Chicago

blue

A guide to fun things to do in Chicago this weekend.

Axios Chicago Weekender

Weekender

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Chicago with Monica Eng, Justin Kaufmann, and Carrie Shepherd.

Axios Chicago

Standard

Chicago Alerts

Alert

Axios Chicago Partners

Axios Chicago Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Chicago Members

Membership

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.

Mayor Brandon Johnson reflects on 3rd year

He won't support the Arlington Heights move, even if it means losing the Bears to Indiana.

Politics

As he marks three years as mayor this week, Brandon Johnson told Axios he thinks there&#x27;s a path to keeping the Bears— while sidestepping questions about re-election and closing low-enrollment CPS schools to save teacher jobs.

Chicago Mayor Johnson ramps up fight to keep Bears in city

The mayor is running out of time to convince the team and the state legislature.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is making a last-ditch push to keep the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bears in Chicago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/27/illinois-senate-bears-stadium-taxes-arlington-heights-indiana" data-vars-content-id="5e59ba3a-86f1-41c5-bfb0-73d314585f89" data-vars-headline="Chicago Mayor Johnson ramps up fight to keep Bears in city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/27/illinois-senate-bears-stadium-taxes-arlington-heights-indiana" target="_self">Bears in Chicago</a>.Why it matters: The battle over the Bears&#x27; next stadium is entering a critical final stretch as Springfield&#x27;s spring legislative session nears its end.

Quiz: The wildest fan moments in Chicago sports history

Can you get a perfect score on the hijinks and history at local stadiums?

Culture

Bears turn Rome Odunze into Bob Ross for 2026 schedule release

The annual schedule release video has become a trend in the NFL.

Sports

The Bears&#x27; Bob Ross-inspired schedule release video was no &quot;happy accident.&quot; Rome Odunze&#x27;s giant afro made him the perfect choice to channel Bob Ross in the Bears&#x27; 2026 schedule release video.The latest: The team tapped wide receiver Rome Odunze to unveil the 2026 schedule in a parody of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Joy of Painting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxcnsr1R5Ge_fbTu5ajt8DQ" data-vars-content-id="2ee3c4d9-f337-4ca6-a401-4868f1bb94f2" data-vars-headline="Bears turn Rome Odunze into Bob Ross for 2026 schedule release" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxcnsr1R5Ge_fbTu5ajt8DQ" target="_blank">The Joy of Painting</a>.&quot;

2026 NFL schedule puts Bears in primetime spotlight

The NFL is betting big on the Bears in 2026/2027.

The NFL released its 2026-27 schedule <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thursday night" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicagobears.com/" data-vars-content-id="5fbe8e66-a4d7-4d77-a9c4-941810461bcb" data-vars-headline="2026 NFL schedule puts Bears in primetime spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicagobears.com/" target="_blank">Thursday night</a>, and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bears" 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="5fbe8e66-a4d7-4d77-a9c4-941810461bcb" data-vars-headline="2026 NFL schedule puts Bears in primetime spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/19/bears-lose-nfc-playoff-rams-caleb-williams-ben-johnson-matt-stafford" target="_self">Bears</a> are clearly one of the league&#x27;s biggest attractions.The latest: The Bears landed seven nationally televised games, including two appearances on &quot;Monday Night Football&quot; and a Thanksgiving showdown against Detroit.

McDonald's lands naming rights to Chicago Fire FC stadium

The partnership goes beyond the pitch, investing in soccer programs across Chicago.

The Chicago Fire FC&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/17/first-look-chicago-fire-fc-soccer-mansueto-south-loop-stadium-78-renderings" data-vars-content-id="5b6422c5-63b0-48f9-bf3e-166011b83abe" data-vars-headline="McDonald&#x27;s lands naming rights to Chicago Fire FC stadium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/17/first-look-chicago-fire-fc-soccer-mansueto-south-loop-stadium-78-renderings" target="_self">new stadium</a> now has a name: McDonald&#x27;s Park. The latest: The team announced a partnership with Chicago-based McDonald&#x27;s that extends beyond traditional stadium naming rights.

Chicago Sky prioritize veterans over young stars in 2026 roster overhaul

Fans will see a lot of new faces as the Sky try to climb back into playoff contention.

The Chicago Sky don&#x27;t appear interested in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lengthy rebuild" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/06/angel-reese-trade-chicago-skys-atlanta-dream-direction" data-vars-content-id="296d4408-9436-465c-8827-d6f9806736c1" data-vars-headline="Chicago Sky prioritize veterans over young stars in 2026 roster overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/06/angel-reese-trade-chicago-skys-atlanta-dream-direction" target="_self">lengthy rebuild</a>; instead, they&#x27;re moving on from younger players in favor of veterans.The latest: The Sky opens the 2026 regular season Saturday against the expansion Portland Fire in Portland.

Cassie Carlson named lead sports anchor at Fox 32 Chicago

Carlson becomes the only woman currently leading a sports desk in Chicago news.

Cassie Carlson has been named lead sports anchor at Fox 32 Chicago, becoming the only woman leading a TV sports desk in the city.The latest: Carlson has been filling the role since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lou Canellis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/26/lou-cannelis-fox-32-nbc-5-sports-bears-bulls" data-vars-content-id="507839c8-8fd1-4dca-97e5-bf76ff6320f9" data-vars-headline="Cassie Carlson named lead sports anchor at Fox 32 Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/26/lou-cannelis-fox-32-nbc-5-sports-bears-bulls" target="_self">Lou Canellis</a> left for NBC 5 in January. She&#x27;ll anchor the 9 p.m. news and lead Chicago Bears coverage for Fox 32, the team&#x27;s official TV home.<ul><li>She&#x27;ll appear across Fox 32&#x27;s Bears programming, including &quot;Bears GameDay Live,&quot; &quot;Bears Blitz,&quot; &quot;Bears GameNight Live&quot; and &quot;Chicago Sports Tonight.&quot; </li></ul>

Illinois Senate weighs Bears stadium bill amid team objections to tax plan

The state Senate will take up the House bill designed to keep the new Bears stadium in Illinois.

Business

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major stadium bill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/20/bears-stadium-future-illinois-indiana-hammond-arlington-heights" data-vars-content-id="72403811-a777-4e26-825b-d5ad87950b9b" data-vars-headline="Illinois Senate weighs Bears stadium bill amid team objections to tax plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/20/bears-stadium-future-illinois-indiana-hammond-arlington-heights" target="_self">major stadium bill</a> is heading to the Illinois Senate — but the Bears are pushing back over a proposed tax on surrounding development.Why it matters: The disagreement adds new friction to a deal seen as key to keeping the team in Illinois.

Chicago Bears 2026 draft picks: Fun facts about the new rookies

The Chicago Bears added seven players in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here are key stats, roles and fun facts about each rookie joining the roster.

The Bears added seven players in the NFL draft, giving GM Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson new pieces to reshape the roster.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;We followed the board,&quot; Poles said during a press conference on Friday night. &quot;To go into a draft and just start picking at your needs ... that doesn&#x27;t play out very well over the long haul.&quot;

Sports 🏅

Mayor Brandon Johnson reflects on 3rd year

Chicago Mayor Johnson ramps up fight to keep Bears in city

Quiz: The wildest fan moments in Chicago sports history

Bears turn Rome Odunze into Bob Ross for 2026 schedule release

2026 NFL schedule puts Bears in primetime spotlight