The Lyric Opera will have an opening night tomorrow after all. The Lyric last night reached a tentative contract agreement with the union representing orchestra members. The Chicago Federation of Musicians is scheduled to vote at four this afternoon. Full Story »
The Chicago Transit Authority is still considering a massive reconstruction on the Red and Purple el lines. The CTA yesterday wrapped up public hearings on the plan to completely rework the two lines north of Addison. Evanston resident Virginia Payton says the project is overdue. Full Story »
Illinois environmental officials continue the fish count today along the Sanitary and Ship Canal. Officials this week dumped a toxin in the Canal, killing thousands of fish in a 6-mile area. Full Story »
Audio Available Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's budget for next year is on the books. The city council Wednesday OK'd the plan. It includes no new taxes or fees, but cuts pay for some city workers and reduces some services. Full Story »
Audio Available Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes says he hasn't seen a plan for Governor Pat Quinn's short term loan request. That's after the Governor criticized Hynes for not approving it. Full Story »
Gang members in Illinois could now be sent to prison for three to 10 years if they have a gun. The new state law approved today focuses only on gang members. Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez says law enforcement has the proper evidence to lawfully catch violators. Full Story »
Audio Available Illinois Governor Pat Quinn says his plan to pay the state's bills with a short term loan is hitting a bump. Full Story »
Chicago First Lady Maggie Daley has begun radiation treatment for bone cancer. A statement from the mayor's office states she has a cancerous lesion progressing on her right leg. Doctors are advising the mayor's wife to use a wheelchair. Full Story »
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Audio Available A defense attorney for a man accused of supporting terrorism says his client is actually a student of peace. Full Story »
An increase on the cigarette tax is one of the Illinois Senate President's top priorities. State Senate President John Cullerton says he'll again push for a higher tax on cigarettes. A dollar increase passed the Senate earlier this year, but the proposal stalled in the House. Full Story »
Audio Available An accused terrorist talked to federal authorities in Chicago for five hours after his arrest in mid-October. Full Story »
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill today allowing the state to issue bonds to fund statewide construction projects. Full Story »
Audio Available The Chicago City Council Wednesday signed off on Mayor Richard Daley's budget for next year. That followed three hours of debate, and relatively tepid criticism from some of the twelve aldermen opposed to the plan. Full Story »
Audio Available The owner of Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue has filed its reorganization plan in bankruptcy court. Earlier this year, General Growth Incorporated filed the largest U.S. real estate bankruptcy case in history. Full Story »
Audio Available A chicago man accused of planning a terrorist attack is scheduled to be in federal court today asking to be free on bond while he waits for trial. Full Story »
Audio Available The city of Gary, Indiana may have to brace for a very tight budget next year. The city’s reducing expenses already but may have to dig deeper. Full Story »
Chicago's overnight parking ban went into effect last night - and over two hundred cars were towed - according to the city. That's about a forty percent jump from the first night of last year's ban. Chicago doesn't allow parking on major streets during winter nights in case of snow storms. Full Story »
Audio Available Some Fenger High School students will be able to transfer to a different school, immediately. That's after Chicago Public Schools reached a settlement today with students who sued the district. Full Story »
Audio Available A physics lab in Chicago's western suburbs is no longer home to the world's fastest accelerator. Full Story »
Audio Available The Illinois Army National Guard is planning to move its operations out of Chicago's Midway Army Aviation facility. Full Story »
Audio Available Analysts expect high web traffic today for Cyber Monday. Full Story »
Audio Available The petition challenge to knock off Rod Blagojevich's sister-in-law from the February primary ballot could come to a head tomorrow. Full Story »
Audio Available Campaign rhetoric is ramping up in Illinois with the primary election just about two months away. But, with no big statewide primary fights of its own, the Green Party has been relatively quiet. Full Story »
Audio Available The vast majority of candidates for statewide office in Illinois have signed what's called the "loyalty oath." BLOG: Dear politicians: Do you promise not to overthrow the government? Full Story »
Holiday lights illuminate the Denver City/County Building in downtown Denver. AP Photo/David Zalubowski
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