In an interview Wednesday with WGN-TV, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch apologized to a sexual harassment victim of former State Representative Harry Benton, who says Welch made her feel uncomfortable.

Illinois House Speaker breaks silence on ethics controversy: Full interview

When new allegations about Benton came to light earlier this year, Welch’s office said they submitted what had been documented in 2023 as part of their complaint. 

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CUBS WIN! The late comeback from Los Angeles fell short Wednesday afternoon as the Cubs broke out the brooms and swept the Dodgers at Wrigley Field! Latest on the Cubs: https://wgntv.com/sports/cubs/ 

A motorcyclist was killed in a crash with a pickup truck Tuesday night in Naperville, according to police. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/4upxmcre

Police are asking for help from the public in the search for a man who injured a victim in an attack on the city’s West Side late last month.

Police share photos of person wanted in connection with West Side attack

CHICAGO — Police are asking for help from the public in the search for a man who injured a victim in an attack on the city’s West Side late last month. According to police, the attack unfolde…

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Drivers faced some early-morning backups on Wednesday following a deadly overnight crash along I-88 in the western suburbs.

2 killed in fiery crash along I-88 in Aurora

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Drivers faced some early-morning backups on Wednesday following a deadly overnight crash along I-88 in the western suburbs. According to Illinois State Police Troopers, the crash…

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Two Illinois men have been arrested and charged after troopers found 21 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside their vehicle during a traffic stop in Lake County, Indiana. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/3zsffnp9 

Anthony Nunnally, 21, has been charged with two felony counts of first-degree murder. He’s been in custody since being charged in October 2025 for an armed carjacking unrelated to the killings.

Chicago man charged with 2 murders in East Side neighborhood just over a year apart from each other, police announce

Anthony Nunnally, 21, of Chicago has been charged with two felony counts of first-degree murder, the Chicago Police Department announced Tuesday.

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Artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of classrooms across the country, but so are concerns about how students are using it.

Google trains educators in Chicago on responsible AI usage

Google held workshops in Chicago to train educators on how to integrate artificial intelligence into classrooms responsibly while preserving students’ critical thinking skills.

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An Oak Lawn man is facing charges after authorities say he was caught with a backpack full of Molotov cocktails during an arrest in the southwest suburbs over the weekend.

Man found with backpack full of Molotov cocktails during arrest in Mokena: police

MOKENA, Ill. — An Oak Lawn man is facing charges after authorities say he was caught with a backpack full of Molotov cocktails during an arrest in the southwest suburbs over the weekend. According …

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Mariyah Ford had just turned 20 years old and was minutes from home when she was killed in a crash in the southern suburbs. The driver never stopped.

Family of girl, 20, killed on 394 plead for justice

Family and friends of 20-year-old Mariyah Ford held a memorial service following her fatal hit-and-run accident on I-394 in Lynwood, Illinois, while calling for the driver to come forward.

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A second person has been sentenced to prison following a multi-year human trafficking investigation in north suburban Lake County, authorities announced Wednesday.

Second person sentenced to prison in multi-year human trafficking investigation in Lake County, authorities announce

Jose Puga, 52, of Wonder Lake was sentenced to 22 years in prison on two felony charges, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor and aggravated criminal sexual assault, in a case involving a then-1…

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It’s officially August, which means Chicagoland students will be back in the classroom before they know it. More details: https://wgntv.com/chicago-education/back-to-school-giveaways-across-chicago/ 

A slow-moving weather system and associated cold front will bring the next period of soaking rainfall to Chicagoland on Wednesday. #ILwx

Forecast: Another round of drenching thunderstorms brings localized flooding risk

A few distinct waves of showers and thunderstorms will be capable of localized flooding in the heavier bursts of rainfall given the amount of moisture available in the atmosphere.

