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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.

What you smell at Chicago's Coffee & Tea Exchange

The chocolate raspberry scent is likely driven by coffees, tea and a a certain flavored blend.

Welcome to the first installment of &quot;Scents in the City,&quot; a guide to Chicago&#x27;s most delightful free smells and what&#x27;s driving them.How it works: In each installment, I&#x27;ll sniff around a fragrant local spot, then ask readers what I should smell next.

Galentine's Day events and celebrations in Chicago

From cocktail making to roller-skating, Chicago has a jam-packed Galentine's Day weekend.

Grab your girlfriends — Valentine&#x27;s Day weekend isn&#x27;t just for couples. It&#x27;s also a time to celebrate friendships with drinks, dancing and laughter!

Lunar New Year specials fill up fast in Chicago

Find dinners at Urban Belly and Sun Wah,  dumpling making at Hing Kee and red beer at Guinness.

Food and Drink

Asians around the world are gearing up to celebrate the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" year of the double fire horse " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/fire-horse-meaning-astrology" data-vars-content-id="ca16899d-785c-44b4-9630-89084e1a3d01" data-vars-headline="Lunar New Year specials fill up fast in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/fire-horse-meaning-astrology" target="_self"> year of the double fire horse </a>next week, but many local food specials are already in full gallop and reservations are filling up fast. We gathered some of the tastiest specials here:

Lincoln Park is using birth control to stave off rats

Eight blocks are being monitored as officials study whether contraception can reduce rat numbers over time.

Environment

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rat control " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/02/16/rat-complaints-report-inspector-general" data-vars-content-id="6672cbd5-c080-4679-864e-86372c545cc5" data-vars-headline="Lincoln Park is using birth control to stave off rats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/02/16/rat-complaints-report-inspector-general" target="_self">rat control </a>experiment is halfway into its one-year pilot, and the alder pushing the project wants to see the concept citywide someday.The big picture: Lincoln Park Ald. Timmy Knudsen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="launched the project" data-vars-click-url="https://chicagobirdalliance.org/rat-contraceptive-pilot-program" data-vars-content-id="6672cbd5-c080-4679-864e-86372c545cc5" data-vars-headline="Lincoln Park is using birth control to stave off rats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicagobirdalliance.org/rat-contraceptive-pilot-program" target="_blank">launched the project</a> last August with Lincoln Park Zoo and the Chicago Bird Alliance to distribute non-toxic pellets that function as birth control for rats.<ul><li>Scientists are monitoring eight blocks in the 43rd ward, chosen based on rat activity, commercial activity and 311 complaints.</li></ul>

Chicago Park District wants your ideas for improvements

Residents can submit ideas through March 31 for projects at more than 600 Chicago parks.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Park District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/23/chicago-parks-ranking" data-vars-content-id="1897e0a3-06e5-428f-b3c3-45333b6bb0f2" data-vars-headline="Chicago Park District wants your ideas for improvements" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/23/chicago-parks-ranking" target="_self">Chicago Park District</a> is giving residents the chance to weigh in on park projects and improvements.The big picture: For the first time, the park district is hosting a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="participatory budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/participatory-budgeting" data-vars-content-id="1897e0a3-06e5-428f-b3c3-45333b6bb0f2" data-vars-headline="Chicago Park District wants your ideas for improvements" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/participatory-budgeting" target="_blank">participatory budget</a> process in which Chicago residents can submit ideas for projects and improvements at the city&#x27;s more than 600 parks.<ul><li>Nine projects will be selected: three each in the North, Central and South regions.</li></ul>

Chicago's indie bookstores brace for Barnes & Noble surge

Five new B&N stores since 2024, and four more planned, have already affected at least one indie bookstore.

Business

National bookstore <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Barnes &amp; Noble" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/01/barnes-noble-new-bookstores" data-vars-content-id="6630b07f-be02-452b-8d72-ad98dd56eeb4" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s indie bookstores brace for Barnes &amp; Noble surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/01/barnes-noble-new-bookstores" target="_self">Barnes &amp; Noble</a> continues to add stores in Chicago and the suburbs, stirring a battle with small businesses.Why it matters: At least one local bookstore says it felt the pain of the chain moving into the neighborhood, and others are worried about the residual effects of what a big box store means for an area.

Chicago's best marquee: Vote for the sign that lights up the city

Readers vote on the best sign/marquee out of 16 selections.

Chicago has some of the best neon signs and marquees of any big city in America. <ul><li>Axios Chicago readers are going to decide who lights up the sky best.</li></ul>

Southwest Siders file the most dibs complaints

Plus: How long it took the city to remove the objects.

Climate

After this weekend&#x27;s storm, you may be tempted to dig out a spot and save it with a lawn chair, but think again. Each year, thousands of Chicagoans turn in their dibbing neighbors, who could lose their chairs and even get a fine.🪏 Here&#x27;s some fresh dibs data we dug up through public records requests:

Daeji Dough's tteokbokki croissant is carbolicious

This carb on carb pastry blends chewy, crispy, funky and spicy in one treat.

I&#x27;m back with another distractingly tasty treat.The spot: The Korean-ish <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Daeji Dough Company" data-vars-click-url="https://daejidoughco.com/" data-vars-content-id="48e2c226-3549-4b33-8549-93ef1c086b3d" data-vars-headline="Daeji Dough&#x27;s tteokbokki croissant is carbolicious" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://daejidoughco.com/" target="_blank">Daeji Dough Company</a>, 1360 W. Belmont Ave. in Lakeview, a farmers market fave turned brick-and-mortar bakery this fall.

Neighborhoods

What you smell at Chicago's Coffee & Tea Exchange

Where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Chicago this weekend

Galentine's Day events and celebrations in Chicago

Lunar New Year specials fill up fast in Chicago

Lincoln Park is using birth control to stave off rats