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- 1Over 110 teams pull United 737 at O'Hare, raising $230,000 for Special Olympics●Chicago O'Hare Plane Pull: More than 110 teams pull United Airlines 737, raise more than $230,000 for Special Olympics Illinois
More than 110 teams took part in a plane pull at Chicago O'Hare Airport, hauling a United Airlines 737 and raising over $230,000 for Special Olympics Illinois. The charity event brought together teams of pullers competing to move the aircraft, with proceeds supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state. Organisers and participants celebrated the strong turnout and fundraising total.
- 2Symbolic tombstones mark immigrant rights vigil at Broadview detention center▼Symbolic tombstones line Broadview detention center lawn for immigrant rights vigil in Illinois
Activists have placed symbolic tombstones on the lawn of the Broadview detention center in Illinois as part of a vigil for immigrant rights. The installation is intended to draw attention to deaths and hardships connected to immigration enforcement. The vigil highlights ongoing tensions around detention practices in the Chicago area, which have been a focal point of national debate over immigration policy.
- 3Congress Probes Flock Over Surveillance Practices▼Congress probes Flock; Illinois immigration surveillance law may be moot
Congressional investigators have opened a probe into Flock, the license-plate surveillance company, raising questions about its data-sharing practices with immigration authorities. The scrutiny may render an Illinois law restricting immigration-related surveillance largely moot, as federal oversight could supersede state-level restrictions. The probe is drawing attention to growing concerns over how automated license-plate reader networks are used in immigration enforcement.
- 4US midterm election 2026: voter registration and polling info for Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin▼When is the midterm election? Register to vote, early voting, polling info for 2026 Election Day in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin
ABC7 Chicago has published a guide to the 2026 US midterm elections covering Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. It explains when Election Day falls, how to register to vote, deadlines for early voting and where to find polling place information. The guide is aimed at helping voters in the three states prepare for the midterms.
- 5Undocumented students navigate Illinois in-state tuition changes▼‘Knowledge is free’: Students without permanent legal status navigate Illinois in-state tuition changes
Students in Illinois without permanent legal status are adjusting to changes in in-state tuition rules, according to the Jacksonville Journal-Courier. The report, framed by the phrase 'knowledge is free,' highlights how these students and their families are working to access higher education as eligibility requirements shift, and what the changes mean for college access across the state.
- 623 Measles Cases Confirmed in Illinois Amid Ongoing Outbreak▼23 Measles Cases Confirmed in Illinois This Year Amid Ongoing Outbreak
Health officials in Illinois have confirmed 23 measles cases this year as an outbreak continues in the state. The tally marks a notable resurgence of a disease once considered eliminated in the United States, and public health authorities are expected to press vaccination and contact-tracing efforts to contain further spread.
- 7Chicago Tribune issues 2026 Illinois election endorsements●Tribune Editorial Board endorsements for the 2026 Illinois general election
The Chicago Tribune Editorial Board has released its endorsements for the 2026 Illinois general election. The board's picks offer voters a guide to the races it considers most consequential and signal the paper's positions ahead of the campaign season. Readers across Illinois are weighing the recommendations against their own views as the election cycle takes shape.
- 8
A measles outbreak in Illinois has expanded to 16 confirmed cases, according to the Chicago Tribune. Health officials are tracking the spread and working to identify people who may have been exposed, as vaccination gaps allow the highly contagious virus to circulate. The growing case count has raised concern about further transmission in the region.
- 9Illinois church of Blessed Sheen's baptism joins first parish named for him▼Blessed Sheen's baptismal church in Illinois to be part of world's first parish named for him
The Illinois church where Fulton Sheen was baptized will become part of the world's first parish named for the beloved American bishop and media evangelist. The announcement, reported by Catholic outlets, ties his baptismal site to a new parish honoring his legacy as the Church moves forward on his path to sainthood.
- 10SIU Researchers Build AI Robot to Detect Soybean Diseases Early▼SIU Researchers Build Robot, AI to Detect Soybean Diseases Before Symptoms Appear
Researchers at Southern Illinois University have developed a robot paired with artificial intelligence capable of detecting soybean diseases before visible symptoms appear in crops. The technology could allow farmers to intervene earlier, potentially reducing crop losses and pesticide use. The announcement has drawn attention within the agricultural technology community as interest grows in AI-driven precision farming tools.
- 11Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith Turns in Heisman-Caliber Performance Against Illinois▼Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith Delivers Heisman-Worthy Masterpiece vs. Illinois
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith delivered a dominant performance against Illinois, drawing immediate comparisons to Heisman Trophy-caliber play. Fox Sports highlighted the sophomore's showing as a masterpiece, fueling growing momentum for his candidacy in the ongoing Heisman conversation.
- 12Illinois church of Blessed Sheen's baptism joins first parish named for him▼Blessed Sheen’s baptismal church in Illinois to be part of world’s first parish named for him
The Illinois church where Fulton Sheen was baptized will become part of the world's first parish named for the beloved American bishop and media evangelist, who is on the path to sainthood. Catholics are following the development closely as devotion to Sheen continues to grow and his cause for canonization advances.
- 13O'Hare Plane Pull raises over $230,000 for Special Olympics Illinois▼O'Hare Plane Pull raises more than $230,000 for Special Olympics Illinois
A plane pull event at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport has raised more than $230,000 for Special Olympics Illinois. Teams took part in pulling an aircraft to generate donations for the organization, which provides sports training and competition opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state.
- 14Teen convicted of attempted murder in Normal shooting that left victim paralyzed▼19-year-old man guilty of attempted murder for shooting in Normal that paralyzed victim
A 19-year-old man has been found guilty of attempted murder for a shooting in Normal, Illinois, that left the victim paralyzed. The verdict closes a case that drew attention in the Bloomington-Normal area, where the severity of the victim's injuries made the shooting a prominent local crime story. Coverage has focused on the conviction and the lasting impact on the wounded man.
