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Axios Chicago readers pick the best Chicago-style hot dogs

Readers chime in on our recent feature on the best hot dogs in town.

Food and Drink

Axios Chicago readers had some strong opinions about our recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Food Fight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/03/axios-food-fight-chicago-style-hot-dog-devil-dawgs-home-depot-vienna-beef" data-vars-content-id="d591c33f-37c7-41bb-9cbd-cc3baa5bbb65" data-vars-headline="Axios Chicago readers pick the best Chicago-style hot dogs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/03/axios-food-fight-chicago-style-hot-dog-devil-dawgs-home-depot-vienna-beef" target="_self">Food Fight</a> over Chicago-style hot dogs.

Axios readers pick the best tavern-style pizza in Chicago

Axios readers name their go-to tavern-style pizzas across Chicago, the suburbs and beyond.

Chicago is a town of many pizzas, but the tried-and-true style we regularly enjoy is tavern style.<ul><li>Don&#x27;t get us wrong, sometimes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deep dish hits the spot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/20/food-fight-chicago-deep-dish-pizza-malnatis-labriola-ginos-pizanos" data-vars-content-id="99ae62df-3eca-49cc-9683-91e87fadad69" data-vars-headline="Axios readers pick the best tavern-style pizza in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/20/food-fight-chicago-deep-dish-pizza-malnatis-labriola-ginos-pizanos" target="_self">deep dish hits the spot</a>. </li></ul>Yes, but: For birthday parties, post-16-inch and Friday pizza night, thin-crust is where it&#x27;s at.

Axios readers pick the best Italian subs in Chicago

Readers sound off with their favorites in the Chicago area.

Our readers had a lot to say about our recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Food Fight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/10/food-fight-where-to-get-the-best-italian-subs-in-chicago" data-vars-content-id="bc92475d-9bac-4d25-82a5-304df7fc9b8e" data-vars-headline="Axios readers pick the best Italian subs in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/10/food-fight-where-to-get-the-best-italian-subs-in-chicago" target="_self">Food Fight</a> over where to get the best Italian subs. We&#x27;re now swimming in great suggestions.

Fox 32 hires Brandon Pope as new political reporter

The veteran journalist gets ready to jump into election season.

Business

Fox 32 has landed a new political reporter: Veteran Chicago journalist Brandon Pope takes over just as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="midterms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/19/illinois-state-fair-democrats-pritzker-durbin-gop-trump-rally-alexi" data-vars-content-id="322f221e-bfe5-4080-ab9a-ce982bc61b2c" data-vars-headline="Fox 32 hires Brandon Pope as new political reporter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/19/illinois-state-fair-democrats-pritzker-durbin-gop-trump-rally-alexi" target="_self">midterms</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mayoral election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/02/alexi-giannoulias-campaign-mayor-johnson-mendoza-quigley-pritzker" data-vars-content-id="322f221e-bfe5-4080-ab9a-ce982bc61b2c" data-vars-headline="Fox 32 hires Brandon Pope as new political reporter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/02/alexi-giannoulias-campaign-mayor-johnson-mendoza-quigley-pritzker" target="_self">mayoral election</a> get underway.Why it matters: Pope joins the TV political beat at a consequential moment, with competitive midterms followed closely by Chicago&#x27;s 2027 mayoral election.

Quiz: How well do you know Illinois political history?

This week's quiz is all about Springfield.

Politics

Being down in Springfield this week got me nostalgic for state politics. State of play: I&#x27;ve covered a lot of campaigns over the years and stored so much otherwise useless knowledge of comptrollers, treasurers and lieutenant governors in my brain that it is perfect for a quiz!

Illinois Republicans target Pritzker at State Fair rally

Darren Bailey and the slate of Illinois GOP candidates rallied supporters in Springfield on Thursday.

