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Movement to divide Illinois into two states gains traction in suburbs

A meeting is scheduled on Saturday in Barrington.

News

A long-shot movement to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="split Illinois into two" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/12/04/illinois-counties-vote-state-split-separatist-new" data-vars-content-id="658d88ab-cafd-4b4a-84fd-d93d82c39fef" data-vars-headline="Movement to divide Illinois into two states gains traction in suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/12/04/illinois-counties-vote-state-split-separatist-new" target="_self">split Illinois into two</a> states is finding support beyond rural downstate counties and into parts of the Chicago suburbs.The latest: Saturday morning, New Illinois will hold meetings in Barrington to give updates on the push for a new state.

Food fight: Best breakfast sandwiches in Chicago

From the sando at Sarima Cafe to the treats at TXA TXA and Doma, we've got you covered.

Things to Do

Chicago has no shortage of great breakfast sandwiches. Flashback: In 2022, Axios Chicago gathered<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" this tasty list " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/04/19/locals-guide-breakfast-sandwiches-in-chicago" data-vars-content-id="4c8484a4-05f8-4c34-9939-1ad94e027464" data-vars-headline="Food fight: Best breakfast sandwiches 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/2022/04/19/locals-guide-breakfast-sandwiches-in-chicago" target="_self"> this tasty list </a>of old standbys, which included the sandwich from James Beard Award-winning Kasama and the tasty traditional fare at Do-Rite Donuts. Yes, but: That was four years ago — a lifetime for Chicago businesses and palates.

Chicago-area homes for sale may disappear from Zillow

A dispute over private listings means buyers may no longer see all Chicago-area homes online.

Real Estate

The company that distributes most Chicago-area home listings is cutting off <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zillow&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/13/zillow-lawsuit-mred-compass-private-listings-chicago-housing-market" data-vars-content-id="7a9a3ebc-aa50-44d2-9e45-dcf6711a55ea" data-vars-headline="Chicago-area homes for sale may disappear from Zillow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/13/zillow-lawsuit-mred-compass-private-listings-chicago-housing-market" target="_self">Zillow&#x27;s</a> access to those properties.Why it matters: Homebuyers using Zillow and Trulia will soon no longer see all Chicago-area homes for sale, and sellers won&#x27;t be able to rely on those sites to get their listing in front of buyers.

Chicago homicides rise as violent crime drops in major U.S. cities

The city is seeing an uptick in homicides, while other violent crimes drop.

U.S. cities are experiencing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sharp declines in homicides" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/violent-crime-us-cities-trump" data-vars-content-id="f56b53a7-14e6-4a6c-ad27-468727ff76a6" data-vars-headline="Chicago homicides rise as violent crime drops in major U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/violent-crime-us-cities-trump" target="_self">sharp declines in homicides</a> this year — with one notable exception: Chicago.Why it matters: Chicago is entering the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traditional summer months for crime," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/22/brandon-johnson-violence-homicides-declining-memorial-day-weekend" data-vars-content-id="f56b53a7-14e6-4a6c-ad27-468727ff76a6" data-vars-headline="Chicago homicides rise as violent crime drops in major U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/22/brandon-johnson-violence-homicides-declining-memorial-day-weekend" target="_self">traditional summer months for crime,</a> with homicides slightly ahead of last year&#x27;s pace, even as many major cities report steep declines in killings.

Judge orders MRED to restore Zillow home listings

A court ruling restores Zillow's access to Chicago-area listings amid a fight over private sales.

A federal judge ordered the company that distributes most Chicago-area home listings to restore <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zillow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/20/chicago-homes-zillow-mred-listings-cutoff-compass-private-listings" data-vars-content-id="2ac3f004-c19c-48ca-bdfc-e1e9d07a2c79" data-vars-headline="Judge orders MRED to restore Zillow home listings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/20/chicago-homes-zillow-mred-listings-cutoff-compass-private-listings" target="_self">Zillow</a>&#x27;s access to its database — at least for now.Why it matters: Buyers who visited Zillow were not seeing the full scope of homes for sale after MRED, the major multi-listing service for the Chicago area, cut off Zillow&#x27;s access to its portal this week.

Zillow sues MRED and Compass over private listings

The lawsuit accuses MRED and Compass of colluding over private home listing access.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zillow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/12/02/zillow-pocket-listings-chicago-race-housing-market" data-vars-content-id="2e7a7c6f-d66b-48a1-808f-48a533547d7e" data-vars-headline="Zillow sues MRED and Compass over private listings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/12/02/zillow-pocket-listings-chicago-race-housing-market" target="_self">Zillow</a> sued Chicago-area listing service MRED and brokerage giant Compass this week, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="accusing them" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/news/zillow-sues-mred-compass/" data-vars-content-id="2e7a7c6f-d66b-48a1-808f-48a533547d7e" data-vars-headline="Zillow sues MRED and Compass over private listings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/news/zillow-sues-mred-compass/" target="_blank">accusing them</a> of hiding home listings and colluding to push Zillow out of the market.Why it matters: The legal battle could shape how homes are sold in Chicago, one of the largest housing markets, and raises critical questions about transparency and access.

