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...

Harrison Ford Slams Trump on Climate: ‘I Don’t Know of a Greater Criminal in History’

“He’s an instrument of the status quo and he’s making money, hand over fist, while the world goes to hell in a hand basket,” actor says of the president Harrison Ford slammed the Trump administration and their lack of policies to combat climate...

River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles proposes floating park on Fox River modeled after Chicago’s Wild Mile

Downtown St. Charles may one day get a floating park on the Fox River, modeled after a similar project in Chicago. The idea is being proposed by the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles, a nonprofit that supports projects that improve the...

Raking your leaves this weekend? Local wildlife may be preparing for winter in them

Jenna Dooley: This is WNIJ, I’m News Director Jenna Dooley. We’re deep into fall here in northern Illinois, and a thick layer of leaves crunch underfoot. While many of us are gearing up for the annual chore of raking up the leaves in our yards,...

Steve Cortes on anti-law-enforcement climate in Chicago: ‘Our brave officers are vilified instead of honored’

Steve Cortes, president of the League of American Workers, has criticized Illinois politicians, including Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, for fostering an environment in Chicago where law enforcement officers are "vilified...

Time change raises risk of driver collisions with wildlife

At 2 a.m. Sunday, daylight saving time will end, with clocks set back one hour. One of the most noticeable effects of “falling back” is that people will find themselves driving home from work or for after-school activities as the sun sets, putting...

Sustainable Agriculture Grants Now Available from North Central Region SARE

Source: SARE Press Release The North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) program currently has four open grant programs to fund research and education projects that advance sustainable agricultural practices...

Illinois lawmakers OK sweeping energy reform package that governor pledges to sign

SPRINGFIELD — A closely-watched and long-debated piece of energy legislation is set to become law after passing through both legislative chambers with the governor’s endorsement. The bill that cleared the General Assembly on Thursday funds energy...

Massive oily asphalt spill in Chicago canal leaves environmental threat months later

Nearly half a million gallons of liquid asphalt spilled into the storied canal of the Chicago River earlier this year, leading to a massive cleanup that is continuing almost nine months later. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has overseen...

Daily on Energy: U.S. to skip COP30, a rare earths bill, and Exxon threatens EU exit

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY: Good afternoon and happy Monday, readers! We hope you enjoyed that extra hour of sleep yesterday as we all turned our clocks backward for Daylight Saving. We are one week away from the United Nations’ annual climate change...

15 Natural Disasters That Were So Extreme They Sound Made Up

Natural disasters have a way of reminding us just how unpredictable and powerful nature can be. Some events in history sound like fictional tales from a dystopian novel, but should serve as a warning about the future of our planet and climate....

Chicago native Harrison Ford honored by Field Museum for conservation efforts: 'Science is our hope'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Harrison Ford came back to his hometown of Chicago this week for an honor at a Field Museum gala. The legendary actor is also a conservation activist, telling ABC7 his love of nature started in the Midwest long before his...

What you should know: Trump’s deportations and the impact on the food system

This series is supported by funding from the Chicago Region Food Systems Fund. Over the last several months, Investigate Midwest has been reporting on how the Trump administration is reshaping the agriculture industry through the rollback of...

Chicago Board of Education approves agreement for controversial pension payment but with a big caveat

The Chicago Board of Education approved an intergovernmental agreement Thursday that promises to give the city up to $175 million to cover a pension payment, but only if the City Council approves taking a massive amount of money out of special...

Chicago faces criticism over rising costs of affordable housing developments

Chicago officials are facing scrutiny over the rising costs of affordable housing developments in the city. A recent analysis has highlighted that projects intended to provide lower-cost homes have ended up being more expensive per unit than many...

Gov. JB Pritzker set to approve energy bill boosting battery storage for renewables despite debate over costs

SPRINGFIELD — Sweeping energy-related legislation that backs the use of big batteries to help make wind and solar power more effective but has raised questions about whether it will increase or decrease energy bills cleared the Illinois Senate...

Illinois Researchers Convert Food Waste Into Jet Fuel, Boosting Circular Economy

Newswise — URBANA, Ill. — Airplane travel is more popular than ever, and our desire for fast transportation means jet fuel has become a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Now, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign...

Chicago Is No Longer The ‘Rattiest’ City In America

CHICAGO — After a decade on top, Chicago has lost its title of “rattiest” city in the nation, according to a new report by Orkin pest control company. While Chicago is still ranked second, Los Angeles has claimed the top spot this year. This means...

Illinois house passes energy bill amid debate over costs to consumers

SPRINGFIELD — Illinoisans could see a new line item on their electric bills under a bill passed Wednesday night by the Illinois House. Under the proposal, contained in an amendment to Senate Bill 25, ratepayers will subsidize energy storage...