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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.

Chicago Weekend: Axios Chicago staff picks

Our picks include soul dancing, sidewalk chalk, indie rock, classical music and dining al fresco.

Summer is winding down. Yes, we&#x27;re sorry to break that news. <ul><li>But we&#x27;re making sure you make the most of it with these suggestions.</li></ul>

The ultimate Chicago to Springfield road trip

Pottery, cheese curds, local brews and Route 66 history await on the road from Chicago to Springfield.

Corndogs, fried Oreos, horse shows and a glorious butter cow await at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Illinois State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/08/13/illinois-state-fair-food-new-old" data-vars-content-id="2b90e7f2-5bee-43e0-959d-730c99a8633f" data-vars-headline="The ultimate Chicago to Springfield road trip" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/08/13/illinois-state-fair-food-new-old" target="_self">Illinois State Fair</a> in Springfield.<ul><li>But there are plenty of things to eat, see and do between Chicago and the state capitol.</li></ul>The big picture: The Illinois Office of Tourism has compiled <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Illinois Made,&quot; " data-vars-click-url="https://www.enjoyillinois.com/plan-your-trip/illinois-made/" data-vars-content-id="2b90e7f2-5bee-43e0-959d-730c99a8633f" data-vars-headline="The ultimate Chicago to Springfield road trip" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.enjoyillinois.com/plan-your-trip/illinois-made/" target="_blank">&quot;Illinois Made,&quot; </a>a guide to small businesses stretching across the state, from unique finds in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.enjoyillinois.com/plan-your-trip/road-trip-itineraries/made-with-pride-in-chicago/" data-vars-content-id="2b90e7f2-5bee-43e0-959d-730c99a8633f" data-vars-headline="The ultimate Chicago to Springfield road trip" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.enjoyillinois.com/plan-your-trip/road-trip-itineraries/made-with-pride-in-chicago/" target="_blank">Chicago</a> to local wineries and nature in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Southern Illinois" data-vars-click-url="https://www.enjoyillinois.com/plan-your-trip/road-trip-itineraries/the-makers-trail/" data-vars-content-id="2b90e7f2-5bee-43e0-959d-730c99a8633f" data-vars-headline="The ultimate Chicago to Springfield road trip" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.enjoyillinois.com/plan-your-trip/road-trip-itineraries/the-makers-trail/" target="_blank">Southern Illinois</a>

Food Fight: Where to get the best thin-crust pizza in Chicago 

We pick three iconic spots to help you with your Chicago pizza cravings.

Neighborhoods

Despite Chicago&#x27;s national reputation for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deep dish " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/20/food-fight-chicago-deep-dish-pizza-malnatis-labriola-ginos-pizanos" data-vars-content-id="e4f438df-fc1e-4636-95d8-fbfda2ba391d" data-vars-headline="Food Fight: Where to get the best thin-crust pizza 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/2026/07/20/food-fight-chicago-deep-dish-pizza-malnatis-labriola-ginos-pizanos" target="_self">deep dish </a>we all know square-cut, thin-crust pizzas reign supreme at bowling parties, union meetings, sports gatherings and easy dinners. <ul><li>But where do you find the best? We&#x27;re fighting about it this week.</li></ul>

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>

Get behind the wheel at Chicago's new F1 Arcade

The new bar and restaurant lets guests race on 61 simulators, then refuel with cocktails and food.

A new bar and restaurant in Chicago&#x27;s River North taps into the global popularity of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Formula 1 racing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/29/axios-house-the-fight-over-fis-remote-audience" data-vars-content-id="273bc6b3-b0c0-4074-b4cb-113dc772cf1c" data-vars-headline="Get behind the wheel at Chicago&#x27;s new F1 Arcade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/29/axios-house-the-fight-over-fis-remote-audience" target="_self">Formula 1 racing</a> by putting fans behind the wheel and onto the track.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="F1 Arcade" data-vars-click-url="https://f1arcade.com/us/chicago" data-vars-content-id="273bc6b3-b0c0-4074-b4cb-113dc772cf1c" data-vars-headline="Get behind the wheel at Chicago&#x27;s new F1 Arcade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://f1arcade.com/us/chicago" target="_blank">F1 Arcade</a> opens Friday in the former Rock Bottom Brewery spot at State and Grand.

