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Lincoln Park billionaire accused of fueling rat infestation

Chicago billionaire accused of fueling Lincoln Park rat infestation

Environment

The city is weighing legal action against Lincoln Park billionaire Barre Seid over claims that his nut-spreading operation is fueling a rat infestation around<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Green City Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/20/snap-farmers-markets-chicago-green-city-market" data-vars-content-id="d83e5f19-c5d5-4263-bb7c-46da3d14ccaa" data-vars-headline="Lincoln Park billionaire accused of fueling rat infestation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/20/snap-farmers-markets-chicago-green-city-market" target="_self"> Green City Market</a>, Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43rd) says.Why it matters: The infestation is causing property damage that could leave taxpayers on the hook for repairs, according to city documents.

Remembering 'Da Coach': Mike Ditka, Chicago icon and NFL legend, dies at 86

Mike Ditka loved Chicago and Chicago loved him back.

Sports

Mike Ditka, one of Chicago&#x27;s most iconic celebrities, died Friday after years of health issues, including heart attacks and strokes, according to The Score radio station. He was 86.Why it matters: The former Bears player and coach left a lasting impression on Chicago sports and culture, presiding over one of the best football teams in NFL history.

Chicago hotel workers strike ahead of Marathon weekend

The strike comes during a busy tourism stretch that includes the Chicago Marathon and fall events.

Business

Chicago <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hotel workers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/09/09/chicago-hotel-workers-union-contracts-expire-strike" data-vars-content-id="ebdc5a4f-aa35-4711-8682-c43cb335fa83" data-vars-headline="Chicago hotel workers strike ahead of Marathon weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/09/09/chicago-hotel-workers-union-contracts-expire-strike" target="_self">hotel workers</a> at six downtown hotels walked off the job Friday morning just days before the Chicago Marathon.Why it matters: Guests at the affected hotels could face reduced services during one of Chicago&#x27;s biggest tourism weekends, while workers at dozens of other hotels remain without new contracts.

Chicago suburbs quiz: Can you match these landmarks to their towns?

Use your suburban knowledge to ace this quiz.

History

I&#x27;ve had a lot of fun with the last couple of quizzes matching <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the landmark" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/09/25/chicago-neighborhood-quiz-landmarks-lakeview-beverly-pilsen-gold-coast" data-vars-content-id="12909e2e-505e-4c1f-b849-04ecb10409e9" data-vars-headline="Chicago suburbs quiz: Can you match these landmarks to their towns?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/09/25/chicago-neighborhood-quiz-landmarks-lakeview-beverly-pilsen-gold-coast" target="_self">the landmark</a> to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago neighborhood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/10/02/chicago-neighborhood-quiz-volume-2-landmarks-rosas-wiener-circle-hellenic" data-vars-content-id="12909e2e-505e-4c1f-b849-04ecb10409e9" data-vars-headline="Chicago suburbs quiz: Can you match these landmarks to their towns?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/10/02/chicago-neighborhood-quiz-volume-2-landmarks-rosas-wiener-circle-hellenic" target="_self">Chicago neighborhood</a>. For today&#x27;s quiz, let&#x27;s branch out into the suburbs!

Illinois U.S. Senate election: Stratton vs. Tracy voter guide

The two candidates will take part in a forum on Oct. 20.

Politics

For the first time in 30 years, Illinois will not have a U.S. senator named Durbin. Why it matters: The midterm election will determine control of the Senate, where Republicans hold a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="53-47 majority" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/08/2026-midterms-congress-house-senate-predictions" data-vars-content-id="8eb4949b-fe5c-46c8-8666-45b00bc7c28d" data-vars-headline="Illinois U.S. Senate election: Stratton vs. Tracy voter guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/08/2026-midterms-congress-house-senate-predictions" target="_self">53-47 majority</a>.The big picture: Sen. Dick Durbin is retiring after three decades in the Senate, paving the way for a new face to join Sen. Tammy Duckworth in Washington.

Illinois' statewide races: What to know before November

Democrats defend every Illinois executive office, with incumbents on the ballot in three key races.

Democrats hold all Illinois executive offices, and all but one race has an incumbent on the November ballot.

Pritzker vs. Bailey: What to know about the 2026 Illinois governor race

New endorsements have ratcheted up the rhetoric in the race for Illinois governor.

Election

The race for the governor&#x27;s mansion is in its final month, and Democrats and Republicans are ramping up their attacks.Why it matters: Gov. JB Pritzker is seeking a third term that would further cement Democratic control in Springfield, while Republican Darren Bailey is promising a sharp change in direction.

How to vote in Chicago in the 2026 midterm election

A 1-minute guide to all the dates and information you need for Election Day.

Chicagoans can officially start casting ballots in the 2026 midterm election.Why it matters: You don&#x27;t have to wait until Election Day on Nov. 3, but deadlines for registering, voting by mail and finding an early voting site are approaching.

