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Chicago's most beautiful houses of worship face off

Vote your favorites through our 16-site bracket to crown Chicago's most picturesque place of worship.

Culture

This month&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Chicago tournament" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/27/best-living-chicago-celebrity-murray-pope-oprah-cusack-obama" data-vars-content-id="17e46c77-73fa-41c5-8ff2-d84bbe247d57" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s most beautiful houses of worship face off" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/27/best-living-chicago-celebrity-murray-pope-oprah-cusack-obama" target="_self">Axios Chicago tournament</a> is about the best-looking houses of worship in the Chicago area.Between the lines: We&#x27;re not talking faith. We&#x27;re talking architecture.

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>

New Chicago murals honor Caleb Williams, Stacey King and John Prine

The murals honor two Chicago legends and one trying to cement his legacy in real time.

Things to Do

Three new murals have sprung up in Chicago recently, celebrating two legends — and one young star building his legacy in real time. Why it matters: Chicago has long turned blank walls into tributes to icons.

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.

New rules could complicate Chicago condo sales

Sellers may need to pay closer attention to their building's finances, reserves and repair plans.

Real Estate

Some condo owners could find it harder to sell their units under tougher new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/12/trump-fannie-mae-freddie-mac" data-vars-content-id="f46acb3f-6acf-44d1-a5e1-cc21e59ab058" data-vars-headline="New rules could complicate Chicago condo sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/12/trump-fannie-mae-freddie-mac" target="_self">Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac </a>lending standards.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The rules" data-vars-click-url="https://guide.freddiemac.com/app/guide/bulletin/2026-C" data-vars-content-id="f46acb3f-6acf-44d1-a5e1-cc21e59ab058" data-vars-headline="New rules could complicate Chicago condo sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://guide.freddiemac.com/app/guide/bulletin/2026-C" target="_blank">The rules</a> put new pressure on condo associations to stay on top of repairs and financial reserves, making sellers more dependent on the building&#x27;s overall appeal — not just their condo&#x27;s — to sell.

Downtown vertical farming venture takes root

Farm Zero plans to expand by 10 times this fall.

Business

When Russell Steinberg looks at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vacant downtown office spaces" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/04/03/lasalle-street-corridor-plan-to-build-more-housing-downtown-advances" data-vars-content-id="fe23ceba-6180-472a-a352-a321a2bc6b30" data-vars-headline="Downtown vertical farming venture takes root" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/04/03/lasalle-street-corridor-plan-to-build-more-housing-downtown-advances" target="_self">vacant downtown office spaces</a>, he doesn&#x27;t see failure — he sees farms.Why it matters: Steinberg&#x27;s first<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Farm Zero" data-vars-click-url="https://farmzerochicago.com/" data-vars-content-id="fe23ceba-6180-472a-a352-a321a2bc6b30" data-vars-headline="Downtown vertical farming venture takes root" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://farmzerochicago.com/" target="_blank"> Farm Zero</a> site, located kitty-corner from City Hall, feeds hundreds of Chicagoans with its lettuce, herbs, edible flowers and microgreens.<ul><li>But if his expansion plans stay on course, that number will grow to thousands this fall and eventually millions.</li></ul>Plus: This<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" summer&#x27;s cyclosporiasis outbreak " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/20/cyclospora-outbreak-diarrhea-infection-wash-food" data-vars-content-id="fe23ceba-6180-472a-a352-a321a2bc6b30" data-vars-headline="Downtown vertical farming venture takes root" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/20/cyclospora-outbreak-diarrhea-infection-wash-food" target="_self"> summer&#x27;s cyclosporiasis outbreak </a>is highlighting the value of transparently sourced produce as Chicagoans <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seek locally grown lettuce. " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/23/chicago-readers-leafy-greens-cyclospora-outbreak-lettuce-salads-poll" data-vars-content-id="fe23ceba-6180-472a-a352-a321a2bc6b30" data-vars-headline="Downtown vertical farming venture takes root" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/23/chicago-readers-leafy-greens-cyclospora-outbreak-lettuce-salads-poll" target="_self">seek locally grown lettuce. </a>

Chicago's "phantom building" gets new life

After sitting mostly vacant for decades, the restored Gold Coast building welcomes residents this fall.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gold Coast " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/15/1954-photo-gold-coast-adolphs-agostinos-carmines-rush-street" data-vars-content-id="a9762bb1-3f14-4064-9157-6c99e067e0de" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s &quot;phantom building&quot; gets new life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/15/1954-photo-gold-coast-adolphs-agostinos-carmines-rush-street" target="_self">Gold Coast </a>condo building long known as the &quot;phantom building&quot; is getting new life after sitting mostly vacant for decades. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Historic buildings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/03/04/chicago-endangered-historic-buildings-2025" data-vars-content-id="a9762bb1-3f14-4064-9157-6c99e067e0de" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s &quot;phantom building&quot; gets new life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/03/04/chicago-endangered-historic-buildings-2025" target="_self">Historic buildings</a> in Chicago&#x27;s highly sought-after neighborhoods, especially vacant ones, often succumb to the wrecking ball to make way for single-family homes. But the 45,000-sq. ft. residential building called <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Dearborn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.goldcoastrealty-chicago.com/the-dearborn-condos-1447-n-dearborn-st-gold-coast.php" data-vars-content-id="a9762bb1-3f14-4064-9157-6c99e067e0de" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s &quot;phantom building&quot; gets new life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.goldcoastrealty-chicago.com/the-dearborn-condos-1447-n-dearborn-st-gold-coast.php" target="_blank">The Dearborn</a> has managed to avoid that fate and is starting a new chapter.

Competing renters' plans work through City Hall

The alders' plan would eliminate just cause and relocation payments when a landlord ends tenancy.