St. Charles breweries pour Belgian beers for history museum

Six local breweries are toasting the town's heritage through the month of August.

Several <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Charles breweries" data-vars-click-url="https://www.stcsix.com/belgianbeer" data-vars-content-id="a91990b2-2853-42f6-85b6-622ff6b881ae" data-vars-headline="St. Charles breweries pour Belgian beers for history museum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.stcsix.com/belgianbeer" target="_blank">St. Charles breweries</a> are teaming up this month to celebrate the city&#x27;s Belgian heritage — one beer at a time.The latest: Six breweries are pouring Belgian-style beers to raise money for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Charles History Museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.stcmuseum.org/" data-vars-content-id="a91990b2-2853-42f6-85b6-622ff6b881ae" data-vars-headline="St. Charles breweries pour Belgian beers for history museum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.stcmuseum.org/" target="_blank">St. Charles History Museum</a>, which recently opened an exhibit exploring the suburb&#x27;s Belgian roots.

Downtown vertical farming venture takes root

Farm Zero plans to expand by 10 times this fall.

Business

When Russell Steinberg looks at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vacant downtown office spaces" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/04/03/lasalle-street-corridor-plan-to-build-more-housing-downtown-advances" data-vars-content-id="fe23ceba-6180-472a-a352-a321a2bc6b30" data-vars-headline="Downtown vertical farming venture takes root" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/04/03/lasalle-street-corridor-plan-to-build-more-housing-downtown-advances" target="_self">vacant downtown office spaces</a>, he doesn&#x27;t see failure — he sees farms.Why it matters: Steinberg&#x27;s first<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Farm Zero" data-vars-click-url="https://farmzerochicago.com/" data-vars-content-id="fe23ceba-6180-472a-a352-a321a2bc6b30" data-vars-headline="Downtown vertical farming venture takes root" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://farmzerochicago.com/" target="_blank"> Farm Zero</a> site, located kitty-corner from City Hall, feeds hundreds of Chicagoans with its lettuce, herbs, edible flowers and microgreens.<ul><li>But if his expansion plans stay on course, that number will grow to thousands this fall and eventually millions.</li></ul>Plus: This<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" summer&#x27;s cyclosporiasis outbreak " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/20/cyclospora-outbreak-diarrhea-infection-wash-food" data-vars-content-id="fe23ceba-6180-472a-a352-a321a2bc6b30" data-vars-headline="Downtown vertical farming venture takes root" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/20/cyclospora-outbreak-diarrhea-infection-wash-food" target="_self"> summer&#x27;s cyclosporiasis outbreak </a>is highlighting the value of transparently sourced produce as Chicagoans <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seek locally grown lettuce. " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/23/chicago-readers-leafy-greens-cyclospora-outbreak-lettuce-salads-poll" data-vars-content-id="fe23ceba-6180-472a-a352-a321a2bc6b30" data-vars-headline="Downtown vertical farming venture takes root" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/23/chicago-readers-leafy-greens-cyclospora-outbreak-lettuce-salads-poll" target="_self">seek locally grown lettuce. </a>

Food Fight: Where to get the best Italian subs in Chicago

Our choices range from Little Italy to Lakeview.

Food and Drink

A great Italian sub starts with the meat.The Genoa salami, capicola and ham should be toothsome and plentiful. Yes, but: To compete in Chicago, you also need a soft, chewy roll soaked with just the right squirt of seasoned oil.

Weekender: Bud Billiken, Market Days and more

From Northalsted Market Days and the Bud Billiken Parade to wellness festivals and Garlic Fest.

Oh, summer, are you saying goodbye so soon? The annual Bud Billiken Parade takes to the streets this weekend and reminds us we have only a few short weeks until school&#x27;s back in session and summer slips away.<ul><li>But there is still plenty of time to enjoy all Chicago has to offer.</li></ul>

Bite Club: Uyghur lagman at Kashgar in Albany Park

The Special Lagman transports diners back to Central Asia

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 and Drink 🍽

Chicago Weekend: Axios Chicago staff picks

The ultimate Chicago to Springfield road trip

Food Fight: Where to get the best thin-crust pizza in Chicago

Axios staff picks: Things to do in Chicago this weekend

Get behind the wheel at Chicago's new F1 Arcade