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

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

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Chicago gift ideas: Local food, books and experiences to shop

If you want to be the partygoer who stands out at your next White Elephant exchange, we've got you covered.

Things to Do

New Asian grocery store and food court officially opens in Chicago

The food court features a full bar, bubble tea stand and cafe along with six food stalls.

Food and Drink

Migrant resettlement progress report

The city has helped find housing for nearly a third of the new arrivals.

News

Chicago is emerging as a quantum tech hub

The cutting-edge particle can help speed up broadband, eliminate hacking and create new treatments in the quest to cure cancer.

Business

Sneak peek: New art unveiled at O'Hare Airport's Terminal 5

Chicago's art scene will be among the first impressions made on the millions of travelers who pass through the terminal each year.

The $1 billion expansion of O&#x27;Hare Airport&#x27;s Terminal 5 includes 19 new artworks by Chicago artists.Why it matters: Chicago&#x27;s rich public art scene will be one of the first impressions made on the millions of travelers who pass through the terminal each year.

Last-minute costume ideas for Chicagoans

Our city is rich in history, tradition, folklore and humor — show it off!

Culture

We&#x27;ve all been there. You had big Halloween costume ideas back in June, but now it&#x27;s Oct. 27, there&#x27;s a party tomorrow and Goodwill is all picked over.<ul><li>Don&#x27;t worry. We&#x27;ve got ideas for some easy, but very Chicago costumes for all you procrastinators.</li></ul>

Illustration of the Chicago star carved into a pumpkin.

Inside Stern Pinball, one of the oldest makers of the game

Hundreds of employees build the machines by hand.

Thousands of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pinball fans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/07/30/chicago-pinball-leagues" data-vars-content-id="d1dde41d-e49c-46a2-8335-c61f19425d01" data-vars-headline="Inside Stern Pinball, one of the oldest makers of the game" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/07/30/chicago-pinball-leagues" target="_self">pinball fans</a> gathered in Schaumburg last weekend for the 39th annual Pinball Expo.What happened: Tournaments, seminars and memorabilia. Plus, this year, Axios got a chance to tour Stern Pinball, Inc., one the world&#x27;s oldest and largest pinball machine companies.

Illinois is the Midwest, but new survey suggests Idaho could be, too

Data suggests that a large swath of the U.S. agrees it's best to be Midwest.

There&#x27;s no question that Illinois is a Midwest state, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/19/midwest-boundaries-survey" data-vars-content-id="a4920502-c310-4361-a268-ed51cfbd2a9b" data-vars-headline="Illinois is the Midwest, but new survey suggests Idaho could be, too" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/19/midwest-boundaries-survey" target="_self">a new survey</a> shows people as far as Idaho and Pennsylvania also consider themselves Midwesterners.Why it matters: Despite the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Census Bureau&#x27;s input" data-vars-click-url="https://www.businessinsider.com/united-states-regions-new-england-midwest-south-2018-4#and-the-southern-states-in-the-region-are-considered-middle-atlantic-3" data-vars-content-id="a4920502-c310-4361-a268-ed51cfbd2a9b" data-vars-headline="Illinois is the Midwest, but new survey suggests Idaho could be, too" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/united-states-regions-new-england-midwest-south-2018-4#and-the-southern-states-in-the-region-are-considered-middle-atlantic-3" target="_blank">U.S. Census Bureau&#x27;s input</a>, defining a Midwesterner is still under debate. But this survey suggests that a large swath of the U.S. agrees it&#x27;s best to be Midwest.

Chicago-area horror films to watch this Halloween

Add these five spooky movies to your queue.

It&#x27;s Halloween season and many of us are searching for horror films to celebrate the occasion. Be smart: Why not get scared while watching movies that are set or shot in places you&#x27;ve been to!

Chicago warns that its arts scene is in peril

Dwindling ticket sales, increased costs and private donations that aren't keeping up with inflation.

Chicago&#x27;s art scene is in crisis, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report from the city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dca/smu/smureport2023.pdf" data-vars-content-id="8a28683f-b27c-4b68-9980-cc30b319edb9" data-vars-headline="Chicago warns that its arts scene is in peril" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dca/smu/smureport2023.pdf" target="_blank">new report from the city</a>.Why it matters: Theater and performing arts add to the cultural experience of our world-class city and employ thousands of artists and creative professionals.

Illustration of a theater stage, with a dollar bill printed on the curtains.

How former Ald. Ed Burke became Chicago's king of swag

Salt and pepper grinders, VIP badges, and more.

In <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent witness testimony" data-vars-click-url="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/11/21/23971891/ed-burke-chicago-corruption-trial-burger-king" data-vars-content-id="2880311e-d42e-4da0-888c-411d9bceb4f1" data-vars-headline="How former Ald. Ed Burke became Chicago&#x27;s king of swag" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/11/21/23971891/ed-burke-chicago-corruption-trial-burger-king" target="_blank">recent witness testimony</a> at Ed Burke&#x27;s corruption trial, a fast-food mogul revealed that the alder once gave him fancy Burke-branded &quot;salt and pepper shakers&quot; over lunch at the Beverly Country Club.<ul><li>That got us thinking about the various totems we&#x27;ve heard about Burke offering Chicagoans over the years.</li></ul>

Man with hand up to his mouth, covering it, wearing glasses and pinstriped suit.

Chicago Spotify Wrapped: Taylor Swift tops streaming charts

Music

To no one&#x27;s surprise, Chicago loves Taylor Swift, according to Spotify&#x27;s 2023 Wrapped data.Driving the news: The megastar beat out Drake, Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma for the top artist slot among Spotify users in the city.

Taylor Swift strums a pink guitar in a sparkly leotard on stage.

The Drive in the driver's seat in October radio ratings

The classic rock station upends The Lite for the first time this year.

Now we may know why LITE-FM <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="switched to all holiday music" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/11/01/christmas-music-radio-lite-fm" data-vars-content-id="3839a2b9-e514-461b-9c02-cb6a3e26f37d" data-vars-headline="The Drive in the driver&#x27;s seat in October radio ratings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/11/01/christmas-music-radio-lite-fm" target="_self">switched to all holiday music</a> so early this year: It&#x27;s no longer No 1. in the radio ratings.Driving the news: WDRV-FM surged in October, toppling the adult contemporary station for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first time in 2023" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/10/16/wdrv-top-chicago-radio-ratings" data-vars-content-id="3839a2b9-e514-461b-9c02-cb6a3e26f37d" data-vars-headline="The Drive in the driver&#x27;s seat in October radio ratings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/10/16/wdrv-top-chicago-radio-ratings" target="_self">first time in 2023</a>.

Chicago's Berlin closes doors after 40 years

The famous LGBTQ+ club faced a recent boycott over union negotiations.

The iconic Chicago club Berlin has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closed its doors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/02/01/chicago-store-restaurant-closings-2023" data-vars-content-id="8e2bb88b-d170-4357-bc20-4ee07230a29e" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s Berlin closes doors after 40 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/02/01/chicago-store-restaurant-closings-2023" target="_self">closed its doors</a> permanently.What&#x27;s happening: The owners announced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on social media" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz7Gym4vbgT/" data-vars-content-id="8e2bb88b-d170-4357-bc20-4ee07230a29e" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s Berlin closes doors after 40 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz7Gym4vbgT/" target="_blank">on social media</a> Tuesday that last weekend&#x27;s performances were the final shows of the club&#x27;s storied 40-year run.