Page Updated: Thursday, January 01, 2026 3:13 PM ET

Chicago Tribune - Top Stories

Zohran Mamdani begins his term as NYC mayor with an historic swearing in

2 minutes ago

Today in Chicago History: Recreational marijuana sold legally for the first time in Illinois

10 hours ago

$350M Illinois Capitol renovation nears completion following weather delays

9 hours ago

If everyone seems sick, it's not your imagination. Flu is on the rise in the Chicago area.

9 hours ago

Community, family and social media attention support Wendy Davis in the search for her dad, Dan Davis

1 day ago

The Year Past, the Year to Come: Bowie, delivery 'bots and Broadview

9 hours ago

Chicago Bears by the numbers: Breaking down their potential 1st-round playoff scenarios

8 hours ago

Vintage Chicago Tribune: Our favorite picks from the archives in 2025

1 hour ago

Photos: Chicago's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve

2 hours ago

Health subsidies expire, launching millions of Americans into 2026 with steep insurance hikes

1 hour ago

About 40 people dead and 115 injured in fire at Swiss Alpine bar during New Year's celebration

2 hours ago

Chicago-based Farmer's Fridge has turned vending machine salad into fast-food success

9 hours ago

What to do in Chicago: 'Amadeus,' Bowie Ball and Through N Through

9 hours ago

Editorial: What we think about some Illinois laws now taking effect, from taxation to AI to apex predators

9 hours ago

Sen. Don DeWitte: The Chicago Bears cannot be viewed as a cash cow or political pawn

9 hours ago

Willie Wilson: Faith and compassion can see us through 2026

9 hours ago

David McGrath: The innovations I'd like to see deep-sixed in 2026

9 hours ago

Today In History: Ellis Island opens

11 hours ago

President Donald Trump says he's dropping push for National Guard in Chicago — for now

22 hours ago

Report: Merrillville on list for potential ICE facility

22 hours ago

Budget fights to funding freezes: Chicago's top education stories of the year

1 day ago

Theater's newest audience: Babies

1 day ago

Movies for winter 2026: Post-apocalyptic thrillers, crime stories and gothic romance

2 days ago

TV for winter 2026: A new 'Game of Thrones' spinoff, 'Bridgerton' returns and Nicole Kidman leads a new series

2 days ago

Answer Angel: Plastic purses?

2 days ago

Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams on 4,000 yards: 'I was brought here for those types of things'

22 hours ago

'Tough as nails' Luke Altmyer puts a fitting finish on one of Illinois' most successful QB tenures

1 day ago

Set to open in the fall, Northwestern's $862M Ryan Field touted as 'best place to watch football in America'

1 day ago

Chicago Bears Q&A: Will Caleb Williams reach 4,000 yards? How can the pass defense be improved?

1 day ago

Week 17 photos: San Francisco 49ers 42, Chicago Bears 38

3 days ago

The 100 best photos of 2025 by Chicago Tribune photographers

19 days ago

Photos: Snowy owls' unusually early visit to the Chicago lakefront

1 month ago

Photos: All aboard the CTA Holiday Train!

20 days ago

Photos: Chicago Bulls 109, Philadelphia 76ers 102

5 days ago

Photos: Philadelphia Flyers 3, Chicago Blackhawks 1

8 days ago

Week 16 photos: Chicago Bears 22, Green Bay Packers 16 (OT)

11 days ago

Week 15 photos: Chicago Bears 31, Cleveland Browns 3

17 days ago

Photos: Federal agents are confronted by residents in Elgin

25 days ago

Photos: Go inside the 29th annual Christkindlmarket at Chicago's Daley Plaza

30 days ago

Photos: Secretary Kristi Noem visits Chicago's Christmas tree ship

25 days ago

Chief Justice says Constitution remains 'firm and unshaken' with major Supreme Court rulings ahead

18 hours ago

Zohran Mamdani is set to be sworn in as mayor as NYC rings in the New Year

1 day ago

Trump vilifies Kennedy family hours after Tatiana Schlossberg's death

20 hours ago

As federal health tax credits end, Chicago-area leaders warn about costs to Cook County and Illinois hospitals

20 hours ago

Everyone gets to be an engineer at Pullman's Model Train Experience

9 hours ago

New Year's Day: What's open and closed?

1 day ago

Retired Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin sells River North condo for $1.4M

1 day ago

Donald Trump made lots of tariff threats in 2025. Here's some that never materialized.

1 day ago

Tinley Park sophomore saves eighth grader with Heimlich maneuver learned in gym class

9 hours ago

Calumet City Historical Society marks milestone while showing people 'how the past was'

1 day ago

Chicago nonprofit sues Department of Education over alleged 'unlawful' grant program cuts

2 days ago

CPS board hikes property tax levy to capture extra $25M

2 days ago

Crime and Public Safety

1 month ago

Railroad merger could mean more trains in Chesterton

1 hour ago

Madigan confidant Michael McClain reports to prison

20 hours ago

Gary, Lake County report positive changes to 2025 crime rates

23 hours ago

Hobart Fire Department holds promotion ceremony, creates new position

1 day ago

U.S. DOE orders NIPSCO Schahfer plant to continue coal usage

2 days ago

The year's first meteor shower and supermoon clash in January skies

2 days ago

Illinois bets on virtual power plants to ease electric grid strain and costs

2 days ago

Indiana legislators introduce data center bills for 2026 session

4 days ago

Restaurants, Food and Drink

1 month ago

The best food photos of 2025 by Chicago Tribune photographers

2 days ago

2025 food favorites: The most memorable dishes and drinks we had across Chicago

3 days ago

NYE 2025: Chicago-area restaurant specials and drink packages to ring in the New Year

8 days ago

Oysters, crab and lobster meat stolen in New England, some destined for Illinois Costco stores

1 day ago

When hospitals choose private guardians, patients pay the price

1 month ago

Chicago hospitals funnel patients into long-lasting guardianships, angering friends and family

1 month ago

Record property tax increases slam Chicago homeowners as downtown owners see cuts

1 month ago

Federal judge postpones ruling on detained father of sick teen

2 months ago

Indiana will see health program changes in 2026

1 hour ago

Oswego approves new regulations for e-bikes, e-scooters

9 hours ago

Adventure Island, lap pool at Elgin's Schock Centre reopen Monday

19 hours ago

U-46 finally seeing millions in overdue Cook County property tax money

20 hours ago

Beat the cold with the best men's down vests

9 hours ago

Have sensitive skin? Try these gentle makeup remover cloths

8 hours ago

Have a blast with the best Mac games

1 day ago

The best highlighters to help you study

1 day ago