Downtown Chicago tries to attract shoppers with more security

1 big thing: Downtown wants you back 


Survey forecasts Chicago holiday shopping slump

2. 🛍 Holiday shopping forecast

Where to donate winter clothes in Chicago during the holiday season

3. It's Giving Tuesday

4. Tips and hot links

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Plan your future

Bears lock down Vikings in 12-10 victory

5. Bears finally beat rival Vikings 

Photo of a football player lifting another football player off the ground in celebration

6. 📺 Chicago's Elite 8 commercials 


🏁 Happy Tuesday! On this day in 1895, six "motocycles" left Jackson Park to race to Evanston and back. The race was won with a time of just over 10 hours and an average speed of 7.3 mph.

🥶 Today's weather: Brrrr. Mostly sunny with a high of 25°.

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Edited by Alexa Mencia and copy edited by Rob Reinalda and Keely Bastow.

🙋‍♀️ Monica is excited about attending the Let's Talk Womxn Hangout on Thursday night at Vermilion, where Axios' Margaret Talev and Soul & Smoke's Heather Bublick, among others, will give inspiring soapbox talks. Check it out.

🥘 Justin is stretching his Thanksgiving leftovers. He plans to be eating green bean casserole until the weekend. Wish him luck!

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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Chicago. Written by Monica Eng, Justin Kaufmann and Carrie Shepherd.

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1 big thing: Berlin shuts down after 40 years 

Keeping track of Chicago's labor union wars

2. Chicago union fights galore 

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3. Maps of the day: Your favorite sides

Stay booked and busy

Chicago bars with Thanksgiving drink specials

5. Thanksgiving drink specials

6. Where's Justin: Long Grove, Illinois 

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🍗 Happy Wednesday. What's that smell? Thanksgiving preparation, of course.

Today's weather:  Partly sunny with a high of 44°.

🥶 Situational awareness: Due to dropping temps, Chicago is opening six warming centers this week.

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Today's newsletter is 914 words — a 3.5-minute read.

❤️ Carrie is thankful she joined Axios Chicago this year — to work (and laugh) alongside Monica, Justin, Alexa, Kristen and all her colleagues each day. And here's to another year of covering this incredible, beautiful, challenging and one-of-a-kind city. What a gift.

👖 Justin is thankful there is no dress code at Axios. He has 15 hoodies, and he plans to wear every single one of them this winter. He's also thankful for his family and friends, his co-workers and the readers of this newsletter. Oh yeah, also walking tacos and Nathan Fielder. Happy Thanksgiving!

New Chicago budget relies on more city fines

1 big thing: New budget leans on more fines

Holocaust survivors urge "empathy and peace" in Israel-Hamas war letter

2. Holocaust survivors urge "empathy and peace"

3. Mars Williams dies at 68 

4. Tips and hot links 

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New jobs to check out

5. 😋 Delicious NYC-style slices

6. Where in the world is … Justin?

👩🏽‍🎨 It's Tuesday! On this day in 2010, Chicago artist and writer Margaret Taylor-Burroughs died. She co-founded the DuSable Museum of African-American History.

Today's weather: Rainy morning, high of 43°.

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Chicago member Tim Granholm!

Today's newsletter is 892 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🌏 Monica made Dorie Greenspan's World Peace Cookies over the weekend for a pet shelter fundraiser, and she is now hooked on these chewy, chocolaty sables.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker makes $1 billion clean energy pitch to EPA

1 big thing: Pritzker's green pitch to EPA 

2. ❄️ Chart of the day: Our winter forecast 

3. Meet Chicago's DNC host committee

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Stay booked and busy 

A new recipe for the Banchet Awards

5. New recipe for the Banchet Awards

6. 📺 Final Four commercial favorites

📦 Happy Wednesday! Today is National Package Protection Day. So set those booby traps and spend the whole day peeking out your window.

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Today's newsletter is 918 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🍷 📚Monica is excited about signing books with the likes of Sara Paretsky and other cool local authors Saturday as part of Words + Wine at 57th St Wines in Hyde Park.

