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

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NBC Chicago's new studio marks end of daytime TV era

The nearly 70,000-square-foot space on the first floor of the NBC Tower is where Springer used to do his syndicated show.

Business

NBC 5&#x27;s new studio at NBC Tower marks the end of Chicago&#x27;s daytime TV production era, but bets big on the future of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local news" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/09/media-future-streaming-fox-nbc-wgn-reader-wbez-2026" data-vars-content-id="6016cc2a-e01c-455e-a923-d90534b3b4d0" data-vars-headline="NBC Chicago&#x27;s new studio marks end of daytime TV era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/09/media-future-streaming-fox-nbc-wgn-reader-wbez-2026" target="_self">local news</a>.Why it matters: The investment boosts local news — but underscores how far Chicago has drifted from its once-dominant role in daytime TV.

Berlin nightclub to reopen as Belmont and Decibel

The sister venues will be called The Belmont and Decibel and open on April 25.

Things to Do

After closing its doors in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="late 2023" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/11/21/berlin-nightclub-closed-drag" data-vars-content-id="a615ada9-ef22-42f3-9027-464119deb73e" data-vars-headline="Berlin nightclub to reopen as Belmont and Decibel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/11/21/berlin-nightclub-closed-drag" target="_self">late 2023</a>, Lakeview&#x27;s Berlin nightclub space will reopen this month as The Belmont, a craft cocktail bar, and Decibel, a dance bar.Why it matters: For 40 years, Berlin hosted a unique mix of LGBTQ and straight clubbers for late-night dance parties in an inclusive environment.<ul><li>Managers tell Axios they want to recreate that special scene.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;The goal is for everyone to feel comfortable here, as long as they&#x27;re comfortable with everyone else,&quot; says Marcus Devin, one of the new club&#x27;s managers, who previously worked at Berlin.<figure><img alt="Two men stand together in a dim venue with purple lighting. Left: glasses, blond hair, black T‑shirt with a circular cat logo. Right: mustache, blue mountain graphic T‑shirt; both wear jeans." height="2539" id="a3f98868-5c9e-427f-948e-bd483868cfa0" src="https://images.axios.com/JGyy2nBr29RJGlOFXwv5gSxvVNk=/2026/04/08/1775688782247.jpeg" width="3941"/><figcaption>Programming manager Austin Neff and manager Marcus Devin in front of the new DJ booth at Decibel, formerly Berlin. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios </figcaption></figure>Driving the news: The Belmont/Decibel (954 W. Belmont Ave.) will open to the public on April 25, pending final city approval.How it works: The club will operate as The Belmont cocktail bar in the early evenings, but pull back a curtain and morph into Decibel after 10pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.Backstory: Berlin owners Jim Schuman and Jo Webster closed the legendary club in 2023 amid union demands that they said they lacked the funds to accommodate. <ul><li>The new owner is HV Entertainment, which owns local LGBTQ clubs including Fantasy, Bobby Loves, The Closet and the Chicago Eagle.</li></ul>What&#x27;s new: Fresh lighting, a new sound system, clean remodeled bathrooms and two twinkling bars.What&#x27;s old: The &quot;retro vibe&quot; that manager and former Berlin staffer Austin Neff says he hopes to recreate with &quot;techno, house, &#x27;80s, &#x27;90s and early 2000s music&quot; spun by Berlin DJ Greg Haus.<ul><li>Berlin&#x27;s elevated dance stages that could host drag performers again in the fall.</li></ul>The drinks: Expect fancy craft cocktails at The Belmont until 10pm, but simpler drinks at Decibel.If you go: The Belmont will be open Tuesday-Saturday and charge a $5-10 cover for Decibel after 10pm.

The Hand & The Eye opens in Chicago

The Hand & The Eye joins a wave of recent openings on or near Michigan Avenue that draw crowds.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Hand &amp; The Eye" data-vars-click-url="https://www.handandeye.com/" data-vars-content-id="9f04c5aa-9004-4c61-a42c-419b9c8d9ec7" data-vars-headline="The Hand &amp; The Eye opens in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.handandeye.com/" target="_blank">The Hand &amp; The Eye</a> — touted as the largest magic venue in the world — opens in Chicago on April 18. Why it matters: Tickets are on sale for the 36,000-square-foot venue that transformed the old McCormick Mansion at 100 E. Ontario St.

Lawmakers weigh human composting in Illinois

The process turns human remains into soil and is legal in 14 states.

