Sarah Herrera (Engel)

I need Chicago to get a little more excited about these school board races. One is separated by 438 votes. Another by 418. These people will help decide how billions get spent on our schools!

Chicago is choosing who gets a say in how its public schools are run. And some races are remarkably close. Just 438 votes separate the candidates in one school board district. Another is separated by 418. I’m tracking all 20 district races tonight for @WBBMNewsradio.

Some of the most interesting election-night battles are playing out in Chicago’s suburbs. I’m tracking the race for DuPage County Board chair and the open sheriff’s seats in DuPage and Kane counties. Catch my next live report around 8:50 on @WBBMNewsradio.

YES is leading on Chicago’s advisory ballot questions, according to early returns. Voters weighed in on gunshot detection, billing the feds for immigration enforcement, a festival venue, taxing millionaires and vacant-property fees for schools. Votes are still being counted.

It’s an unpaid job. Forty-one people are running for 20 seats. Chicago is electing its entire school board for the first time. I’m tracking all 20 district races tonight for @WBBMNewsradio. The winners will help oversee a roughly $10 billion CPS budget.

CTA Green Line derailment near Oak Park station @WBBM1059Traffic

Storm damage on Chase Avenue in Rogers Park left one car crushed and several others trapped beneath two massive trees. One unexpected thing that stuck with me was a pigeon that stayed in the same spot the entire time I was there. Hoping it was just shaken up. @wbbmnewsradio

“Wow.” That’s been the reaction from neighbor after neighbor walking up to the storm damage on Chase Avenue in Rogers Park. Two mature trees came crashing down, leaving one car crushed and several others unable to get out. @WBBMNewsradio

Thousands of fearless Chicagoans took the plunge this morning at North Avenue Beach for the 26th annual Polar Plunge Chicago benefitting Special Olympics Illinois and Special Children’s Charities.⁦@WBBMNewsradio⁩

A first for 2026 at the Cook County Clerk’s Office. WBBM News was there as the county’s first marriage license of the year was celebrated, and for the first time, it was a wedding between two brides.

SWAT response at 1130 S. Michigan Ave. ⁦@WBBMNewsradio⁩

CPS CEO Pedro Martinez got the axe in a last-minute board meeting tonight. It was a 6-0 vote. He’ll still get paid for the next 6 months while his duties get redefined. He spoke after saying he is “excited” to lead until the end of the school year.

CTU backed candidate Felix Ponce representing district 8 gives the reason why he ran for Chicago’s first ever elected school board. As of 10pm, he stands 18,311. Angel Gutierrez (IL Policy PAC) is leading at 32,266.

No shots were fired by officers. Police say they were attempting to disarm a 16 year old boy with a handgun. That bullet went through the victim’s groin and into the officer’s leg.

A Chicago Police officer was shot in Englewood near 56th and Shields and was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center. The suspected shooter is at Stroger. Condition of both has not been released.

Looking for a #lifeguard or expert in the field to do a quick recorded interview this afternoon for @WBBMNewsradio in Chicago. DM me!