Le Journal

A new voice is coming to the Chicago Transit Authority and it will be recognizable to many in the city. The transit agency announced it has teamed up with Chance the Rapper for a new campaign. The Chicago icon will now be featured in two new “station announcements,” which will play at rail stations across the city for several weeks starting on Dec. 3. Chance’s hit single “Ride” will be featured in the announcement, the agency said. “I think this partnership is so important because I grew up taking the Red Line train from 79th,” Chance the Rapper said in a statement. “All of the train lines create a pathway to connection and an opportunity for people to build community, and that’s what STAR LINE is about. It’s about us forming together to fight anything that’s going against us. This is an important time in the city for people to stand up, be brave and protective of each other.” The rapper will also be on an episode of the CTA’s “Moving Experiences: Stories of the CTA” podcast and posters featuring the new collaboration will also be available for download. The CTA said the collaboration idea began during a conversation at the 2025 Bud Billiken Parade and was originally announced on the day of Chance’s “And We Back” homecoming tour date in October. “This is a unique partnership between two Chicago icons — CTA and Chance — that allows us to celebrate the special meaning they both have for our great city,” CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen said in a statement. “At CTA, we are thrilled to showcase Chance’s artistry and accomplishments while telling the story of his Chicago roots riding CTA in his early days. This partnership represents true Chicago and CTA pride, and we are excited to share it with our riders and employees.” The CTA said more collaborations with the rapper are expected in the future.

It’s about to get unusually cold- even for Chicago. While this week’s temperatures may not be unheard of in a winter season, they’re quite rare for early December. So rare they haven’t been seen this early into meteorological winter for several decades. Temperatures Wednesday night will drop into the single digits, and some of the western and northern suburbs away from the lake could drop below zero. Wind chills will range anywhere from -5 to -20 degrees, with gusts up to 25 mph. Areas closest to the lake will be on the mild side of that range since the water temperature in Lake Michigan is still around 40 degree. So how unusual is this cold air for early December? The record low for Dec. 4 is 0 degrees, which was set in 1893, but the last time a temperature of 5 degrees or colder was recorded at O’Hare prior to Dec. 5 was Dec. 4 in 1991. In 153 years of records, the temperature in Chicago has dropped to 5 degrees or colder prior to Dec. 5 just 26 times. The earliest was Nov. 17 in 1959, when the low was 3 degrees. Other notable dates that were close to being as cold in the past 34 years: Dec. 5, 2005: 4 degrees Dec. 4, 2006: 6 degrees Dec. 6, 2007: 0 degrees Dec. 7, 2008: 4 degrees

A suspect has been charged after he allegedly punched an elderly man, knocking him onto the CTA Blue Line tracks on Monday morning. According to Forest Park police, 39-year-old Tommie Carter is facing one count of attempted murder and three counts of aggravated battery to a police officer after an incident unfolded at the Harlem Avenue CTA Blue Line stop on Monday. Police were called to the station at 8:34 a.m. Monday for reports of an assault. When officers arrived, they located an elderly man, who was laying on the tracks near the station. It is believed that the suspect in the case punched the elderly man in the face during an altercation. The victim was taken to an area hospital after nearly striking the electrified third rail, according to prosecutors. An approaching CTA train was able to stop short of the victim, with the train conductor observing the assault, according to police. Carter was allegedly still at the train station when police arrived, and when officers attempted to detain him, he actively resisted arrest, fighting with officers and spitting on several before finally being taken into custody by River Forest and Forest Park police, according to prosecutors. A public defender has been appointed in the case, and Carter’s next court hearing is set for December 19.

The Chicago White Sox have added a reliever to their bullpen, signing Anthony Kay to a multi-year contract according to multiple reports. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the two-year deal will pay Kay $5 million per season, with a mutual option of $10 million for the 2028 season. After a five-year MLB career, Kay has pitched the last two seasons in Japan for Yokohama, with a 9-6 record and a 1.74 ERA in 24 appearances last season. In his five MLB seasons, he has a 5.59 ERA in 44 total appearances, primarily pitching out of the bullpen for the Blue Jays, Cubs and Mets. He most recently pitched for the Mets during the 2023 season, giving up two earned runs in 3.1 innings of relief work. When Kay is officially signed, the White Sox 40-man roster will stand at 35 players. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Popular mall staple and beloved candle brand Yankee Candle will is set to close approximately 20 stores, according to a release, with the store’s parent company also laying over 900 employees as it works to build a “more agile and high-performing organization.” Newell Brands, which also owns Rubbermaid, Sharpie, Coleman, Greco, Elmer’s and Paper Mate, announced the news in a Dec. 1, 2025 press release. The closures and layoffs come just as shopping for the 2025 holiday season begins. According to the release, the layoffs — which amount to approximately 10 percent of professional and clerical employees — are set to start this month. “We’ve made meaningful progress executing our strategy and strengthening Newell Brands, but there is more work to do,” president and CEO Chris Peterson said in the release. “This productivity plan is about taking the next, disciplined step to enhance efficiency, sharpen our strategic focus, and deliver stronger, more consistent performance. Ultimately, our goal is to deliver greater value for consumers and create sustained long-term value for our shareholders.” Retail 13 hours ago Value City Furniture declares bankruptcy with 33 stores closing, including 1 in Chicago suburb Trump Administration 22 hours ago Costco becomes biggest company yet to demand refund of Trump tariffs Peterson also said the reductions will enable the brand to “further invest in innovation, brand building and growth in a dynamic consumer environment.” The store closures, the release said, are expected to take effect in January 2026. “This retail optimization aligns the brand’s footprint with modern consumer shopping behaviors and supports its multi-channel growth strategy,” the release said. According to the website, Yankee Candle has more than 200 stores across the U.S and in Canada. In Illinois, the candle retailer has 10 stores. Many of them are inside suburban Chicago malls. It wasn’t immediately clear which 20 Yankee Candle stores across the U.S. were slated to close. In a statement sent to NBC Chicago, a spokesperson for Yankee Candle said closures amount to roughly one percent of the brand’s sales. “We’re focusing resources on our most productive channels and store locations to strengthen performance and better serve consumers across our multi-channel retail strategy,” the spokesperson said. “We appreciate the dedication of our store teams and the loyalty of Yankee Candle fans. Customers can continue to shop their favorite fragrances and collections at nearby stores or online at YankeeCandle.com.” The full list of Illinois Yankee Candle stores, according to the website, can be found below: Chicago Ridge: 444 Chicago Ridge Mall Tinley Park: 191st St. Woodridge: 1001 75th St. Lombard: 156 Yorktown Shopping Center Schaumburg: 5 Woodfield Mall Palatine: 20530 Rand Rd. Joliet: 3340 Mall Loop Dr. Geneva: 418 Commons Drive Normal: 209 Veterans Parkway Fairview Heights: 134 St. Claire Square