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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.

Chicago's bocce community gets a home court

The West Town clubhouse has five bocce courts, a backyard and a packed calendar of social events.

Sports

After more than a decade of playing the sport in bars and parks, Chicago&#x27;s bocce community has a home court.What to expect: Chicago Bocce Club in West Town calls itself the city&#x27;s first dedicated bocce clubhouse, with five professional-grade indoor and outdoor courts, a private backyard with other games and a coworking and events space.

The Cubs turn 150. Here's how Chicago can join the party

The Cubs' 150th celebration brings nostalgia, Hall of Famers and a new cookie to Wrigley Field.

Partners

The Cubs are throwing it back to 1876 — with a few modern-day perks, including a new cookie.<ul><li>This year marks the Cubs&#x27; 150th anniversary as a National League franchise, and the team is celebrating the milestone with a history-packed weekend at Wrigley Field on Aug. 29-30.</li></ul>

Chicago Bears move forward with Indiana stadium plans

The Hoosier State is on its way to being the future home of Chicago's NFL franchise.

Business

The Chicago Bears confirmed Thursday they are moving forward with two sites in Indiana for a new stadium. Why it matters: After 106 years in Illinois, the Bears are inching closer to becoming Indiana&#x27;s team.

Get behind the wheel at Chicago's new F1 Arcade

The new bar and restaurant lets guests race on 61 simulators, then refuel with cocktails and food.

A new bar and restaurant in Chicago&#x27;s River North taps into the global popularity of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Formula 1 racing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/29/axios-house-the-fight-over-fis-remote-audience" data-vars-content-id="273bc6b3-b0c0-4074-b4cb-113dc772cf1c" data-vars-headline="Get behind the wheel at Chicago&#x27;s new F1 Arcade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/29/axios-house-the-fight-over-fis-remote-audience" target="_self">Formula 1 racing</a> by putting fans behind the wheel and onto the track.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="F1 Arcade" data-vars-click-url="https://f1arcade.com/us/chicago" data-vars-content-id="273bc6b3-b0c0-4074-b4cb-113dc772cf1c" data-vars-headline="Get behind the wheel at Chicago&#x27;s new F1 Arcade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://f1arcade.com/us/chicago" target="_blank">F1 Arcade</a> opens Friday in the former Rock Bottom Brewery spot at State and Grand.

Pete Crow-Armstrong is making his case for NL MVP

The Cubs center fielder is having a breakout season.

MVP chants have started to get louder at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Friendly Confines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/15/cubs-and-white-sox-murakami-crow-armstrong-second-half-playoffs-mlb" data-vars-content-id="85cb1f3b-9ce7-4e15-a9fe-933482927991" data-vars-headline="Pete Crow-Armstrong is making his case for NL MVP" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/15/cubs-and-white-sox-murakami-crow-armstrong-second-half-playoffs-mlb" target="_self">Friendly Confines</a>. Except it&#x27;s not &quot;MVP&quot; — it&#x27;s &quot;MV-Pete.&quot;The latest: Cubs All-Star Pete Crow-Armstrong is putting up sensational numbers and making a push for the National League MVP.

White Sox to retire Ozzie Guillen's No. 13

The event will take place before Saturday night's game vs. the Gardians.

News

One of the Chicago White Sox&#x27;s most beloved figures will receive one of the franchise&#x27;s highest honors this weekend.The latest: Ozzie Guillen&#x27;s No. 13 will be officially retired by the organization with a ceremony before the White Sox take on the Guardians at the Rate on Saturday night.

Jarrett Payton steps down as WGN sports anchor

The longtime anchor will transition to a new role at the station.

After more than a decade at WGN-TV, Jarrett Payton is stepping down from his nightly sports anchor role to focus on his family.Why it matters: Payton has become one of Chicago&#x27;s most recognizable sports broadcasters over the past decade, covering the Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks and Bulls while fronting WGN&#x27;s nightly sports coverage.

Quiz: Can you name these Chicago sports stars who returned to their teams?

Try and get a perfect score on this quiz about second chances.

History

Patrick Kane&#x27;s return to the Blackhawks is one of the biggest homecomings in Chicago sports history.Yes, but: He&#x27;s far from the first superstar to leave town and come back.

MLB trade deadline: Five players who fit both the Cubs and White Sox

Both teams are reportedly chasing the same pitchers before Monday's trade deadline.

Both <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago baseball teams" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/15/cubs-and-white-sox-murakami-crow-armstrong-second-half-playoffs-mlb" data-vars-content-id="596ef11b-8b6d-47fd-b218-086ffdc7d7d7" data-vars-headline="MLB trade deadline: Five players who fit both the Cubs and White Sox" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/15/cubs-and-white-sox-murakami-crow-armstrong-second-half-playoffs-mlb" target="_self">Chicago baseball teams</a> are on the hunt for firepower before Monday&#x27;s trade deadline as they push for the playoffs.The big picture: Both sides of town rarely enter the trade deadline looking to add major pieces. For both teams, pitching is the top priority this season. The intrigue: They&#x27;re chasing many of the same arms.

Chicago Bears training camp: What to watch in 2026

The Bears hope to ride the magic from last year's playoff run.

The Chicago Bears are beginning training camp with something they haven&#x27;t had in years: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expectations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/19/bears-lose-nfc-playoff-rams-caleb-williams-ben-johnson-matt-stafford" data-vars-content-id="a9b00993-7edf-4eb6-8f18-7609c5e46c13" data-vars-headline="Chicago Bears training camp: What to watch in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/19/bears-lose-nfc-playoff-rams-caleb-williams-ben-johnson-matt-stafford" target="_self">expectations</a>. The latest: The defending NFC North champion Bears report to Halas Hall on Tuesday. Their first practice is set for Wednesday.

Sports 🏅

Chicago's bocce community gets a home court

The Cubs turn 150. Here's how Chicago can join the party

Chicago Bears move forward with Indiana stadium plans

Get behind the wheel at Chicago's new F1 Arcade

Pete Crow-Armstrong is making his case for NL MVP