Robert McCoppin

Robert McCoppin reports on news and trends in Chicago's suburbs, focusing especially on the legalization of marijuana. Having worked at the City News Bureau and Daily Herald before joining the Tribune in 2010, he has covered crime, the courts, flooding, and health, and has won multiple Chicago Headline Club awards.

Arlington Heights police file suit challenging new village ordinance that prevents sergeants from forming a union

December 9, 2025 at 7:39 p.m.

The Metropolitan Alliance of Police and three Arlington Heights police officers filed suit against the northwest suburb, arguing that a new local ordinance tries to prevent sergeants from forming a...

People outside the DuPage County Courthouse Feb. 11, 2025, in Wheaton. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Suspected TikTok and drunken driving crashes highlight dangers of impaired and distracted driving

December 6, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Recent cases of a driver allegedly on TikTok who struck a pedestrian, and a drunk driver who killed a brother and sister, highlight the dangers of impaired driving.

Detained immigrants in the library at McHenry County Jail in Woodstock, March 7, 2017. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

McHenry County takes on an old client in court: ICE

November 29, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

McHenry County is suing ICE to cover any potential liability for alleged forced labor of immigrant detainees.

Marseilles National Guard Training Center in Marseilles, Nov. 20, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois National Guard housed at state site as questions about Trump deployment costs grow

November 22, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker has allowed federalized Illinois National Guard troops to use the training area in Marseilles as precise costs for the Guard deployments remains a moving target.

Fans cheer during the first half of the Bears season opener against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field, Sept. 10, 2017, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Most Chicagoans want the Bears to stay, poll finds, but don’t want to spend tax dollars for a new stadium

November 26, 2025 at 4:51 p.m.

Most Chicagoans want the Bears to stay, but don’t want to spend public money to keep them, a new survey has found.

People place bets at DraftKings Sportsbook, which is attached to Wrigley Field, before a ballgame in 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Number of sports bets have dropped — but amount of betting has increased following new Illinois per wager tax

November 17, 2025 at 1:42 p.m.

Despite the drop in the number of bets, the amount of money wagered on sports in September increased 9% from the previous year to a new record high handle of...

Hemp products displayed behind the counter at Chi'Tiva hemp dispensary and lounge, Sept. 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

End of federal shutdown includes nationwide ban on hemp products that get people high

November 13, 2025 at 8:05 a.m.

As Congress took action to resume government operations, the legislation included a late provision to ban intoxicating hemp products nationwide.

Passengers move through Terminal 3 on Nov. 7, 2025, at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

100 flights at O’Hare and Midway canceled Friday due to FAA order

November 7, 2025 at 3:39 p.m.

Nearly 100 flights were cancelled at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway International airports on the first day of flight reductions ordered by the FAA amid the ongoing government shutdown.

Travelers line up at a security checkpoint area in Terminal 3 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago on Nov. 3, 2025. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)

O’Hare and Midway airports among those targeted for flight reductions amid government shutdown: ‘It could get dicey’

November 6, 2025 at 5:21 p.m.

The FAA said it would reduce flights by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets to maintain the safety of air travel as the federal government shutdown drags on.

A Geneva couple went to Jamaica for their honeymoon. Then Hurricane Melissa hit.

November 1, 2025 at 9:08 a.m.

When the storm grew into Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, the couple’s flight home was canceled.

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