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Lincoln Park billionaire accused of fueling rat infestation

Chicago billionaire accused of fueling Lincoln Park rat infestation

Environment

The city is weighing legal action against Lincoln Park billionaire Barre Seid over claims that his nut-spreading operation is fueling a rat infestation around<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Green City Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/20/snap-farmers-markets-chicago-green-city-market" data-vars-content-id="d83e5f19-c5d5-4263-bb7c-46da3d14ccaa" data-vars-headline="Lincoln Park billionaire accused of fueling rat infestation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/20/snap-farmers-markets-chicago-green-city-market" target="_self"> Green City Market</a>, Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43rd) says.Why it matters: The infestation is causing property damage that could leave taxpayers on the hook for repairs, according to city documents.

Durty Nellie's closes after 54 years in Palatine

The popular suburban destination hosted bands like Violent Femmes, Gin Blossoms and Local H.

Business

The iconic Irish pub and concert venue Durty Nellie&#x27;s has closed after 54 years in the northwest suburbs.Why it matters: For generations of suburban music fans, Durty Nellie&#x27;s offered something increasingly hard to find outside Chicago: a legitimate concert venue steps from a Metra station.

Illinois' statewide races: What to know before November

Democrats defend every Illinois executive office, with incumbents on the ballot in three key races.

Politics

Democrats hold all Illinois executive offices, and all but one race has an incumbent on the November ballot.

Remembering 'Da Coach': Mike Ditka, Chicago icon and NFL legend, dies at 86

Mike Ditka loved Chicago and Chicago loved him back.

Sports

Mike Ditka, one of Chicago&#x27;s most iconic celebrities, died Friday after years of health issues, including heart attacks and strokes, according to The Score radio station. He was 86.Why it matters: The former Bears player and coach left a lasting impression on Chicago sports and culture, presiding over one of the best football teams in NFL history.

Trump says Chicago crime is worsening as homicides decline

President Trump posted on social media that Chicago was seeing unprecedented spikes in crime, but the numbers don't support that claim.

News

President Trump is again raising the prospect of federal intervention in Chicago, saying the city is suffering an &quot;unprecedented&quot; crime wave that&#x27;s &quot;getting worse by the day.&quot;Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s renewed focus on Chicago comes as the city is on pace to record even <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fewer homicides" data-vars-click-url="https://news.wttw.com/2026/10/02/chicago-pace-fewer-homicides-last-year-s-historic-low-police" data-vars-content-id="0cb64815-17d1-4fb7-a43b-af233af3274c" data-vars-headline="Trump says Chicago crime is worsening as homicides decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.wttw.com/2026/10/02/chicago-pace-fewer-homicides-last-year-s-historic-low-police" target="_blank">fewer homicides</a> than last year, when killings fell to their lowest level in 60 years.

Evanston YWCA trains abuse survivors for culinary careers

A $50,000 grant will help the culinary program expand from 16 to 24 participants each year.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="YWCA Evanston/North Shore" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ywca-ens.org/" data-vars-content-id="766c197f-c7b0-4aab-b9ac-f8a77ef089a9" data-vars-headline="Evanston YWCA trains abuse survivors for culinary careers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ywca-ens.org/" target="_blank">YWCA Evanston/North Shore</a> trains survivors of domestic violence for restaurant jobs as they rebuild their lives.Why it matters: Participants in the YWCA Culinary Program are often transitioning from an unstable, volatile environment. Job training sets them on a path toward independence.

Process to select Chicago's top cop hits bumps 

Timing, infighting and differing priorities complicate the process.

Public Safety

As a special commission vets candidates for Chicago&#x27;s next police chief, timing and infighting are complicating the process and throwing its success into doubt.Why it matters: Selecting the right person for police superintendent is a crucial undertaking that could help protect public safety gains achieved in recent years.

Chicago Public Schools shifts 2026 AI rollout 

The district is retaining an AI-assisted literacy tool for grade-schoolers.

Education

As Chicago Public Schools students return to class Monday, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="role of AI in the district " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/18/cps-board-candidates-asked-to-sign-ai-pledge-" data-vars-content-id="7f7b1c05-b856-4d55-8ad2-ef3abc78af60" data-vars-headline="Chicago Public Schools shifts 2026 AI rollout " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/18/cps-board-candidates-asked-to-sign-ai-pledge-" target="_self">role of AI in the district </a>remains under debate, with one AI literacy app in place and a high school chatbot getting the boot.Why it matters: The discontinuation of these programs could have a significant impact on how CPS students learn. And local questions on the issue reflect wider debates lawmakers and<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" education officials" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/02/alpha-schools-ai-expansion-50-campuses" data-vars-content-id="7f7b1c05-b856-4d55-8ad2-ef3abc78af60" data-vars-headline="Chicago Public Schools shifts 2026 AI rollout " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/02/alpha-schools-ai-expansion-50-campuses" target="_self"> education officials</a> are having around the country.

