A suspect has been charged in the murder of slain officer Luis Huesca, NBC 5 Investigates has learned. Xavier L. Tate Jr., 22, was charged with first-degree murder, according to documents filed on Friday in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Tate had yet to be taken into custody as of Friday night. Court records allege that Tate used a 40-caliber handgun to fatally shoot Huesca, who was found with multiple gunshot wounds early Sunday morning near his Gage Park home. Officers discovered the 30-year-old, who had been shot in the face, after responding to a ShotSpotter alert at 2:53 a.m. near West ..read more

Southwest Airlines is studying changes to its quirky boarding and seating policies as it searches for ways to raise more revenue. Airline officials say they are studying possible changes but won’t have anything to announce until September. That tease is leading to speculation about whether Southwest might ditch some longstanding traditions, including the practice of passengers picking their own seats only after they board a plane. CEO Robert Jordan says he is proud of Southwest’s “product,” but it was developed when flights weren’t as full as they are today, and customers’ preferences cha ..read more

Three days after Foxtrot and Dom’s Market announced their sudden closures, former employees were scrambling to find jobs. Several rallied on Friday for workers’ rights, believing the parent company, Outfox Hospitality, might have violated the WARN Act. Outfox Hospitality could not be reached for comment, but according to a message on the Dom’s Market website, the company “explored many avenues to continue the business but found no viable option despite good faith and exhaustive efforts.” The fallout caused a domino of damage to other small and locally owned businesses in Chicago. “It hurts, I ..read more

For the second time in recent months, President Joe Biden’s administration has delayed a sweeping plan to ban menthol cigarettes, a decision that is certain to infuriate anti-smoking advocates but could avoid angering Black voters ahead of November elections. In a statement Friday, Biden’s top health official gave no timeline for issuing the rule, saying only that the administration would take more time to consider feedback, including from civil rights groups. “It’s clear that there are still more conversations to have, and that will take significantly more time,” said Health and Human Service ..read more

Much has been said about the historic 2024 cicada emergence – from size to timing and more – but when it comes to noise levels, it appears things could get loud. So loud that residents in at least one state are already calling 911. Cicada noise is inevitable every year, but this year will be different as a rare emergence that hasn’t been seen for centuries will hit some parts of the U.S., particularly Illinois, hard. Trillions of red-eyed periodical cicadas started emerging from underground in parts of the U.S. this month. The broods emerging are on 13 or 17 year cycles, wh ..read more

A nurse at a suburban Arlington Heights elementary school was placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into the potential misuse of students’ prescription medications, according to school district officials. The nurse, who works at Westgate Elementary School, was put on leave after concerns were brought to administrators on Monday evening, Lori Bein, the superintendent of Arlington Heights District 25, said in a letter sent to the school community the following day. In the letter, Bein explained a district administrator was “made aware of concerns and documentation” regarding a nur ..read more

What will happen to Spring Hall Mall now that it has closed? Village officials gave a new update this week on where things stand and what’s next for the once-popular suburban shopping center. The mall shuttered last month, with all stores ending operations and leaving only a Cinemark movie theater and a Kohl’s still open. On Thursday, the village of West Dundee announced it has completed its acquisition of the mall from Kohan Retail Investment Group, which owned the property since 2021. The cost to purchase the 76-acre property was $7 million, the village said. Part of the property, estimated ..read more

As some malls across suburban Chicago ramp up efforts to attract customers with new stores, outdoor spaces and restaurants, two once-popular suburban Chicago malls have recently closed their doors for good. In February, Spring Hill Mall, in West Dundee announced that it will, with some exceptions, “close its doors permanently” March 22. The 40-year-old mall’s closure follows a number of department store closures over the last several years. It first began in 2011 with the departure of JCPenney, and continued when Carson Pirie Scott closed in 2018. Then Macy’s joined in 2020. Kohan Retail ..read more

The northbound ramp on the Dan Ryan Expressway to westbound I-290 has been shut down for a reported shooting investigation, according to authorities. Delays in the area are expected as authorities investigate the shooting, Illinois State Police said. It is unclear if anyone was struck by gunfire in the incident. There is currently no further information available. This is a developing story. Check back later for updates. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser ..read more

While Friday in the Chicago area started out clear and dry, an active weather pattern was set to move in by afternoon, with warmer temperatures, rain, storms and the chance for severe weather. “Periods of rain over the next several days,” NBC 5 Meteorologist Iisha Scott said. “But it doesn’t look to be a washout.” According to Scott, there will be dry time Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and temperatures will be significantly warmer. However, storms bringing the threat of hail, gusty winds and even the potential for a tornado loom over the weekend forecast. Late Friday morning, rain and rumbles o ..read more