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Here are the roads being closed for the NASCAR Street Race this weekend
The NASCAR Chicago Street Race is set to take over downtown this weekend, and with it comes more road closings for motorists to look out for. City officials announced plans early last month to shut down some streets for the coming event, and dozens of routes already have been closed to allow infrastructure for the race to be set up.
Highland Park unites for first July 4 parade since mass shooting
For many people, the return of the Highland Park Fourth of July parade on Thursday brought complicated feelings — mourning and reflection but also a willingness to move forward after the mass shooting at the parade two years ago. Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago, la...
NASCAR looks to ease disruptions during Chicago Street Race, but businesses have mixed feelings
Race cars will once again zoom through downtown for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, a two-day event that kicks off Saturday. And Chicago will be in the spotlight as tens of thousands attend the race with many more watching it on TV. But there are mixed emotions from businesses about...
Where to watch July 4th fireworks around Chicago
Those around the Chicago area will have their eyes to the skies Thursday as towns put on dazzling fireworks displays in celebration of Independence Day. Chicago’s official fireworks show will take place a day early, on July 3, with a fireworks display put on by Choose Chicago and NASCAR at Navy Pier.
Jack in the Box is back in the box — fast-food chain returning to Chicago area starting next year
Jack in the Box plans to pop up in the Chicago area after a 40-year absence. Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago, la sección bilingüe del Sun-Times. The San Diego-based fast food chain, popular for its burgers and tacos, is looking to open eight new 24-hour restaurants in the city and suburbs between 2025 and 2026.
President Biden finds JB Pritzker and other Democratic governors complimentary and critical in White House meeting
President Joe Biden on Wednesday told Gov. J.B. Pritzker and 23 other Democratic governors that he has no plans to drop out of the presidential race and downplayed poor poll numbers after a damaging debate performance that has set off a wave of panic in the party. Biden and Vice...
Embracing a ‘chrysalis mindset’ for our midlife transitions
Midlife can be a time for newness and growth, rather than a time of “crisis,” argues Chip Conley. Sports cars. Divorce. Loneliness after retirement. “Middle age” — loosely defined as between 40-60 years old — has gotten a bad rap. But these ages don’t need to be a downer; they can instead be a time of transformation. That’s an idea championed by Chip Conley, author of Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better With Age.
Gov. JB Pritzker, other Democratic governors to meet with Biden after dismal debate showing
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other Democratic governors plan to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House on Wednesday after they insisted on hearing directly from the president about the status of his reelection campaign in the wake of an abysmal debate performance. The meeting was requested by multiple...
Battle over Illinois' assault weapon ban will continue after Supreme Court declines to get involved
The U.S. Supreme Court will not consider challenges to Illinois’ controversial assault weapons ban, for now. That doesn’t mean it’s not headed to the nation’s high court one day. In fact, a federal judge in southern Illinois has been preparing for a Sept. 16 trial in which he could more fully take on the question of whether the weapons ban passes constitutional muster.
Chicago restaurants are being burglarized in record numbers: 'I'm just beyond outraged'
When Paul Fehribach learned his Andersonville restaurant had been burglarized in late January, the acclaimed chef was left feeling angry — but not surprised. Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago, la sección bilingüe del Sun-Times. “Just in the previous week, two or...
Meet the keepers of your local ‘micro-zoo’
The Bensons turned their Old Town front porch into a ‘mini-zoo’ in 2022. It’s been a neighborhood staple ever since. Two turtles and a flock of ducks swing along in their home on the front porch of Stephen and Kim Benson's Old Town home. The couple, whose daughter originally wanted chickens, wondered how to make their home more animal-friendly.
New Illinois law protecting child social media creators now in effect
Illinois is the first state in the nation to ensure that children of family vloggers receive compensation for their work, with a new law going into effect July 1. It all started with a letter that Illinois teenager Shreya Nallamothu wrote to her state senator when she was 15 years old.
Dreams dashed: The broken promises of for-profit colleges
The schools often target first-generation, low-income, and Black and brown students for recruitment. Students say they get saddled with debt and little to no job prospects. New federal regulations go into effect Monday that could withhold federal funding from 60% of Illinois’ for-profit schools unless they’re able to improve performance.
Column: Biden's debate debacle adds wild card uncertainty to Chicago's Democratic National Convention
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance in Atlanta on Thursday added new wild card variables to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this August, which was on course to be a highly scripted, four-night show with no surprises. Now it is not. On Sunday, there was...
Cats, cartoons and mortality: Lucy Knisley on her graphic novel, ‘WOE’
Linney was the name of a loud and melodramatic house cat who stars in a new graphic novel titled “WOE: A Housecat’s Story of Despair.”. Linney’s owner, Evanston-based graphic novelist Lucy Knisley, said she originally based Linney’s comic-strip voice off the character Sister Monica Jones, a British nun from the long-running BBC series “Call the Midwife.”
Supreme Court says Trump has absolute immunity for core acts only
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision along ideological lines, ruled that a former president has absolute immunity for his core constitutional powers — and is entitled to a presumption of immunity for his official acts, but lacks immunity for unofficial acts. But at the same time, the court sent the case back to the trial judge to determine which, if any of Trump’s actions, were part of his official duties and thus were protected from prosecution.
Trimmed and tightened Pride Parade is as jubilant as ever: 'It's still Pride'
Rainbow-clad crowds filled the sidewalks in the heart of Lake View on Sunday for Chicago’s 53rd annual Pride Parade. Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago, la sección bilingüe del Sun-Times. And despite a shorter route and fewer floats, the celebration capping off...
Clock has started on 5-year plan that'll raise wages for Chicago's tipped workers
Starting Monday, restaurants in Chicago must start paying tipped workers more per a new city ordinance that has sharply divided the restaurant industry and supporters of the law. The tipped minimum wage is increasing from $9.48 per hour to $11.02. Chicago’s overall minimum wage is also rising, from $15.80 per...
On Kennedy Expressway, Illinois Tollway, no speed cameras are watching despite what signs say
Drivers passing through stretches of construction on the Tri-State Tollway are greeted by numerous work zone road signs warning of reduced speed limits that are “photo enforced.”. Similar warnings that threaten camera enforcement for speeding can be seen on the Kennedy Expressway, which is in the midst of major...
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 28 2024
A major SCOTUS ruling, DNC prep, and the Bean is back. Joe Biden and Donald Trump face off in a presidential debate, Chicago continues to prepare for the Democratic National Convention, and NASCAR gets ready to shut down some Chicago streets. Reset goes behind these headlines and more in the...
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