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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.

Lincoln Park is using birth control to stave off rats

Eight blocks are being monitored as officials study whether contraception can reduce rat numbers over time.

Environment

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rat control " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/02/16/rat-complaints-report-inspector-general" data-vars-content-id="6672cbd5-c080-4679-864e-86372c545cc5" data-vars-headline="Lincoln Park is using birth control to stave off rats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/02/16/rat-complaints-report-inspector-general" target="_self">rat control </a>experiment is halfway into its one-year pilot, and the alder pushing the project wants to see the concept citywide someday.The big picture: Lincoln Park Ald. Timmy Knudsen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="launched the project" data-vars-click-url="https://chicagobirdalliance.org/rat-contraceptive-pilot-program" data-vars-content-id="6672cbd5-c080-4679-864e-86372c545cc5" data-vars-headline="Lincoln Park is using birth control to stave off rats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicagobirdalliance.org/rat-contraceptive-pilot-program" target="_blank">launched the project</a> last August with Lincoln Park Zoo and the Chicago Bird Alliance to distribute non-toxic pellets that function as birth control for rats.<ul><li>Scientists are monitoring eight blocks in the 43rd ward, chosen based on rat activity, commercial activity and 311 complaints.</li></ul>

Chicago Park District wants your ideas for improvements

Residents can submit ideas through March 31 for projects at more than 600 Chicago parks.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Park District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/23/chicago-parks-ranking" data-vars-content-id="1897e0a3-06e5-428f-b3c3-45333b6bb0f2" data-vars-headline="Chicago Park District wants your ideas for improvements" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/23/chicago-parks-ranking" target="_self">Chicago Park District</a> is giving residents the chance to weigh in on park projects and improvements.The big picture: For the first time, the park district is hosting a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="participatory budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/participatory-budgeting" data-vars-content-id="1897e0a3-06e5-428f-b3c3-45333b6bb0f2" data-vars-headline="Chicago Park District wants your ideas for improvements" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/participatory-budgeting" target="_blank">participatory budget</a> process in which Chicago residents can submit ideas for projects and improvements at the city&#x27;s more than 600 parks.<ul><li>Nine projects will be selected: three each in the North, Central and South regions.</li></ul>

Chicago tests just 0.01% of homes for lead in water

Chicago tests the same number of households as Elgin despite being 27 times the size.

Elgin officials recently found <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high levels of lead" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/06/21/high-lead-levels-chicago-home-water" data-vars-content-id="7c8764bf-4134-48cf-aa09-bca57449070b" data-vars-headline="Chicago tests just 0.01% of homes for lead in water" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/06/21/high-lead-levels-chicago-home-water" target="_self">high levels of lead</a> in the water of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="70% of the homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dailyherald.com/20260114/news/elgin-again-issues-alert-after-drinking-water-samples-exceed-allowable-lead-levels-during-test/" data-vars-content-id="7c8764bf-4134-48cf-aa09-bca57449070b" data-vars-headline="Chicago tests just 0.01% of homes for lead in water" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dailyherald.com/20260114/news/elgin-again-issues-alert-after-drinking-water-samples-exceed-allowable-lead-levels-during-test/" target="_blank">70% of the homes</a> they tested, prompting the western suburb to give filters to residents whose homes are connected to lead lines.Why it matters: Elgin found these dangerous lead levels by testing 101 homes, or about 0.25% of the suburb&#x27;s households.<ul><li>Chicago tests a much smaller percentage of its homes — 0.01%. To reach Elgin&#x27;s ratio, the city would have to test about 2,800 homes every six months, not the 100 it tests today.</li><li>Elgin has an estimated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="8,094 lead lines" data-vars-click-url="https://elginil.gov/2640/Elgins-Lead-Response" data-vars-content-id="7c8764bf-4134-48cf-aa09-bca57449070b" data-vars-headline="Chicago tests just 0.01% of homes for lead in water" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://elginil.gov/2640/Elgins-Lead-Response" target="_blank">8,094 lead lines</a>, while Chicago has more than 400,000.</li></ul>

Chicago cold warning: How to stay safe

Bitter cold affects schools and events; warming centers, libraries open to help residents.

