Wetlands quietly clean up pollution - and save communities millions

When people think of wetlands, they usually picture soggy marshes with tall grass, frogs, and maybe a few ducks. What most don’t realize is that these places are doing serious work behind the scenes. Wetlands help clean our water, support...

Illinois lawmakers pass mass transit funding bill. Here’s what that means for CTA, Metra and Pace riders.

For months, Illinois transit leaders warned of a doomsday scenario that would hobble the region’s mass transit systems. Dozens of bus lines were on the chopping block, they warned, along with whole portions of the “L.” Thousands of workers faced...

Ranking the best men's nonconference games of 2025-26, from Florida-Duke to Alabama-Illinois

The college basketball season is almost here, and with it comes a multitude of marquee matchups during the nonconference portion of the schedule. These headliners should be catnip for college hoops sickos, but they are also tremendous tools for...

Illinois Policy Institute responds as lawmakers address pensions, transit reforms and nuclear energy

Amy Korte, Executive Vice President | https://www.illinoispolicy.org/our-story/?team-filter=staff#teamAmy Korte, Executive Vice President | https://www.illinoispolicy.org/our-story/?team-filter=staff#team Illinois lawmakers concluded the veto...

Illinois EPA opens new electric vehicle rebate application cycle

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) will open its latest electric vehicle rebate application cycle starting tomorrow. The program offers rebates of up to $2,000 for the purchase of a new or used electric vehicle. Low-income...

Lawrence Group designs pair of nursing facilities in Missouri, Illinois

Lawrence Group’s designers delivered a pair of luxury skilled nursing facilities for Chicago-based Ignite Medical Resorts. Located in Batavia, Illinois, and St. Peters, Missouri, the new “LuxeRehab” medical resorts combine cutting-edge physical...

Harrison Ford Blasts Donald Trump Over Attacks on Climate Change: ‘I Don't Know of a Greater Criminal in History’ and ‘It Scares the S— Out of Me’

Harrison Ford delivered a blistering takedown of Donald Trump while speaking to The Guardian this week ahead of receiving a conservation leadership award at Chicago’s Field Museum. The “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” icon ripped the president for...

Harrison Ford Whines That Trump’s Climate Policy ‘Scares The Sh**’ Out Of Him

Actor Harrison Ford is not happy that President Trump won’t buy into climate change alarmism. The 83-year-old “Indiana Jones” star ripped into the president while speaking to The Guardian this week as he prepared to receive a conservation...

MLB trade rumors: Los Angeles Dodgers predicted to sign $498 million Chicago Cubs All-Star as Michael Conforto filler

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow (31) and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays (Image via Imagn) The Los Angeles Dodgers are entering a crucial offseason with major decisions ahead, no matter how...

New Zealand gain revenge on Ireland in Chicago after controversial Tadhg Beirne red card

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

Christopher Illinois Extension Center construction begins

URBANA, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension is poised to have its first central facility in its 100-plus-year history by spring of 2027. The high-impact, geographically dispersed organization serves the state as the outward-facing public good...

Six Top Professional Development Fellowships In Energy & Climate

Alumni Panel at the CELI emPOWER22 conference in Chicago in 2022 CELI I have put together this list based on extensive research and my own experience as a fellow in several of these programs. These fellowships are designed for working...

Bill Gates is wrong to quiet-quit the climate fight

A few years ago, there was a big frenzy about "quiet quitting," the idea that kids these days might show up to their jobs but not work very hard at them. Bill Gates seems to be quiet-quitting the fight against climate change. The billionaire...

First Mid Bank & Trust highlights opportunities in shifting economic climate  

Mathew Reynolds With declining interest rates and household budgets tightening, First Mid Bank & Trust (First Mid) is encouraging homeowners to take a closer look at the advantages of home equity loans and lines of credit and the various ways...

15 Things To Do Outside In Chicago This November

CHICAGO — We can’t say we didn’t have a lovely October, with summertime temps that stretched far into the month. Now that November is upon us, we’ll probably start feeling the chill in earnest. No problem — there’s plenty to do outdoors even as...

SIUE launches Illinois film, TV workforce training program

Shown is a view of SIUE’s newly renovated TV studio. (SIUE photo) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Department of Mass Communications is lighting up new opportunities in the state’s growing film and television industry. With a supporting...

Cockroaches, blood in the sinks and nowhere to bathe: Immigrants sue over ‘horrific’ conditions inside Chicago ICE facility

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

HC order should not be mere deadline to contain air pollution

THE High Court yet again on October 30 asked the authorities concerned to enforce a nine-point directive it had given earlier to contain air pollution in Dhaka. The court in February 2020 gave the directive asking the government to shut down brick...

When does Chicago normally see its first snowfall of the season?

The month of November has arrived, and with fall nearing its halfway point, Chicago-area residents are likely looking toward the first snowfall of the season. According to the National Weather Service, the city of Chicago typically averages just...

ICE Is Terrorizing Chicago for Halloween

The group chat pings around school drop-off and dismissal time. “All quiet at [Elementary School X],” one message says, or “smooth sailing at [Middle School Y].” Neighbors are on heightened alert because a federal government helicopter has been...