you’re not standing guard, paying attention at the turnstiles, bad people and bad things are going to happen on the CTA” A woman is suing CTA after being injured in attack at 95th Street Red Line stop w/private security guards steps away. wgntv.com/news/wgn-inv... @lourdesduarte.bsky.social

WGN Investigates: Woman sues CTA after being injured in July 2025 attack at 95th Street Red Line station

Security videos show the woman was knocked to the ground as she carried her bicycle through the gate the morning of July 10, 2025.

wgntv.com

One contractor rescued after being trapped in Downers Grove storm sewer during flash flooding; search for second now a recovery effort. wgntv.com/western-subu...

One contractor rescued after being trapped in Downers Grove storm sewer; search for second now a recovery effort

As severe storms raced across Chicago’s western suburbs, two contractors were trapped in a storm sewer beneath a street in Downers Grove.

wgntv.com

Torrential downpour right now (12:55p) at Irving Park Road and Elston in Chicago. Latests warnings and coverage: wgntv.com/weather/chic...

“You can only sustain that kind of loss for so long." Weeks after the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, a Chicago area subcontractor closed his doors, claiming he’s owed millions in unpaid bills tied to the project. wgntv.com/news/wgn-inv... @lourdesduarte.bsky.social

Subcontractor closes up shop, claims multi-million dollar loss tied to Obama Presidential Center

Weeks after the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, a Chicago area subcontractor closed his doors, claiming he’s owed millions in unpaid bills tied to the project.

wgntv.com

$63 million later, Cook County tax system still broken. A new report says the county's troubled tech upgrade - which led to delayed property tax bills & forced borrowing - was a "perfect storm." Costs have doubled, promises broken and it's not fixed yet.. wgntv.com/news/wgn-inv...

$63 million later, Cook County tax system still broken

Cook County’s contract with Tyler Technologies has ballooned from $30 miilion to $63 million with no end in sight for the project.

wgntv.com

A woman was caught on surveillance video approaching a young girl selling flowers in River North, then grabbing the child, pushing her to the ground and falling on top of her. wgntv.com/news/chicago...

Surveillance video shows woman attacking young girl selling flowers in River North

Surveillance video captured a shocking confrontation showing a woman approaching a young girl selling flowers in River North, then grabbing the child, pushing her to the ground and falling on top o…

wgntv.com

We're 3.5 months from the election. Crime concerns and a sexual harassment scandal involving Dems offer plenty of red meat for Republicans... but GOP candidate for governor Darren Bailey hasn't had a press conference in Chicago in more than a month. Where u at IL GOP? wgntv.com/politics-3/w...

Where is Darren Bailey and the Illinois GOP?

CHICAGO (WGN) — A sexual harassment scandal. Crime concerns. There is no shortage of issues Illinois republicans could pounce on; but other than fanning the flames on social media and issuing press…

wgntv.com

Federal prosecutors in Chicago only have a 2% success rate on assault cases charged during Operation Midway Blitz, according to a NYT analysis. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/19/u...

Failed Immigration Cases Leave Chicago Prosecutor’s Office Reeling (Gift Article)

Prosecutors have fled the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago, angry about the cases they’ve been told to bring against protesters and immigrants.

nytimes.com