From July 12 to 15 in 1995, the heat index soared above 120 degrees, killing 739 people in the deadliest natural disaster in Illinois history. But the risk of death wasn’t the same for all residents — most of the victims lived in neighborhoods on the South and West sides, according to data from the Cook County medical examiner.

Sheridan, Illinois, is over an hour southwest of Chicago. An police investigation is underway in LaSalle County on Thursday morning. Video from the scene shows a large police presence in Sheridan, Illinois. Police officers have blocked off a large stretch of roadway in the area.

Illinois has one of the nation’s worst problems with child sex abuse at juvenile detention centers. CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois has one of the nation’s worst problems with child sex abuse at juvenile detention centers, attorneys representing more than 900 survivors who have filed lawsuits said Wednesday.

Another 107 people filed complaints Tuesday against the state for allegedly allowing rampant sexual abuse in Illinois juvenile detention facilities, joining 800 other alleged victims who have filed a slew of lawsuits in the last 14 months.

Pope Leo's hometown in Illinois, just outside Chicago, bought his childhood home in the village of Dolton. It sold for $375,000 and Dolton's mayor says he has big plans for the property and the neighborhood.

Jianhong Hu Allbright, 57, of Shoals, Ind., and Yalong Cao, 25, of Schaumburg, Ill., are charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S. and money-laundering conspiracy related to employees engaging in prostitution at establishments in Centralia, Mount Vernon, Harrisburg and Vandalia in Illinois and Corydon in Indiana.

The lithium battery technology company Pure Lithium Corporation is moving its operations to Chicago. Find out more.

While Chicago-area public media outlets WBEZ and WTTW will get hurt if the Senate OK’s cuts, smaller stations in rural areas would get hit harder.