Illinois

A Far South Side block is growing again, with more homes on the way.

We spent time in Auburn Gresham at Leo High School today where the applause wasn’t for a performance. It was for perseverance, as the senior class turned hard work into millions in scholarships and life-changing opportunities.

Non-tenure track professors at Loyola University staged a one-day strike over stalled contract talks, while Brookfield Zoo workers face a looming strike deadline amid ongoing disputes over pay and staffing.

Tacombi plans to donate 100% of its Cinco de Mayo sales to build a school in Mexico, drawing both praise and criticism from some who question why the funds aren’t staying local.

But today there is a sigh of relief for TSA officers after a paycheck is finally on the way. Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines might be grounded for good.  Lauren Scafidi's got the latest.

An 18-year-old man has been charged in connection with an armed robbery and violent attack on a woman inside a Northwest Side business last month.

The big May Day rally has wrapped up, but a march is still drawing crowds in the downtown area. Some call today International Workers Day.  A time to stand up for workers' rights.

"The number one killer of cops is heart attack." In this powerful episode of "Wearing the Badge," host Garry McCarthy welcomes Dr. John Sheinberg, a man who navigates the worlds of both high-stakes medicine and law enforcement. With a career spanning three decades as a sworn officer and a parallel journey as a board-certified cardiologist, Dr. Sheinberg brings a unique perspective to the "perfect storm" of stress, physiology, and culture that puts police officers at extreme risk.

This week we cover a suspected cop killer’s courtroom outburst and a string of high-profile arrests ranging from Winnetka home invasions to a Joliet cockfighting ring. We also break down the impact of high gas prices and a newly proposed bill that would ban cell phones in Illinois schools. Plus, we look at the future of Water Tower Place, a potential strike at Brookfield Zoo, and the return of bison to the Illinois landscape.

Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb joined ChicagoLIVE to discuss new developments in the search for extraterrestrial life, including potential UFO data releases and his Galileo Project research. He also explained how new telescopes, better data and future space missions could help answer whether we’re alone in the universe.

Federal funding will modernize lab infrastructure and expand hands-on quantum science programs, helping build a pipeline from local classrooms to high-demand, high-paying tech careers.

Chris Block, president of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, joined ChicagoLIVE while on the road to Louisville to talk about having two horses running on the Kentucky Derby undercard. He also shared what goes into training racehorses, from pedigree and preparation to the excitement and intensity of competing during Derby weekend.

New federal safety rules will mandate impaired-driving detection systems in all new vehicles, using cameras and sensors to track driver alertness—boosting road safety while raising privacy concerns.

Olivia Wilde joins "ChicagoNOW" in studio to talk about her new film The Invite, working with Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton, and why this sharp relationship comedy is best seen in a theater. She also reflects on directing, acting and a full-circle Chicago press moment years in the making.

The hunt for the Calder Cup continues right here in Chicago! After a strong regular season finishing second in the Central Division, the Chicago Wolves are officially back in the postseason for the second year in a row.