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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 Berlin closes doors after 40 years

The famous LGBTQ+ club faced a recent boycott over union negotiations.

Food and Drink

6 New York-style pizza slices in Chicago

Axios readers sound off on the best slices.

Micro homes could help house migrants in Chicago

News

What's driving Chicago's robbery sprees

The rise in crime is putting Chicago's new police superintendent to the test.

Pogues singer Shane MacGowan's death rocks Chicago music community

Tributes have poured in for the Irish punk rock/folk singer from all over the world and right here in Chicago.

The Pogues notorious frontman Shane MacGowan died this week at age 65. What&#x27;s happening: Tributes have poured in for the Irish punk rock/folk singer from all over the world and right here in Chicago.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;Shane was a genius,&quot; Metro owner Joe Shanahan tells Axios.<ul><li> &quot;Chicago was a wonderful town for him because he made a lot of connections. He would go to a bar and sit and talk to people. A lot of people have stories because he connected with them.&quot;</li></ul>

Chicago Spotify Wrapped: Taylor Swift tops streaming charts

Music

To no one&#x27;s surprise, Chicago loves Taylor Swift, according to Spotify&#x27;s 2023 Wrapped data.Driving the news: The megastar beat out Drake, Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma for the top artist slot among Spotify users in the city.

Taylor Swift strums a pink guitar in a sparkly leotard on stage.

Liquid Soul to play show for late Mars Williams

The saxophone player died on Monday after battling intestinal cancer.

Things to Do

Chicago saxophone player Mars Williams died on Monday after battling intestinal cancer, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Tribune reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-ent-saxophonist-mars-williams-dies-20231120-sp3llpj37rbg3hyyeex4prwoi4-story.html" data-vars-content-id="91d84368-13c2-4110-b749-95fa984a4273" data-vars-headline="Liquid Soul to play show for late Mars Williams" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-ent-saxophonist-mars-williams-dies-20231120-sp3llpj37rbg3hyyeex4prwoi4-story.html" target="_blank">Chicago Tribune reports</a>. He was 68.What&#x27;s happening: Acclaimed band Liquid Soul had planned to reunite for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="show Saturday at Metro" data-vars-click-url="https://metrochicago.com/event/music-for-mars-liquid-soul-featuring-mars-williams/metro-chicago/chicago-illinois/" data-vars-content-id="91d84368-13c2-4110-b749-95fa984a4273" data-vars-headline="Liquid Soul to play show for late Mars Williams" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://metrochicago.com/event/music-for-mars-liquid-soul-featuring-mars-williams/metro-chicago/chicago-illinois/" target="_blank">show Saturday at Metro</a> to raise money for Williams&#x27; treatment, but the benefit will now be held to honor his musical legacy.

WXRT celebrates 50 years of DJ Terri Hemmert

Hemmert's deep knowledge of rock music and culture has made her one of the best disc jockeys in Chicago radio history.

Friday marks the 50th anniversary of Terri Hemmert&#x27;s debut at WXRT.Why it matters: The broadcasting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hall of Famer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.radiohalloffame.com/terri-hemmert" data-vars-content-id="cc8dae91-f819-4fff-85ed-2246bf91a039" data-vars-headline="WXRT celebrates 50 years of DJ Terri Hemmert" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.radiohalloffame.com/terri-hemmert" target="_blank">Hall of Famer</a>&#x27;s deep knowledge of rock music and culture has made her one of the best disc jockeys in Chicago radio history.

Bad Bunny is coming to Chicago in 2024

Reggaeton star Bad Bunny is bringing his "Most Wanted Tour" to the United Center.

Reggaeton star Bad Bunny will perform 47 shows in North America next year, including three shows at the United Center. What&#x27;s happening: Live Nation announced that the singer&#x27;s Most Wanted Tour will kick off in February in Salt Lake City.

Photo of two performers on stage at a concert 

Celebrating Chance the Rapper's  'Acid Rap' Week

Chance the Rapper is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his mixtape "Acid Rap" with popups, live interviews, scavenger hunts and a huge show at the United Center Saturday night.

<figure><img alt="chance video " height="487" id="bac4f7be-a0b4-4b1f-b12a-ad1396c392f1" src="https://images.axios.com/DRO5kW-p4otjC2Mzybk5J7JEpFU=/2023/08/17/1692294588369.gif" width="864"/><figcaption>Chance&#x27;s image on display at the new WNDR museum exhibit. GIF: Justin Kaufmann/Axios</figcaption></figure>This is unofficially Chance the Rapper week in Chicago.Driving the news: The hip-hop artist is celebrating the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="10th anniversary of his mixtape" data-vars-click-url="https://chicagoreader.com/music/chance-the-rapper-united-center/" data-vars-content-id="342a7ffd-fba7-496d-933e-b8ac2a2b8a1e" data-vars-headline="Celebrating Chance the Rapper&#x27;s &#x27;Acid Rap&#x27; Week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicagoreader.com/music/chance-the-rapper-united-center/" target="_blank">10th anniversary of his mixtape</a> &quot;Acid Rap&quot; with pop-ups, scavenger hunts, new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="canned beverages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwA2ABLsJ8Q/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="342a7ffd-fba7-496d-933e-b8ac2a2b8a1e" data-vars-headline="Celebrating Chance the Rapper&#x27;s &#x27;Acid Rap&#x27; Week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwA2ABLsJ8Q/?hl=en" target="_blank">canned beverages</a> and a huge show tomorrow night at the United Center.