Brandon Johnson launches reelection bid for Chicago mayor

Johnson joins a crowded 2027 field as challengers line up to make the case for change.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor Brandon Johnson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/19/mayor-brandon-johnson-reflects-on-3rd-year" data-vars-content-id="5eb53f7b-6f45-4f5f-95b2-84bec72d1a98" data-vars-headline="Brandon Johnson launches reelection bid for Chicago mayor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/19/mayor-brandon-johnson-reflects-on-3rd-year" target="_self">Mayor Brandon Johnson</a> will seek a second term leading Chicago, he announced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sunday on social" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdO_6P4OLCr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" data-vars-content-id="5eb53f7b-6f45-4f5f-95b2-84bec72d1a98" data-vars-headline="Brandon Johnson launches reelection bid for Chicago mayor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdO_6P4OLCr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank">Sunday on social</a> media ahead of an official event on the city&#x27;s South Side.Why it matters: Johnson&#x27;s entry officially kicks the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crowded 2027 race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/08/chicago-mayoral-hopefuls-2027-johnson-mendoza-giannoulias-quigley" data-vars-content-id="5eb53f7b-6f45-4f5f-95b2-84bec72d1a98" data-vars-headline="Brandon Johnson launches reelection bid for Chicago mayor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/08/chicago-mayoral-hopefuls-2027-johnson-mendoza-giannoulias-quigley" target="_self">crowded 2027 race</a> into gear as he asks Chicagoans for four more years.

Chicago faces a nearly $900 million budget gap

The expected deficit shrank by more than $200 million but is still approaching $900 million.

Chicago&#x27;s 2027 budget deficit checks in at $283.9 million less than what was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expected at this time last year." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/11/five-paths-to-shrinking-chicagos-deficit" data-vars-content-id="0697a0e4-2d35-4a18-bd47-1f13092d0143" data-vars-headline="Chicago faces a nearly $900 million budget gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/11/five-paths-to-shrinking-chicagos-deficit" target="_self">expected at this time last year.</a>Why it matters: While good news, it still leaves a whopping $882.4 million gap for Mayor Brandon Johnson and a contentious City Council to fill by the end of the year, according to projections released by the mayor&#x27;s office Thursday.

Cook County homeowners' taxes increase again 

The growth reflects continued underperformance from the commercial real estate market.

Real Estate

Once again, Cook County <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeowners will shoulder" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/17/cook-county-homeowners-tax-hike-loop-losses" data-vars-content-id="75b3d79e-18a8-447f-9b1b-cdb9e3457051" data-vars-headline="Cook County homeowners&#x27; taxes increase again " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/17/cook-county-homeowners-tax-hike-loop-losses" target="_self">homeowners will shoulder</a> a greater portion of the tax burden than commercial building owners, whose properties continue to underperform while many homes gain value, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new analysis " data-vars-click-url="https://www.cookcountytreasurer.com/researcharticles.aspx?articleid=2026082401" data-vars-content-id="75b3d79e-18a8-447f-9b1b-cdb9e3457051" data-vars-headline="Cook County homeowners&#x27; taxes increase again " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cookcountytreasurer.com/researcharticles.aspx?articleid=2026082401" target="_blank">a new analysis </a>by the Cook County Treasurer&#x27;s office.The big picture: This marks the fifth consecutive year that a growing tax burden has fallen mostly on homeowners

Pritzker loses potential home-state edge in 2028 DNC lineup

State Democrats were angling to be one of the first primaries in 2028, but were denied by the DNC.

News

Illinois won&#x27;t be among the Democratic Party&#x27;s early presidential primary states in 2028, despite an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aggressive lobbying effort" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/20/illinois-primary-early-pritzker-2028-democrat-president-trump" data-vars-content-id="5cca1dc2-2cad-4856-ad39-f54183d9bf8c" data-vars-headline="Pritzker loses potential home-state edge in 2028 DNC lineup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/20/illinois-primary-early-pritzker-2028-democrat-president-trump" target="_self">aggressive lobbying effort</a> by Gov. JB Pritzker and state Democrats to move the state to the front of the nominating calendar. Why it matters: Early primary states receive outsized candidate attention, media coverage, campaign spending and political momentum. <ul><li>Illinois missing the cut means Pritzker, if he runs for president, won&#x27;t have the potential advantage of an early home-state primary.</li></ul>

Illinois Democrats condemn USPS election mail proposal

State leaders are threatening supboenas and lawsuits if the Postal Service moves forward on new voting rules.

Illinois Democrats are warning the Trump administration could sidestep a federal court order blocking parts of President Trump&#x27;s election executive order, raising concerns about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voting by mail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/29/supreme-court-mail-in-voting-grace-period" data-vars-content-id="ad4551be-91ac-4e43-9e43-93dcf3908c4c" data-vars-headline="Illinois Democrats condemn USPS election mail proposal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/29/supreme-court-mail-in-voting-grace-period" target="_self">voting by mail</a> before the 2026 midterms.Why it matters: Illinois officials say the dispute could force changes to election procedures and voter education.

What to know about Chicago school board elections

Voters will be asked to select a president and representative from their subdistrict.

