Chicago

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Chicago with Monica Eng, Justin Kaufmann, and Carrie Shepherd.

Axios Chicago

Standard

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

Axios Chicago Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Chicago Alerts

Alert

A guide to fun things to do in Chicago this weekend.

Axios Chicago Weekender

Weekender

Axios Chicago Partners

Chicago Members

Membership

Hope you didn’t plan a nice, quiet weekend. It's Air & Water Show time again. Best of luck to you and your pups.

The big picture: If you're looking for something to do a little closer to the ground, there's plenty of outdoor eating, drinking and vibing happening across Chicago and the suburbs.

Here's what the Axios Chicago crew has on our radars.

🇮🇹 I've got some Italian in me (don't we all) and there's no better way to celebrate than the Taylor Street Little Italy Festival. If you missed out on eating fried ravioli while listening to a live cover band on a closed street this summer, this may be your last chance. | Friday, 5pm, Saturday and Sunday, noon | Free | Details 

🏈 The Bears are back and will play their only home preseason game at Soldier Field this Saturday. It's unclear if the starters will play, but I need to get my practice reps in for cheering. | Soldier Field | Saturday, noon | Details 

🥘 Comedian and writer Mark Bazer is reinventing his acclaimed "Interview Show." Instead of just sitting down with guests, he’s turning the show into a full-fledged dinner party. Chef John Manion and others will serve the audience while Mark interviews him, with live music from Gia Margaret. | Fitzgerald's | Aug. 20, 7pm | $85 | Details 

Five men in dark coats pose together at night; one wears a blue beanie and glasses, others have facial hair and hats against a city street backdrop.

Indie rock band Surely Tempo will play  Sonido Fest this Saturday in Harrison Park. Photo: Courtesy of the NMMA.

🎸 I'm looking forward to delicious food and Latino indie rock bands at The National Museum of Mexican Art's Sonido Fest. Look for me eating empanadas from Cafe Tola while vibing to California's Surely Tempo and Mexican-Salvadorian-American singer-songwriter Niko Rubio. | Harrison Park | Saturday, 2pm | Free | Details

🍷 Chicago may not exactly be wine country, but we become sangria country one weekend a year when Humboldt Park fills up with fruit-infused wine, music and artisan crafts for Sangria Fest.  | Saturday and Sunday, noon to 9pm | $10-$50

🎤 Who needs to pay top dollar for the real thing when you can catch four tribute bands at this weekend's Naper Nights, jumping to the music of Van Halen, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith and assorted classic rock gods.| Naper Settlement in Naperville | Friday-Saturday,  6-10pm | $25, free for kids | Details

📚 I love traveling through old Chicago at the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection, a vast archive of African American history. Check out Court Theatre's tour of the "Praise and Protest: Voices of the Chicago Black Renaissance" exhibit. | Woodson Regional Library | Saturday, 11am | Free | Details

🍷 It's almost one of my favorite seasons — red wine season! Prepare at Mon Ami Gabi's Wine Passport Series: Bordeaux to Burgundy, with passed bites and charcuterie. | Mon Ami Gabi in Lincoln Park |  Saturday, 12-2pm | $80 | Details

🛍️ I love an outdoor mall. It feels so California! Old Orchard is a good one and browsing vintage and artisan shops sounds like a great way to spend a summer evening. | Old Orchard | Saturday, 10am-7pm | Free | Details

Axios staff picks: Things to do in Chicago this weekend

Reporters Carrie Shepherd, Justin Kaufmann and Monica Eng's suggestions for the Chicago weekend.

Hope you didn’t plan a nice, quiet weekend. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="It&#x27;s Air &amp; Water Show time again." data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/air_water_show.html" data-vars-content-id="6ec98f97-cc7a-4719-a7d5-5af7b9a77085" data-vars-headline="Axios staff picks: Things to do in Chicago this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/air_water_show.html" target="_blank">It&#x27;s Air &amp; Water Show time again.</a> Best of luck to you and your pups.The big picture: If you&#x27;re looking for something to do a little closer to the ground, there&#x27;s plenty of outdoor eating, drinking and vibing happening across Chicago and the suburbs.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s what the Axios Chicago crew has on our radars.</li></ul>

Things to Do

Food and Drink

Culture

Neighborhoods

The Chicago Bears confirmed Thursday they are moving forward with two sites in Indiana for a new stadium. 

Why it matters: After 106 years in Illinois, the Bears are inching closer to becoming Indiana's team.

The latest: Bears President Kevin Warren said the team is evaluating two sites in Hammond for a potential stadium and surrounding mixed-use development.

