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Chicagoans caught in narco violence in Mexico

Sunday night at least eight continue to shelter in place after car jacking and bombed car.

News

At least eight Chicagoans were sheltering in place in Puerto Vallarta on Sunday amid violent attacks throughout the region in response to the capture and death of the Mexican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cartel leader" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/09/trump-mexico-colombia-venezuela-strikes-maduro" data-vars-content-id="0620688d-d624-485a-9556-6d28b5f1f789" data-vars-headline="Chicagoans caught in narco violence in Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/09/trump-mexico-colombia-venezuela-strikes-maduro" target="_self">cartel leader</a> known as &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="El Mencho" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/mexico-cartel-leader-el-mencho-drug-lord-killed" data-vars-content-id="0620688d-d624-485a-9556-6d28b5f1f789" data-vars-headline="Chicagoans caught in narco violence in Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/mexico-cartel-leader-el-mencho-drug-lord-killed" target="_self">El Mencho</a>.&quot;Zoom in: Lakeview resident Jonathan Pizer tells Axios that he and his husband Brad Lippitz were heading to go whale watching with two Chicago friends Sunday morning when their car was stopped.

Illinois lawmakers push back on Chicago Bears' Indiana stadium plan

IL Gov. JB Pritzker said he was surprised by the Bears' announcement Thursday.

The Chicago Bears publicly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expressed interest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" data-vars-content-id="3a84913f-bfe2-4c85-80a7-9d7f3f7a59a4" data-vars-headline="Illinois lawmakers push back on Chicago Bears&#x27; Indiana stadium plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" target="_self">expressed interest</a> in building a new stadium in Hammond, after Indiana lawmakers moved forward on a bill to lure them across the border.Why it matters: The &quot;Pride and Joy of Illinois&quot; could play football in a different state.

Axios Chicago poll: Should the Bears leave Illinois?

Take our ultimate poll about the continuing stadium saga in Illinois

While the Bears negotiate (again) for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new stadium site" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" data-vars-content-id="fef5ff15-c812-4d0a-b7a0-e4dd4b38e3cb" data-vars-headline="Axios Chicago poll: Should the Bears leave Illinois?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" target="_self">new stadium site</a>, we think it&#x27;s time to get your voice involved.State of play: We have a few questions for what we are calling the &quot;ultimate, hands down, definitive Bears stadium Axios Chicago poll,&quot; otherwise known as the UHDFBSACP.

Where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Chicago this weekend

From dances to dumpling classes, here's where to ring in the Year of the Fire Horse in Chicago.

Culture

Mark the Year of the Fire Horse with art, music and food this Lunar New Year. Here are a few ways to celebrate in Chicago this weekend.

Pritzker re-energizes nuclear power in Illinois

Illinois agencies have been directed to start evaluating new sites for power plants.

Climate

After lifting a moratorium on new nuclear facilities last year, Gov. JB Pritzker gave the technology another boost this week with an executive order directing Illinois agencies to start evaluating potential sites for them.

Illinois considers glitter ban over microplastics concerns

The new bill would ban glitter in personal care products.

Business

Illinois residents may need to find new ways to glow up as the state legislature considers banning body glitter.Driving the news: A new bill (HB 4175) would prohibit the sale of personal care products that use nonbiodegradable glitter, starting in 2029.

Southwest Siders file the most dibs complaints

Plus: How long it took the city to remove the objects.

After this weekend&#x27;s storm, you may be tempted to dig out a spot and save it with a lawn chair, but think again. Each year, thousands of Chicagoans turn in their dibbing neighbors, who could lose their chairs and even get a fine.🪏 Here&#x27;s some fresh dibs data we dug up through public records requests:

Chicago ranks No. 9 healthiest big U.S. city

Chicagoans prioritize sleep and relationships, helping health ranking.

Health

The home of deep dish and the Chicago dog is actually quite <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="healthy " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/health" data-vars-content-id="d90dc873-c113-4a4b-a8cf-470b30820808" data-vars-headline="Chicago ranks No. 9 healthiest big U.S. city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/health" target="_self">healthy </a>compared to other large cities, cracking the top 10.Why it matters: The study from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mindbody" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mindbodyonline.com/business/education/blog/top-10-healthiest-cities-united-states-2026" data-vars-content-id="d90dc873-c113-4a4b-a8cf-470b30820808" data-vars-headline="Chicago ranks No. 9 healthiest big U.S. city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mindbodyonline.com/business/education/blog/top-10-healthiest-cities-united-states-2026" target="_blank">Mindbody</a>, a fitness, beauty and wellness company, ranked the most populous cities in the U.S. to help determine where residents were prioritizing health and finding balance, factors that can affect overall happiness.

The most climate-friendly foods to buy right now

An ecologist shares his top sustainable grocery picks — and what to avoid.

