News across Cook County

The new Ryan Field debuts this Friday — here’s what you can expect
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with new information released by Northwestern on Wednesday, after the article’s initial publication on Tuesday. Almost three years after winning city approval, and a century after its predecessor opened in the same spot, the new Ryan…

Horton co-defendant pleads guilty, will testify against former superintendent
A co-defendant accused of running a kickback scheme with former Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Superintendent Devon Horton confessed to one count of wire fraud Tuesday as part of a plea deal with the federal government. As part of that arrangement, he’s agreed to testify…

Cooking with heart: A first look at the new Soul & Smoke
When a chef is cooking with their whole heart, you can taste it on the plate. D’Andre Carter cooks like every dish means something personal to him. You can taste his intention; you can taste the history. His food feels truly lived in, not merely inhabited. Listen: Great food…

This grass is for the birds: City plants rye, wildflowers on vacant lot at Main Street and Sherman Avenue
Evanston officials transformed a vacant lot at 801 Main St. into a temporary barley and wildflower meadow to beautify the area until a new housing project begins construction. This grass is for the birds: City plants rye, wildflowers on vacant lot at Main Street and Sherman…

The Evanston and North Shore NAACP to host ‘Building Collective Impact Through Community Organizing’ on Oct. 10
From 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, the NAACP Evanston/North Shore Branch is hosting “Building Collective Impact Through Community Organizing,” part of its Evanston environmental justice conversation series. The free event will take place at the Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center, 1823…

$21 Billion At Stake As Invasive Carp Barrier Sits In Limbo, Democrats Warn
Fishing and boating industries could be hit hard if carp breach the Chicago waterway and reach Lake Michigan, advocates say.

James Christopher Horner (August 9, 1959 – June 30, 2026)
James Christopher Horner, 66, of Rock Springs passed away on Tuesday June 30, 2026, of a sudden illness at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County. He was a resident of Rock Springs for the past 30 years. He was born August 9,1959 in Evanston, Illinois, the son of the late James…

Hospital Gown, Cop-Car Crash And 100 MPH Flight: Illinois Woman Wanted In Kenosha County After Wild Police Chase
Santana R. Ross, 29, of Chicago(Lake County Sheriff's Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 29-year-old Chicago woman accused of driving a stolen vehicle while wearing a hospital gown, smashing into a police squad and fleeing officers at nearly 100 mph is now wanted in Kenosha County after…

Calling young artists: Evanston recycling truck design competition returns
The City of Evanston is kicking off the fifth year of its recycling truck design competition, and this year the contest is getting a regional upgrade. The city is partnering with the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) to tie the competition into “Feed the Cart,”…

Michael Lembeck, retired owner of Williams Shoes, dies at 73
Michael Scott Lembeck, 73, died Sept. 24, 2026. He was born March 28, 1953, to David and Vitti Lembeck in Highland Park, Illinois. Michael was a devoted husband of 44 years to his wife, Marianne Lembeck, and a loving father to his two daughters, Zoe and Ariel Lembeck. Michael and…

Case Keenum Is the Answer, for Now
The Chicago Bears hosted the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football with 3rd string QB Case Keenum at the helm and pulled off an unexpected win,...

Steve Hagerty: Evanston’s fall spectacular
There’s something special happening in Evanston this fall. Yes, the leaves are beginning to turn. There’s a crispness to the air, and the mornings are asking us to wear a jacket. New and returning students are exploring Evanston, and a new university president is making his…