Illinois high school students will no longer be tested on their writing skills. The move to eliminate writing from state standardized tests will save $2.4 million. (Tribune)

RELATED: If you’re one of the 75 percent of Americans who know from which country we achieved independence, congratulations. (NY Daily News)

This is what a tour of the Chicago River — and Fourth of July fireworks — looks like in hi-speed. (Doobybrain)

Chicago by boat: A timelapse journey from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.