Education

Chicago&#x27;s first full <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school board election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/11/06/results-chicago-first-elected-school-board" data-vars-content-id="e20238de-d984-4b83-8e73-f8d01b82cd6a" data-vars-headline="What to know about Chicago school board elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/11/06/results-chicago-first-elected-school-board" target="_self">school board election</a> hits new milestones this week as officials accept final candidate objections Tuesday and decide ballot placement Wednesday morning.Why it matters: This consequential Nov. 3 election features 10 districts, 21 seats and staggered terms depending on the type of incumbent holding the current seat.<ul><li>In other words, voters will need a lot of public education.</li></ul>How it works: Chicagoans will be asked to vote for two candidates — one for school board president and one for their particular subdistrict.<ul><li>The city is divided into 20 subdistricts (identified by a number and letter) where the candidate must live. You can find yours <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="here. " data-vars-click-url="https://www.cps.edu/about/chicago-board-of-education/member-map/" data-vars-content-id="e20238de-d984-4b83-8e73-f8d01b82cd6a" data-vars-headline="What to know about Chicago school board elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cps.edu/about/chicago-board-of-education/member-map/" target="_blank">here. </a></li><li>Most of the 21 races have at least two candidates running, but two subdistricts feature candidates running unopposed.</li><li>So far, five people have thrown their hats in the ring for board president: Jessica Biggs, Jennifer Custer, Hilario Dominguez, Victor P. Henderson and Sendhil Revuluri.</li></ul>By the numbers: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="51 people have filed petitions " data-vars-click-url="https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-05/Candidate%20Filing%20Report_20260526172953563.pdf" data-vars-content-id="e20238de-d984-4b83-8e73-f8d01b82cd6a" data-vars-headline="What to know about Chicago school board elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-05/Candidate%20Filing%20Report_20260526172953563.pdf" target="_blank">51 people have filed petitions </a>to run for president or as a board member.<ul><li>Yes but: Many could be eliminated through petition and signature challenges that will play out over the next several weeks.</li><li>Board president candidates need 2,500 valid signatures, while board candidates require 500 to 1,500 from residents of their districts.</li><li>The challenges can be costly and brutal. In 2024, a pool of 45 initial candidates [for school board] was whittled to 31 by the end of the process.</li></ul>The intrigue: As of Monday afternoon, not a single petition challenge had been filed against a school board candidate, Board of Elections officials tell Axios. Follow the money: Board members get no pay for their service, but spending on the 2024 partial school board races exceeded $13 million. Spending on this wider contest is expected to exceed that, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chalkbeat reports. " data-vars-click-url="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/04/17/chicago-public-schools-board-races-draw-cash/" data-vars-content-id="e20238de-d984-4b83-8e73-f8d01b82cd6a" data-vars-headline="What to know about Chicago school board elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/04/17/chicago-public-schools-board-races-draw-cash/" target="_blank">Chalkbeat reports. </a><ul><li>Much of the money came from the Chicago Teachers Union or super PACs funding candidates supportive of charters or school choice.</li></ul>Friction point: Despite heavy CTU spending on the 2024 election, union president Stacy Davis Gates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has warned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000019e-4176-d410-a1be-e5771aa10000" data-vars-content-id="e20238de-d984-4b83-8e73-f8d01b82cd6a" data-vars-headline="What to know about Chicago school board elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000019e-4176-d410-a1be-e5771aa10000" target="_blank">has warned</a> businessman and Democratic donor Michael Sacks to stay out of this year&#x27;s race — comparing &quot;billionaire&quot; campaign funds to Jim Crow voting laws, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Politico reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2026/05/20/chicago-schools-elections-get-ugly-00929035?is_magic_link=true&amp;template_id=OT5J0E7B7DD7" data-vars-content-id="e20238de-d984-4b83-8e73-f8d01b82cd6a" data-vars-headline="What to know about Chicago school board elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2026/05/20/chicago-schools-elections-get-ugly-00929035?is_magic_link=true&amp;template_id=OT5J0E7B7DD7" target="_blank">Politico reported</a>.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="In return" data-vars-click-url="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000019e-415b-d0fd-a3de-f75f6acc0000" data-vars-content-id="e20238de-d984-4b83-8e73-f8d01b82cd6a" data-vars-headline="What to know about Chicago school board elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000019e-415b-d0fd-a3de-f75f6acc0000" target="_blank">In return</a>, Sacks accused Davis Gates of defamation and hypocrisy, writing, &quot;no one in this city is focused more on spending big money on politics … than you do.&quot;</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Expect coverage of specific races, campaign spending and more as this historic election unfolds over the next five months.Editors note: An earlier version of this story indicated that the two subdistricts with uncontested incumbents were on the North Side, but only one is.

Election 🗳️

Illinois U.S. Senate election: Stratton vs. Tracy voter guide

Illinois' statewide races: What to know before November

Pritzker vs. Bailey: What to know about the 2026 Illinois governor race

How to vote in Chicago in the 2026 midterm election

Brandon Johnson launches reelection bid for Chicago mayor