He said he is in regular communication with Indiana lawmakers, while saying talks with Illinois leaders have been "minimal." 

What they're saying: "We're reaching that point where we have to make a determination and decision," Warren said at Thursday's press conference. 

"The representatives from the state of Indiana, all the way from the governor's office to representatives in Northwest Indiana, have been phenomenal partners."

Context: The move would create an unusual reality for one of Chicago's most iconic institutions: The Bears would still carry the city's name, but play their home games in a neighboring state.

Flashback: In June, the Bears board of directors voted to explore sites in Indiana after the Illinois legislature failed to pass a proposed stadium tax incentive package in its spring session. 

Indiana had already passed tax breaks to lure the Bears across the state border.

Pritzker said he was open to calling lawmakers back for a special summer session, but only if the Bears clearly laid out what they wanted from the state.

Reality check: Illinois and the Bears remain stuck in a chicken-and-egg dispute: Pritzker says the team needs to spell out what it wants; Warren says there’s nothing to negotiate until lawmakers produce legislation.

Details: The team is looking at two sites near Wolf Lake in Hammond. They say the Lost Marsh area is suitable for a stadium and are also looking at the Wolf Lake terminal area, possibly merging the two sites to create more space for mixed-use development including retail, hotels and housing. 

Catch up quick: What a long, strange stadium trip it's been. It started in 2021, when the Bears said they wanted to leave Soldier Field when its lease expired. 

Rebuffing the city's plans to renovate the museum campus, the Bears secured the old Arlington Park racetrack, signaling their intent to build a stadium there. 

In 2023, the Bears hired a new president, and Chicago elected a new mayor. Both collaborated on a new plan to keep the team on the city's lakefront.

A year later, the team gave up on the Museum Campus (again), returned to Arlington Heights and, this year, turned its attention to Indiana.

By the numbers: In a recent Axios Chicago poll, 74% of readers said they'd hold a grudge against the team if it moved. 

Yes, but: NFL teams often play outside their namesake cities. The biggest example is MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the New York Giants and Jets play.

"We're focusing on the importance of building this relationship with the fans," Warren added. "I can understand frustration. Hopefully, when we finish the stadium and they get a chance to experience it, that they'll be grateful for what we have done."

The bottom line: Indiana has viable sites and legislation; Illinois and the Bears can't even agree on who should make the next move.

Bears secured the old Arlington Park racetrack

Chicago Bears move forward with Indiana stadium plans

The Hoosier State is on its way to being the future home of Chicago's NFL franchise.

Modern glass-front building with a large red C sign, statue of George S. Halas in front, and trimmed landscaping under a clear blue sky.

Halas Hall in Lake Forest, IL. Photo: Ben Hsu/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Chicago Bears confirmed Thursday they are moving forward with two sites in Indiana for a new stadium. Why it matters: After 106 years in Illinois, the Bears are inching closer to becoming Indiana&#x27;s team.

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business

Sports

News

Several St. Charles breweries are teaming up this month to celebrate the city's Belgian heritage — one beer at a time.

The latest: Six breweries are pouring Belgian-style beers to raise money for the St. Charles History Museum, which recently opened an exhibit exploring the suburb's Belgian roots.

How it works: Customers can sample a brew at each spot and vote for their favorite. Those who collect a stamp from each participating brewery can redeem their completed booklet for a free museum koozie.

Flashback: At the turn of the 20th century, a Moline-based iron company relocated to St. Charles after a fire, bringing with it an immigrant workforce that was predominantly from Belgium. 

The relocation helped create a neighborhood known as "Belgium Town," cementing the immigrant community's influence on the western suburb.

They even brought their own game called Rolle Bolle, which is a cross between horseshoes and bowling. Customers at Ray's Evergreen Pub used to play, but the courts have since been removed for an upgraded patio and parking lot. 

Details: The six participating breweries include Alter Brewing + Kitchen, Broken Brix Homebrew Shop, Brother Chimp Brewing, 93 Octane Brewery, Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling and Riverlands Brewing Co. 

Nearly all are serving limited-edition Belgian beers just for the occasion. 

If you go: The winning beer will be announced on Aug. 29 during "Blues & Brews" at Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling, 106 S. Riverside Ave. 

The bottom line: Whether you are a local or looking for a day trip to one of Chicago's suburban gems, this month is a great time for a Belgian. 

St. Charles breweries pour Belgian beers for history museum

Six local breweries are toasting the town's heritage through the month of August.