It&#x27;s about to be extremely cold.The big picture: The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold warning through noon Friday. Wind chills could drop to -40F.<ul><li>The NWS says it&#x27;s putting every available resource into forecasting the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="potentially historic winter storm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/21/winter-storm-snow-ice-forecast-east-coast-south" data-vars-content-id="12236881-e7b6-43da-9ece-a2d44d0abf88" data-vars-headline="Chicago cold warning: How to stay safe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/21/winter-storm-snow-ice-forecast-east-coast-south" target="_self">potentially historic winter storm</a> that&#x27;s wreaking havoc here and across the country.</li><li>Nearly 148 million Americans were facing winter storm watches in states spanning 2,000 miles, from New Mexico to Maine, as of Thursday afternoon.</li></ul>

Local artist gives Andersonville utility boxes a makeover

The local Chicago artist revamped neighborhood utility boxes

Culture Brief

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Andersonville&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/05/07/chicago-andersonville-clark-street" data-vars-content-id="77df5cdf-020e-408d-bde6-9b641935390a" data-vars-headline="Local artist gives Andersonville utility boxes a makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/05/07/chicago-andersonville-clark-street" target="_self">Andersonville&#x27;s</a> utility boxes have been brought to life by Chicago portrait artist <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gabi Bozeman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/gabibozeman" data-vars-content-id="77df5cdf-020e-408d-bde6-9b641935390a" data-vars-headline="Local artist gives Andersonville utility boxes a makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/gabibozeman" target="_blank">Gabi Bozeman</a>.The big picture: Through her creations in this Northside neighborhood, Bozeman is giving the community a face-to-face interaction with her work versus viewing larger murals from a distance, unable to capture the details of the art.

Illinois climate groups want pause on data centers

Concerns include pollution, energy usage and lack of permanent jobs.

Business

Some Illinois climate groups want a halt on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/01/data-centers-ai-power-energy-demand-future" data-vars-content-id="0d76431f-e2a3-42a9-8b71-184c740c70f9" data-vars-headline="Illinois climate groups want pause on data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/01/data-centers-ai-power-energy-demand-future" target="_self">new data centers</a>, citing environmental concerns, while a new state report warns that the centers could <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outstrip our energy supply" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wbez.org/environment/2025/12/16/illinois-pritzker-energy-needs-nuclear-gas-power-plants-climate-change-renewable" data-vars-content-id="0d76431f-e2a3-42a9-8b71-184c740c70f9" data-vars-headline="Illinois climate groups want pause on data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wbez.org/environment/2025/12/16/illinois-pritzker-energy-needs-nuclear-gas-power-plants-climate-change-renewable" target="_blank">outstrip our energy supply</a>.Why it matters: With at least <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="222 data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/12/19/arkansas-is-a-data-center-growth-spot" data-vars-content-id="0d76431f-e2a3-42a9-8b71-184c740c70f9" data-vars-headline="Illinois climate groups want pause on data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/12/19/arkansas-is-a-data-center-growth-spot" target="_self">222 data centers</a>, Illinois hosts the fifth largest inventory of these buildings used to house computer systems, servers and storage infrastructure, making us particularly vulnerable to their effects.

Winter solstice: Finding light on the darkest day

Explore Chicago solstice events and strategies to manage seasonal affective disorder.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winter solstice" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/31/daylight-saving-seattle-washington-standard-time-sunset" data-vars-content-id="79476782-bb41-4648-bd1b-bb4811c8e860" data-vars-headline="Winter solstice: Finding light on the darkest day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/31/daylight-saving-seattle-washington-standard-time-sunset" target="_self">winter solstice</a> — the shortest amount of daylight of the year — falls on Sunday. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Seasonal Affective Disorder " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/12/seasonal-affective-disorder-sunset-hours" data-vars-content-id="79476782-bb41-4648-bd1b-bb4811c8e860" data-vars-headline="Winter solstice: Finding light on the darkest day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/12/seasonal-affective-disorder-sunset-hours" target="_self">Seasonal Affective Disorder </a>(SAD) is a real affliction that can make the shorter, grayer, more frigid days of winter especially difficult, as decreased light exposure can affect our brain chemicals like serotonin, which helps regulate mood.

Signs your dog is holiday-stressed — and what to do

How to tell if your dog is stressed and needs some extra love.

The &quot;most wonderful time of the year&quot; can also be the most stressful time of the year. And, we&#x27;re not the only ones feeling anxious.The big picture: With disrupted schedules, out of town guests and extra travel, our pets can pick up on the added stress of the holidays.

Illinois tells hunters: No drones, AI or e-bikes

State officials cite legal and ethical problems with the technologies.

Illinois officials are warning hunters to knock it off with AI, e-bike and drone usage this deer hunting season.Why it matters: Applying these new technologies to this age-old sport might seem convenient, but it creates ethical and legal problems.