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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Chicago. Written by Monica Eng, Justin Kaufmann and Carrie Shepherd.

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Lyric Opera's new SoundShirts let deaf patrons feel the music

The high-tech shirts create vibrations in tune with live performances.

News

Chicago moves closer to ending tipped wages

Will tipping become a thing of the past in Chicago?

Business

Chicago faces backlash over Mexican Independence Day street closings

The city's decision to block access to the Loop over the weekend created chaos on expressways, off-ramps and streets.

What to expect at Chicago's temporary casino at Medinah Temple

We break down the gambling and food options, plus the overall vibe.

Chicago Fire fans play waiting game with Messi's status uncertain

Messi's appearance at Soldier Field is looking less likely after he sat out four of the last five matches.

Sports

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Inter Miami CF" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/09/27/inter-miami-us-open-cup-final-lionel-messi" data-vars-content-id="e13d1bd3-8aa0-43be-ac0d-678f8f2ba0cb" data-vars-headline="Chicago Fire fans play waiting game with Messi&#x27;s status uncertain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/09/27/inter-miami-us-open-cup-final-lionel-messi" target="_self">Inter Miami CF</a> is playing the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, but it&#x27;s still uncertain whether soccer&#x27;s biggest star will be on the pitch.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lionel Messi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/08/15/messi-transforms-inter-miami-florida-mls-appletv" data-vars-content-id="e13d1bd3-8aa0-43be-ac0d-678f8f2ba0cb" data-vars-headline="Chicago Fire fans play waiting game with Messi&#x27;s status uncertain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/08/15/messi-transforms-inter-miami-florida-mls-appletv" target="_self">Lionel Messi</a>&#x27;s appearance at Soldier Field is looking less likely after a leg injury, and neither he nor Inter Miami has said whether he&#x27;ll play Wednesday night at 7:30pm. Messi has sat out four of the last five matches.

Bears stumble late in gut-wrenching loss to Broncos

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Bears" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/09/07/bears-packers-game" data-vars-content-id="60616b10-9452-4d94-b73f-77a593d53b21" data-vars-headline="Bears stumble late in gut-wrenching loss to Broncos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/09/07/bears-packers-game" target="_self">Chicago Bears</a> found a new way to lose on Sunday as the Denver Broncos scored 24 unanswered points to win 31-28. Why it matters: The Bears offense looked unstoppable for the first three quarters of the game, but the entire team unraveled in the fourth quarter.

Chicago Cubs fans are bracing for the worst in playoff push

It's starting to feel like deja vu all over again.

After 2016, Cubs fans were happy to purge the dreaded &quot;c-word&quot; from their vocabulary. The World Series win broke the &quot;curse.&quot;Why it matters: The curse — supposedly started over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a goat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.billygoattavern.com/legend/curse/" data-vars-content-id="b88f465d-243f-4072-b6f9-9f24f127e7d7" data-vars-headline="Chicago Cubs fans are bracing for the worst in playoff push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.billygoattavern.com/legend/curse/" target="_blank">a goat</a> — is believed to have led to late-season breakdowns, unfathomable losing streaks and the ball bouncing the wrong way.

Chicago Bears lose big in Kansas City

The team lost their 13th game in a row dating back to last year, as they start the season 0-3.

The Bears capped an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ugly week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/09/20/chicago-bears-alan-williams-resigns" data-vars-content-id="4a6c98c6-bcf6-44dd-8cdb-a97999e196cf" data-vars-headline="Chicago Bears lose big in Kansas City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/09/20/chicago-bears-alan-williams-resigns" target="_self">ugly week</a> with an ugly loss to the Chiefs, 41-10, on Sunday. Driving the news: The team lost their 13th game in a row dating back to last year, as they start the season 0-3.

Photo of a football player trying to score a touchdown

Bears defensive coordinator resigns

After missing last week's game for "personal reasons," defensive coordinator Alan Williams stepped down Wednesday.

Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams stepped down Wednesday after missing last week&#x27;s game for &quot;personal reasons.&quot;The big picture: The coordinator&#x27;s departure comes after the Bears&#x27; defense started this season poorly. The team is 0-2.