- 15Teams Pull United 737 at O'Hare for Special Olympics Illinois▼Teams compete in event pulling United Airlines 737 plane for Special Olympics Illinois at Chicago O'Hare Airport
Teams gathered at Chicago O'Hare International Airport for a charity plane pull, hauling a United Airlines 737 to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Illinois. The event challenges groups to pull the massive jet a set distance, blending teamwork and fitness with fundraising for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
- 16Joliet receives $1 million federal grant for mental health program▼Joliet gets $1 million federal grant for community mental health program
Joliet, Illinois, has been awarded a $1 million federal grant to fund a community mental health program. The funding will support local mental health services for residents, though details on how the money will be spent have not yet been outlined. Local officials welcomed the announcement, which comes amid growing attention to mental health needs in communities across the country.
- 17
People are searching for the Illinois Fighting Illini versus the Ohio State Buckeyes, a college football matchup between two Big Ten programs. The evidence collected is thin: the top result is an article about last-minute tickets for the game, suggesting fans are looking to attend. Beyond that, the posts do not make clear whether a particular upset, ranking battle, or playoff implication is driving interest, only that the game is drawing significant attention and ticket-seekers.
- 18
Lightstar has expanded its project pipeline in Illinois, adding battery energy storage systems and community solar developments. The move strengthens the company's position in the state's growing clean energy market, where community solar programs continue to attract developer interest under state renewable energy incentives.
- 19Jeremiah Smith scores four touchdowns as Ohio State routs Illinois●Jeremiah Smith's Heisman moment? Ohio State WR ties school record with 4 TDs in rout of Illinois https://www.nytimes.com
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith tied a school record with four touchdown catches in a lopsided win over Illinois, prompting talk of a Heisman Trophy campaign. The sophomore's dominant performance against a ranked Big Ten rival has fans and analysts debating whether he has vaulted into the front of the race for college football's top individual award.
- 20Ohio State Dominates Illinois: Three Key Takeaways▼3 Takeaways From Ohio State Dominating Victory Over Illinois
Ohio State delivered a commanding victory over Illinois in college football, prompting analysis of what the result means for the Buckeyes' season. Commentators highlighted three main takeaways from the game, focusing on Ohio State's dominance across both sides of the ball and what the lopsided win signals about their standing in the national picture going forward.
- 21Illinois parish where Blessed Fulton Sheen was baptized to bear his name●Blessed Sheen’s baptismal parish in Illinois to be first in world named for him
St. Mary's Parish in El Paso, Illinois, where Bishop Fulton Sheen was baptized, is set to become the first church in the world named for the now-beaten archbishop and pioneering televangelist. The renaming honors one of the most prominent American Catholic figures of the 20th century, and it is being reported by Catholic media as a notable milestone for the local parish and his legacy.
- 22Illinois firefighters train in jiu-jitsu for self-defense●Illinois firefighters receive jiu-jitsu training for self-defense in the field
Firefighters in Illinois are taking part in jiu-jitsu training designed to help them defend themselves in the field. The program comes as emergency responders increasingly face aggressive or combative situations while on calls, and the techniques give crews practical ways to control confrontations without resorting to force. The initiative has drawn attention as an unusual but pragmatic safety measure for first responders.
- 23One dead, one hospitalized in crash near Quad Cities airport●1 dead, 1 hospitalized after crash near Quad Cities International Airport
One person died and another was hospitalized following a crash near Quad Cities International Airport in Moline, Illinois, according to local station WQAD. Details about the cause of the crash, the victims, and the condition of the hospitalized person have not yet been released. Authorities are expected to provide more information as the investigation continues.
- 24Ohio State's offense powers 42-19 win over Illinois●Ohio State’s dominant offensive surge overshadows defense in 42-19 win over Illinois - Allison Wolfe
Ohio State beat Illinois 42-19, with a dominant offensive performance that outshone a defensive effort described as uneven. Reports highlight the Buckeyes' scoring surge while noting the defense gave up more points than expected. The result keeps Ohio State firmly in the conversation in college football, with fans debating whether the defense can hold up against tougher opposition later in the season.
- 25Anti-book-banning activist to speak at Augustana College▼Activist against book banning will appear at Augustana College, Rock Island
An activist campaigning against book bans is scheduled to appear at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. The local report highlights the event amid ongoing national debates over school and library book removals. Community members and students in the Quad Cities region are expected to take interest in the discussion.
- 26
A Bellwood man has been found guilty of a 2021 murder committed in Naperville, Illinois. The verdict closes a chapter in a case that has drawn attention in the Chicago-area suburbs, where the killing took place. Details about the victim, the trial proceedings, and potential sentencing have not been provided, but the conviction follows three years after the fatal incident.
- 27Charges Dismissed in Sangamon County Murder Case▼Charges in a Sangamon County murder case have been dismissed
Prosecutors in Sangamon County, Illinois, have dropped the charges in a local murder case. The dismissal was reported by local news, but no details have been released about the defendant's identity, the reasons for the dismissal, or whether the case could be refiled. It is not yet clear what prompted prosecutors to abandon the charges.
- 28
An opinion piece from Illinois argues that immigration enforcement is aiming at the wrong targets, pushing back against current deportation and crackdown efforts in the state. The piece reflects an ongoing debate over immigration policy, with critics saying enforcement is misdirected and supporters defending federal actions. Immigration remains a heated topic across the United States.
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Teams gathered at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago for the 18th annual Plane Pull, pulling a jet to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois. The charity event draws companies, first responders and community groups who compete to haul a plane along the tarmac, with proceeds supporting training and competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state.