FAA Halts O'Hare Departures Amid Thunderstorms
On August 13, 2026, the FAA halted all departures for O'Hare International Airport from 1:53 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. due to thunderstorms, while Midway Airport flights continued unaffected.
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194 storiesnewest firstlatest August 13, 2026page 5 of 10
44 Candidates Cleared for Chicago School Board Ballot
The Chicago Board of Elections cleared 44 of 51 applicants for the November school board ballot, including two incumbents whose objections were overruled, finalizing the candidate list for the upcoming municipal election.
Chicago Area Sets Record with 69 Tornadoes in 2026
The National Weather Service reports a record 69 tornadoes in the Chicago area for 2026, surpassing all previous years. At least three of those tornadoes occurred during a severe outbreak on August 11.
Derecho Hits Chicago with 100‑Mph Winds
A catastrophic derecho struck Chicago on August 11, 2026, with 100‑mph straight‑line winds and multiple tornado spin‑ups, extending from Iowa to Kentucky.
Severe Storms Loom Over South Suburbs as 142,000 Still Dark
A severe thunderstorm watch active until 1 p.m. Wednesday threatens Chicago’s south suburbs with damaging winds and heavy rain, while over 142,000 residents remain without power after Tuesday’s tornadoes.
Aldermen Claim Bally's Delays $1.7B Casino Over Terminal Dispute
Twenty‑eight Chicago aldermen accuse Bally's of delaying its $1.7 billion River West casino by citing a video‑gambling terminal dispute, amid city debates over a corporate head tax and alternative financing.
Chicago Schools Shut After Severe Storm Damage and Outages
Severe storms just before the new school year caused building damage and power outages, prompting Glenwood Academy and other Chicago schools to close and cancel the first days of classes. Cleanup and repairs are underway as officials work to restore safe conditions.
Chicago Sees Surge in Data Center Construction
Chicago is experiencing a rapid increase in data center construction, drawing both industry interest and community controversy over environmental and infrastructure impacts.
Rare Half‑Male, Half‑Female Bobolink Seen in Barrington Preserve
A bilateral gynandromorph bobolink was observed at Barrington Preserve in spring 2026, marking an exceptionally rare bird sighting noted by Luke Dahlberg and local conservation groups.
CTA Approves $10 Million Crisis‑Intervention Pilot on Train Lines
The CTA board approved a $10 million, year‑long pilot to station crisis‑intervention specialists on three train lines starting fall 2026, complementing recent security and police enhancements.
TrapDecks Elevates Chicago's Fingerboarding Community
TrapDecks has driven growth in Chicago's fingerboarding scene through product offerings and youth-focused events, establishing the city as a notable hub for the hobby.
Fashion Outlets of Chicago Ends Paid Parking, Offers Free First Three Hours
Fashion Outlets of Chicago ended its paid‑parking program on August 12, 2026, offering all guests three hours of free parking after a strong backlash from shoppers and retailers. The revision aims to improve visitor flow and address concerns raised earlier in the year.
Federal Prosecutors Refile Charges After Country Club Hills Sting Fails
Federal prosecutors have refiled charges for an attempted robbery of undercover officers in Country Club Hills after the original case collapsed due to contradictory video evidence, adding to scrutiny of prosecutorial credibility in Chicago.
Storms Force First-Day School Cancellations Across Chicago Area
Severe storms with 100‑mph gusts on August 11 caused power outages and wind damage, prompting Chicago‑area and northwest Indiana schools, including those in Homewood and Portage, to cancel the first day of classes on August 12.
Jeep Crashes Into Bucktown Gas Station in ATM Theft Attempt
Chicago police say unidentified thieves crashed a Jeep into a Bucktown gas station on Tuesday night to steal cash from an ATM, adding to a rising pattern of crash‑and‑grab crimes in the city.
Severe Storms Ravage Portage, Leaving Roads Impassable
Intense storms hit Portage, Indiana, on Tuesday, causing extensive damage and making several roads impassable, prompting Mayor Austin Bonta and Police Chief Michael Candiano to coordinate emergency response and road clearance efforts.
Mayor Johnson Signs Order Tightening Chicago Data‑Center Oversight
Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order creating new regulations and a temporary moratorium on data‑center development in Chicago to increase oversight of the sector’s rapid expansion. The order requires additional permits and a city‑wide review before new projects can proceed.
McCook Reservoir Near Full After Tuesday Storms
McCook Reservoir reached 97 percent capacity after Tuesday's heavy rain, a two‑percent rise from the night before, while Thornton sits at 57 percent and Majewski remains empty, according to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.
Chicago’s Last Military Surplus Store Celebrates 80 Years
A family‑run military surplus shop in Lakeview celebrates 80 years as Chicago’s only remaining store of its kind, serving collectors, film crews and seasonal shoppers since 1946.
Chicago Man Charged with DUI After Fatal Hit‑And‑Run
A Chicago man was charged with DUI after a hit‑and‑run on the North Side killed a 25‑year‑old woman, adding to the city’s recent push to prosecute alcohol‑related fatal crashes.
