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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'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.

Darren Bailey pledges free Illinois tollways

The Republican gubernatorial candidate unveiled a four-point plan, but it lacks details.

Transit

Illinois gubernatorial candidate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Darren Bailey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/18/bailey-wins-gop-primary-pritzker-rematch-illinois-governor" data-vars-content-id="478f836d-2a1b-41ec-b9ee-a56419d0277a" data-vars-headline="Darren Bailey pledges free Illinois tollways" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/18/bailey-wins-gop-primary-pritzker-rematch-illinois-governor" target="_self">Darren Bailey</a> wants to make the state’s toll roads free, reviving a decades-old promise that’s much easier said than financed.Why it matters: Eliminating tolls would upend a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transportation funding system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/31/illinois-fall-veto-session-transit-deal" data-vars-content-id="478f836d-2a1b-41ec-b9ee-a56419d0277a" data-vars-headline="Darren Bailey pledges free Illinois tollways" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/31/illinois-fall-veto-session-transit-deal" target="_self">transportation funding system</a> lawmakers just expanded. <ul><li>Last year&#x27;s sweeping transit package called for higher tolls to help finance a new multibillion-dollar Tollway construction program, while shifting other state transportation revenues toward mass transit.</li></ul>

New Chicago murals honor Caleb Williams, Stacey King and John Prine

The murals honor two Chicago legends and one trying to cement his legacy in real time.

Things to Do

Three new murals have sprung up in Chicago recently, celebrating two legends — and one young star building his legacy in real time. Why it matters: Chicago has long turned blank walls into tributes to icons.

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

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

Climate

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.

A day at the Illinois State Fair: Pork chops, politics and parking

A Chicagoan's take on his first real visit to the state fair.

For this Chicago resident, the Illinois State Fair is a foreign experience. Sure, there are carnival rides and elephant ears, but everything else is on a scale that makes a local street festival look quaint.Here are five observations from this city dweller at the State Fair.

Quiz: How well do you know Illinois political history?

This week's quiz is all about Springfield.

Politics

Being down in Springfield this week got me nostalgic for state politics. State of play: I&#x27;ve covered a lot of campaigns over the years and stored so much otherwise useless knowledge of comptrollers, treasurers and lieutenant governors in my brain that it is perfect for a quiz!

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

Can you get a perfect score on street numbers?

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.

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>

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.

Survey says: What makes Chicago, Chicago? You tell us

Help us create the most authentic Chicago database ever.

We are unveiling a new regular feature that draws from the Axios reader hive mind.The big picture: To create the ultimate guide to authentic Chicago, we&#x27;re rolling out a series of questions about our city, its culture, its food, and other local quirks. <ul><li>The answers will be used in a live game show where we quiz contestants on their Chicago street cred.</li></ul>

Chicago artist Amanda Williams honors "other Washingtons"

A new Washington Park installation invites Chicagoans to honor overlooked neighbors alongside history.

Chicago artist Amanda Williams has turned a 122-year-old monument on the city&#x27;s South Side into a fresh, community-driven conversation about who gets to be remembered.The big picture: As part of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Monuments Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/24/eugene-williams-memorial-bike-tour-chicago-race-riot-1919-commemoration" data-vars-content-id="6ef6a208-8ad6-4cb8-bc2c-f008b0fc424c" data-vars-headline="Chicago artist Amanda Williams honors &quot;other Washingtons&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/24/eugene-williams-memorial-bike-tour-chicago-race-riot-1919-commemoration" target="_self">Chicago Monuments Project</a>, Williams asked the public: &quot;Who is your favorite Washington?&quot; to gather the names and stories of everyday people who should be commemorated alongside the George Washington monument in Washington Park.

Bite Club: Uyghur lagman at Kashgar in Albany Park

The Special Lagman transports diners back to Central Asia

Food and Drink

For years, I&#x27;ve been searching for lagman as delicious as the stuff I ate in Central Asia when I lived there in 1993-1994. <ul><li>This week I found it at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kashgar Uyghur Dining " data-vars-click-url="https://www.kashgaruyghurdiningil.com/" data-vars-content-id="9d248eda-8b2e-4f9b-8bc2-8241967bb833" data-vars-headline="Bite Club: Uyghur lagman at Kashgar in Albany Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kashgaruyghurdiningil.com/" target="_blank">Kashgar Uyghur Dining </a>in Albany Park, 4830 N. Pulaski Rd. </li></ul>

Food Fight: Where to get the best Chicago-style hot dog

Axios barks about some of our local faves.

Finding the best Chicago-style hot dog in the city offers a formidable but delicious challenge. Zoom in: We&#x27;ve drawn from our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="years of homework" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/04/12/locals-guide-to-the-best-hot-dogs-in-chicago" data-vars-content-id="acae8b53-57a0-42c8-9e59-3455591434f4" data-vars-headline="Food Fight: Where to get the best Chicago-style hot dog" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/04/12/locals-guide-to-the-best-hot-dogs-in-chicago" target="_self">years of homework</a> on the issue to offer our top picks for a dog dragged through the garden (which actually sounds mean) around town.