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Food Fight: Where to get the best donuts in Chicago

Our reporters duke it out over their favorite treats in town.

Food and Drink

This week&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Food Fight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/17/food-fight-best-thin-crust-pizza-dagostinos-foxs-michaels" data-vars-content-id="2608e0e9-7ba7-4e7a-837e-a2f60ec9ddd3" data-vars-headline="Food Fight: Where to get the best donuts in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/17/food-fight-best-thin-crust-pizza-dagostinos-foxs-michaels" target="_self">Food Fight</a> is all about Chicago&#x27;s best pillowy, fluffy, glazed, gooey and fresh-fried treats.Why it matters: Life&#x27;s too short for mediocre donuts.

Chicago's most beautiful houses of worship face off

Vote your favorites through our 16-site bracket to crown Chicago's most picturesque place of worship.

Culture

This month&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Chicago tournament" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/27/best-living-chicago-celebrity-murray-pope-oprah-cusack-obama" data-vars-content-id="17e46c77-73fa-41c5-8ff2-d84bbe247d57" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s most beautiful houses of worship face off" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/27/best-living-chicago-celebrity-murray-pope-oprah-cusack-obama" target="_self">Axios Chicago tournament</a> is about the best-looking houses of worship in the Chicago area.Between the lines: We&#x27;re not talking faith. We&#x27;re talking architecture.

Chicago civic leaders plan a 15-minute train to O'Hare 

There's no word yet on fare cost or a launch date.

Transit

The trip from downtown Chicago to O&#x27;Hare could take just 15 minutes if a new plan announced Tuesday takes off. Why it matters: Fast transportation from the city to O&#x27;Hare, like Elon Musk&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Boring Company&quot; plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/elon-musks-company-to-build-ohare-express-tunnel/147447/" data-vars-content-id="23c9f33a-9f8f-4ea3-93e9-a9902e6cbf41" data-vars-headline="Chicago civic leaders plan a 15-minute train to O&#x27;Hare " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/elon-musks-company-to-build-ohare-express-tunnel/147447/" target="_blank">&quot;Boring Company&quot; plan</a>, has fascinated leaders for years but hasn&#x27;t materialized.

Jarrett Payton to replace Mike Mulligan on The Score

The radio shakeup comes as Bears football gets underway for 2026/27.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jarrett Payton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/31/jarrett-payton-wgn-tv-sports-walter-bears-sports" data-vars-content-id="d40e70a3-1cb9-40e6-921c-0a91fec21bf0" data-vars-headline="Jarrett Payton to replace Mike Mulligan on The Score" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/31/jarrett-payton-wgn-tv-sports-walter-bears-sports" target="_self">Jarrett Payton</a> will replace Mike &quot;Mully&quot; Mulligan as the co-host of the morning show at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Score" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/14/670-the-score-fm-radio-bulls-cubs-sports-talk-moving" data-vars-content-id="d40e70a3-1cb9-40e6-921c-0a91fec21bf0" data-vars-headline="Jarrett Payton to replace Mike Mulligan on The Score" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/14/670-the-score-fm-radio-bulls-cubs-sports-talk-moving" target="_self">The Score</a>. Why it matters: Payton brings a familiar Chicago sports voice — and one of the city&#x27;s most famous football names — to The Score&#x27;s flagship morning show just as the Bears season gets underway.

Gary power outages highlight disparities in storm recovery

Leaders are asking why some in the predominantly Black city of Gary are still without power.

Climate

Nearly two weeks after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="powerful derecho" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/12/illinois-derecho-tornado-indiana-south-suburbs-trees-power-flooding" data-vars-content-id="f6978046-9945-4f88-8861-d6399eb00e5d" data-vars-headline="Gary power outages highlight disparities in storm recovery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/12/illinois-derecho-tornado-indiana-south-suburbs-trees-power-flooding" target="_self">powerful derecho</a> tore through the Chicago area, some residents of Gary, Indiana, are still without power, raising questions about who bears the brunt when critical infrastructure fails.The latest: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NIPSCO" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nipsco.com/outages/power-outages" data-vars-content-id="f6978046-9945-4f88-8861-d6399eb00e5d" data-vars-headline="Gary power outages highlight disparities in storm recovery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nipsco.com/outages/power-outages" target="_blank">NIPSCO</a> says Gary residents should have their power restored by 11:59pm Tuesday, after extending that deadline from last Friday.