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Inside the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, ideas ignite and inventions illuminate, immersing visitors in a central mission, but on this day the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere pivots from the future to the past. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/4n57t3sz 

CUBS WIN! The Cubs spoiled Tarik Skubal's Los Angeles Dodgers debut Tuesday night with a 5-1 victory at Wrigley Field! Game recap: https://tinyurl.com/yajcmr6p 

National Night Out, which started in 1984, is an annual nationwide campaign that promotes police and community partnerships on the first Tuesday in August. More details: https://tinyurl.com/e3kady7c 

ICYMI: Annette Guzman, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget director, is leaving the administration as the city faces a budget shortfall, the latest in a string of recent departures from City Hall. Latest details: https://tinyurl.com/4p728wxc 

Lauren Rhone said she was sick enough to go to urgent care by mid-July, but it took eight days for her lab results to come back, which she believes was far too long. Full story: https://wgntv.com/news/cyclosporiasis-outbreak/chicago-woman-shares-recovery-after-cyclospora-hospitalization/ 

A judge denied 54-year-old Douglass Lee's request for pretrial release on Tuesday morning. He was charged with sexual assault after a yearlong investigation. Latest details: https://wgntv.com/news/southwest-suburbs/illinois-state-police-trooper-charged-with-sexual-assault/ 

Some residents of Lake Station, Indiana are under a Boil Water Advisory as crews with Indiana American Water work to repair a water main break. Details: https://tinyurl.com/ydv3dhh3 

The reforms come amid rising insurance costs, including a proposed 27% homeowners insurance increase by State Farm that prompted the governor to call for stronger consumer protections.

Gov. Pritzker signs new laws to curb home and auto insurance rate hikes

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation into law that grants state regulators more authority to challenge excessive insurance rate hikes and prohibits insurers from raising local premiums …

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To help families deal with rising prices in the classroom, the State of Illinois’ Back-To-School Tax Holiday will go into effect later this week. How families can benefit from the annual tax reduction period:

How IL families can save during BTS Sales Tax Holiday

Illinois’ annual Back-To-School tax holiday is set to begin this Friday, August 7, helping families mitigate rising costs for clothing and school supplies.

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Residents in an area of Homer Glen are asked to shelter in place as authorities deal with a “barricaded subject.” Latest: https://tinyurl.com/bd7btjdw 

A Chicago woman is facing a felony charge after authorities say she snuck a cellphone into the Cook County Jail and gave it to an inmate while she was working as a member of the jail’s medical staff.

Medical staffer caught sneaking phone to inmate at Cook County Jail: deputies

CHICAGO — A Chicago woman is facing a felony charge after authorities say she snuck a cellphone into the Cook County Jail and gave it to an inmate while she was working as a member of the jail̵…

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A teen boy is recovering in the hospital after police say he was shot during an attempted robbery on the city’s South Side on Monday night.

Teen boy shot during attempted robbery in Washington Park

CHICAGO — A teen boy is recovering in the hospital after police say he was shot during an attempted robbery on the city’s South Side on Monday night. According to police, the incident unfolde…

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Ariana Grande took the stage at the United Center on Monday night, following news that the 33-year-old pop star “will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour.”

Ariana Grande addresses Chicago fans on decision to ‘step back’

Ariana Grande addressed fans during her Eternal Sunshine Tour in Chicago to clarify that her decision to take a break from public life was a planned move rather than a reaction to negativity.

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The bodies of two missing kayakers from the Chicago area have been found, authorities in Wisconsin announced.

Bodies of two missing Chicago area kayakers found in Wisconsin waters

The Door County Sheriff’s Office said the incident remains under investigation.

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What to know about the 2026 IHSA football season:

Illinois high school football teams begin practice this week as 2026 IHSA season officially gets underway

The 2026 Illinois High School Association football calendar kicks off Wednesday with the start of practices around the state. The first games will be held starting Thursday, Aug. 20, and the road e…

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The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for help in identifying the four suspects wanted in a deadly gas station shooting in the city’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

FBI offering $10K reward in deadly Auburn Gresham gas station shooting

The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for help identifying four suspects involved in a deadly shooting at a Chicago gas station that killed two people and left two others in critical condition.

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A trip to a grocery store in Plainfield proved to be a highly lucrative decision for one lucky Illinois Lottery player who struck it big during a weekend drawing.

‘Incredibly exciting’: $10.25 million jackpot Lotto ticket sold in Plainfield

PLAINFIELD, Ill. — A trip to a grocery store in Plainfield proved to be a highly lucrative decision for one lucky Illinois Lottery player who struck it big during a weekend drawing. According to of…

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