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Movement to divide Illinois into two states gains traction in suburbs

A meeting is scheduled on Saturday in Barrington.

News

A long-shot movement to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="split Illinois into two" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/12/04/illinois-counties-vote-state-split-separatist-new" data-vars-content-id="658d88ab-cafd-4b4a-84fd-d93d82c39fef" data-vars-headline="Movement to divide Illinois into two states gains traction in suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/12/04/illinois-counties-vote-state-split-separatist-new" target="_self">split Illinois into two</a> states is finding support beyond rural downstate counties and into parts of the Chicago suburbs.The latest: Saturday morning, New Illinois will hold meetings in Barrington to give updates on the push for a new state.

Chicago-area homes for sale may disappear from Zillow

A dispute over private listings means buyers may no longer see all Chicago-area homes online.

Real Estate

The company that distributes most Chicago-area home listings is cutting off <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zillow&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/13/zillow-lawsuit-mred-compass-private-listings-chicago-housing-market" data-vars-content-id="7a9a3ebc-aa50-44d2-9e45-dcf6711a55ea" data-vars-headline="Chicago-area homes for sale may disappear from Zillow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/13/zillow-lawsuit-mred-compass-private-listings-chicago-housing-market" target="_self">Zillow&#x27;s</a> access to those properties.Why it matters: Homebuyers using Zillow and Trulia will soon no longer see all Chicago-area homes for sale, and sellers won&#x27;t be able to rely on those sites to get their listing in front of buyers.

Chicago passes tipped minimum wage compromise

The measure sets up different rules for small and large restaurants.

Politics

After months of back-and-forth, alders voted Wednesday to slow scheduled increases in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tipped minimum wage." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/27/chicago-tipped-workers-wage-tip-tax-debate" data-vars-content-id="69b1e53d-4745-4096-a602-275e8943a5cb" data-vars-headline="Chicago passes tipped minimum wage compromise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/27/chicago-tipped-workers-wage-tip-tax-debate" target="_self">tipped minimum wage.</a>Why it matters: The fight over tipped wages has become one of the city&#x27;s most contentious debates, pitting worker advocates against restaurant owners worried about rising labor costs.

Chicago homicides rise as violent crime drops in major U.S. cities

The city is seeing an uptick in homicides, while other violent crimes drop.

U.S. cities are experiencing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sharp declines in homicides" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/violent-crime-us-cities-trump" data-vars-content-id="f56b53a7-14e6-4a6c-ad27-468727ff76a6" data-vars-headline="Chicago homicides rise as violent crime drops in major U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/violent-crime-us-cities-trump" target="_self">sharp declines in homicides</a> this year — with one notable exception: Chicago.Why it matters: Chicago is entering the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traditional summer months for crime," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/22/brandon-johnson-violence-homicides-declining-memorial-day-weekend" data-vars-content-id="f56b53a7-14e6-4a6c-ad27-468727ff76a6" data-vars-headline="Chicago homicides rise as violent crime drops in major U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/22/brandon-johnson-violence-homicides-declining-memorial-day-weekend" target="_self">traditional summer months for crime,</a> with homicides slightly ahead of last year&#x27;s pace, even as many major cities report steep declines in killings.

Can you ace this Chicago street festival quiz?

See if you can score 10/10 on Chicago's grand tradition of summer street festivals.

Culture

Quiz: The wildest fan moments in Chicago sports history

Can you get a perfect score on the hijinks and history at local stadiums?

Petterino's brings 2001 nostalgia to Chicago

The Theater District staple marks 25 years with retro dishes, DJs, jazz and a toast.

Food and Drink

We&#x27;re all suckers for some nostalgia, and you can travel back to the turn of the century on Monday.The big picture: Petterino&#x27;s, in the heart of the Theater District at Dearborn and Randolph, celebrates its 25th anniversary, complete with a throwback menu of dishes and prices from its 2001 opening.

Get your kicks on Route 66 tour

The 2.5-hour ride spotlights West Loop, North Lawndale, Little Village and more.