🎟️ Justin is getting amped up for our big Power Players party next week. He even dry-cleaned his suit! Tickets still available.

Migrant resettlement progress report

1 big thing: Resettlement progress report

2. Funding fertility treatment

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4. 🏀 Go Illini/Cats

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5. Vote for Chicago's best TV ad 

💻 Happy Monday! Sure, today is Cyber Monday. But did you know that it is also National Craft Jerky Day?

Today's weather: Mostly sunny, high of 27°.

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Today's newsletter is 897 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Edited by Alexa Mencia and Kristen Hinman and copy edited by Matt Piper and Keely Bastow.

🥣 Monica has a nice pot of turkey soup simmering on the stove. 

🗳 Justin is interested to see who files their petitions this week to run for state, local and congressional offices in 2024. 

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Whats Next

Axios What's Next

Data: NOAA; Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

Despite early frigid temperatures this week, there's a heightened chance of higher-than-average temperatures this winter in Chicago, per a new NOAA seasonal outlook.

The big picture: The combination of a strong El Niño in the tropical Pacific Ocean and record high global ocean temperatures are likely to shape the upcoming winter season in potentially unexpected ways, Axios Generate's Andrew Freedman writes.

Driving the news: NOAA predictions call for a relatively warm winter in Chicago, with less snow.

Zoom out: Data suggest a higher-than-average likelihood of unusually mild temperatures across much of the Lower 48 states, particularly along the northern tier and into the Northeast, as well as in northern Alaska, per NOAA.

However, this will not necessarily translate to a lack of snow.

El Niño winters in the U.S. tend to feature a split jet stream flow across the country.

A southern branch carries storms from California and across the southern tier of the country, bringing above average precipitation to areas from central California to Florida.

The northern branch of the jet stream, meanwhile, brings cold, Arctic air.

In situations where the northern and southern branch closely interact with one another, known as "phasing," major, moisture-rich storms can form.

If temperatures are cold enough over land, heavy precipitation could fall as snow.

The intrigue: It's not yet clear how record warm global average temperatures will tip the scales in terms of U.S. air temperature and precipitation trends this winter. 

But they do raise the threat for some surprises, potentially in the form of extreme weather events.

Chicago's winter weather forecast looks dry and warm

Forecasters predict less snow this winter.

Weather

Despite early frigid temperatures this week, there&#x27;s a heightened chance of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="higher-than-average temperatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/13/climate-heat-september-noaa-nasa" data-vars-content-id="3931cd98-0ed9-4de5-a421-5b673910a0ef" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s winter weather forecast looks dry and warm" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/13/climate-heat-september-noaa-nasa" target="_self">higher-than-average temperatures</a> this winter in Chicago, per a new NOAA seasonal outlook.The big picture: The combination of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strong El Niño" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/el-nino-weather-years-world-climate-impacts" data-vars-content-id="3931cd98-0ed9-4de5-a421-5b673910a0ef" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s winter weather forecast looks dry and warm" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/el-nino-weather-years-world-climate-impacts" target="_self">strong El Niño</a> in the tropical Pacific Ocean and record high global ocean temperatures are likely to shape the upcoming winter season in potentially unexpected ways, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Generate&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-generate" data-vars-content-id="3931cd98-0ed9-4de5-a421-5b673910a0ef" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s winter weather forecast looks dry and warm" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-generate" target="_self">Axios Generate&#x27;s</a> Andrew Freedman writes.

Climate

The Democratic National Convention is just nine months away and the Chicago host committee is staffing up. 

Why it matters: The DNC will bring Democrats from all over the country to Chicago in what could be an economic benefit for the city. 

What's happening: The host committee announced early Wednesday new senior staff members with experience across Chicago's Democratic political scene. 

Maurice (Mo) Green is the new senior director of civic and community engagement. Green was most recently the political director for SEIU Local 73, but before that he worked in Gov. JB Pritzker's administration. 