Climate

Illinois could soon legalize human composting — a greener death option that&#x27;s currently illegal in state.

What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King

King has served as interim CEO, but has not previously led a school district.

Education

Macquline King became the official <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Public Schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/18/first-day-catch-up-chicago-public-schools" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/18/first-day-catch-up-chicago-public-schools" target="_self">Chicago Public Schools</a> CEO Monday as the board voted 8–1 to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="approve her" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/03/30/chicago-board-of-education-hires-macquline-king/" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/03/30/chicago-board-of-education-hires-macquline-king/" target="_blank">approve her</a> for a three-year contract.Why it matters: Running the nation&#x27;s fourth-largest school district is tough in the best of times.<ul><li>But the next year could bring huge leadership upheavals as CPS shifts to a fully elected board and the city could elect a new mayor, who traditionally wields great power in the district.</li></ul>Between the lines: This period will require a steady but flexible leader.<ul><li>King has served as interim CEO, but has not previously led a school district or managed a CPS department or network.</li></ul>Catch up quick: After 15 years as a CPS elementary school principal (at Dumas on the South Side and Courtenay on the North), King became an education policy adviser to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and was kept on by Mayor Brandon Johnson.<ul><li>Johnson tapped King as interim CEO last June, after the acrimonious <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="departure of CEO Pedro Martinez," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/12/21/cps-pedro-martinez-fired" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/12/21/cps-pedro-martinez-fired" target="_self">departure of CEO Pedro Martinez,</a> who refused to accede to the mayor&#x27;s wishes for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high-interest loan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/10/02/cps-budget-deficit" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/10/02/cps-budget-deficit" target="_self">high-interest loan</a> to cover non-teacher pensions.</li><li>Facing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$734 million budget deficit," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/07/21/chicago-school-budget-listening-session" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/07/21/chicago-school-budget-listening-session" target="_self">$734 million budget deficit,</a> King presented a balanced FY 2026 plan, which also <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rejected the loan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/14/cps-interim-ceo-defies-johnson-budget-pensions-loan" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/14/cps-interim-ceo-defies-johnson-budget-pensions-loan" target="_self">rejected the loan</a> Johnson wanted.</li></ul>The search: Last fall, a search firm and the board drew up a list of permanent CEO finalists (which was later leaked) that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="did not include King" data-vars-click-url="https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2025/11/05/cps-ceo-search-macquline-king" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2025/11/05/cps-ceo-search-macquline-king" target="_blank">did not include King</a>, prompting blowback from the NAACP and Chicago Teachers Union.<ul><li>When the firm was dismissed and a new search was launched, some elected board members <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="charged sabotage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/02/12/school-board-terminates-contract-with-alma-advisory-group/" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/02/12/school-board-terminates-contract-with-alma-advisory-group/" target="_blank">charged sabotage</a> and called for a delay in the search until a fully elected board could be seated in January.</li><li>Instead, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="King was announced as a finalist" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/03/13/chicago-public-schools-has-three-ceo-finalists-king-porter-narcisse/" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/03/13/chicago-public-schools-has-three-ceo-finalists-king-porter-narcisse/" target="_blank">King was announced as a finalist</a> this month along with candidates from New York and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.</li></ul>What we&#x27;re watching: How King balances the demands of CPS families, the board, the mayor, and Johnson-averse Springfield lawmakers who will be asked for more funding as the district faces a projected $520 million deficit in 2027.

Chicago rent prices went up more than other major cities

Median rent in the Chicago area hit $1,670 after a 4% jump — even as U.S. rents tick down slightly.

Real Estate

Chicago&#x27;s median rent rose faster than in the other nine largest U.S. cities.Why it matters: Housing is unaffordable for many. A new Harvard report finds a record number of renters are &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost-burdened" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/americas-rental-housing-2026" data-vars-content-id="c44a4d3d-5906-43c1-a316-4e063a2e69c7" data-vars-headline="Chicago rent prices went up more than other major cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/americas-rental-housing-2026" target="_blank">cost-burdened</a>,&quot; spending more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities.<ul><li>Although the median U.S. rent for new leases is down 1.5% from a year ago, it&#x27;s still roughly 20% above pre-pandemic levels, per Apartment List.</li></ul>

Chicagoans still find bargain weed in New Buffalo

An Axios analysis found some cannabis products at half the Chicago price in New Buffalo.