Trump's Indiana storm declaration puts Illinois FEMA aid in spotlight

Is Illinois getting the shaft on federal storm aid due to politics?

President Trump&#x27;s rapid emergency declaration for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="storm-ravaged Indiana" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/08/17/indiana-launches-emergency-assistance-housing-vouchers-for-flood-victims" data-vars-content-id="5db2749c-7612-4556-901a-5f0771ddb6f5" data-vars-headline="Trump&#x27;s Indiana storm declaration puts Illinois FEMA aid in spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/08/17/indiana-launches-emergency-assistance-housing-vouchers-for-flood-victims" target="_self">storm-ravaged Indiana</a> is renewing Democratic concerns about partisanship in federal disaster aid.Why it matters: Thousands of Illinoisans are dealing with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="damaged or lost property" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/12/illinois-derecho-tornado-indiana-south-suburbs-trees-power-flooding" data-vars-content-id="5db2749c-7612-4556-901a-5f0771ddb6f5" data-vars-headline="Trump&#x27;s Indiana storm declaration puts Illinois FEMA aid in spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/12/illinois-derecho-tornado-indiana-south-suburbs-trees-power-flooding" target="_self">damaged or lost property</a> from the same derecho that produced eight tornadoes, power outages and flooding on both sides of the state line.

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

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

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>

How far $500K goes at Chicago parks

A new voting process lets residents help decide which Park District improvements get funded.

For the first time, Chicagoans can weigh in on how the Park District spends $500,000.Why it matters: Participatory budgeting gives residents a say in how city officials spend tax dollars on public amenities and services.

Johnson calls on state lawmakers to tighten data center rules 

He says that Springfield needs to do more at the state level.

When it comes to regulating data centers, Illinois lags behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/03/greg-abbott-halts-texas-data-centers-electric-grid" data-vars-content-id="fd925818-39b4-49da-814a-25010a39f1fe" data-vars-headline="Johnson calls on state lawmakers to tighten data center rules " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/03/greg-abbott-halts-texas-data-centers-electric-grid" target="_self">Texas</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Florida" data-vars-click-url="https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-signs-law-protect-floridians-subsidizing-data-centers" data-vars-content-id="fd925818-39b4-49da-814a-25010a39f1fe" data-vars-headline="Johnson calls on state lawmakers to tighten data center rules " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-signs-law-protect-floridians-subsidizing-data-centers" target="_blank">Florida</a>, whose governors have recently enacted tough new laws to ensure local control and even stop development.<ul><li>But Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson moved to tighten data center rules in at least one big part of Illinois and called on state lawmakers to follow suit. </li></ul>

How to make a "clean room" during wildfire season

Choose a room with an air filter and adjacent bathroom but no cooking.

In this<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" second consecutive summer of dangerous wildfire smoke, " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/06/chicago-air-quality-canadian-wildfire-smoke-explained" data-vars-content-id="70c9fba9-69e5-4322-8942-8c69d8729a60" data-vars-headline="How to make a &quot;clean room&quot; during wildfire season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/06/chicago-air-quality-canadian-wildfire-smoke-explained" target="_self"> second consecutive summer of dangerous wildfire smoke, </a>you may already know to wear a mask, reduce outdoor exposure and check <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AQI levels," data-vars-click-url="https://www.iqair.com/air-quality-map/usa/illinois/chicago" data-vars-content-id="70c9fba9-69e5-4322-8942-8c69d8729a60" data-vars-headline="How to make a &quot;clean room&quot; during wildfire season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iqair.com/air-quality-map/usa/illinois/chicago" target="_blank">AQI levels,</a> but do you know how to create a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;clean room&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.epa.gov/emergencies-iaq/create-clean-room-protect-indoor-air-quality-during-wildfire#what" data-vars-content-id="70c9fba9-69e5-4322-8942-8c69d8729a60" data-vars-headline="How to make a &quot;clean room&quot; during wildfire season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.epa.gov/emergencies-iaq/create-clean-room-protect-indoor-air-quality-during-wildfire#what" target="_blank">&quot;clean room&quot;</a> in your house?Why it matters: Even fairly well-sealed homes can end up with dirty air during these times of &quot;unhealthy&quot; to &quot;very unhealthy&quot; air quality levels, which may dissipate this weekend but are expected to spike again next week.<ul><li>Clean rooms can create a haven in your home with better air for all during periods of heightened risk. </li></ul>

Chicago wildfire smoke: Will "smoke season" become the new normal?

