Good morning, Chicago.

Chicago police are forcing people into mental hospitals more often—data shows forced hospitalizations rose over 30% from 2023 to 2024 and have reached over 6,700 cases since 2021.

One woman, Janette Bass, said she still feels scared after being taken for a psychiatric check in 2019.

Sheriff’s police in Fox Lake executed a search warrant on August 14 after a tip led them to a basement where three young children were found sleeping on cold concrete amid unsanitary conditions—authorities charged the father with child endangerment, possession of child pornography and cruelty to animals while charging the mother with child endangerment.

Tamara Valdez, Zack Martin, and Keshav Gandhi from UIC were selected as Fulbright U.S. Student Program finalists and will spend the 2025-26 school year overseas.

Gandhi will conduct research in computational cancer genomics in Germany while Martin will study art history in Belgium and Valdez will explore traditional paper making in Catalonia.

UIC will host SparkFest 2025 on Sept.

20 at 9 a.m. to welcome prospective students and their families to explore campus tours, academic sessions, campus events + free parking and a Flames volleyball game against Loyola in the evening. Registrants can build a personalized agenda online to secure spots for sessions like Art School Confidential and Financing College.

The Chicago Plan Commission approved a $78 million plan to renovate the 59th Street Metra station with construction set to begin summer 2026 and the station reopening early 2030—this project will add elevators, new headhouses and warming houses while reopening the long-closed 60th Street entrance to improve access and safety.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said Flock Safety broke state law by letting federal officers access license plate data — Evanston has already ended its contract while his office is investigating the breach.

Colson Montgomery feels relief in the major leagues—he hit his fourth straight home run against the Kansas City Royals and tied for third on the team with 14 homers, showing his strong swing after a tough season in the minors.