Chicago renters face bidding wars for apartments

With low inventory and rising rents, Chicago renters are increasingly forced to outbid others.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago renters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/16/chicago-rent-growth-big-cities-apartment-list-harvard-renters-cost-burdened" data-vars-content-id="d4ced31f-3bca-46c6-9000-0bc6050d6aab" data-vars-headline="Chicago renters face bidding wars for apartments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/16/chicago-rent-growth-big-cities-apartment-list-harvard-renters-cost-burdened" target="_self">Chicago renters</a> are facing bidding wars — competing for apartments the way homebuyers do.Why it matters: Chicago renters are paying roughly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$100 more per month " data-vars-click-url="https://www.zumper.com/rent-research/chicago-il" data-vars-content-id="d4ced31f-3bca-46c6-9000-0bc6050d6aab" data-vars-headline="Chicago renters face bidding wars for apartments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zumper.com/rent-research/chicago-il" target="_blank">$100 more per month </a>than a year ago, pushing many out of neighborhoods they could once afford.

La Shawn Ford and Pat Quinn push property tax relief

If successful, it could send property owners checks worth $1,500, on average.

Politics

Illinois property owners could score tax relief checks of $1,500 on average if a new &quot;millionaire&#x27;s tax&quot; succeeds this year, according to former Gov. Pat Quinn.Why it matters: In 2025, Illinois had the highest residential property tax in the nation, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent Cook County Treasurer report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/30/why-cook-county-property-taxes-high" data-vars-content-id="ed272c46-5cd0-4faf-a95c-7472d708ff1b" data-vars-headline="La Shawn Ford and Pat Quinn push property tax relief" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/30/why-cook-county-property-taxes-high" target="_self">recent Cook County Treasurer report</a>.<ul><li>While many remedies have been proposed, this one offers some of the quickest relief, with payouts potentially arriving as soon as 2027.</li></ul>Driving the news: Quinn and state Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) launched a campaign for the &quot;Millionaire Amendment&quot; on Tuesday, a day before first property tax installments are due and about 30 days before the measure needs to pass the state General Assembly.How it works: Ford wants to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="put a binding referendum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus/FullText?GAID=18&amp;DocNum=26&amp;DocTypeID=HJRCA&amp;LegId=167740&amp;SessionID=114&amp;Print=1" data-vars-content-id="ed272c46-5cd0-4faf-a95c-7472d708ff1b" data-vars-headline="La Shawn Ford and Pat Quinn push property tax relief" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus/FullText?GAID=18&amp;DocNum=26&amp;DocTypeID=HJRCA&amp;LegId=167740&amp;SessionID=114&amp;Print=1" target="_blank">put a binding referendum</a> on the November ballot asking voters if Illinois should change its constitution to &quot;create an additional 3% tax on income greater than $1 million for the purpose of dedicating funds raised to property tax relief.&quot;<ul><li>The measure needs a nod from at least three-fifths of both the Illinois House and Senate by May 3 to reach this year&#x27;s ballot.</li><li>The policy could generate $4.5 billion a year, based on Illinois Department of Revenue data.</li><li>That revenue would be funneled to property owners who&#x27;ve already qualified for the homestead exemption because they live in their property.</li></ul>Flashback: Illinois voters <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have twice overwhelmingly passed" data-vars-click-url="https://news.wttw.com/2024/11/06/illinois-voters-voiced-support-theoretical-tax-millionaires-incomes-what-effect-will-it" data-vars-content-id="ed272c46-5cd0-4faf-a95c-7472d708ff1b" data-vars-headline="La Shawn Ford and Pat Quinn push property tax relief" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.wttw.com/2024/11/06/illinois-voters-voiced-support-theoretical-tax-millionaires-incomes-what-effect-will-it" target="_blank">have twice overwhelmingly passed</a> nonbinding versions of the referendum, in 2014 and 2024, but this time the measure would have teeth.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;This is a way for everyday people to have an affordability amendment on the ballot that they can vote for and send instructions to all the politicians in Illinois that we need property tax relief right now,&quot; Quinn said Tuesday at the County Building.The other side: House Republicans didn&#x27;t immediately comment on the Ford proposal but said they&#x27;d be urging action on tax relief legislation this week. Gov. JB Pritzker&#x27;s office told Axios on Tuesday that it &quot;will monitor and review legislation as it moves through the General Assembly. Any legislation that requires additional state resources will be carefully reviewed with budgeteers to understand the fiscal impact.&quot;Zoom out: &quot;Millionaire taxes&quot; have passed elsewhere. Massachusetts approved one in 2022, and it has already raised <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at least $1 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/17/massachusetts-house-budget-fair-share-millionaires-tax-mbta-education" data-vars-content-id="ed272c46-5cd0-4faf-a95c-7472d708ff1b" data-vars-headline="La Shawn Ford and Pat Quinn push property tax relief" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/17/massachusetts-house-budget-fair-share-millionaires-tax-mbta-education" target="_self">at least $1 billion</a>. Plus, the number of millionaires in Massachusetts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rose by 39%" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/04/29/millionaires-massachusetts-income-surtax-increase" data-vars-content-id="ed272c46-5cd0-4faf-a95c-7472d708ff1b" data-vars-headline="La Shawn Ford and Pat Quinn push property tax relief" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/04/29/millionaires-massachusetts-income-surtax-increase" target="_self">rose by 39%</a> in the two years after passage.<ul><li>The Washington state Legislature recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="passed a similar tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/12/washington-income-tax-clears-legislature-faces-challenges" data-vars-content-id="ed272c46-5cd0-4faf-a95c-7472d708ff1b" data-vars-headline="La Shawn Ford and Pat Quinn push property tax relief" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/12/washington-income-tax-clears-legislature-faces-challenges" target="_self">passed a similar tax</a>, but it&#x27;s expected to face legal challenges.</li></ul>State of play: Ford tells Axios he doesn&#x27;t have the three-fifths majority needed to get the proposal across the finish line.<ul><li>But the state representative — widely expected to win a U.S. House seat in November — says that&#x27;s why he launched this public campaign this week.</li><li>&quot;We need people to call their members [of the legislature] and get them to co-sign this House joint resolution,&quot; Ford says. &quot;We are really just starting to kick it off, but we can get there if people help.&quot;</li></ul>

