Holidays

Illinois government offices will be closed Friday in a nod to a new federal law, making Juneteenth an official holiday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation in Springfield on Wednesday declaring June 19 an official state holiday.

Meanwhile Saint Charles says it's full speed ahead for its Independence Day celebrations.

It appears life is slowly getting back to normal, but that was just a piece of what people were reflecting upon this Memorial Day.

Because of the pandemic, some observances are being adjusted to be COVID-19 friendly.

"We celebrate and remember under one flag, and remember our African American, Jewish American, Latin American, Asian American, European American and all other heroes, and their bravery, dedication and courage is shared by all ethnicities and religions."

Juneteenth commemorates the date in 1865 when the last enslaved Black people in the U.S. learned from Union soldiers in Texas that they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Around Chicago, people were out grilling and seeing friends they haven't seen for a year as people celebrated the first holiday without mask requirements for those who are vaccinated

It is Memorial Day weekend, but do not expect Mother Nature to make it easy.

In west suburban Lisle, volunteers assemble care packages for troops serving in the Middle East, Africa and the Pacific Rim. Each box is stuffed with 25 pounds of surprises from home.

After more than a year of missed vacations, weddings and much more, people seem ready to travel this Memorial Day weekend.

Chicago is getting back to normal. Beaches will reopen for Memorial Day weekend and it was also announced that the Pride Parade will return in the fall.