Q&A: Chicago park defender unapologetic on Lucas Museum fray

" The head of a small nonprofit that stood its ground and blocked "Star Wars" creator George Lucas' private museum from being built on Chicago's prized lakefront is unapologetic in the face of attacks that its campaign merely protected an existing parking lot. The preservationist group was vilified after going up against a billionaire Hollywood mogul and a mayor who was once a White House chief of staff.

GOP, Democrats say progress made in Illinois budget talks

CHICAGO – Gov. Bruce Rauner and majority Democrats were pushing competing plans to ensure schools stay open and government operations continue, though there were signs late Tuesday that the two sides could reach a deal on stopgap spending as Illinois approaches a second year without a full state budget. Legislative leaders left a nearly three-hour meeting with the Republican governor saying they had made progress and would meet again Wednesday morning.

2 die in California wildfire that left little time to flee

Multiple fatalities have been reported in flooding that has devastated parts of the state, a state official said Friday morning. As a deluge swamped southeast West Virginia - a disaster that killed at least 18 people - Ronnie Scott's wife called him and told him their house was filling up with water.

Rahm fights alongside George Lucas to give Chicago museum a new hope

A nasty court fight between film icon George Lucas and Chicago environmentalists over a proposed art museum in the city could have the Star Wars creator saying, "Help me, Obi-Rahm, you're my only hope." Lucas is fighting to build a futuristic art museum on the Chicago lakefront, and has enlisted the help of Mayor Rahm Emanuel to keep the project alive.

Mayor, local LGBT leaders pledge support after deadly attack at Orlando nightclub

A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun took hostages and opened fire inside a crowded Florida nightclub on June 12, 2016, killing 50 people and wounding 53 others before dying in a gunfight with SWAT officers. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and leaders of Chicago's LGBT community pledged support for victims of the Pulse nightclub attack as more appalling details emerged.

LATEST: Chicago mayor: ‘More work to do’ on transparency

The Latest on the release of videos and other materials by the Chicago agency that investigates police misconduct : Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says there's "a lot more work to do" on transparency as the city publicly released information about 100 cases of alleged police misconduct. Emanuel said in a statement that releasing the videos Friday morning was an "important next step" in the city's efforts to be more transparent with police issues.

Chicago to release videos showing police-related incidents

The Chicago agency that investigates police misconduct cases plans to release videos, audio recordings and other material Friday from about 100 incidents, the latest move in the city's effort to regain public trust in its beleaguered police force. Releasing records related to open investigations is nearly unprecedented in a city where the police department for decades had a reputation for secrecy.

Statement From Mayor Rahm Emanuel On Senate Bill 777

"On Memorial Day I particularly want to thank the Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly for putting politics aside and doing the right thing for Chicago taxpayers, and for our first responders. We in the city agreed to step up and finally do our part to and responsibly fund these pensions, and I want to thank Springfield for doing their part as well.

Mayor Emanuel and Chief Santiago Congratulate New Chicago Fire Department Graduates

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Fire Department Commissioner Jose Santiago recognized 70 new graduates of the Fire Academy during a ceremony today at Navy Pier. Under the Emanuel Administration, the city has graduated nearly 800 individuals through the Fire Academy, and 120 candidates are being trained at the Academy today.

Judge wants Chicago mayor to testify on code of silence

Attorneys for the city of Chicago have told a federal judge they are prepared to admit to a jury that a code of silence exists within the police department in an attempt to keep Mayor Rahm Emanuel off the witness stand. But U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman said Friday he would still ask Emanuel to testify in the case of two whistleblower police officers suing the city, explaining that the mayor's testimony could offer "much more texture" on the issue.

Biden: Diverse military of women, gays strengthens US forces

Biden is set to deliver the commencement speech at the graduation... Vice President Joe Biden told the U.S. Military Academy's class of 2016 on Saturday that greater diversity, including more women and openly gay soldiers, will strengthen the country's armed forces. Vice President Joe Biden told the U.S. Military Academy's class of 2016 on Saturday that greater diversity, including more women and openly gay soldiers, will strengthen the country's armed forces.

TSA head: Expect more airport security delays despite funds

The head of the Transportation Security Administration warned travellers Friday to expect long airport security lines to continue during the peak summer travel season despite Congress' shifting of $34 million to the agency. Peter Neffenger briefed officials in Chicago on Friday about efforts to address crushing delays in getting passengers through security checkpoints at major airports around the country.

Eyes on the Street: Dearborn Detour Suggests Salmoning on Lake Street

The City of Chicago has made notable progress on expanding its network of protected bike lanes into more community areas and communities of color than it had before Rahm Emanuel became mayor, but it seems nothing is better about the way bicyclists and pedestrians are accommodated around construction projects . The city has even beefed up detour rules multiple times to benefit human-powered transportation.

Chicago releases videos showing police-related incidents

The Chicago agency that investigates police misconduct cases released more than 300 video clips Friday - along with audio recordings and police reports - from 101 incidents it has investigated, the latest step by the city to restore public trust in its beleaguered police force. The Independent Police Review Authority, which also investigates any instance of an officer firing a gun in a manner that could injure someone, posted the material to its website.