Why Cook County property taxes are so high

Reasons include loopholes like TIFS that allow increases outside of state safeguards.

Cook County property taxes have risen at twice the rate of inflation over the past 30 years, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cookcountytreasurer.com/" data-vars-content-id="b13ac052-0b99-48a1-b88c-bc8895190813" data-vars-headline="Why Cook County property taxes are so high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cookcountytreasurer.com/" target="_blank">new study</a> from county Treasurer Maria Pappas.Why it matters: Property taxes represent one of the biggest cost burdens local homeowners face each year, and high taxes are often cited as reasons to leave town.

Chicago rent prices went up more than other major cities

Median rent in the Chicago area hit $1,670 after a 4% jump — even as U.S. rents tick down slightly.

Chicago&#x27;s median rent rose faster than in the other nine largest U.S. cities.Why it matters: Housing is unaffordable for many. A new Harvard report finds a record number of renters are &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost-burdened" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/americas-rental-housing-2026" data-vars-content-id="c44a4d3d-5906-43c1-a316-4e063a2e69c7" data-vars-headline="Chicago rent prices went up more than other major cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/americas-rental-housing-2026" target="_blank">cost-burdened</a>,&quot; spending more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities.<ul><li>Although the median U.S. rent for new leases is down 1.5% from a year ago, it&#x27;s still roughly 20% above pre-pandemic levels, per Apartment List.</li></ul>

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

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

Culture

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>

From bungalows to greystones: New book reveals real architecture of Chicago

It's a first-of-its-kind look at the stunning architecture of Chicago neighborhoods.

Development

There is so much fanfare for the city&#x27;s downtown architecture, but a new book argues the real heart and soul of Chicago design is in its homes.The big picture: The book &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Homes: A Portrait of the City&#x27;s Everyday Architecture" data-vars-click-url="https://www.agatepublishing.com/9781572843578/chicago-homes/" data-vars-content-id="8258fc8e-5edc-4cb0-8780-d6f4aa853760" data-vars-headline="From bungalows to greystones: New book reveals real architecture of Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.agatepublishing.com/9781572843578/chicago-homes/" target="_blank">Chicago Homes: A Portrait of the City&#x27;s Everyday Architecture</a>&quot; is a comprehensive look at the unique styles and designs in neighborhood homes.

Chicago's most-viewed Zillow home is pure Gold Coast

The Thompson House blends 19th-century opulence with modern touches — and topped Illinois' Zillow views.

Perusing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zillow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/12/02/zillow-pocket-listings-chicago-race-housing-market" data-vars-content-id="09076751-f5e2-43d0-a32d-740cad789e53" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s most-viewed Zillow home is pure Gold Coast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/12/02/zillow-pocket-listings-chicago-race-housing-market" target="_self">Zillow</a> is a hobby for many, especially ogling expensive homes with way more bathrooms than any person could ever clean.The big picture: The online real estate marketplace has compiled <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the most popular listings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/learn/most-popular-homes/" data-vars-content-id="09076751-f5e2-43d0-a32d-740cad789e53" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s most-viewed Zillow home is pure Gold Coast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/learn/most-popular-homes/" target="_blank">the most popular listings</a> for each state based on which homes had the most views from January to October 2025.

Real Estate 🏠

Judge orders MRED to restore Zillow home listings

Chicago-area homes for sale may disappear from Zillow

Zillow sues MRED and Compass over private listings

Chicago renters face bidding wars for apartments

La Shawn Ford and Pat Quinn push property tax relief