Foreground shows a hazy amber beer in a stemmed glass on a coaster; bar counter with beer taps and bottles in the background, and a Drink Local promotional flyer on the counter.

A Fruited Belgian Strong Ale from Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling in St. Charles, Illinois. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios 

Several <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Charles breweries" data-vars-click-url="https://www.stcsix.com/belgianbeer" data-vars-content-id="a91990b2-2853-42f6-85b6-622ff6b881ae" data-vars-headline="St. Charles breweries pour Belgian beers for history museum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.stcsix.com/belgianbeer" target="_blank">St. Charles breweries</a> are teaming up this month to celebrate the city&#x27;s Belgian heritage — one beer at a time.The latest: Six breweries are pouring Belgian-style beers to raise money for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Charles History Museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.stcmuseum.org/" data-vars-content-id="a91990b2-2853-42f6-85b6-622ff6b881ae" data-vars-headline="St. Charles breweries pour Belgian beers for history museum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.stcmuseum.org/" target="_blank">St. Charles History Museum</a>, which recently opened an exhibit exploring the suburb&#x27;s Belgian roots.

Chicago continues to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66. But with all the hoopla over the Mother Road, what about Chicago’s other routes?

This week's "Kaufmann Quiz" is one for the commuters.

State of play: If you live in Chicago or the surrounding area, you’ve probably driven them countless times without realizing that many familiar streets also carry an Illinois route number. 

Can you connect the route number to the street name?

Think you know Chicago streets? Match them to their route numbers

Can you get a perfect score on street numbers?

Close-up of a Route 66 signpost topped with black-and-white checkered flags, displaying a red 'ROUTE' shield and a blue '66' shield, with a small blue trail plaque below, set against a stone building.

The Chicago Route 66 Start of the Trail Sign marks the beginning of the historic Route 66 highway in Illinois. Photo: Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Chicago continues to celebrate the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="100th anniversary of Route 66" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/12/chicago-route-66-navy-pier-santa-monica-downtown?utm_adgroup=&amp;keywords=&amp;subid=&amp;utm_device=c&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw1vXTBhB-EiwAEKr_k8a6xG_FWlf3OnYSYs8w9ykHHAZNo12y3ewq2KgYJEVPyJYaX3zw5hoCThAQAvD_BwE&amp;campaignid=24066055372&amp;adgroupid=&amp;adid=&amp;utm_medium=&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_campaign=&amp;utm_term=&amp;hsa_acc=2813569195&amp;hsa_cam=24066055372&amp;hsa_grp=&amp;hsa_ad=&amp;hsa_src=x&amp;hsa_tgt=&amp;hsa_kw=&amp;hsa_mt=&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=24061403426&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACBUgDR_wCOoAagENTAYtUvCZbD_V&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw1vXTBhB-EiwAEKr_k8a6xG_FWlf3OnYSYs8w9ykHHAZNo12y3ewq2KgYJEVPyJYaX3zw5hoCThAQAvD_BwE" data-vars-content-id="b2cd683e-1acc-486d-ac40-b51a4e0f0bbf" data-vars-headline="Think you know Chicago streets? Match them to their route numbers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/12/chicago-route-66-navy-pier-santa-monica-downtown?utm_adgroup=&amp;keywords=&amp;subid=&amp;utm_device=c&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw1vXTBhB-EiwAEKr_k8a6xG_FWlf3OnYSYs8w9ykHHAZNo12y3ewq2KgYJEVPyJYaX3zw5hoCThAQAvD_BwE&amp;campaignid=24066055372&amp;adgroupid=&amp;adid=&amp;utm_medium=&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_campaign=&amp;utm_term=&amp;hsa_acc=2813569195&amp;hsa_cam=24066055372&amp;hsa_grp=&amp;hsa_ad=&amp;hsa_src=x&amp;hsa_tgt=&amp;hsa_kw=&amp;hsa_mt=&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=24061403426&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACBUgDR_wCOoAagENTAYtUvCZbD_V&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw1vXTBhB-EiwAEKr_k8a6xG_FWlf3OnYSYs8w9ykHHAZNo12y3ewq2KgYJEVPyJYaX3zw5hoCThAQAvD_BwE" target="_self">100th anniversary of Route 66</a>. But with all the hoopla over the Mother Road, what about Chicago’s other routes?This week&#x27;s &quot;Kaufmann Quiz&quot; is one for the commuters.

Transit

Tuesday's derecho wasn't just a storm; it was a stress test. 

The latest: The fast-moving, powerful storm produced three tornadoes and battered several south suburban and Northwest Indiana communities. 