Politics

Competing renters&#x27; rights proposals — one by Mayor Brandon Johnson and one from a group of alders — have become a proxy fight for renters vs. landlords.Why it matters: Alders who oppose Johnson&#x27;s Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO) argue it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="could raise rents" 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="88854944-c8a9-4fae-a75d-5e28a53e0bf0" data-vars-headline="Competing renters&#x27; plans work through City Hall" 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">could raise rents</a>, while housing advocates say the alders&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fair and Accountable Illinois Rental " data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/gilbert36ward/status/2077508221666009378" data-vars-content-id="88854944-c8a9-4fae-a75d-5e28a53e0bf0" data-vars-headline="Competing renters&#x27; plans work through City Hall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/gilbert36ward/status/2077508221666009378" target="_blank">Fair and Accountable Illinois Rental </a>(FAIR) Ordinance could increase evictions.

Experiences fuel Chicago retail comeback on the Mag Mile and beyond

Weekend traffic is rising as new stores, dining and attractions help Chicago retail districts rebound.

Major retail corridors like Chicago&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michigan Avenue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/07/hello-kitty-bad-butter-guillotine-chicago-influencers-lines" data-vars-content-id="385d93af-1cb6-49f9-bd61-1711e6e494b2" data-vars-headline="Experiences fuel Chicago retail comeback on the Mag Mile and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/07/hello-kitty-bad-butter-guillotine-chicago-influencers-lines" target="_self">Michigan Avenue</a> are moving out of survival mode and into thriving.Why it matters: The Mag Mile, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fulton Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/14/fulton-market-mendocino-prasino-do-rite-pizza-lobo-labriola" data-vars-content-id="385d93af-1cb6-49f9-bd61-1711e6e494b2" data-vars-headline="Experiences fuel Chicago retail comeback on the Mag Mile and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/14/fulton-market-mendocino-prasino-do-rite-pizza-lobo-labriola" target="_self">Fulton Market</a> and other neighborhood corridors are seen as indicators of broader economic trends, and the picture for Chicago is bright right now.

Chicago developers see a future at the old Union Stockyards

The meatpacking district that built Chicago is betting on warehouses and diverse industries instead of cattle.

The Union Stockyards once made Chicago &quot;hog butcher for the world.&quot; More than 50 years after they closed, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="developers " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/development" data-vars-content-id="1b97a088-19c3-42cf-881e-97a9fc54496a" data-vars-headline="Chicago developers see a future at the old Union Stockyards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/development" target="_self">developers </a>are modernizing the area.Why it matters: While other industrial parts of the city, like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fulton Market " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/14/fulton-market-mendocino-prasino-do-rite-pizza-lobo-labriola" data-vars-content-id="1b97a088-19c3-42cf-881e-97a9fc54496a" data-vars-headline="Chicago developers see a future at the old Union Stockyards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/14/fulton-market-mendocino-prasino-do-rite-pizza-lobo-labriola" target="_self">Fulton Market </a>and the West Loop, have boomed with development in recent decades, the Stockyards have remained basically stagnant. Chicago developers The Missner Group are hoping to change that by banking on the area&#x27;s proximity to the Loop, Dan Ryan expressway and labor force.

Chicago's Live Launch makes shopping more social

Shoppers can try products before buying as online brands rotate through short-term storefronts.

A new retail concept in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="West Loop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/21/west-loop-walking-tour-shows-union-park-bartelme-mary-todd-lincoln" data-vars-content-id="8924f16e-30d7-40df-9298-613ea41a9c3f" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s Live Launch makes shopping more social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/21/west-loop-walking-tour-shows-union-park-bartelme-mary-todd-lincoln" target="_self">West Loop</a> aims to be the modern mall, combining the online and IRL <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shopping" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/27/ai-shopping-changing-stores-role" data-vars-content-id="8924f16e-30d7-40df-9298-613ea41a9c3f" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s Live Launch makes shopping more social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/27/ai-shopping-changing-stores-role" target="_self">shopping</a> experience.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Live Launch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/live.launch/" data-vars-content-id="8924f16e-30d7-40df-9298-613ea41a9c3f" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s Live Launch makes shopping more social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/live.launch/" target="_blank">Live Launch</a> features 11 storefronts of online-based brands in a warehouse-like space where customers can touch the products, try them on and assess quality before buying.

Congress targets housing shortage with new legislation

Prices keep rising as listings remain scarce, pushing homeownership further out of reach.

Buying a home is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="getting harder" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/19/homeownership-housing-affordability-senate" data-vars-content-id="0d41157b-87f8-4dde-8c56-ddc3400c6b67" data-vars-headline="Congress targets housing shortage with new legislation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/19/homeownership-housing-affordability-senate" target="_self">getting harder</a> in Chicago, and Congress is trying to address that.Why it matters: Lawmakers say new legislation could encourage more housing construction at a time when many would-be buyers are struggling to find homes they can afford.

Found your dream house? Skip the note, hit the waitlist

The Unlisted platform lets buyers join waitlists for homes they love, even before owners decide to sell.

Picture this: You find the perfect house with a great yard and a welcoming front porch in an ideal neighborhood. But it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="not for sale" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/real-estate" data-vars-content-id="ef797b05-054f-4e07-8a65-e31673006983" data-vars-headline="Found your dream house? Skip the note, hit the waitlist" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/real-estate" target="_self">not for sale</a>.The website Unlisted gives you a shot at that house.

Real Estate 🏠

New Chicago murals honor Caleb Williams, Stacey King and John Prine

New rules could complicate Chicago condo sales

Downtown vertical farming venture takes root

Chicago's "phantom building" gets new life

Competing renters' plans work through City Hall