Daywatch: How Illinois officials are reacting to Trump’s travel ban

Good morning, Chicago. Chicago immigration advocates and politicians condemned a looming Trump administration travel ban that would bar or restrict travelers from 19 countries, a reprisal and expansion of a similar policy that was fiercely protested across …

Illinois YMCA Hosts ‘LGBT Youth’ Camp With Group That Distributes ‘Tucking Underwear’

An Illinois YMCA is hosting an LGBT-themed camp for second graders alongside an activist organization that hands out so-called “gender-affirming” clothing items like “tucking underwear” and chest binders to anyone regardless of age.  The Stephens Family …

Illinois’ Cannabis-Friendly Music Fest Returns to Mundelein

If music festivals and cannabis-friendly weekends are your thing, this two-day September celebration might be the perfect vibe. Just a short road trip from Rockford, the third annual Miracle in Mundelein is calling your name. A Music and Cannabis Combo …

Popular Illinois Ice Cream Shop Uses Puppets As Servers

There's a lot of competition in Illinois with ice cream shops, but one has come up with a concept that makes it a unique stop for families. Puppets And Ice Cream Is A Winning Combination In Illinois There were a couple of things that I really enjoyed …

Illinois Lottery Winner Finds Dream Home on HGTV

What would you do if you won the Illinois lottery? One long-time police officer in Chicago had to answer that question recently after she ended up with a winning ticket. Her decision was to let HGTV help her find her dream home. This new episode of HGTV…

Illinois Lottery player wins $1.3M in FastPlay game

A lucky Illinois Lottery player, nicknamed ‘King of the Castle,’ is cashing in a $1.3 million jackpot prize after playing the Cash Castle game on the Illinois Lottery app (Illinois Lottery) CHICAGO - An Illinois iLottery player won a $1.3 million jackpot …

Property tax foreclosure reform is put off by Illinois legislators

In their end-of-session dash to pass a state budget, Illinois lawmakers put off consideration of proposed reforms to property tax sales and foreclosures. That leaves Illinois the only remaining state where homeowners can face losing not just their homes …

Popular fall event in central Illinois adds more hours

The opportunity to experience Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site by candlelight has expanded, with two additional weekends announced for the annual candlelight walks in October. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which operates the site, …

Johnsonville abruptly closes Illinois plant, bringing work and jobs to Wisconsin

6-year-old Illinois boy with ‘a fearless spirit’ died after inhaling helium from balloon just days after birthday

An Illinois boy – who had just celebrated his sixth birthday – tragically died after inhaling helium from a Mylar balloon, family and officials said. Gunner Hyatt likely suffocated to death when he breathed in the inert gas inside his Mt. Carmel home on …