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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Chicago. Written by Monica Eng and Justin Kauffman.

Axios Chicago Thought Bubble

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

Axios Chicago

Data: Chicago Police Department; Chart: Axios Visuals

Reports of local carjackings fell dramatically from November 2021 to November 2022 and in recent months, according to city data.

Why it matters: These high-profile crimes skyrocketed locally and nationwide during the pandemic. Their decreasing numbers may finally signal some success for prevention efforts. 

By the numbers: As of Nov. 23, carjackings last month checked in at fewer than half of what they were in Nov. 2021. 

Reports of the crime have dropped more than 30% since August.

Yes, but: We're measuring these improvements against some of Chicago's worst carjacking numbers ever. 

This year's "improving" numbers are still three times higher than they were a decade ago. 

What they're saying: Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart credits the "tireless" work of the Vehicular Hijacking Taskforce for the drop in carjackings countywide but says the 1,600-plus so far this year are still too many. 

Dart applauds the County Board for recently approving $11.4 million for a new helicopter that he says will significantly increase the department's ability to recover stolen vehicles "while reducing the risk of potential harm to the public."

Yes, but: CPD spokesman Tom Ahern says recent months have brought a "significant" rise in regular auto theft "as people leave their keys in the vehicle, leave it running, or have vehicles that are easily accessible.

"State of play: This week the task force arrested and charged three teens with multiple carjackings on the South Side. 

Of note: Dart launched a program this fall aimed at reducing carjackings by placing stickers indicating tracking ability on cars. 

His office tells Axios nearly 6,000 vehicle owners have signed up so far.

Carjackings falling in Chicago from pandemic peaks

Reports of local carjackings fell dramatically from November 2021 to November 2022 and in recent months, according to city data.Why it matters: These high-profile crimes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="skyrocketed locally and nationwide" data-vars-click-url="https://news.wttw.com/2022/03/01/carjackings-rise-locally-and-across-country-us-senate-holds-hearing" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.wttw.com/2022/03/01/carjackings-rise-locally-and-across-country-us-senate-holds-hearing" target="_blank">skyrocketed locally and nationwide</a> during the pandemic. Their decreasing numbers may finally signal some success for prevention efforts.

News

A map showing the change in Chicago-area home prices, by ZIP code, between July and October 2022. Note: "Typical" refers to the average home value in the middle 30% of estimated home values in a region; Data: Zillow; Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

While most local homeowners  saw tax bills rise this year, their home prices stayed flat or dipped from summer to fall.

Zoom in: In the city, the biggest drop happened in the South Shore (-4.3%), according to recent Zillow data. 

Meanwhile, Garfield Park saw an almost 3% increase. 

Zoom out: In the wider metro area, Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Gary, Indiana, saw the biggest price drops. 

Dekalb County saw the biggest price increases.

Housing prices have largely leveled off since July

The biggest drop happened in the South Shore (-4.3%), according to recent Zillow data.

While most local homeowners <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="saw tax bills rise this year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/12/01/why-chicagos-property-tax-bills-so-high" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/12/01/why-chicagos-property-tax-bills-so-high" target="_self">saw tax bills rise this year</a>, their home prices stayed flat or dipped from summer to fall.Zoom in: In the city, the biggest drop happened in the South Shore (-4.3%), according to recent Zillow data.

Real Estate

As requests for leaf pickup rose to record levels in 2021 and '22, the amount of yard waste actually collected by the city plunged by nearly 60%, per data Axios obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Context: For at least a decade, the city has required residents wanting to dispose of yard waste to call 311 and put it in bags outside their carts for collection and composting by the Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS). 

After we reported inconsistent responses to that system last year, DSS chief Cole Stallard said his department needed "to do better." 

Why it matters: The new data indicates the department is actually doing worse. It suggests workers are either ignoring thousands of resident requests or illegally dumping yard waste in landfills. 

Illinois has outlawed yard waste in landfills since 1990, because it creates the powerful greenhouse gas methane.

Data: Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation; Chart: Will Chase/Axios

What they're saying: DSS officials could not explain why yard waste collection has dropped so dramatically while requests rose over the past two years, but they did tell Axios they have to improve their data collection.

The intrigue: The department this fall hired two longtime compost advocates, including Carter O' Brien, who watchdogged DSS for years on its leaf composting practices.

We want to "embrace organic waste as an opportunity as much as an obligation," O'Brien tells Axios. "Organic waste collection, be it leaves, pumpkin smashes, or composting at community gardens, is just a whole different way to redefine the city's relationship with waste."

🎃 Of note: The city this year launched pumpkin smashes that diverted 12 tons of compostable waste from the landfill.

And next month, it will host many Christmas tree mulching programs at local parks.

Chicago picking up less yard waste despite more resident requests

Officials could not explain why yard waste collection has dropped so dramatically.

Bags wait in an alley to be picked up and composted by city crews. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios 

As requests for leaf pickup rose to record levels in 2021 and &#x27;22, the amount of yard waste actually collected by the city plunged by nearly 60%, per data Axios obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).Context: For at least a decade, the city has required residents wanting to dispose of yard waste to call 311 and put it in bags outside their carts for collection and composting by the Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS).

