Launch snowballs, test a blubber glove in icy water, explore the northern lights and warm up with hot chocolate at the Illinois State Museum.

The Chicago Bears' loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night raised a question: Is the Bears defense ready for the playoffs? Here's a look at what the numbers say.

Expect some slick roads late Tuesday afternoon and again on New Year's Eve as periods of light snow move in

The biggest increase in hospital admissions for the flu in Illinois is in children ages 5 to 17. Only 1 in 5 Illinois residents has received the flu vaccine

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson met with reporters virtually Monday a day after his team fell a play short in a 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Here are three of the most interesting things Johnson said Monday.

From Capitol News Illinois: The Trump administration filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify a new state law that allows Illinois residents to sue federal immigration agents who arrest them in or near courthouses or if they believe their constitutional rights were violated

The law applies to both part- and full-time workers. It covers a broader swath of workers than the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

The Chicago Bears couldn't pull off some late-game magic in a 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. Here are the five big takeaways from tough loss out on the road.

The Chicago Bears had a chance to win their game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. But Caleb Williams and the offense fell a play short. Here's a breakdown of the final minutes of the Bears' failed comeback.

The Chicago Bears' DJ Moore and Darnell Wright will both be active Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers after they were added to the injury report over the weekend with illnesses.

Strong winds, with gusts ranging from 45 to 55 mph, will usher in a cold front Sunday night that could result in snow showers in some areas, the National Weather Service said.

After more than a decade of whole milk being absent from school cafeterias, legislation allowing for more milk options awaits the president’s signature.

These 10 stories across Shaw Local saw the most visitors in 2025.

The Chicago Bears won their first NFC North championship since 2018 on Saturday night after the Green Bay Packers lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

Storms and falling temperatures are expected Sunday into Monday in northern Illinois.

Planned Parenthood provided services for nearly 35,000 Illinois Medicaid customers across the state in 2024, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services said.

A distillery and bar in Cary known for its unique spirit options has permanently closed after co-owners lock horns in years-long legal battles.

Chicago Bears cornerback Josh Blackwell has come through with impactful special teams plays for much of this season. Here's how he found a niche for himself on special teams.

The Chicago Bears will be without their top wide receiver but will get another one back Sunday night when they play against the San Francisco 49ers. Rome Odunze was ruled out for Sunday was Luther Burden III was expected to return.

The Chicago Bears are heading out to the West Coast for a marquee playoff appetizer against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. Here are the top five storylines to watch.

It is important to know how credit can change your spending power as well as know how you can recognize the danger signs of credit misuse.

Jeeps on the Run delivered an estimated $130,000 in toys and $60,000 in cash for the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots programs in Lake and McHenry counties – despite an overnight snowstorm the day of the event.

The Chicago Bears got some good injury news Wednesday as Luther Burden III and C.J. Gardner-Johnson returned to practice in limited fashion. Wide receiver Rome Odunze remained out.

Chicago Bears coordinators met with reporters at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Wednesday as they continued preparing for Sunday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. Here are three of the most interesting things the Bears said Wednesday.

The Lake County Board adopted a resolution authorizing the dissolution of the Avon-Fremont Drainage District.

Sheriff John D. Idleburg is pleased to announce the Lake County Jail passed its most recent inspection and audit conducted by the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Two local Lake County hospitals — Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington and Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville — were recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report in its annual listing of the “Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.”

Your holiday tree can help the forest preserves thrive. Residents can give their real holiday trees a second life by recycling them at select preserves this winter.

The GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment is pleased to announce that it has made a $10,000 donation to the Lake County Community Foundation’s Community Crisis Relief Fund.

The Lake County Forest Preserves’ Ranger Police will offer a snowmobile safety course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Operations and Public Safety Facility, 19808 W. Grand Ave, Lake Villa.

Marriott Theatre’s special event for New Year’s Eve will be “New Year’s Rockabilly Eve, featuring the cast of ‘Million Dollar Quartet Christmas.’”

The Chicago Bears added another NFC honor Wednesday. The NFL named kicker Cairo Santos the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 16.

Three congressional candidates vying to serve different parts of the Northwest or West suburbs will find out early next month if they’ll appear on March 2026 primary ballots or be booted.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to allow the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area to support its immigration crackdown, a significant defeat for the president’s efforts to send troops to U.S. cities.

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Monday against Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker over new state laws aimed at protecting immigrants at courthouses, hospitals and day cares.

Film study can break down what happens between the lines. Maybe it can explain why the Bears have found the magic touch this season. They were certainly fortunate in Saturday’s victory over the Packers. But they continually stepped up and put themselves in position to benefit.

After the mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Congress appropriated $1 billion to permanently bring 14,000 mental health professionals into the schools that needed it the most.

Although this Christmas will be warmer than usual, it is far from the record set on Christmas Day in 1982, when the temperature hit 64 degrees.

The Chicago Bears will have three players participating at the Pro Bow this season. Guard Joe Thuney, center Drew Dalman and safety Kevin Byard were all named to the NFC team Tuesday.

Before you run out the door this Christmas — whether it’s to buy last-minute gifts or simply get out of the house — it’s wise to double-check operating hours, which can differ depending on their location.

The law created funding to support small farmers and food distributors — those with fewer than 50 employees — in producing locally grown food for Illinois communities.

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and some players met with reporters virtually Monday a couple days after a stunning overtime win over the Green Bay Packers. Here are three of the most interesting things the Bears said Monday.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois’ electric grids may soon face power shortages and further price increases as fossil fuel plants go offline and data centers fueling the rise of artificial intelligence demand ever-increasing amounts of power.

“These times can be difficult, but also finding a way to help others can help us, too. Accepting the loss can be the most difficult," says hospital chaplain Darla Fernandez Draus.

The wait is over for Chicago Bears fans. The team earned its first playoff berth since 2020 on Sunday night after the Bears beat the Green Bay Packers on Saturday and the Pittsburgh Steelers took down the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Jill Egan, managing broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago North Region offices, is pleased to announce that the Libertyville office donated 130 Thanksgiving meals to Lake County residents in need on Nov. 25.

Eligible seniors may defer up to $7,500 per year, including interest and fees, or as much as 80 percent of the equity in their home, whichever is lower.

A national publication, Food Bank News, named Northern Illinois Food Bank CEO Julie Yurko was named 2025 Food Bank Leader of the Year.

The Chicago Bears somehow did it once again. In a season full of improbable comebacks, the Bears pulled out the most-stunning of them all against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on Saturday night. Here are the five big takeaways from a stunning win at home.

The Chicago Bears pulled off their sixth fourth-quarter comeback Saturday night to beat the Green Bay Packers 22-16. Here's how they did it.