Environment

A snowy owl on a fence near Montrose Beach on Nov. 24, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: Snowy owls’ unusually early visit to the Chicago lakefront

Two snowy owls have been spotted at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary and a third briefly...
A snowy owl on a fence near Montrose Beach on Nov. 24, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Snowy owls’ unusually early visit to Chicago lakefront could signal migratory boom

Two snowy owls have been spotted at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary and a third briefly...
A child sits on a grown-up's shoulders while waiting in line to enter the Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza on Nov. 22, 2025, in Chicago. After a weekend of mild weather, temperatures are expected to drop dramatically by Wednesday. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Thanksgiving weather: After mild and overcast start to the week, holiday will turn cold and blustery

Highs will hover in the low to mid-30s during the day and might get as...
Christina Seibert, executive director of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County, speaks during a program on proper recycling at the Glenview Public Library on Oct. 27, 2025. (Jennifer Johnson/for Pioneer Press)

Trucks are catching fire due to improper recycling. Here’s how to do it right.

Trucks are catching fire due to improper recycling; expert gives tips. Also, paint recyling and...
Lemont resident Amy Silberman-Kelly speaks about air quality concerns at a Lemont Environmental Advisory Commission meeting Nov. 20, 2025. (Addison Wright/Daily Southtown)

Lemont area residents demand answers on alleged air pollution

Lemont residents demand the village provide real time data and alerts about the level of...
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, right, and Elmwood Park Village President Angelo "Skip" Savian discuss efforts to replace lead pipes in municipal water systems during a news conference Nov. 14 at Elmwood Park Village Hall. (Village of Elmwood Park)

Elmwood Park’s lead pipes become poster child in push for EPA funds for replacement

Politicians gathered in Elmwood Park to make a plea for financial support for efforts to...
Egrets hunt in the wetlands at Milan Bottoms Preserve in Rock Island County on July 31, 2025. Milan Bottoms spans over 4,000 acres and is owned by a patchwork of state and federal agencies as well as private parties. Illinois has no statewide protections for wetlands on private land. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois lawmakers urged to ‘step up’ and ‘fight like hell’ as EPA moves to cut wetlands protections

New U.S. EPA rule would strip protections from 72% of the state's remaining wetlands, which...
Pope Leo XIV gestures as he arrives at the Pontifical Lateran University on the occasion of the opening of the academic year, in Rome, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Leo XIV calls for urgent climate action and says God’s creation is ‘crying out’

Pope Leo XIV on Monday urged countries at United Nations climate talks to take “concrete...
West Aurora School District 129's new electric Blue Bird school buses charge up at the charging stations at the district’s transportation center in North Aurora on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (Mark Black/For The Beacon-News)

West Aurora District 129 launches 27 electric school buses funded by EPA grant

The district began using the new buses in October, and they now make up more...
Bronze turkey hens roam in a fenced grassy area after being fed on Nov. 14, 2025, at All Grass Farms in Dundee. Cliff McConville said his flock has not been affected by bird flu. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

Bird flu cases are on the rise again, including 2 million turkeys. Will that affect your Thanksgiving dinner?

Turkeys make up approximately 2% of the entire U.S. poultry inventory, but account for 24%...
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