Remembering "Mambo Express" radio host Victor Parra

A vast library of Latin music knowledge vanished last week with the passing of Victor Parra.

<figure><img alt="Photo collage of a man in various broadcast booths. " height="864" id="feffdb8c-ce9e-4475-b64a-04924104229b" src="https://images.axios.com/p5Htn3pu_I9ke2dpkMLkTsSQTmw=/2023/08/04/1691169914201.jpg" width="1280"/><figcaption>Victor Parra through the years. Photo collage courtesy of WDCB</figcaption></figure>A vast library of Latin music knowledge vanished last week with the passing of &quot;Mambo Express&quot; radio show host and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bandleader Victor Parra" data-vars-click-url="https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2023/8/2/23803443/victor-parra-host-of-mambo-express-radio-show-afro-cuban-jazz" data-vars-content-id="683bf61d-e4dd-4db5-bf8d-8359412eb6b6" data-vars-headline="Remembering &quot;Mambo Express&quot; radio host Victor Parra" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2023/8/2/23803443/victor-parra-host-of-mambo-express-radio-show-afro-cuban-jazz" target="_blank">bandleader Victor Parra</a>. He was 87.Backstory: Growing up in a big Mexican-American family in Little Italy, Parra fell in love with Afro-Cuban music as a teen after hearing his first Pérez Prado record.

Chance the Rapper crowned the best Chicago hip-hop artist

The young emcee has put Chicago in his music and readers returned the favor.

The whole country (especially <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LL Cool J" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bet.com/article/cw80gr/ll-cool-j-pays-respect-to-the-50th-anniversary-of-hip-hop" data-vars-content-id="a16b0c29-40dc-4bc8-91b3-3bd7f5699872" data-vars-headline="Chance the Rapper crowned the best Chicago hip-hop artist" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bet.com/article/cw80gr/ll-cool-j-pays-respect-to-the-50th-anniversary-of-hip-hop" target="_blank">LL Cool J</a>) is celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, and Chicago will host several shows and events in coming weeks.Why it matters: The art form and the culture may have been conceived in New York, but Chicago has put its significant stamp on the music genre.

Chicago radio ratings: Country station WUSN rises in June rankings

Make no mistake, Chicago remains a solid rock town with WLIT and WDRV dominating for another month.

It&#x27;s been the summer of street races, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cowboy hats" data-vars-click-url="https://thezillennialzine.com/2023/01/09/what-to-wear-to-taylor-swift-concert/#:~:text=Whether%20you&#x27;re%20thinking%20pink,move%2C%20in%20my%20opinion!)" data-vars-content-id="413f2231-34da-4f20-a11b-d5055f8f97e5" data-vars-headline="Chicago radio ratings: Country station WUSN rises in June rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thezillennialzine.com/2023/01/09/what-to-wear-to-taylor-swift-concert/#:~:text=Whether%20you&#x27;re%20thinking%20pink,move%2C%20in%20my%20opinion!)" target="_blank">cowboy hats</a> and, now, country music radio.What&#x27;s happening: US-99 (WUSN-FM) has jumped up the charts to No. 5 in local radio ratings for June.

Blues singer Shemekia Copeland's Best Day Ever in Chicago

The Grammy Award-winning vocalist has kept herself busy by touring the world, while also hosting her own radio show on Sirius-XM.

One of Chicago&#x27;s best blues musicians is coming home to play Millennium Park on July 31.Context: The Grammy Award-winning vocalist has kept busy touring the world, while also hosting her own radio show on Sirius XM.

Woman on stage holding the top of a stand-up microphone. Drum set in the background.

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Politics & Policy

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers

Rep. Robert Garcia encouraged fellow Democrats to support Republicans' expulsion measure.

House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" data-vars-content-id="4eec0a24-5338-46c4-8b6e-5526cda73c0f" data-vars-headline="George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) from Congress.Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia&#x27;s (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans&#x27; resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote

Santos is the first Republican to be expelled from the House.

The House on Friday voted to expel Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) over his many fabrications on the 2022 campaign trail and his two federal indictments.Why it matters: The vote makes Santos just the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth lawmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" target="_blank">sixth lawmaker</a> – and first Republican – to be expelled from the House in U.S. history.