The Republicans took their turn at the Illinois State Fair on Thursday, blasting Democrats as soft on crime, immigration, property taxes and the economy.Why it matters: This <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="second day of partisan politicking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/19/illinois-state-fair-democrats-pritzker-durbin-gop-trump-rally-alexi" data-vars-content-id="793b0c43-699a-44f3-b047-560e6d2eba38" data-vars-headline="Illinois Republicans target Pritzker at State Fair rally" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/19/illinois-state-fair-democrats-pritzker-durbin-gop-trump-rally-alexi" target="_self">second day of partisan politicking</a> at the fair is illuminating the two sides&#x27; campaign strategies for the upcoming election.

At Illinois State Fair, Democrats target Trump

Democrats took to the stage at the Illinois State Fair to rally the party faithful.

Election season may not traditionally kick off until after Labor Day, but in Illinois, the campaign calendar gets going in mid-August at the state fair.Catch up quick: Democrats rallied supporters during Governor&#x27;s Day at the State Fairgrounds in Springfield. Gov. JB Pritzker, U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, and Senate candidate Juliana Stratton headlined the affair Wednesday. Why it matters: The ramp-up to the November election has started. That means more ads, more debates and a lot more politics.

Chicago mayor spars with activists on quantum 

Later in the week the sides seem to be making up

After walking out of a tense anti-quantum event Saturday, Mayor Brandon Johnson is attempting to mend fences with progressive South Side activists who attended.Why it matters: The scene of Johnson being jeered off stage by Black and brown social justice advocates struck a discordant note for a progressive mayor who has long counted these groups as his voter base.

Trump's Indiana storm declaration puts Illinois FEMA aid in spotlight

Is Illinois getting the shaft on federal storm aid due to politics?

Climate

President Trump&#x27;s rapid emergency declaration for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="storm-ravaged Indiana" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/08/17/indiana-launches-emergency-assistance-housing-vouchers-for-flood-victims" data-vars-content-id="5db2749c-7612-4556-901a-5f0771ddb6f5" data-vars-headline="Trump&#x27;s Indiana storm declaration puts Illinois FEMA aid in spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/08/17/indiana-launches-emergency-assistance-housing-vouchers-for-flood-victims" target="_self">storm-ravaged Indiana</a> is renewing Democratic concerns about partisanship in federal disaster aid.Why it matters: Thousands of Illinoisans are dealing with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="damaged or lost property" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/12/illinois-derecho-tornado-indiana-south-suburbs-trees-power-flooding" data-vars-content-id="5db2749c-7612-4556-901a-5f0771ddb6f5" data-vars-headline="Trump&#x27;s Indiana storm declaration puts Illinois FEMA aid in spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/12/illinois-derecho-tornado-indiana-south-suburbs-trees-power-flooding" target="_self">damaged or lost property</a> from the same derecho that produced eight tornadoes, power outages and flooding on both sides of the state line.

School board candidates split on AI use limits 

The pledge would place a 3-year moratorium on generative AI use.

Education

A Chicago Public Schools parent group is asking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school board" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/01/chicago-school-board-campaign-season-begins" data-vars-content-id="2cf16b37-272f-4017-b148-981b46dd1302" data-vars-headline="School board candidates split on AI use limits " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/01/chicago-school-board-campaign-season-begins" target="_self">school board</a> candidates to sign a pledge limiting AI use in the district. So far, about half of all board contenders have signed.Why it matters: The effort, led by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Illinois Families for Public Schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ilfps.org/" data-vars-content-id="2cf16b37-272f-4017-b148-981b46dd1302" data-vars-headline="School board candidates split on AI use limits " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ilfps.org/" target="_blank">Illinois Families for Public Schools</a> (IFPS), could have a major impact on the way Chicago students learn this year.

Darren Bailey pledges free Illinois tollways

The Republican gubernatorial candidate unveiled a four-point plan, but it lacks details.

