All articles tagged with #chicago
After sweeping the White Sox in Chicago, the Red Sox endured multiple plane issues and finally took off around 3 p.m. ET, heading to New York to kick off a series with the Mets at Citi Field Friday night.
Immigration arrests and agent sightings have increased in Chicago in recent weeks after the end of Operation Midway Blitz, with arrests reported in neighborhoods like Gage Park, Pilsen, Humboldt Park and Albany Park and at local courthouses. Advocates say many detentions may have occurred without warrants, and organizers urge immigrants to document ICE activity, seek legal guidance, participate in Know Your Rights trainings, and consider remote hearings when possible to protect themselves and family members.
Chicago leads Orkin’s 2026 Bed Bug Cities List with the highest bedbug infestations per capita, followed by Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis. The Midwest is the hardest-hit region, driven by dense housing, high turnover of residents and travelers, and warm summers. Experts recommend quick inspections of hotels or short-term rentals and belongings when traveling to prevent bringing pests home, as bedbugs are tiny, elusive pests that feed on blood and can hitchhike on luggage.
After a soggy start to summer, Chicago's Deep Tunnel is nearly full as the Thornton Reservoir hits 94% capacity (7.4 billion gallons)—the fullest it's ever been—while the McCook Reservoir is also full at 3.6 million gallons, signaling potential river flooding in the south suburbs if capacity is exceeded; the McCook expansion will add 6.5 billion gallons by 2032, and rainfall totals across the region have been record-setting (Midway 11.43 inches since June 1; O’Hare 8.56 inches), with a drier stretch forecast before more storms later in the week.
After several days of heavy rain, Chicago’s Deep Tunnel stormwater storage is nearly full, stressing flood-control capacity and raising the risk of overflows if more rain arrives.
A Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 descending toward Chicago Midway on July 4 reported a “big bang” after a firework hit the plane; the flight landed safely with 52 passengers and 6 crew, no injuries were reported, mechanics found no damage, and the FAA is investigating.
Delta Flight 1076 bound for Chicago was reportedly struck by an unknown object—likely a firework—near its ORD approach amid USA 250 celebrations; air-traffic control warned of fireworks from homes near the runway, Chicago Police said the impact caused minor paint damage, while Delta reported the Airbus A319 sustained no damage after inspection; FAA cited around 8:30 p.m. CDT for the incident, as nationwide celebrations included large displays such as Washington DC’s fireworks show that affected air traffic.
U.S. prosecutors announced charges against eight Tren de Aragua members linked to murder and kidnapping cases in Dallas and Chicago. Five suspects face charges over a Dallas-area incident in which a father was killed and his 13-year-old daughter and 12-year-old nephew were kidnapped; three others are tied to a Chicago abduction and multiple gunshots in which a man was killed. Authorities say all eight allegedly entered the United States illegally during December 2021–April 2024, reflecting claims about border policy and gang activity. The case also highlights broader law-enforcement efforts against Tren de Aragua, a violent transnational gang.
A Southeast-driven high-pressure system will push an extreme heat event into Chicago from Monday through Wednesday, with temperatures near 100°F and heat indices possibly around 105°F. After Sunday storms, hot, humid air could peak midweek, aided by the Midwest’s “corn sweat” humidity. City officials urge residents to stay indoors, hydrate, and seek cooling centers at city buildings, senior centers, Park District facilities, and other public venues; beaches and pools remain open, and 311 can assist with shelter placements for those in need. Storm activity later in the week could temper the heat, but exact timing remains uncertain.
The Chicago Department of Public Health warned of a possible measles exposure at O’Hare International Airport after an international traveler confirmed to have measles arrived on the morning of June 17; anyone in Terminal 5 between 5:50 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. that day may have been exposed.
Illinois recorded 173 tornadoes in 2026, the most in the country and signaling a northward shift of Tornado Alley. While experts note the region around parts of Illinois and I-80 now see more tornadic activity, Chicago itself isn’t officially in Tornado Alley; lake-effect winds and Gulf moisture interact to influence storms. The surge is aided by improved radar and reporting, all pointing to a broader, climate-linked trend toward more frequent tornadoes across the Midwest.
President Donald Trump, 80, publicly begs Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to call him to discuss Chicago gun violence after a bloody Juneteenth weekend; Pritzker says he has no plans to contact the president, while Trump vows to halt the carnage 'FAST and Permanently.'
A Chicago priest, Father Michael Pfleger, publicly told President Trump to 'shut up' after Trump urged federal help for Chicago’s crime surge following a violent Juneteenth weekend that left six dead and 39 wounded across 24 shootings. The episode coincides with local efforts to create a Department of Gun Violence Prevention, while Mayor Brandon Johnson and other officials push for community-focused investments rather than federal intervention.
Akoma Amanze, a cab driver living in Jackson Park Terrace across from the Barack Obama Presidential Center, says years of construction since 2021 caused his building to flood twice and shake from deep digging, leaving him to remove water and clean up with little help from the housing complex or center officials, even as he remains supportive of Obama and feels connected to the project’s history.
Illinois and the Chicago Bears are weighing multiple sites for the team’s next stadium—from the Southeast Side’s South Works redevelopment to McCook and Arlington Heights—while Indiana incentives loom and Gov. Pritzker pushes for a deal in Illinois, aiming to unlock large-scale mixed-use development around a new home rather than at Soldier Field.