Chicago's biggest news stories of 2025
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
U.S. Border Patrol arrest an individual in the Little Village neighborhood in November as part of "Operation Midway Blitz." Photo: Joshua Lott/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Each year, we look back at some of the biggest stories of the year.
- These are the people and moments that defined Chicago news in 2025.
🚨 Biggest story of the year: Federal immigration agents descend on Chicago
Why it matters: The arrival of hundreds of masked agents on Chicago streets threw the city into a state of chaos and fear with the tear gassing and arrest of thousands of local residents, including U.S. citizens and those with authorization to be here.
The latest: Locals are still sorting through the legal avenues for accountability and justice.
✝️ Biggest new celebrity: The Pope
Reality check: Vatican watchers thought they'd never see an American pope, but Pope Leo XIV isn't just an American — he's a South Side-born, White Sox fan.
The intrigue: Leo, who made caring for refugees central to his pastoral work, has criticized the Trump administration's immigration policies.
👋 Best local retirements
It was a banner year for Illinois lawmakers to play musical chairs or just outright retire.
- Sen. Dick Durbin, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rep. Danny Davis and Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia retired while Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Rep. Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton are moving on from their current gigs to run for Durbin's Senate seat.
- It's a huge loss for Democrats' collective experience in Washington, but it's good to get new voices in the mix.
🤔 Biggest political head scratcher: Dick Durbin
After a long stalemate over health care subsidies, the federal government endured a record-setting shutdown, which furloughed workers, delayed SNAP benefits and forced delays and cancellations at airports.
- Our lame-duck senator broke Democratic ranks and voted to end the shutdown. He said it was to get federal jobs back, but his lack of a deal on health care was confusing at best.
Runner up: Chuy Garcia announcing he wasn't running for reelection after signatures were collected, ensuring his chief of staff will be the Democratic nominee for his 4th District seat.
❓ Biggest unanswered leadership questions: Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Housing Authority
The big picture: Macquline King has served as interim CEO of the schools since June after the Board of Education fired former head Pedro Martinez.
- The CPS CEO search seemed to be down to two names last month and King wasn't one of them, WBEZ reported..
- Mayor Brandon Johnson made it clear he wasn't behind either of those picks, and the search continues.
Longtime West Side alder Walter Burnett stepped down in July (and kept the ward in the family), making it very clear he wanted his next gig to be at the CHA.
- But the housing authority's search committee never saw Burnett as a candidate for the job, ABC reported earlier this month.
🎤 Strangest press conference: DHS Sec. Kristi Noem in Springfield
Driving the news: Noem showed up at the state Capitol in May to blast Gov. JB Pritzker and the state's sanctuary status.
- Noem chose to hold her press conference near Emma Shafer's parents' home. An immigrant is the suspect in the 2023 fatal stabbing of Shafer.
Friction point: Shafer's parents clearly weren't on board with the presser and admonished Noem for using their daughter to push a "cruel and heartless political agenda."
🛣️ Best comeback story: The Kennedy construction project
After three long years of traffic headaches not just for expressway drivers, but for surrounding neighborhoods, the Illinois Department of Transportation finished the Kennedy.
Yes, but: Just as the Kennedy reopened, Chicago closed a few bridges, a couple of streets and a CTA station, adding more frustration to local commuters.
🏈 Most bizarre interview: Bears coach Ben Johnson's halftime interview
Johnson snapped at reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala during an early-season Bears game against the Raiders when she suggested the Bears should play better. Johnson apologized later, but it was the first glimpse into his intensity.
- He made up for it by going shirtless and getting us free hot dogs.
🎉 Biggest party of the year: Wrigleyville in October
The Cubs finally made it back to the playoffs, and with it came exciting and jam-packed games at Wrigley Field. When those games finished, Clark Street looked like Bourbon Street.
🤣 Finally, weirdest statue: Harry Caray statue
We can't believe it, but this enigma on the Northeast side of Wrigley Field has won this prestigious award for the third year in a row!
- It's growing on us, but still … this is by far the loser … errr … we mean winner of this year's award.