Residents in tornado-ravaged areas in Illinois and Indiana are grappling with damage to their homes and neighborhoods after a strong line of storms barreled through communities south of Chicago.

At least three tornadoes have battered communities outside Chicago, leveling homes and ripping down trees and power poles.

Tree Town residents can register to attend free talks that delve into behind-the-scene machinations of city government and services.

Authorities say they've arrested a former respiratory therapist who is charged with first-degree murder in the death of a patient 20 years ago.