Axios readers share more safe cycling tips 

From best greenways and mapping apps to solid tips on trusting drivers.

After our recent story about using greenways for safer cycling in Chicago, we asked Axios readers for their own safety tips, and they came through as always. Here are some of the best: 🛣️ &quot;The city recently painted new bike lanes along Wellington by Damen to allow for bike lanes going both ways along Wellington. It’s a bit narrow at times, but a great new option to have so that you can avoid Diversey and Belmont.&quot; — Mike R.

Deaths revive debate on lakefront e-scooters

Recent e-scooter deaths in Chicago have revived the question.

While Lime and Divvy scooters riders can freely travel busy Chicago streets, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="they&#x27;re electronically barred from " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/06/17/lime-scooters-lakefront-trail" data-vars-content-id="7d34e90f-73a9-4d8d-86aa-26619103b332" data-vars-headline="Deaths revive debate on lakefront e-scooters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/06/17/lime-scooters-lakefront-trail" target="_self">they&#x27;re electronically barred from </a>the relatively safe Lakefront Trail.<ul><li>People riding privately owned e-scooters, however, ride up and down the trail every day. </li></ul>

Greenways offer hidden gems for Chicago cyclists

They offer 85 miles of quieter biking routes that not enough riders know about.

Amid a wave of recent cycle and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="scooter deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/08/chicago-e-scooter-ridership-injuries-data-tracking-hospital-crashes" data-vars-content-id="e1d7d5da-afb9-4aab-a8bc-c51f52ab2642" data-vars-headline="Greenways offer hidden gems for Chicago cyclists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/08/chicago-e-scooter-ridership-injuries-data-tracking-hospital-crashes" target="_self">scooter deaths</a>, many Chicagoans are looking to infrastructure for answers.<ul><li>But some of that infrastructure could be hiding in plain sight, in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="85.2 miles of quiet greenways" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/complete-streets-chicago/home/bike-program/existing-bike-network.html" data-vars-content-id="e1d7d5da-afb9-4aab-a8bc-c51f52ab2642" data-vars-headline="Greenways offer hidden gems for Chicago cyclists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/complete-streets-chicago/home/bike-program/existing-bike-network.html" target="_blank">85.2 miles of quiet greenways</a> that wind their way through the city.</li></ul>

Chicago's the 9th priciest U.S. commuting city

Chicago drivers face some of the nation's highest commuting costs.

Neighborhoods

If you needed another reason to take public transportation or a bike to work downtown, how about saving thousands of dollars in gas and parking? Zoom in: The ranking is based on gas prices and downtown parking costs for a 13.4-mile commute each way over 250 workdays, according to an analysis by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vettory.org" data-vars-click-url="https://vettory.org/" data-vars-content-id="b25b9b15-2e5f-4a64-bc54-54ff0f7d6f38" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s the 9th priciest U.S. commuting city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://vettory.org/" target="_blank">vettory.org</a>, which offers data on veterans&#x27; assistance programs.

Chicago police won't explain suspended DHS case

As officials urge residents to file police reports, CPD suspends one of the only public reports yet.

Mayor Brandon Johnson wants Chicagoans to file police reports on potential crimes by federal immigration agents. But after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lakeview homeowner did just that" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/03/ice-raids-halloween-illinois-lawsuit-chicago" data-vars-content-id="0a6e332e-e41a-4b2b-bf57-eb653bcfee8b" data-vars-headline="Chicago police won&#x27;t explain suspended DHS case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/03/ice-raids-halloween-illinois-lawsuit-chicago" target="_self">Lakeview homeowner did just that</a>, Chicago police suspended his case and won&#x27;t say why.Why it matters: The unexplained suspension of Leo Feler&#x27;s police report, one of the only known reports filed with the Chicago Police Department against federal agents, makes the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="entreaties by Johnson, police officials" data-vars-click-url="https://news.wttw.com/2026/07/17/mayor-johnson-urging-midway-blitz-victims-file-reports-cpd-further-investigation" data-vars-content-id="0a6e332e-e41a-4b2b-bf57-eb653bcfee8b" data-vars-headline="Chicago police won&#x27;t explain suspended DHS case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.wttw.com/2026/07/17/mayor-johnson-urging-midway-blitz-victims-file-reports-cpd-further-investigation" target="_blank">entreaties by Johnson, police officials</a> and Cook County State&#x27;s Attorney Eileen O&#x27;Neill Burke ring hollow.

Illinois slips in U.S. News Best States rankings

Illinois fell to 37th overall, with strong education marks but one of the nation's weakest environment scores.

It&#x27;s another tough year for Illinois in U.S. News &amp; World Report&#x27;s annual state rankings.<ul><li>We actually got worse from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last year." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/15/illinois-state-rankings-2025-us-news" data-vars-content-id="669d124b-234d-465f-9504-4a19148bc8a9" data-vars-headline="Illinois slips in U.S. News Best States rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/15/illinois-state-rankings-2025-us-news" target="_self">last year.</a></li></ul>