Local

A series of five public hearings will be held this month to seek comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement for high-speed rail from Chicago to St. Louis.

Alternatives for accommodating higher speeds and additional round trips were narrowed down based on criteria that included residential and commercial impacts, travel time reductions, safety and environmental impacts.

Praising The Onion for uniting its business and editorial operations in Chicago, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon has declared today “The Onion Day” to celebrate the digital media company’s consolidation of its headquarters in Illinois.

Formerly based in Madison, Wis., with its editorial staff headquartered in New York City, The Onion consolidated its media operations in Chicago this month, which will include a new studio for digital video production.