Robert Prevost becomes 1st American to be Pope: Here's why there are few non-European pontiffs
Robert Prevost's election as the new pope marks the first time a person from the United States was selected as the head of the Roman Catholic faith. Here's what to know about where previous popes came from, and why an American pontiff was considered to be unlikely, until now.
3 kids among 4 killed after car crashes into Illinois child care facility, police say
Four people were killed after a vehicle crashed into an after-school care building in downstate Chatham, just south of Springfield, on Monday.
Grammy-winner Lil Durk pleads not guilty in LA murder conspiracy case
Grammy Award-winning rapper Lil Durk pleaded not guilty to federal charges stemming from an alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy near the Beverly Center two years ago.
Sonya Massey murder: Autopsy results released after Illinois officer shot woman inside her home
The autopsy of an Illinois woman who was shot in the face and killed by a sheriff's deputy has been released.
Sonya Massey murder: Records show Illinois deputy worked for 6 agencies in 4 years
The former Illinois sheriff's deputy charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey had been employed by a half-dozen police agencies since 2020, according to state law enforcement records.
Sonya Massey murder: Officials release video of officer shooting Black woman in her Illinois home
Illinois officials have released video of police entering the home of a woman who called 911 for help and the violent scene that ensued when a sheriff's deputy shot her in the face.
Massive sinkhole opens at soccer field in downstate Illinois
A park in Alton, Illinois, closed on Wednesday after a giant sinkhole opened up in the middle of a soccer field.
Missouri girl, 8, dies after SkyWest Airlines mid-flight medical emergency
An 8-year-old Missouri girl has died after suddenly becoming "ill and then unresponsive" during a SkyWest Airlines regional flight heading to Chicago, officials say.
Millions of chickens killed after fire breaks out on Illinois farm
A devastating fire erupted Wednesday evening at the Wabash Valley Produce facility in Farina, Illinois, resulting in the deaths of millions of chickens.
Illinois community celebrates as 2nd-grader returns home cancer-free
In a heartwarming display of community support, residents of Chatham, Illinois, gathered to celebrate the return of second-grader Judah Collins, who has triumphed over cancer.
School bus collides with semitruck in western Illinois, killing 5 including children
Five people, including three children, were killed Monday after a school bus and semitruck collided on a highway in western Illinois, authorities said.
3 out-of-state teens sent shooting, bomb threats to Florida high school students: Police
Three out-of-state teens were arrested after making school shooting and bomb threats to Marion County schools in Florida.
Florida man shoots, kills half-brother on Christmas while he was looking for his cellphone, officials say
A Florida man has found himself behind bars after he allegedly shot and killed his half-brother on Christmas as he was looking for his cellphone, according to a press release from DuPage County in Illinois.
Woman waits four hours to try McDonald's spinoff CosMc's, delivers verdict
The reviews are in: McDonald's spinoff CosMc's is officially open for business with customers enduring hours-long wait times to get their hands on a custom beverage and snack.
Chicago trio steals $6K in alcohol from suburban liquor store, leads police on chase: prosecutors
Three Chicago men traveled to the suburbs on Wednesday and allegedly stole more than $6,000 in alcohol from a liquor store before leading police on a chase on I-290.
Former Illinois police chief caught shoplifting from Walmart in The Villages, officials say
A former police chief in Illinois was caught shoplifting from a Walmart in The Villages, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.
Biden to establish national monument honoring Emmett Till, the Black teen lynched in Mississippi
Biden will sign a proclamation on Tuesday to create the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument across three sites in Illinois and Mississippi, according to the official.
At least 23 people shot at Chicago area Juneteenth celebration: police
One person was killed and nearly two dozen others were hurt at what was supposed to be a "peaceful Juneteenth gathering."
VIDEO: Six killed on I-55 after 'dust storm' causes large crash in downstate Illinois
A windstorm in south-central Illinois kicked up clouds of dust on Monday, causing numerous crashes that killed at least six people on Interstate 55, police said.
WATCH: Chicago's Wills Tower zapped by lightning amid severe storms
A Chicago-based videographer captured several vivid bolts around 10 p.m. Tuesday during a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, including one strike hitting the Willis Tower.