Culture

Inexpensive weed products still abound <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="across the Michigan border" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/11/12/new-buffalo-michigan-illinois-marijuana-sales" data-vars-content-id="1bbed76c-444a-48ca-b98f-0fa4972af0a7" data-vars-headline="Chicagoans still find bargain weed in New Buffalo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/11/12/new-buffalo-michigan-illinois-marijuana-sales" target="_self">across the Michigan border</a> despite worries of higher prices after a new 24% wholesale tax kicked in. Why it matters: Michigan retailers warned last year that the tax could <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="force them to raise prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/cannabis-business-reacts-to-wholesale-tax/" data-vars-content-id="1bbed76c-444a-48ca-b98f-0fa4972af0a7" data-vars-headline="Chicagoans still find bargain weed in New Buffalo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/cannabis-business-reacts-to-wholesale-tax/" target="_blank">force them to raise prices</a> and lose their edge over nearby states.<ul><li>But two and a half months<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" into the tax," data-vars-click-url="https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/business-taxes/wholesale-marihuana-tax" data-vars-content-id="1bbed76c-444a-48ca-b98f-0fa4972af0a7" data-vars-headline="Chicagoans still find bargain weed in New Buffalo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/business-taxes/wholesale-marihuana-tax" target="_blank"> into the tax,</a> Michigan weed remains a bargain, with some products costing half the price of their Chicago counterparts.</li></ul>

Live Nation settlement not good enough, Illinois AG says

Attorney General Kwame Raoul joins other states arguing the proposed DOJ settlement wouldn't curb Ticketmaster's power.

Illinois and dozens of other states say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Live Nation&#x27;s tentative agreement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/09/live-nation-ticketmaster-doj-settlement" data-vars-content-id="d6a1b8f5-2e4d-4bbb-900a-da6248643816" data-vars-headline="Live Nation settlement not good enough, Illinois AG says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/09/live-nation-ticketmaster-doj-settlement" target="_self">Live Nation&#x27;s tentative agreement</a> with the federal government doesn&#x27;t do enough to protect concertgoers.Why it matters: Live Nation&#x27;s ownership of Ticketmaster has created a monopoly in live entertainment, allowing the two companies to control ticket prices for concerts and events, the U.S. Department of Justice and the states contend.

AIPAC, crypto and AI spend big in Illinois house races

In February, PACs spent millions in to support and attack congressional candidates.

Election

Large PACs spent more than $18 million on four Illinois congressional races last month, according to Federal Election Commission filings.Why it matters: Spending by special interest groups dwarfs that of individual donors and underscores the nationalization of congressional elections, whose focus is drifting away from local issues.

Crypto industry quietly powers negative campaign ads in Illinois

The super PAC Fairshake is spending big bucks against some Illinois candidates.

Political attack ads are taking on a different energy this primary cycle, thanks to big bucks from national super PACs <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="backing cryptocurrency" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/30/fairshake-crypto-pac-2026-midterms" data-vars-content-id="f247f0ab-22d1-4e26-a930-b31b19d07997" data-vars-headline="Crypto industry quietly powers negative campaign ads in Illinois" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/30/fairshake-crypto-pac-2026-midterms" target="_self">backing cryptocurrency</a>.Why it matters: The surge of attack ads is turning Illinois&#x27; primary increasingly negative, even when the attacks are unrelated to digital currency.

How much a babysitter will cost you in Chicago

Data shows Chicago parents pay less per hour than families in cities like SF and Seattle.

Money

If you&#x27;re looking for a babysitter in Chicago, you&#x27;re in for a cheaper night than parents in many other cities.

Immigrants pay far more in taxes than they use

A 30-year analysis finds immigrants pay billions more in taxes than they use in benefits.

