News across Greater Chicago

Janice Conner, former Willard School teacher, dies at 95
Janice “Jan” Grace Stromberg Conner, 95, died peacefully Sept. 21, 2026, at the Westminster Presbyterian Home. She was born Feb. 10, 1931, on the South Side of Chicago and was baptized at the South Shore Swedish Methodist Church. It was at church, in Sunday school and youth…

Oakbrook Mall Shooting Today: What’s Confirmed, What’s Rumor, and Everything Else You Need to Know
A sudden spike in searches for “oakbrook shooting today” usually means one of two things: a real, developing incident at Oak Brook Center in Oak Brook, Illinois, or a wave of unverified social media chatter, a false alarm, or confusion with another shopping center entirely.…

Pelosi to deliver Northwestern Prison Education Program commencement address on Oct. 16
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, will deliver the Northwestern Prison Education Program commencement address on Oct. 16. According to Northwestern, the graduation marks the first time incarcerated women…

City: Ryan Field alarm testing to continue over the next week
Alarm testing at Ryan Field will continue Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., over the next week. At city management’s request, testing will be limited to these days and hours. Residents and businesses in the surrounding area may hear intermittent alarm sounds during…

Horton’s lawyer says former District 65 superintendent will change his plea next week
In a pretrial conference Wednesday, former Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Superintendent Devon Horton’s lawyer said that the former district chief would change his plea next week. The change is not part of a cooperation deal with the government, the attorney said. Horton…

Bookends & Beginnings children’s manager seeks out the unusual in books for kids, young adults
Adrien Sdao manages the children’s section at Bookends & Beginnings, 1620 Orrington Ave., and radiates enthusiasm for books for young people. Sdao has been a bookseller for 12 years and arrived at Bookends a year and a half ago. He said from an early age he found books to be a…

Evanston Transit Alliance mobilizes residents as city updates bike plan for the first time since 2014
Liz Kramer, a real estate agent and Evanston Transit Alliance volunteer, uses an e-bike to commute to work, attend client showings and go to open houses. Her children also ride their bikes to and from school, making cycling a regular part of the family’s daily transportation. But…

Gun Violence Prevention Advocates Speak About Importance of Community-Based Solutions
Representatives from Chicago Create Real Economic Destiny, a community-oriented nonprofit, advocated for mental health services and life coaching as an alternative to police intervention.

Delphi marching band earns first gold rating in school history
The Delphi Community High School Marching Oracle Pride band and guard made school history Saturday, earning its first gold rating for marching band at the Indiana State School Music Association Festival Class event at Crown Point High School. Band Director Jay Dennison announced…

Evanston Community Foundation honors Ralph Segall at 40th anniversary party
The Evanston Community Foundation presented its inaugural Ralph Segall Evanston Forever Award on Tuesday at an event celebrating the organization’s 40th anniversary. The first edition went to the award’s namesake, Ralph Segall, for 40 years of service to the foundation as…

MCHS MCJROTC Raiders compete at Hobart High School
The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) Raider Team competed at Hobart High School on Saturday, September 26. Raiders is a physically demanding competition that requires cadets to combine endurance and teamwork to succeed…

NIPSCO and Indiana FFA Foundation Support Agricultural Education
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), with support from the NiSource Charitable Foundation, has launched Focus on the Farm: Applause to AG, a new grant initiative in partnership with the Indiana Future Farmers of America Foundation that…