Natalie Edelstein is the new communications director. Edelstein joined Pritzker's communication staff for his 2022 reelection campaign. 

Joanna Belanger is senior director of partnerships. Belanger previously worked for Sen. Dick Durbin and former Attorney General Lisa Madigan. She was also part of Moms Demand Action, a gun control advocacy group that was instrumental in lobbying for Illinois' assault weapons ban. 

Shaunna Sims-Davis is the chief equity officer. Sims-Davis has a long history with Chicago politicos, serving the Illinois Secretary of State and working for then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel. 

Jake Mikva previously worked under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot's administration, and on presidential campaigns for both Hillary Clinton and Pete Buttigieg. Mikva belonged to PACs designed to court millennial voters. 

Morgan Prewitt is a seasoned Chicago events producer who has worked on several major experiences, including Obama Foundation town halls. 

Chicago's DNC host committee announces key staffers

The behind-the-scenes team is a who's who of political operatives in Illinois.

Democratic National Committee (DNC)

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democratic National Convention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/11/democrats-chicago-2024-convention" data-vars-content-id="41889f47-4376-4481-8755-2bf2bcf9affc" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s DNC host committee announces key staffers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/11/democrats-chicago-2024-convention" target="_self">Democratic National Convention</a> is just nine months away and the Chicago host committee is staffing up. Why it matters: The DNC will bring Democrats from all over the country to Chicago in what could be an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic benefit for the city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/04/11/dnc-chicago-2024" data-vars-content-id="41889f47-4376-4481-8755-2bf2bcf9affc" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s DNC host committee announces key staffers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/04/11/dnc-chicago-2024" target="_self">economic benefit for the city</a>.

Politics

Victory Auto Wreckers announced this month that it's closing.

What's happening: The scrapyard served its purpose for 80 years in the Chicago area, but it was best known for its commercial. We couldn't get that car door out of our heads, so we decided it's time to crown the best local commercial of all time.

Methodology: What makes a good commercial? Locality and kitsch, mostly. We also had to bring balance and make sure we didn't have too many of one category. 

Also, no Michael Jordan or the '85 Bears commercials, because they went national.

So far in this tournament, Empire has dominated the competition. It's hard to argue with the results, given that its jingle could easily be the city's theme song. 

Celozzi-Ettleson is the last car dealer standing, which says a lot in Chicago. This is not just a colossal final four matchup, but it should be a lesson in local TV history.

That old car keeps motoring closer and closer to the crown, and Victory Auto Wreckers made short work of Bob Rohrman. It's a standard, and Chicago is feeling nostalgic after the junkyard closed. 

If you want humor, the only one left is Dennis Farina's Old Style. The spot really plays on Chicago's second city status, which appears to play well with voters.

Empire Carpet is the front-runner, but this matchup could definitely go either way. 

Empire's jingle is synonymous with Chicago, but Andriana Furs is warmth AND luxury.

Moo & Oink took down the corporate grocery store to get to this round. The now shuttered grocery store lives on through its rather contemporary jingle. 

Celozzi-Ettleson found local celebrity through a series of commercials that didn't showcase their charm or their looks, but rather just repeated the phrase "Where you always save more money" over and over.

Bob Rooooorrrhman becomes the second car dealer to advance to the next round. Rohrman sells cars, while Victory Auto Wreckers kills them. 

The junkyard commercial's star was a broken car door and some authentic bell bottom jeans that will always place it.

Eagle Man is so wacky and absurd that the phrase "look at those low rates" is quoted often. 

Dennis Farina will forever be etched in Chicago's hearts as an undercover cop on a sting to catch New Yorkers drinking Old Style.

588-2300 is a Chicago staple. The Empire Carpet commercials are the top seed in this tournament, not just because of their impact locally but because of their reach nationally. Everyone can finish that phone number. 

United Auto Insurance was made famous by pitchmen Eddie and Jobo from B-96.

Eagle Insurance has some low rates. So low that an eagle lays an egg on a car! Their commercials probably have the best use of an eagle costume in the tournament. 

