Illinois
Week in Review: Couple attacked by teen mob • Hall of Fame comes to Mongo • Mega Millions jackpot in Illinois
Fox 32’s Week in Review – June 7
These are the top stories on Fox 32’s Week in Review.
CHICAGO – A Chicago woman spoke out after she and her husband were attacked by a group of teens in Streeterville; the hall of fame is making a special exception for Bears’ legend Steve McMichael; and a winning Mega Millions jackpot ticket worth an estimated $560 million was sold in Illinois.
These are the top stories on Fox 32’s Week in Review.
Chicago wife, husband attacked by teens for no apparent reason
A husband and wife were attacked after going on a date in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood on Friday.
Chicago woman speaks out after she and husband attacked by teens in Streeterville
A husband and wife were attacked after going on a date in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood on Friday.
The couple found themselves surrounded by teens around 8:30 p.m. at Grand Avenue and McClurg Court. They were kicked, stomped on, and punched repeatedly.
Nina, who didn’t want to show her face on camera, shared images with FOX 32 showing a chunk of her hair pulled out. During the interview, her eye was still bruised.
Her husband was also viciously attacked by the group, which held him down.
Pro Football Hall of Fame making special exception for Bears legend Steve McMichael
The hall of fame is making a special exception for the Bears’ legend and his hall of fame induction.
How the Pro Football Hall of Fame is making a special exception for Bears legend Steve McMichael
The NFL’s Hall of Fame Game is less than two months away, which means football season is right around the corner as well.
Three former Chicago Bears are set to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Devin Hester, Julius Peppers and Steve McMichael. McMichael spent 13 of his 15 seasons with the Bears.
FOX 32’s Lou Canellis got the chance to visit with the McMichael family and got an update on McMichael’s Hall of Fame celebration.
The hall of fame is making a special exception for the Bears’ legend.
2 suburban teens dead in Eisenhower Expressway crash; Chicago woman charged with reckless homicide
A Chicago woman is in custody after allegedly crashing into another vehicle and killing two people on the Eisenhower Expressway over the weekend.
Ashanti Gates, 21, has been charged with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, two counts of reckless homicide and child endangerment.
On Sunday, Illinois State Police (ISP) troopers responded to a fatal crash on I-290 westbound near Paulina Avenue in Cook County.
While investigating the crash, ISP determined that a white Toyota sedan had pulled onto the right shoulder of the expressway and put its hazard lights on due to a flat tire.
Driver killed in crash on Tri-State Tollway near O’Hare airport identified
One driver has died and three others are hospitalized after a crash on the Tri-State Tollway near O’Hare International Airport.
Driver killed in crash on Tri-State Tollway near O’Hare airport identified
One driver has died and three others are hospitalized after a crash on the Tri-State Tollway near O’Hare International Airport.
The crash happened just before 4 p.m. Friday on I-294 southbound, near Golf Road in the inbound lanes and prompted a massive response from police and first responders.
Details on what led to the crash are unknown, but Illinois State Police said it was a “four-unit, rear-end, chain reaction, fatal crash.”
Indiana boy’s death ruled a homicide
The cause of death for a 10-year-old boy who died in April has been released.
Investigation underway after Indiana coroner releases 10-year-old boy’s cause of death
The cause of death was released this week for a 10-year-old boy who died in April after police were called to a home in northwest Indiana for a ‘medical emergency.’
According to the St. Joseph County Coroner’s Office, Dakota Stevens, of Valparaiso, died from mechanical asphyxia. His death has been ruled a homicide.
On April 25, patrol officers were called to a home in the 200 block of Falcon Way in Liberty Township, near Valparaiso, for a ‘medical emergency.’ Upon arrival, officers located the child and emergency medical services transported him to a local hospital for treatment.
Mega Millions winning jackpot ticket worth $560M sold in Illinois
A winning Mega Millions jackpot ticket worth an estimated $560 million was sold in Illinois, lottery officials announced Wednesday.
Mega Millions winning jackpot ticket worth $560M sold in Illinois
A winning Mega Millions jackpot ticket worth an estimated $560 million was sold in Illinois, lottery officials announced Wednesday.