A new 30-year analysis from the Cato Institute says U.S. immigrants <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pay billions more in taxes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/immigrants-taxes-map" data-vars-content-id="18ebf236-f283-4060-a821-9683ac7729c0" data-vars-headline="Immigrants pay far more in taxes than they use" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/immigrants-taxes-map" target="_self">pay billions more in taxes</a> than they receive in benefits, and the trend has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="steadily grown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cato.org/white-paper/immigrants-recent-effects-government-budgets-1994-2023?utm_source=hootsuite&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_term&amp;utm_content&amp;utm_campaign&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawPyANdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFjU0xvUm5GU3VWOW9qYmdkc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnVdXyjZqzhxMv5vlE8Ci13NT03lIG9K0Rp8eaa-Rd7IXkp-HhXF6QCiTtqs_aem_mZQpeUT7DErMG5t1yRv8vw" data-vars-content-id="18ebf236-f283-4060-a821-9683ac7729c0" data-vars-headline="Immigrants pay far more in taxes than they use" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cato.org/white-paper/immigrants-recent-effects-government-budgets-1994-2023?utm_source=hootsuite&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_term&amp;utm_content&amp;utm_campaign&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawPyANdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFjU0xvUm5GU3VWOW9qYmdkc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnVdXyjZqzhxMv5vlE8Ci13NT03lIG9K0Rp8eaa-Rd7IXkp-HhXF6QCiTtqs_aem_mZQpeUT7DErMG5t1yRv8vw" target="_blank">steadily grown</a> over the decades.Why it matters: Conservatives often <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cite consumption of benefits" data-vars-click-url="https://illinois.gop/icymi-jb-pritzker-puts-illegal-border-crossers-before-illinois-families/" data-vars-content-id="18ebf236-f283-4060-a821-9683ac7729c0" data-vars-headline="Immigrants pay far more in taxes than they use" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://illinois.gop/icymi-jb-pritzker-puts-illegal-border-crossers-before-illinois-families/" target="_blank">cite consumption of benefits</a> as proof that immigration creates a strain on the economy, but the analysis from the Libertarian-leaning think tank suggests immigrants and their families actually create a net positive for the U.S. economy.

Mental health experts warn of gambling addiction spike

Since Illinois expanded gambling in 2019, mental health providers have seen more people seeking help.

Since Gov. JB Pritzker signed a gambling expansion bill in 2019, sports betting and casinos have grown across the state, and mental health professionals are seeing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more people seeking help" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/14/sports-betting-gambling-young-men-crisis" data-vars-content-id="d6d94a00-a188-423f-a1db-61dcadb598e4" data-vars-headline="Mental health experts warn of gambling addiction spike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/14/sports-betting-gambling-young-men-crisis" target="_self">more people seeking help</a> with problem gambling.Why it matters: Chicago&#x27;s first permanent casino, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bally&#x27;s Chicago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/08/27/demolition-ballys-chicago-casino" data-vars-content-id="d6d94a00-a188-423f-a1db-61dcadb598e4" data-vars-headline="Mental health experts warn of gambling addiction spike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/08/27/demolition-ballys-chicago-casino" target="_self">Bally&#x27;s Chicago</a>, is slated to open this year, and the 2026 city budget passed last month could pave the way for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="video gaming" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/22/chicago-council-video-gambling-vote" data-vars-content-id="d6d94a00-a188-423f-a1db-61dcadb598e4" data-vars-headline="Mental health experts warn of gambling addiction spike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/22/chicago-council-video-gambling-vote" target="_self">video gaming</a> to be available in the city.

Chicago alders pass budget without head tax

Plan lops off the head tax, but mayor could still veto it.

The Chicago City Council voted 30-18 to pass a historic alder-driven budget during a rare Saturday meeting. But Mayor Brandon Johnson could still veto it.Why it matters: If supporters of the passed budget are correct, the plan could protect the city&#x27;s precarious credit rating while keeping and attracting big local employers who were facing a monthly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$33 head tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/12/10/alders-push-back-on-mayors-new-head-tax-proposal" data-vars-content-id="78da3eb5-5cdf-4195-b4c4-2a8d932797ac" data-vars-headline="Chicago alders pass budget without head tax" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/12/10/alders-push-back-on-mayors-new-head-tax-proposal" target="_self">$33 head tax</a> as part of Johnson&#x27;s proposal.<ul><li>The move also illustrates a significant power shift in City Hall where decades of Chicago mayors have traditionally watched their preferred budgets sail through the council.</li></ul>

A symbol map of 54 U.S. metro areas showing estimated change in median rent from February 2025 to February 2026. Rents decreased in 34 metros, mostly in the South, and increased in 20 metros, mostly in the Northeast and Midwest. Virginia Beach increased the most, by 5.3%, and Austin decreased the most, by 5.9%.

Change in median rent from February 2025 to February 2026

A bar chart shows February 2026 PAC spending above $100,000 in Chicago-area U.S. House races. There has been an influx of spending from AI, Crypto and Pro-Israel interest groups among districts 2, 7, 8 and 9, with millions of dollars being spent for and against the various candidates of each race.