Cubs organist takes fans behind the scenes

John Benedeck accepts song requests, and posts his performances on social media.

Wrigley Field organist John Benedeck is showing fans how he provides the soundtrack for Chicago Cubs home games.What&#x27;s happening: Benedeck and fellow organist Josh Langhoff have been recording their game-time performances and posting them on social media.

Photo of a man posing for a camera in front of an organ at a ballpark

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat Chicago Bears, 27-17

Justin Fields had yet another unimpressive showing, throwing a late pick-six that let the Bucs seal the win.

The Bears dropped their 12th straight game dating back to last year, losing to Tampa Bay, 27-17, on Sunday.Driving the news: The whole team looked gassed from the Florida heat, including quarterback Justin Fields, who had yet another unimpressive showing, throwing a late pick-six that let the Bucs seal the win.

Chicago's Drunk Cubs Fan shares her best day ever in the city

Things to Do

This weekend, comedy writers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kate James" data-vars-click-url="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2061775/" data-vars-content-id="1be45e1c-e315-43db-ba6f-2049645874df" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s Drunk Cubs Fan shares her best day ever in the city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2061775/" target="_blank">Kate James</a> (&quot;Work in Progress&quot;) and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Steve Waltien" data-vars-click-url="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5484586/" data-vars-content-id="1be45e1c-e315-43db-ba6f-2049645874df" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s Drunk Cubs Fan shares her best day ever in the city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5484586/" target="_blank">Steve Waltien</a> (&quot;The Late Show with Stephen Colbert&quot;) are coming back to Chicago to do two improv shows in the suburbs.What&#x27;s happening: The shows at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lyons Township High School" data-vars-click-url="https://e.givesmart.com/events/xEy/?isOrderFormActive=true" data-vars-content-id="1be45e1c-e315-43db-ba6f-2049645874df" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s Drunk Cubs Fan shares her best day ever in the city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://e.givesmart.com/events/xEy/?isOrderFormActive=true" target="_blank">Lyons Township High School</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LaGrange Country Club" data-vars-click-url="https://e.givesmart.com/events/xEx/" data-vars-content-id="1be45e1c-e315-43db-ba6f-2049645874df" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s Drunk Cubs Fan shares her best day ever in the city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://e.givesmart.com/events/xEx/" target="_blank">LaGrange Country Club</a> are both fundraisers for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Winning With Wyatt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.winningwithwyatt.org/" data-vars-content-id="1be45e1c-e315-43db-ba6f-2049645874df" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s Drunk Cubs Fan shares her best day ever in the city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.winningwithwyatt.org/" target="_blank">Winning With Wyatt</a>, an organization that raises money for pediatric brain cancer research.

Chicago Cubs slide into home stretch

If you were waiting to watch the Cubs, the time is now.

The Cubs are scuffling heading into Arizona Friday night for a crucial three-game series against the Diamondbacks, who are just two games behind the North Siders for the second wild card spot.Why it matters: The playoff race is tightening up after the Cubs lost a tough series against the lowly Rockies in Colorado.

Photo of a baseball player sliding into a base 

Remembering Sammy Sosa's 1998 home run chase

It was this week when Sosa hit his 61st and 62nd home runs, surpassing Roger Maris' long-held single season record from 1961.

It was this week <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in 1998" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2020/5/31/21274604/20-greatest-home-runs-in-cubs-history-sammy-sosa-september-13-1998" data-vars-content-id="6029d6da-8e46-4dab-9695-34238ee213ab" data-vars-headline="Remembering Sammy Sosa&#x27;s 1998 home run chase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2020/5/31/21274604/20-greatest-home-runs-in-cubs-history-sammy-sosa-september-13-1998" target="_blank">in 1998</a> when Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa hit his 61st and 62nd home runs, surpassing Roger Maris&#x27; single-season record from 1961.Flashback: Sosa would hit 66 home runs but fall shy of Mark McGwire&#x27;s 70 dingers in 1998.

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