Illinois residents, especially those with children, can get the most out of the summer by taking advantage of multiple free days across iconic Chicago institutions like the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum.

Bored, but on a budget? Here’s a list of Chicago’s free museum days for summer

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Longtime residents of West Garfield Park say a drop in homeowners in the neighborhood has made block clubs all the more necessary.

Despite disinvestment, a longtime West Sider has stayed put with the help of block clubs

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“It is something that I had decided to plan that I had quietly made a long time ago, and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place,” she said Monday of her decision to step back from the public eye at the end of this tour.

Review: Ariana Grande opens up about ‘endless, ongoing public scrutiny’ at United Center kickoff

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The monotony of middle class marriage gets scrutinized in a Chicago premiere by Gift Theatre featuring some of the most impressive acting of the season.

Review: In ‘Marble,’ marriage sucks but the characters all knew that anyway

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Online posts about the discarded materials drew the ire of parents who accused Chicago Public Schools of wasting school supplies when costs for families are high and schools are strapped for cash. The district says the materials were meant to be recycled.

Dumpsters full of books showed up outside former Acero schools. Parents and teachers worked to salvage them

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Pritzker said an inspector general's report on allegations against ex-state Rep. Harry Benton reveal "holes in the system" and not necessarily the need for a change in House leadership.

‘More to learn’ on Benton harassment case before judging Speaker Chris Welch, Gov. JB Pritzker says

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The settlement details were made public for the first time in a motion filed in Cook County court on Friday.

Ownership of West Suburban, Weiss hospitals would change in potential settlement

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After The Marshall Project found scores of fires set by men at a Joliet prison, legislators want improved fire safety and mental health treatment.

Illinois lawmakers decry prison’s ‘gut-wrenching,’ ‘heartbreaking’ conditions

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The town passed a resolution to oppose any new immigration detention center, which Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita says runs afoul of state law.

Indiana sues Merrillville for opposing potential ICE facility

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We are less than a month away from the 5th annual Food Aid Festival at Robert's Westside, bringing incredible music together for a crucial cause. Joe Pug headlines Day 1 and Shemekia Copeland headlines Day 2. Get Tickets now at foodaidfestival.com

A group of high-ranking Chicago police officials are pushing to form their own union, setting up a possible fight with Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration.

High-ranking Chicago police supervisors push to unionize amid beef with City Hall

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Join us next week at Navy Pier on 8/14 for an incredible night of soul-jazz featuring Mike Reed’s Common Good Dance Band. Exclusive posters (pictured here) by Ryan Duggan are available on-site! RSVP: https://mrf.lu/2Zr_6

Performer Al Scorch, who's gone viral with his social media reviews of Chicago Park District bathrooms, has a new project reciting Chicago's municipal code line by line. For some listeners, it's comedic relief. For others, it's a "sleep aid."

Chicago comic with da accent turns city’s municipal code into laughs in new podcast

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Last year’s Thunderbirds appearance was marked by what residents described as loud booms. The city’s cultural affairs department said the change is due to a scheduling issue on the part of the Blue Angels.

In break from tradition, Thunderbirds to return to Chicago’s Air and Water Show for second year straight

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The battle among buyers has been great for home sellers as properties sell for up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over their asking price.

Got cash? With few properties on sale, Chicago homebuyers are having bidding wars

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After the Chicago School Board approved a budget that would reverse deep staffing cuts, Chicago Public Schools said it might not be able to get a short-term loan to make payroll. But financial experts say CPS will likely get the money it needs to open schools on time.

CPS told parents the start of school could be affected by budget changes. Experts say that’s unlikely

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A nepo baby with a surprising set. A DJ with an equine face. Also making our list are tried-and-true rockers, two fresh R&B talents and a local band you can see again this month.

8 up-and-coming acts our reviewers loved at Lollapalooza — and expect to see on bigger stages

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More people travel to Illinois than to any other state for an abortion. A program helps the small percentage who need care in a hospital.

Many women with high-risk pregnancies can’t get abortions in their home states. Illinois welcomes them.

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About 72 years after the last game for the Rockford Peaches depicted in "A League of Their Own," women's baseball is back in Illinois.

First pitch arrives in Springfield for Women's Pro Baseball League: 'We're ballplayers, too'

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The Midwest’s largest free outdoor literary festival will bring together more than 200 presenters across two days. Some Jewish authors have pointed out the event coincides with the High Holiday marking the Jewish New Year.

Printers Row Lit Fest 2026 will return Sept. 12-13 and feature headliners Scott Turow and Geoff Bennett

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But don’t expect kids to willingly see The Smashing Pumpkins. Billy who?

As Lollapalooza’s original fans grow up, attending with their offspring feels, well, perfectly fine

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Trump's efforts to obtain sensitive voter data have now failed in 19 states.

Federal judge tosses Trump administration lawsuit seeking full access to Illinois voter rolls

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The approaches were different, but the messaging of their campaigns was the same: get teens to put down their guns.

Chicago teens riff on 'Love Island,' 'aura' trend to pitch campaigns pushing peers to put down guns

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The Lollapalooza set of Chicago’s alt rock hometown heroes brought in a respectable crowd — and not just people born in the 1900s.

Review: The Smashing Pumpkins, well, smashed it with special guests Olivia Rodrigo, Yungblud

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Elizabeth Nichols dropped out of law school to pursue her music career after viral hits. Can she make the leap to mainstream success?

How one influencer navigated the TikTok to IRL pipeline at this year’s Lollapalooza

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Her new album, “Wor$t Girl in America,” is her first to ever pop up in top spots on Billboard charts after years of hustling.

Review: Slayyyter, in a last-minute switch to a prestige stage, finds her best Worst self

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Known for playing character Mike Wheeler in “Stranger Things,” Wolfhard made his solo festival debut at Lollapalooza.

Review: It’s Finn Wolfhard’s first Lollapalooza. But his music is no stranger to Chicago

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University officials say finances have taken a hit from declines in research funding and foreign student enrollment. Faculty say leaders’ slow response and lack of transparency have deepened the crisis.

Illinois Institute of Technology cuts 160 faculty and staff just before fall semester

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All it took was hearing the world “Girl” repeated a few times to know what was coming next. Rumors had been swirling all day that Charli xcx was going to pop up in Lorde’s set. Still, no one seemed prepared for it to actually happen.

Review: Lorde opens woman-forward Lollapalooza with a powerful set and Charli xcx duet

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The county’s public health system is on track to provide nearly $500 million in free or discounted care in 2027 as more people lose or drop health insurance

Cook County predicts charity care will soar to highest level in more than a decade

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