The ticket matched all six numbers from Tuesday night’s drawing plus the gold Mega Ball 17. The winning numbers were 19, 37, 40, 63 and 69.
The jackpot-winning ticket was sold online. Lottery officials said this is the second person online to win over a million this week.
‘Heat of the moment’: Sky’s Chennedy Carter, Angel Reese address Caitlin Clark foul
Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter and Angel Reese on Monday spoke about the flagrant foul against Caitlin Clark.
Angel Reese, Chicago Sky fined after loss to Indiana Fever
The Chicago Sky and rookie Angel Reese were fined after Saturday’s loss to the Indiana Fever.
Reese was fined $1,000 for failing to make herself available for interviews after the team’s 71-70 loss.
Reese recorded 8 points and 13 rebounds in her first professional game against the top overall pick, Caitlin Clark. Clark had 11 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
Mystery surrounds missing man found dead on Chicago’s South Side
Police launched a homicide investigation after finding the body of a missing man Tuesday night in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
Body of missing Chicago man found in Back of the Yards, homicide investigation underway
Chicago police have launched a homicide investigation after finding the body of a missing man in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
The 47-year-old man was found unresponsive on Tuesday around 7:30 p.m. in a basement apartment in the 5300 block of South Hermitage Avenue, according to police.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Oscar Valenzuela.
His mother, Aida Lemos, said she’s been searching for her son for six months after he was in an abusive relationship and was previously living with his partner.
‘They on to you’: Dolton meeting with Mayor Tiffany Henyard, Lori Lightfoot turns to chaos
It was one of the most chaotic meetings in Dolton we have seen. Police had to stop it from getting physical.
‘Put cuffs on you’: Dolton meeting with Mayor Tiffany Henyard, Lori Lightfoot turns to chaos
A hastily called Dolton village meeting ended in chaos as opponents and supporters of controversial Mayor Tiffany Henyard almost came to blows on Monday.
Police had to break up the skirmish as Henyard and trustees cleared the room. The altercation happened immediately after trustees voted 4-2 to reinstate former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s investigation into Henyard’s activities, overriding Henyard’s veto.
“We will not let anyone stop us or obstruct our ability to get to the facts,” Lightfoot said almost inaudibly as Henyard and trustees made several attempts to talk over her.
OSHA investigating fatal scaffolding accident
A construction worker who was in critical condition after falling from a scaffolding while working on a project on the South Side is expected to make a full recovery.
South Side construction accident: Critically injured worker expected to fully recover, one fatality reported
A construction worker who was in critical condition after falling from a scaffolding while working on a project on the South Side is expected to make a full recovery.
New Horizon Steel, the company that employs the injured worker, said Friday that he is now in stable condition.
The worker who died, identified as 27-year-old David O’Donnell, of Oak Forest, was employed by another contractor.
Illinois
Illinois Tollway proposing increased tolls in 2027 to fund $26.5 billion in road construction
Illinois drivers might soon have to pay more to drive on the state’s tollways.
The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority has proposed an increase in tolls in 2027. If approved by the board, it would be the state’s first toll hike since 2012.
Anyone who drives in the Chicago area likely jumps on one of the Illinois tollways at some point.
“I try to avoid them, you know what I mean? But if I’ve got to get somewhere, and it’s like 10 minutes quicker, I’ll just take the toll,” said Shomari Dyson.
But that toll could cost Dyson and thousands of drivers who take it an average of 45 cents more per toll for passenger vehicles and 30% more per toll for commercial vehicles starting Jan. 1, 2027, if the Illinois tollway board approves the proposed toll hike, and those paying the tolls aren’t happy
“It’s ridiculous. I’m constantly getting tolls, charges, refills on my bank account when my iPass goes through. So, I can imagine it’s just going to happen more and more often,” Jon Jackson said.
Currently, tolls run as low as 30 cents and as high as $1.50 at various toll plazas.
This proposed hike could place the average toll well over a $1 every time drivers pass through an automatic toll plaza.
“I like to know where my money is going, and then [Interstate] 294 has been under construction for the last 15 years, and that is frustrating,” Frank Faso said.