Transit

Illinois gubernatorial candidate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Darren Bailey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/18/bailey-wins-gop-primary-pritzker-rematch-illinois-governor" data-vars-content-id="478f836d-2a1b-41ec-b9ee-a56419d0277a" data-vars-headline="Darren Bailey pledges free Illinois tollways" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/18/bailey-wins-gop-primary-pritzker-rematch-illinois-governor" target="_self">Darren Bailey</a> wants to make the state’s toll roads free, reviving a decades-old promise that’s much easier said than financed.Why it matters: Eliminating tolls would upend a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transportation funding system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/31/illinois-fall-veto-session-transit-deal" data-vars-content-id="478f836d-2a1b-41ec-b9ee-a56419d0277a" data-vars-headline="Darren Bailey pledges free Illinois tollways" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/31/illinois-fall-veto-session-transit-deal" target="_self">transportation funding system</a> lawmakers just expanded. <ul><li>Last year&#x27;s sweeping transit package called for higher tolls to help finance a new multibillion-dollar Tollway construction program, while shifting other state transportation revenues toward mass transit.</li></ul>

Social media influencers add new angle to Chicago mayoral race 

Mayor Brandon Johnson has paid at least one and Mendoza says she will use them as well.

Earlier this week, Mayor Brandon Johnson&#x27;s political operation drew scrutiny for paying a social media creator to post a supportive video about him on her account. Why it matters: The move kicks off a campaign season when Chicagoans are likely to see a lot more paid and unpaid collaborations with influencers blurring the lines between opinions, grassroots support and paid messaging.

Johnson calls on state lawmakers to tighten data center rules 

He says that Springfield needs to do more at the state level.

When it comes to regulating data centers, Illinois lags behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/03/greg-abbott-halts-texas-data-centers-electric-grid" data-vars-content-id="fd925818-39b4-49da-814a-25010a39f1fe" data-vars-headline="Johnson calls on state lawmakers to tighten data center rules " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/03/greg-abbott-halts-texas-data-centers-electric-grid" target="_self">Texas</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Florida" data-vars-click-url="https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-signs-law-protect-floridians-subsidizing-data-centers" data-vars-content-id="fd925818-39b4-49da-814a-25010a39f1fe" data-vars-headline="Johnson calls on state lawmakers to tighten data center rules " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-signs-law-protect-floridians-subsidizing-data-centers" target="_blank">Florida</a>, whose governors have recently enacted tough new laws to ensure local control and even stop development.<ul><li>But Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson moved to tighten data center rules in at least one big part of Illinois and called on state lawmakers to follow suit. </li></ul>

Bally's faces off with Chicago over video gambling

Bally's Chicago threatens legal action over video gambling.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bally&#x27;s Chicago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/10/ballys-chicago-race-gender-lawsuit-settlement" data-vars-content-id="fbba5099-916e-40b0-a375-1ce23e4c6d25" data-vars-headline="Bally&#x27;s faces off with Chicago over video gambling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/10/ballys-chicago-race-gender-lawsuit-settlement" target="_self">Bally&#x27;s Chicago</a> is pausing construction on non-gaming amenities at its $1.7 billion casino, hotel and entertainment complex as it enters a standoff with the city over video gambling.Why it matters: Bally&#x27;s promises to open its casino next year, but this latest impasse raises questions about the future of full project already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="under construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/07/12/chicago-ballys-casino-hotel-tower" data-vars-content-id="fbba5099-916e-40b0-a375-1ce23e4c6d25" data-vars-headline="Bally&#x27;s faces off with Chicago over video gambling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/07/12/chicago-ballys-casino-hotel-tower" target="_self">under construction</a> in River West.

Politics 🇺🇸

Quiz: How well do you know Illinois political history?

Illinois Republicans target Pritzker at State Fair rally

At Illinois State Fair, Democrats target Trump

Chicago mayor spars with activists on quantum

Trump's Indiana storm declaration puts Illinois FEMA aid in spotlight