Now that I&#x27;ve gorged through a weekend of Thanksgiving eating, I&#x27;m trying to get back on track with healthier foods for me and the Earth.Driving the news: I recently toured the South Loop Whole Foods with Mark Easter, ecologist and James Beard-nominated author of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;The Blue Plate: A Food Lover&#x27;s Guide to Climate Chaos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.patagonia.com/product/the-blue-plate-a-food-lovers-guide-to-climate-chaos/BK910.html" data-vars-content-id="fd4d1f20-cc8f-49b3-ae0b-74f7d24df2dc" data-vars-headline="The most climate-friendly foods to buy right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.patagonia.com/product/the-blue-plate-a-food-lovers-guide-to-climate-chaos/BK910.html" target="_blank">&quot;The Blue Plate: A Food Lover&#x27;s Guide to Climate Chaos</a>,&quot; to hunt down the most sustainable foods in the store.<ul><li>Oyster lovers will be thrilled. Shrimp eaters, not so much.</li></ul>

From New Orleans to Chicago: How Katrina reshaped lives

New data shows where New Orleans residents relocated after Katrina.

When <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="72c658f5-dd74-43d2-a6c4-66ce083e3571" data-vars-headline="From New Orleans to Chicago: How Katrina reshaped lives" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> flooded during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, tens of thousands of displaced residents fled across the country, and new data shows for the first time exactly where they went.Why it matters: The data identifies cities that proved stickier than others, researcher Elizabeth Fussell tells Axios.

Gauging the eco effects of Illinois data centers

Different ways of measuring emissions is driving a dispute on pollution from data centers.

Illinois data centers are already boosting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local electric bills." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/04/21/illinois-data-centers-energy-water" data-vars-content-id="0b5a70c7-2479-4ca3-b295-f6641e649c09" data-vars-headline="Gauging the eco effects of Illinois data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/04/21/illinois-data-centers-energy-water" target="_self">local electric bills.</a> Now, a new analysis by an activist group says they&#x27;re also driving up CO2 emissions in ways that are sometimes misrepresented.Why it matters: The Land of Lincoln hosts at least <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="222 data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.datacentermap.com/usa/" data-vars-content-id="0b5a70c7-2479-4ca3-b295-f6641e649c09" data-vars-headline="Gauging the eco effects of Illinois data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.datacentermap.com/usa/" target="_blank">222 data centers</a>, the fifth highest of any state, with Chicago being home to more than 160.<ul><li>Energy consumption and emissions from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="these centers have spiked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/energy-policy/2025/04/11/whitehouse-sets-a-marker-on-data-center-power-spike" data-vars-content-id="0b5a70c7-2479-4ca3-b295-f6641e649c09" data-vars-headline="Gauging the eco effects of Illinois data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/energy-policy/2025/04/11/whitehouse-sets-a-marker-on-data-center-power-spike" target="_self">these centers have spiked</a> with the exponential growth of AI use but clear data on exactly how much remains elusive.</li></ul>

Extreme rainfall in Chicago underscores rising climate disaster costs

The massive storm dumped more rain in 90 minutes than the average for all of July.

This week&#x27;s sudden outburst of rain in Chicago has some sounding the alarm on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate-related weather disasters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/09/30/midwest-climate-hazards-chicago" data-vars-content-id="ecdc87bc-d0dc-4929-b53b-fd8eabf27ffc" data-vars-headline="Extreme rainfall in Chicago underscores rising climate disaster costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/09/30/midwest-climate-hazards-chicago" target="_self">climate-related weather disasters</a> and the resources needed to mitigate them.The latest: More severe storms hit the Chicago area last night, with reported flooding in parts of the city and suburbs. The big picture: Tuesday&#x27;s fast-moving storm dropped about 5 inches of rain in just 90 minutes on the near West Side, flooding viaducts and basements.<ul><li>That&#x27;s more rain than what is usually the average for the entire month of July.</li></ul>

Yes, Chicago fireflies are real

Thanks to a mild, moist spring, fireflies are thriving in Chicago. Here's how to help them stick around.

Environment

No need to head to rural Wisconsin. We&#x27;ve got fireflies right here in Chicago. The big picture: Fireflies, or lightning bugs to many of us, are having a good year. In general, firefly populations have declined over the last 100 years, said Megan Abraham, division director and state entomologist at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

How Trump's megabill affects Illinois' environment

Environmental advocates call it dangerous; GOP says it boosts U.S. energy. State jobs and energy costs hang in the balance.

Illinois environmental advocates are decrying <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s megabill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/climate-deals/2025/07/01/senate-bill-devastate-clean-energy" data-vars-content-id="34737952-e70c-45e2-bd9f-3ce1c9cfa50b" data-vars-headline="How Trump&#x27;s megabill affects Illinois&#x27; environment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/climate-deals/2025/07/01/senate-bill-devastate-clean-energy" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s megabill</a>, calling it a &quot;misguided&quot; plan that &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="puts polluters first" data-vars-click-url="https://elpc.org/news/congress-passes-trumps-megabill-endangering-environment-economy-jobs-and-public-health/" data-vars-content-id="34737952-e70c-45e2-bd9f-3ce1c9cfa50b" data-vars-headline="How Trump&#x27;s megabill affects Illinois&#x27; environment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://elpc.org/news/congress-passes-trumps-megabill-endangering-environment-economy-jobs-and-public-health/" target="_blank">puts polluters first</a>,&quot; while Republican Rep. Mary Miller has praised it as a policy that &quot;unleashes American energy.&quot;Why it matters: Both sides agree that it will have a major impact on Illinois.

Climate 🌿

Pritzker re-energizes nuclear power in Illinois

Illinois considers glitter ban over microplastics concerns

Southwest Siders file the most dibs complaints

Chicago ranks No. 9 healthiest big U.S. city

The most climate-friendly foods to buy right now