Aronson Furniture is the home of the credit connection.

Victory Auto Wreckers will surely get a bump from this month's news, but you know that your old car is worth money because of this iconic commercial. 

Webb Boys has the whole town talking about their jingle.

These are titans of the car dealership genre of local commercials. Celozzi-Ettleson taught us that you can always save more money, while Howard Pontiac's matriarch let us know where the dealership was located. 

Yep, on Grand Avenue. Wait, where's Schmerler Ford?

Grocery stores have played a huge role in our local commercial landscape. Dominick's barely missed the cut, but Jewel-Osco's "Take a new look at an old friend Jewel" is iconic. Don't forget about the baritone voice actor telling us how much ham costs this week. 

Yet, Moo & Oink probably has the most musical jingle in Chicago history. Moo & Oink … moo moo mooooo and oink!

Walter E. Smithe furniture is more contemporary, but don't let that fool you. The brothers (and now sisters) have put together some of the most wacky local commercials in Chicago history. 

Bob Rohrman's lion roar will make an instant connection with any Chicagoan in the crowd.

Peter Francis Geraci vs. Dennis Farina's Old Style

It's bankruptcy versus beer in this first-round matchup. Geraci is still a staple on daytime TV, selling his services to those who need to get out of debt. We're not sure if he's still selling his "info tapes."  

Dennis Farina's early 1990s Old Style commercials were almost perfect. Don't be fooled by New York or LA, they are coming for our Old Style. So Chicago.

Agh! This could be the toughest matchup in the first round. Feel the warmth and luxury of Andriana Furs or watch Scottie Pippen slam dunk a sandwich. 

These are two powerhouse local commercials and we're sad one won't make it out of the first round.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with the latest rounds.

What makes a good commercial? Locality and kitsch, mostly.

Television

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Victory Auto Wreckers" data-vars-click-url="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/11/14/23960634/victory-auto-wreckers-commercial-door-bensenville-bob-zajdel-kyle-weisner-editorial" data-vars-content-id="42fac4e6-4e53-4f88-b941-3766e021bd83" data-vars-headline="Vote for Chicago&#x27;s best TV commercial of all time" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/11/14/23960634/victory-auto-wreckers-commercial-door-bensenville-bob-zajdel-kyle-weisner-editorial" target="_blank">Victory Auto Wreckers</a> announced this month that it&#x27;s closing.What&#x27;s happening: The scrapyard served its purpose for 80 years in the Chicago area, but it was best known for its commercial. We couldn&#x27;t get that car door out of our heads, so we decided it&#x27;s time to crown the best local commercial of all time.

Things to Do

Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears did something they haven't done all season, orchestrating a game-winning drive to beat the Vikings in Minnesota, 12-10. 

What happened: The Bears dominated for most of the game, but gave up a late fourth-quarter touchdown to fall behind 10-9. 

Yes, but: Fields led the Bears down the field and kicker Cairo Santos booted a game-winner with seconds to play. 

MVP: Fields is the best player on the field, fumbles and all. His connection with D.J. Moore was consistent, targeting the wide out 12 times, including a big fourth-quarter throw to get the Bears into field goal range. 

The Bears defense should get all the credit though, holding the Vikings to just 10 points. 

LVP: The Bears offensive play-calling strategy was questionable as Fields  completed almost half of his passes behind the line of scrimmage. 

The Bears committed seven penalties, many in crucial situations. 

State of play: Three of the team's four wins have been in primetime this season. 

Bottom line: Coach Matt Eberflus beat an NFC North opponent for the first time in his Bears coaching career. 

What's next: The Bears (4-8) have their bye week. 

It was the Bears first game-winning drive of the season.

Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos (8) is picked up by Chicago Bears offensive lineman Lucas Patrick (62) after kicking a game-winning 30-yard field goal during the fourth quarter. Photo: Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears did something they haven&#x27;t done all season, orchestrating a game-winning drive to beat the Vikings in Minnesota, 12-10. What happened: The Bears dominated for most of the game, but gave up a late fourth-quarter touchdown to fall behind 10-9. Yes, but: Fields led the Bears down the field and kicker Cairo Santos booted a game-winner with seconds to play. MVP: Fields is the best player on the field, fumbles and all. His connection with D.J. Moore was consistent, targeting the wide out 12 times, including a big fourth-quarter throw to get the Bears into field goal range. <ul><li>The Bears defense should get all the credit though, holding the Vikings to just 10 points. </li></ul>LVP: The Bears offensive play-calling strategy was questionable as Fields completed almost half of his passes behind the line of scrimmage. <ul><li>The Bears committed seven penalties, many in crucial situations. </li></ul>State of play: Three of the team&#x27;s four wins have been in primetime this season. Bottom line: Coach Matt Eberflus beat an NFC North opponent for the first time in his Bears coaching career. What&#x27;s next: The Bears (4-8) have their bye week.

Sports

Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois officials have crafted a billion-dollar pitch asking the Environmental Protection Agency to help with the state's transition to clean energy.

Why it matters: The state is looking to make climate-based infrastructure improvements as rising temperatures put it at risk of issues like extreme flooding in the coming years, a new National Climate Assessment found.

The big picture: Pritzker is seeking federal funding to help modernize Illinois' energy sector while addressing environmental justice concerns from marginalized communities.

It's part of the governor's quest to make Illinois a leader in clean energy innovation, including through EV manufacturing.

Of note: According to Chicago-based commercial real estate firm JLL, Chicago is currently the No. 2 market in EV manufacturing in the U.S., trailing Atlanta.

Driving the news: The governor's public-private partnership Innovate Illinois — which Pritzker has used to secure all sorts of federal dollars in the energy sector, biotech industry and even quantum technology — is requesting federal grant money to aid in the state's effort to clean up industrial corridors and nearby neighborhoods.

The state would also set up a first-of-its-kind clean energy innovation hub, which would use data to help determine areas with higher pollution.

Innovate Illinois is collaborating with the Chicago-based National Community Investment Fund (NCIF) on the proposal, called "Rust Belts to Green Belts."

The EPA is expected to award grants in March.

What they're saying: "As long as I am governor, Illinois will continue to be at the forefront in the fight against climate change," Pritzker said in a statement.

What we're watching: Utility companies are looking to raise consumer prices in an effort to modernize their facilities to adapt to new clean energy technologies and to mitigate climate disasters.

"The standard we had in place for how to build a grid or structure of any kind needs to be re-evaluated because it's not going to withstand the current conditions," West Monroe's Danny Freeman, who leads the consultant's energy and utility practice in the Midwest, tells Axios.

Pritzker is seeking federal funding to help modernize Illinois' energy sector and address environmental justice concerns.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker examines an instrumental human tissue model for researching skin during a tour of a biotech facility in Chicago in October. Photo: Vincent D. Johnson for the Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Environment

Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois officials have crafted a billion-dollar pitch asking the Environmental Protection Agency to help with the state&#x27;s transition to clean energy.Why it matters: The state is looking to make climate-based infrastructure improvements as rising temperatures put it at risk of issues like extreme flooding in the coming years, a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Climate Assessment found" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-national-climate-assessment-illinois-20231127-prgg55qko5dzlffzzuivdbev2a-story.html" data-vars-content-id="d32308df-706d-4955-8a67-97bc1d7e269e" data-vars-headline="Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker makes $1 billion clean energy pitch to EPA" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-national-climate-assessment-illinois-20231127-prgg55qko5dzlffzzuivdbev2a-story.html" target="_blank">National Climate Assessment found</a>.

Justin Kaufmann

Stories

Chicago's DNC host committee announces key staffers

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker makes $1 billion clean energy pitch to EPA

Chicago's winter weather forecast looks dry and warm

Vote for Chicago's best TV commercial of all time

Bears lock down Vikings in 12-10 victory

Newsletter editions

❄️ Winter outlook

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✅ Migrant crisis progress

🪧 Labor strife

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