The tollway said the hike is needed to handle projected repairs for road widening, bridge repair, and new technology. It’s all tied to a 15-year capital improvement program estimated to cost $26.5 billion.
The tollway board also wants automatic inflation-based increases every two years starting in 2029.
“We pay our taxes, man, you know what I’m saying? So all that extra, it’s nonsense,” Dyson said.
“If we’re going to void and not take part in things like the World Cup and Soldier Field that’s going to bring tax revenue to the state, they shouldn’t charge me for it,” Faso said.
The board must hold a dozen meetings in various counties to get the public’s take before voting on the toll hike. The first one kicks off in August, but drivers question if the public hearings are really about input.
“I think they’re just going to keep going through the motions,” Jackson said.
Illinois
Illinois has already broken the record for number of tornadoes in a year — and it’s only June
Illinois has seen more tornadoes in 2026 than in any year on record.
Following several more tornadoes confirmed this week across the state, Illinois has recorded 143 tornadoes so far in 2026, beating the previous record of 142 tornadoes set in 2024. With reliable records dating back to 1950, Illinois averages just 54 tornadoes per year. But in recent years, the state has experienced many more:
- 2023: 121
- 2024: 142
- 2025: 126
- 2026: 143 and counting
Unlike 2024, when a record two-day tornado outbreak accounted for a large share of the year’s tornadoes, the activity in 2026 has been spread out across several months.
On Thursday, June 11, a tornado outbreak brought at least 21 confirmed tornadoes to northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, 13 of them in Illinois. Two tornadoes that day — in Streator, Illinois, and Hebron, Indiana — reached rare EF-3 intensity, with winds over 135 miles per hour. Numerous injuries were reported from the storms, but there were no fatalities.
Confirmed tornadoes from June 11:
- Long Point to Streator, IL: EF-3
- Wenona/Osage Township, IL: EF-1
- Graymont to Dwight, IL: EF-1
- Lee, IL: EF-U
- Harpster to Elliott, IL: EF-0
- Pembroke Township (Leesville), IL: EF-U
- St. John to Schererville, IN: EF-0
- Paxton/Loda, IL: EF-1
- Merrillville to Hobart, IN: EF-2
- Ludlow, IL: EF-1
- Cedar Lake, IN: EF-0
- Schneider to Hebron, IN: EF-0
- Watseka, IL: EF-0
- Hebron to Kouts, IN: EF-3
- Wellington/Prairie Green Township, IL: EF-1
- Bartlett, IL: EF-1
- Boswell to Atkinson, IN: EF-1
- Ade to Mount Ayr, IN: EF-0
- Naperville to Lisle, IL: EF-0
- Hickory Hills to Garfield Ridge: EF-2
- Morocco, IN: EF-0
Though most of the Chicago area dodged severe weather from storms this week, the National Weather Service confirmed a brief tornado touchdown Wednesday night in Lake County near Grayslake. The EF-0 tornado had estimated winds of 80 miles per hour and was on the ground for about a quarter-mile. Damage consisted of several downed or split trees and sporadic minor roof damage along a narrow corridor in the Saddlebrook Farms subdivision.
Four more tornadoes were confirmed Wednesday in western and central Illinois. NWS crews are still surveying damage in central Illinois, and more tornadoes may be added to the count in the coming days.
With 143 tornadoes so far this year, Illinois leads the nation in tornado count for the third time in the last four years — a remarkable statistic for a state not typically thought of as being in Tornado Alley.
The recent increase in tornado activity across Illinois and the Midwest fits research showing a shift in tornado-favorable environments away from parts of the traditional Plains Tornado Alley and farther east into the Midwest and South. Climate change is one likely factor, as warming temperatures are expected to make the Plains hotter and drier overall, shifting tornado ingredients eastward toward the Mississippi River.
A person was fatally hit by a Metra train in Palatine, Illinois, early Friday morning.
Around 5:10 a.m., Metra said Union Pacific Northwest train No. 602 hit a pedestrian at Baldwin Road and Northwest Highway.
Metra confirmed the person died at the scene. The victim has not been identified.
Metra said train service on the Union Pacific Northwest line is suspended.
This is a developing story. CBS News Chicago will continue to provide updates.
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