Things to Do

A tour kicking off this month shows off the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="iconic roadway&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/12/chicago-route-66-navy-pier-santa-monica-downtown" data-vars-content-id="b916146c-adcc-4c16-80de-a1642b384d9c" data-vars-headline="Get your kicks on Route 66 tour" 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" target="_self">iconic roadway&#x27;s</a> origin story in Chicago.The big picture: As part of Route 66&#x27;s centennial, Illinois and Chicago are hosting events throughout the summer. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Choose Chicago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/12/chicago-tourism-campaign-never-done-outdone" data-vars-content-id="b916146c-adcc-4c16-80de-a1642b384d9c" data-vars-headline="Get your kicks on Route 66 tour" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/12/chicago-tourism-campaign-never-done-outdone" target="_self">Choose Chicago</a> has teamed up with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tours with Mike" data-vars-click-url="https://tourswithmike.com/" data-vars-content-id="b916146c-adcc-4c16-80de-a1642b384d9c" data-vars-headline="Get your kicks on Route 66 tour" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tourswithmike.com/" target="_blank">Tours with Mike</a> for a trolley tour that explores Chicago neighborhoods along the route.

Quiz: Test your knowledge of Chicago-area colleges and universities

College graduation season is firmly upon us as most schools are wrapping up finals this week.

History Mystery: A lost photo of Chicago's Palmer House construction

The photo shows the massive plot before the hotel was rebuilt in 1924.

History

This week&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="History Mystery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/08/rare-photo-south-water-street-market-wacker-drive-1904-burnham-plan" data-vars-content-id="57514369-6ed4-4af0-b25a-d3ed4db31784" data-vars-headline="History Mystery: A lost photo of Chicago&#x27;s Palmer House construction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/08/rare-photo-south-water-street-market-wacker-drive-1904-burnham-plan" target="_self">History Mystery</a>&quot; features a long-lost photo of the construction of one of Chicago&#x27;s most famous hotels.State of play: The Palmer House Hilton off State Street is one of downtown&#x27;s historic gems — a 25-story hotel completed in 1925.

May Day in Chicago: Take this quiz on labor history, unions and work

Can you get a perfect score on our labor quiz?

Chicago Architecture Center turns 60 — and looks ahead

CAC serves as a connector for the many entities vying to determine the city's built environment.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Architecture Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/15/open-house-chicago-2025-new-sites-architecture-tour" data-vars-content-id="40ca46ed-feac-485f-9aa3-ba4f48528976" data-vars-headline="Chicago Architecture Center turns 60 — and looks ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/15/open-house-chicago-2025-new-sites-architecture-tour" target="_self">Chicago Architecture Center</a> celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Its leaders say their mission is not just to highlight the city&#x27;s history, but to help shape how Chicago looks in the future.Why it matters: While most locals and visitors know the center&#x27;s work through its walking and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="boat tours" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/08/02/chicago-bucket-list-experiences" data-vars-content-id="40ca46ed-feac-485f-9aa3-ba4f48528976" data-vars-headline="Chicago Architecture Center turns 60 — and looks ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/08/02/chicago-bucket-list-experiences" target="_self">boat tours</a>, CAC also serves as a connector for the many entities vying to determine the city&#x27;s built environment.

How well do you know Chicago companies? Take this local brands quiz

Can you get a perfect score naming locally-based companies?

What&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dilla" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6KkDSlLmfI/" data-vars-content-id="93ca2110-15e2-4b61-a696-4385e539e780" data-vars-headline="How well do you know Chicago companies? Take this local brands quiz" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6KkDSlLmfI/" target="_blank">Dilla</a> say? &quot;Everything dope about America comes from Chicago.&quot;Let&#x27;s put that to the test. How well do you know our homegrown companies?

Record your Illinois stories for America 250

The state is capturing residents' stories for the country's semiquincentennial.

Your Illinois story could be preserved in the U.S. Library of Congress as part of the nation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="semiquincentennial" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/americas-250-birthday-festivities-trump" data-vars-content-id="8b7f4ce0-aecd-48a7-9985-c2090c2415a9" data-vars-headline="Record your Illinois stories for America 250" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/americas-250-birthday-festivities-trump" target="_self">semiquincentennial</a>. Why it matters: The program, called <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Illinois Voices 250" data-vars-click-url="https://www.il250.org/il-voices" data-vars-content-id="8b7f4ce0-aecd-48a7-9985-c2090c2415a9" data-vars-headline="Record your Illinois stories for America 250" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.il250.org/il-voices" target="_blank">Illinois Voices 250</a>, aims to capture conversations in the state for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.