The wildfire smoke wreaked havoc on Chicago this week. Should we be planning for the next time?

News

Two days of hazardous air may force Chicago to face a new reality: We may need to start planning for a yearly &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smoke season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/17/summer-smoke-season-wildfires" data-vars-content-id="21ffdc02-4314-43c1-aadf-b8c0aa8e5a76" data-vars-headline="Chicago wildfire smoke: Will &quot;smoke season&quot; become the new normal?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/17/summer-smoke-season-wildfires" target="_self">smoke season</a>.&quot;Why it matters: Chicago has always planned around winter storms and summer heat. Wildfire smoke may become another seasonal disruption for residents, businesses and public agencies.

Chicago's post-1995 heat playbook faces a major test

There has only been one other extended heat wave (more than four days straight) since 1995.

An <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extended stretch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/26/heat-wave-dome-july" data-vars-content-id="958971f6-4603-4e6b-a08c-46da2169b163" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s post-1995 heat playbook faces a major test" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/26/heat-wave-dome-july" target="_self">extended stretch</a> of dangerous heat is testing the emergency response system Chicago built after the deadly 1995 heat wave.Why it matters: Multi-day heat waves are especially dangerous because warm overnight temperatures prevent the body from recovering, driving up illness and deaths among vulnerable people.

Northern Illinois spared worst of power bill spike

Different energy companies, grids, housing and market structures play a role.

Residents of Northern Illinois pay about $140 per month for electricity — far less than the roughly $197 paid in central and southern parts of the state, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Heatmap News data" data-vars-click-url="https://electricity.heatmap.news/" data-vars-content-id="3c084766-c51d-477d-8b53-bc41847fedbd" data-vars-headline="Northern Illinois spared worst of power bill spike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://electricity.heatmap.news/" target="_blank">Heatmap News data</a>.Why it matters: Although power bills have jumped across the state, they&#x27;ve hit some areas harder than others, which could shed light on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="statewide anger" data-vars-click-url="https://superhits979.com/2025/08/05/ameren-illinois-customers-react-to-skyrocketing-electric-bill/" data-vars-content-id="3c084766-c51d-477d-8b53-bc41847fedbd" data-vars-headline="Northern Illinois spared worst of power bill spike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://superhits979.com/2025/08/05/ameren-illinois-customers-react-to-skyrocketing-electric-bill/" target="_blank">statewide anger</a> over energy prices while giving Chicagoans something to feel grateful for.

How to navigate Chicago's flooded roads

Experts say to avoid them but to take it slow and steady if you absolutely must drive through them.

Tuesday night&#x27;s storms were a preview of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heavier downpours" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/07/11/extreme-rainfall-chicago-climate-disaster-costs" data-vars-content-id="e674f276-66e8-40b8-930b-c39caac24d9c" data-vars-headline="How to navigate Chicago&#x27;s flooded roads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/07/11/extreme-rainfall-chicago-climate-disaster-costs" target="_self">heavier downpours</a> Chicago can expect over the next 25 years, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent University of Illinois bulletin" data-vars-click-url="https://stateclimatologist.isws.illinois.edu/2025/07/28/staying-ahead-of-intense-precipitation-in-illinois/" data-vars-content-id="e674f276-66e8-40b8-930b-c39caac24d9c" data-vars-headline="How to navigate Chicago&#x27;s flooded roads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://stateclimatologist.isws.illinois.edu/2025/07/28/staying-ahead-of-intense-precipitation-in-illinois/" target="_blank">recent University of Illinois bulletin</a>.Why it matters: Intense storms in Chicago are far more common than they used to be — but infrastructure hasn&#x27;t kept up, according to a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sun-Times analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2026/04/10/flooding-chicago-climate-change-deep-tunnel-mold-metropolitan-water-reclamation-district-soaked" data-vars-content-id="e674f276-66e8-40b8-930b-c39caac24d9c" data-vars-headline="How to navigate Chicago&#x27;s flooded roads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2026/04/10/flooding-chicago-climate-change-deep-tunnel-mold-metropolitan-water-reclamation-district-soaked" target="_blank">Sun-Times analysis</a>.

Climate 🌿

Gary power outages highlight disparities in storm recovery

Trump's Indiana storm declaration puts Illinois FEMA aid in spotlight

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

How far $500K goes at Chicago parks

Johnson calls on state lawmakers to tighten data center rules