Mayor Lightfoot's office announced last week that she'd just planted the city's 18,000th tree of 2022, exceeding her pledge to plant 15,000 this year. 

Why it matters: In recent years, disease and pests have killed millions of carbon-capturing local trees that are crucial to the environment. 

Despite the hoopla city officials made over the milestone, they invited no press to witness it or ask questions. 

This may be because the mayor has been criticized for rushing to plant the last several thousand trees in late fall, which the Morton Arboretum says risks "poor root growth and increased failure rate." 

What they're saying: "Ideally, you will plant trees when the air temperatures are moderate to cool, which is easier on the plants," Morton plant clinic manager Julie Janoski tells Axios. 

"You also want soil temperatures to be above about 45 degrees because below that, tree roots stop growing. A new tree needs to establish its root system in order for its systems to function properly."

The planting occurred Dec. 1, when temperatures hovered in the 30s. 

The other side: Officials at Streets and San, which oversees forestry, tell Axios that fall planting "typically ends when the ground freezes. Ground temperatures are closely monitored... and adjustments are made in tree planting when necessary. " 

City planting trees in December despite winter temperatures

The mayor has been criticized for rushing to plant several thousands of trees in late fall.

(Left to right) Mayor Lori Lightfoot, DSS Commissioner Cole Stallard, Transportation Commissioner Gia Biagi, Ald. Nicole Lee, Health Commissioner Allison Arwady and Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar. Photo courtesy of City of Chicago.

Mayor Lightfoot&#x27;s office announced last week that she&#x27;d just planted the city&#x27;s 18,000th tree of 2022, exceeding her pledge to plant 15,000 this year. Why it matters: In recent years, disease and pests<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" have killed millions of carbon-capturing" data-vars-click-url="https://news.wttw.com/2021/04/30/chicago-region-2020-tree-census-reveals-high-toll-emerald-ash-borer" data-vars-content-id="ae23df31-a3c0-4e22-8465-060c9529212e" data-vars-headline="City planting trees in December despite winter temperatures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.wttw.com/2021/04/30/chicago-region-2020-tree-census-reveals-high-toll-emerald-ash-borer" target="_blank"> have killed millions of carbon-capturing</a> local trees that are crucial to the environment.

Politics

Instead of fighting over our favorite foods this week, we're arguing over our favorite place to get a Christmas tree!

Monica's pick: I've used a fake tree for 15 years but love to visit my local Lakeview lot, Ivy's Christmas Trees. At Sheffield and Roscoe, Ivy Speck has been selling mostly Fraser firs for 32 years.

There's something magical about the corner's piney perfume and watching families pick out just the right tree on a snowy night.

Ivy Speck (right) in front of her Lakeview tree lot. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Justin's pick: I bought a fake white tree in 2015 for $200.

Now in its triumphant seventh season, the tree has cost $28.57 a year!

Sure it's getting rough around the edges, but still worth it!

If I had to buy a new one, I'd hit up the At Home store in Elmhurst. They have an awesome assortment of fake trees and huge inflatables.

Justin loves his fake tree. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios

State of play: Our readers, who voted between Justin and Monica's picks, are split right down the middle on the great Christmas tree debate, with real trees enjoying a tiny piney edge in our informal poll.

Between the lines: Our readers like real trees way more than the rest of the country, where about 85% of trees on display are artificial.

But at least one PBS poll suggests Democrats choose fresh trees more often than Republicans. And we are in Chicago. Just saying. 

If you're wondering which is more sustainable, it depends on how long you use a fake tree and where you buy and dispose of your real tree. 

 🌿 Mike N.: "For several years, I have celebrated the holidays and sustainability at the same time by decorating my 8-9-foot-tall Schefflera plant with lights and ornaments. No piney smell, but no cleanup either.

This year, my 6-foot-tall avocado tree (grown from a pit!) will get the treatment."

🌲 Jess A: "We got the most beautiful Christmas tree at Superior Evergreens, 7950 W. Belmont!"

Mario G: "We went to Sprout at Chicago and Damen this year, but usually Christy Webber on Grand. They had no trees bigger than 8' this year and we usually get a 10-footer."

🥃 Steve J: "I always get my tree from Phyllis' Musical Inn, because what’s better than a shot and a Christmas tree."

🏬 Barbara M: "Got my tree at Wayfair."  

Where to buy the best Christmas trees in Chicago

Our readers like real trees way more than the rest of the country.

Mike N.'s holiday Schefflera plant and Jess A.'s tree from Superior Evergreens. Photos courtesy of Mike N. and Jess A. 

Instead of fighting over our favorite foods this week, we&#x27;re arguing over our favorite place to get a Christmas tree!

Monica Eng

Featured stories

Where to buy the best Christmas trees in Chicago

Housing prices have largely leveled off since July

Chicago picking up less yard waste despite more resident requests

City planting trees in December despite winter temperatures

Carjackings falling in Chicago from pandemic peaks