The storm has been blamed for a house explosion that killed a person in Portage, IN. 

Power is still out in several area suburbs and a fuel shortage is affecting Lake and Porter counties in NWI. 

With the three tornadoes from Tuesday, Illinois has become the second state on record to surpass 200 tornadoes in a single year. 

Why it matters: Chicago and Illinois have invested in preparing for a wetter, hotter climate, but increasingly destructive wind and rain events are exposing vulnerabilities across systems. 

State of play: "The Governor has been briefed and continues to monitor conditions following the last few days of severe weather across Illinois and remains in touch with IEMA and local officials as damage assessments get underway," The governor's spokesperson tells Axios.

Pritzker issued a disaster declaration earlier this summer after storms and tornadoes ravaged 11 counties. 

The declarations allow the state to mobilize resources, coordinate recovery efforts and access emergency funds. 

Yes, but: While this year's storm season is historic, a new analysis ranks Cook County as the nation's second-least-prepared large county for natural disasters. 

Flooding has become a lightning rod for criticism. 

Mayoral candidate Joe Holberg said the city needs to rethink flooding mitigation with the new strength and severity of thunderstorms. 

"Flooded streets and backed-up sewers aren’t inevitable. With better maintenance and smarter stormwater planning, we can reduce flooding across our neighborhoods," Holberg said in a viral video. He wants the city to treat heavy rain like snowstorms, deploying crews to keep sewer grates clear.

In July, the 7.9 billion-gallon Thornton Reservoir reached 94% capacity, the closest it's ever been to being full in its history. 

For ComEd, this week's storms marked the utility's 19th major weather event of 2026 — the most in more than two decades.

More than 370,000 customers lost power after Tuesday's storms, with ComEd and NIPSCO crews still working to restore electricity on Wednesday. 

Restoration has been complicated by widespread tree damage, including trees and limbs tangled in power lines.

ComEd says increasingly severe storms underscore the need for continued grid investments, including stronger equipment, tree management and technology that can automatically reroute power around outages.

“Utilities increasingly have to plan for extreme weather as a recurring stress on the grid, not an exception,” West Monroe's Danny Freeman tells Axios. West Monroe is a Chicago-based business and technology consulting firm. “The goal isn’t a grid that never loses power during a major storm, but one where severe weather doesn’t repeatedly create widespread, prolonged outages.”

Friction point: Illinois and local governments can tap state resources after disaster declarations, but major disasters have traditionally brought another potential source of help: Washington.

Federal help is no longer something Illinois officials assume they'll receive. The Trump administration has repeatedly denied the state's recent FEMA requests, including Illinois' appeal seeking assistance for residents affected by the August 2025 storms.

"Despite Illinois' substantial investments in emergency management, the cumulative effects of summer flooding incidents across Illinois in 2025 exceeded local and state capacities and underscore the ongoing need for additional federal support to bridge critical resource gaps," the governor's office explained. 

Between the lines: Pritzker has called the denials politically motivated. FEMA has said the disasters didn't meet the threshold for supplemental federal assistance. 

What's next: State and local officials are still calculating the cost of this week's cleanup — and how much of it taxpayers, utilities and potentially Washington will ultimately cover.

The bottom line: This year's historic storm season is testing whether the region can adapt faster than the weather is changing.

Is Chicago prepared for more powerful storms? Derecho puts region to the test

Severe weather is making this a record summer for storm damage.

An uprooted tree lies across a grassy lawn in front of a brick building with large windows; a damaged roof edge, bright blue sky, and colorful flowers in the foreground complete the scene.

A large tree is uprooted from a recent tornado in Northwest Indiana. Photo: Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

Tuesday&#x27;s derecho wasn&#x27;t just a storm; it was a stress test. The latest: The fast-moving, powerful storm produced three tornadoes and battered several south suburban and Northwest Indiana communities. <ul><li>The storm has been blamed for a house explosion that killed a person in Portage, IN. </li><li>Power is still out in several area suburbs and a fuel shortage is affecting Lake and Porter counties in NWI. </li><li>With the three tornadoes from Tuesday, Illinois has become the second state on record to surpass 200 tornadoes in a single year. </li></ul>

Justin Kaufmann

Featured stories

Think you know Chicago streets? Match them to their route numbers

Axios staff picks: Things to do in Chicago this weekend

Chicago Bears move forward with Indiana stadium plans

Is Chicago prepared for more powerful storms? Derecho puts region to the test

St. Charles breweries pour Belgian beers for history museum