Chicago

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Chicago with Monica Eng, Justin Kaufmann, and Carrie Shepherd.

Axios Chicago

Standard

Chicago Alerts

Alert

Axios Chicago Partners

Axios Chicago Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

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

Axios Chicago Weekender

Weekender

Chicago Members

Membership

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.

A hidden pathway: Can you guess the Chicago landmark?

Can you guess this Chicago Black historic site ?

Throughout February, we&#x27;ve been showcasing sites and monuments that reflect Black history and culture in Chicago. Here&#x27;s our last site of the month. Where am I today? Here are a few hints:<ul><li>Just a few blocks south of Mag Mile.</li><li>A popular gathering space for community. </li><li>Over 100-years old.</li><li>A place you can let go. </li></ul><div><iframe name="opinionstage-widget" alt="Opinion Stage Embed" src="https://www.opinionstage.com/api/v2/widgets/308f565e-b428-4cea-a24b-e09f3703b326/iframe" data-opinionstage-iframe="308f565e-b428-4cea-a24b-e09f3703b326" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="embed-poll" data-vars-asset-id="308f565e-b428-4cea-a24b-e09f3703b326" data-vars-content-id="94d8c6b7-10ce-4df1-a094-9faa5583bc1f" width="100%" height="800" allow="fullscreen" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" class="gtmView" referrerPolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe><div style="display:none"></div></div>

A skyscraper before its time: Can you guess the Chicago landmark?

Can you guess what Black history landmark we are standing in front of?

This month, we&#x27;ve been showcasing sites and monuments that reflect Black history and culture in our great city. Where am I today? Here&#x27;s a hint: <ul><li>A skyscraper before its time </li><li>One that survived King&#x27;s fall </li><li>A place that still holds our cash </li><li>famous for live radio calls </li></ul><div><iframe name="opinionstage-widget" alt="Opinion Stage Embed" src="https://www.opinionstage.com/api/v2/widgets/db3aa0c7-9ee0-4d52-ae3e-7bfd00bf0a49/iframe" data-opinionstage-iframe="db3aa0c7-9ee0-4d52-ae3e-7bfd00bf0a49" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="embed-poll" data-vars-asset-id="db3aa0c7-9ee0-4d52-ae3e-7bfd00bf0a49" data-vars-content-id="4d2c9438-518b-4329-a809-78a5bb48db13" width="100%" height="800" allow="fullscreen" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" class="gtmView" referrerPolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe><div style="display:none"></div></div>

Chicago pastors reflect on life lessons from Rev. Jesse Jackson

Jackson's protégés recall picket lines, Mississippi trips and Jackson's focus on the poorest communities.

Pastor Stephen Thurston and the Rev. Janette Wilson&#x27;s work with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/jesse-jackson-dies-civil-rights-leader" data-vars-content-id="c48ab2f8-e439-4aa2-817b-eb63ff834e29" data-vars-headline="Chicago pastors reflect on life lessons from Rev. Jesse Jackson" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/jesse-jackson-dies-civil-rights-leader" target="_self">died Tuesday</a> at age 84, started early.The big picture: Thurston grew up playing at the Jackson house, and his grandfather was close with Jackson and Martin Luther King, Jr. The King children used to stay at Thurston&#x27;s grandparents&#x27; house when King was in Chicago.

Test your knowledge of Chicago's Valentine's Day history

How well do you know all things Chicago romance?

History

How well do you know the history of Valentine&#x27;s Day in Chicago?

Axios Chicago quiz: Can you guess where Carrie is this week?

Use the clues and photos to identify where Axios Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd is.

Things to Do

This month, we&#x27;re highlighting just a few of the many places in Chicago that represent Black history. Today, I&#x27;m at one of my favorite buildings.

Test your knowledge of Chicago's most famous trades

How well do you know the history of trades and other exchanges in Chicago history?

All of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Bulls&#x27; recent moves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/05/bulls-trade-vucevic-white-dosunmu-reset-franchise-michael-jordan" data-vars-content-id="679e97b6-dddc-4674-b36e-9f76201de8f3" data-vars-headline="Test your knowledge of Chicago&#x27;s most famous trades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/05/bulls-trade-vucevic-white-dosunmu-reset-franchise-michael-jordan" target="_self">Chicago Bulls&#x27; recent moves</a> have me nostalgic for trades.State of play: That is the topic for this week&#x27;s quiz. Fear not, non-sports fans, I explore other &quot;trade&quot; trivia, too!

How to celebrate Black History Month across Chicago

From a variety show to New Edition-themed paint and sip, here are some ways to celebrate Black History and culture in Chicago.

From art to dance to comedy, here&#x27;s how to celebrate Black History Month across Chicago.

The ultimate Chicago 2016 quiz: Sports, politics and pop culture

The social media craze has us all thinking about 2016.

The '85 Bears at 40: Reliving Chicago's greatest sports season

Each week we'll drop a mini-recap of a game from the storied year.

Sports

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Chicago Bears&#x27; only Super Bowl victory. The big picture: The 1985 Bears lost only one game en route to a Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots 46-10.

Fancy foodies quiz vol. 2: Test your Chicago restaurant knowledge

Do you know Chicago's dining scene well enough to get a perfect score?

In honor of Grant Achatz&#x27;s Lifetime Achievement Award at this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Banchet Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://thebanchetawards.com/" data-vars-content-id="a66f87fb-6253-415c-b6e3-927eccd30a5c" data-vars-headline="Fancy foodies quiz vol. 2: Test your Chicago restaurant knowledge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thebanchetawards.com/" target="_blank">Banchet Awards</a>, the James Beard <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="semi-finalists" data-vars-click-url="https://chicago.suntimes.com/food-drink/2026/01/21/james-beard-chicago-semifinalists-2026-food-restaurants-chef-awards-best" data-vars-content-id="a66f87fb-6253-415c-b6e3-927eccd30a5c" data-vars-headline="Fancy foodies quiz vol. 2: Test your Chicago restaurant knowledge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/food-drink/2026/01/21/james-beard-chicago-semifinalists-2026-food-restaurants-chef-awards-best" target="_blank">semi-finalists</a>, the closing of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Time Out Market" data-vars-click-url="https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/01/14/time-out-market-to-close-in-fulton-market/" data-vars-content-id="a66f87fb-6253-415c-b6e3-927eccd30a5c" data-vars-headline="Fancy foodies quiz vol. 2: Test your Chicago restaurant knowledge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/01/14/time-out-market-to-close-in-fulton-market/" target="_blank">Time Out Market</a> and the 40th anniversary of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lettuce.com/blog/cheers-to-40-years-of-cafe-ba-ba-reeba/" data-vars-content-id="a66f87fb-6253-415c-b6e3-927eccd30a5c" data-vars-headline="Fancy foodies quiz vol. 2: Test your Chicago restaurant knowledge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lettuce.com/blog/cheers-to-40-years-of-cafe-ba-ba-reeba/" target="_blank">Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!</a>, I bring you another Chicago restaurant quiz!<ul><li>It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fancy foodies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/06/09/quiz-celebrity-chefs-restaurants-chicago" data-vars-content-id="a66f87fb-6253-415c-b6e3-927eccd30a5c" data-vars-headline="Fancy foodies quiz vol. 2: Test your Chicago restaurant knowledge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/06/09/quiz-celebrity-chefs-restaurants-chicago" target="_self">Fancy foodies</a> (volume 2): </li></ul>