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

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Bill Kurtis is ready to read, write and roam

It includes a walk along the river, writing, pancakes at Beatrix and dinner at Prairie Grass Cafe.

Things to Do

Legendary anchorman and &quot;voice of God,&quot; Bill Kurtis, 85, announced this month he&#x27;s retiring from his regular (and hilarious) gig as judge and scorekeeper on &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wait Wait…Don&#x27;t Tell Me" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/06/30/wait-wait-dont-tell-me-peter-sagal-chicago" data-vars-content-id="a17362b5-5eb2-4681-aaaa-a0624766b879" data-vars-headline="Bill Kurtis is ready to read, write and roam" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/06/30/wait-wait-dont-tell-me-peter-sagal-chicago" target="_self">Wait Wait…Don&#x27;t Tell Me</a>!&quot; His last show is May 23.<ul><li>In retirement, Kurtis tells Axios, he looks forward to &quot;More writing. More reading. More time on the land.&quot;</li></ul>

Pick up an Illinois passport for America's 250th

A new Illinois passport guides visitors to 60 historic sites, from Cahokia Mounds to Pullman.

History

Illinois is putting its own stamp on the country&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th birthday." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" data-vars-content-id="7bb4c31b-b800-458a-b75b-ce75bbca4afe" data-vars-headline="Pick up an Illinois passport for America&#x27;s 250th" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" target="_self">250th birthday.</a>

Illinois pushes back on latest Trump voting order

The Illinois ACLU says it would disenfranchise millions of voters.

Election

Illinois advocates are challenging President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest effort to change voting laws" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/25/trump-elections-executive-order-citizenship-proof" data-vars-content-id="1c207705-be16-4233-a92b-7e6f3a70c53f" data-vars-headline="Illinois pushes back on latest Trump voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/25/trump-elections-executive-order-citizenship-proof" target="_self">latest effort to change voting laws</a>, which would create voter lists that the Postal Service would use to identify who gets a mail-in ballot.Why it matters: The U.S. Constitution <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="places the job of election administration" data-vars-click-url="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S4-C1-2/ALDE_00013577/" data-vars-content-id="1c207705-be16-4233-a92b-7e6f3a70c53f" data-vars-headline="Illinois pushes back on latest Trump voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S4-C1-2/ALDE_00013577/" target="_blank">places the job of election administration</a> in the hands of the states and Congress.

Benny the Bull's birthday: Chicago Bulls mascot celebrates at United Center

The legendary mascot gives us what a perfect day in Chicago would look like.

Sports

Chicago Bulls fans may be divided about the direction of the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" team&#x27;s rebuild" 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="88556fc6-cdb9-45d0-b2e4-52ee76ab0ce4" data-vars-headline="Benny the Bull&#x27;s birthday: Chicago Bulls mascot celebrates at United Center" 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"> team&#x27;s rebuild</a>, but they unite around one thing: Benny the Bull.Why it matters: The beloved mascot is celebrating his 57th birthday Wednesday. The Bulls will mark the occasion at the United Center before their game against the Pacers.<ul><li>Expect a pregame, beach bash–themed party starting at 5:30pm in the atrium.</li></ul>

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.

First day catch up for Chicago Public Schools

Students keep their phones but lose janitors and crossing guards.

Education

CPS kicks off the 2025-26 academic year Monday, and if you haven&#x27;t followed school news since the last time you strapped a backpack to your kid, we&#x27;re here to catch you up.The big picture: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$734 million deficit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/07/21/chicago-school-budget-listening-session" data-vars-content-id="6117881c-1af3-453a-a6a7-5d6203de873e" data-vars-headline="First day catch up for Chicago Public Schools" 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 deficit</a> has forced the district to make some big cuts — though largely not in the classroom — as officials hammer out a budget due for a final vote on Aug. 28.

Eight thrilling Chicago area sledding spots

Find spots from Evanston to Oak Park and even near Soldier Field.

We hope these next few days of snow can create fun sledding memories for you.💭 Monica&#x27;s thought bubble: Reader suggestions for spots to sled brought me back to my childhood when snowstorms meant rummaging through the garage for a sled (or a garbage bag over cardboard) and begging our parents to take us to Gompers and Cricket Hill for winter magic.

Next steps for Lurie data breach vicitms

Response depends on specific data stolen but can include credit freezes and fraud alerts.

Health

Lurie Children&#x27;s Hospital sent letters to nearly 800,000 patients last week telling them that their data was stolen during a cyberattack last winter.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Breached data includes birth dates," data-vars-click-url="https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/lurie-childrens-notifies-individuals-of-data-breach/" data-vars-content-id="ab7ed291-cf3a-4bba-9dfa-c7152b9c8574" data-vars-headline="Next steps for Lurie data breach vicitms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/lurie-childrens-notifies-individuals-of-data-breach/" target="_blank">Breached data includes birth dates,</a> addresses and Social Security numbers.

Axios What's Next

Average babysitting rates in 2025

Data: UrbanSitter; Note: Metro areas sorted by average rate for 2 children; Chart: Axios Visuals 

Parenting

How much a babysitter will cost you in Chicago

First day catch up for Chicago Public Schools

Eight thrilling Chicago area sledding spots

Next steps for Lurie data breach vicitms