Illinois News
COVID-19 closures and rules take effect Monday in Illinois
The rules don't apply to those inside venues for less than 10 minutes, like those picking up takeout.
Lifestyle
The Lifestyle Section of the Chicago Journal.
Chicago News
Chicago plans largest NYE fireworks show with COVID measures
The free 1.5-mile long display will be synchronized to music at eight sites along Lake Michigan and the Chicago River starting at midnight.
Chicagoland News
Illinois extends license expiration dates to March 31, 2022
At this point, we're not sure if you're going to need a driver's license in Illinois ever again.
Chicago Business
City hears 5 bids from 3 bidders for new casino
The public is finally getting its first look at the 5 proposals for a Chicago casino, presented by 3 developers.
Sports
SailGP adds Chicago, Dubai to Season 3 regatta lineup
SailGP includes most of the top skippers in the world. New teams from Canada and Switzerland will join the current lineup from Australia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and the U.S.
Health
US drug overdose deaths top 100,000 in one year, up nearly 30% since COVID lockdowns
Drug overdoses now surpass deaths from car crashes, guns, and even flu and pneumonia. The total is close to that for diabetes, the nation's No. 7 cause of death.
Business
Morton Arboretum leaders plan search for next president
CEO Gerard Donnelly plans to retire in September 2022 after celebrating the arboretum's centennial anniversary. Donnelly has led the arboretum, which includes more than 1,700 tree-filled acres in Lisle, since 1990.
Film & Television
Happening Now: The 57th Chicago International Film Festival
This year's festival is running from October 13-24, 2021 and has scheduled 80 features and 60 shorts playing at several locations across the city.
Food & Drink
The Chicago Journal's Guide to Dives
To catalog all the dive bars in Chicago we knew it would become a true project of passion, labor of love, and journey to joy. If you're seeking them out, we know you know that the word "dive" is not a four-letter pejorative it's a four-letter affirmation. We need your help.
Illinois News
New mobile digital lab in Illinois to speed child-exploitation crackdown
The mobile unit is funded by a $174,000 federal grant and outfitted with advanced technology. Tips about alleged exploitation received by the task force increased by 118% from 2017 to 2020 and are on pace to jump another 23% this year.
Lifestyle
Illinois releases Fall Color Report
As of late September, the color report says the peak time for fall foliage will be the second week of October in Chicago and surrounding areas and near the state's western border. Central Illinois is expected to peak in mid-October and Southern Illinois during the last week of the month.
Chicago News
Chicago woman sues park district over son's lake drowning
Cisneros drowned off Pratt Pier in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood after jumping off the pier for a swim. Last week, the city park district placed two sanctioned life rings at Prinz Beach Park, including one at Pratt Pier.