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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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New Ryan Field faces its neighborhood test

The new stadium is set to bring 35,000 people to Central Street in Evanston on Friday.

Sports

Northwestern football returns home Friday night, unveiling its $870 million Ryan Field nearly three years after the old stadium was demolished.The big picture: The Wildcats kick off against Penn State at 7pm Friday, exactly 100 years after the original Ryan Field opened.

Bite Club: The Reuben sundae

Kith Treats is serving three Katz's-inspired desserts, including a wild Reuben soft serve.

Food and Drink

New York&#x27;s legendary Katz&#x27;s Delicatessen has landed in Chicago, but don&#x27;t expect pastrami and corned beef.

Durty Nellie's closes after 54 years in Palatine

The popular suburban destination hosted bands like Violent Femmes, Gin Blossoms and Local H.

Business

The iconic Irish pub and concert venue Durty Nellie&#x27;s has closed after 54 years in the northwest suburbs.Why it matters: For generations of suburban music fans, Durty Nellie&#x27;s offered something increasingly hard to find outside Chicago: a legitimate concert venue steps from a Metra station.

Chicago neighborhood quiz, volume 2: Do you know these famous landmarks?

There are so many landmarks in Chicago that it's ripe for a second quiz!

Neighborhoods

Last week, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I quizzed you" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/09/25/chicago-neighborhood-quiz-landmarks-lakeview-beverly-pilsen-gold-coast" data-vars-content-id="9efdac03-893d-41ff-b5ca-53b20dff4fc1" data-vars-headline="Chicago neighborhood quiz, volume 2: Do you know these famous landmarks?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/09/25/chicago-neighborhood-quiz-landmarks-lakeview-beverly-pilsen-gold-coast" target="_self">I quizzed you</a> on Chicago neighborhood landmarks. <ul><li>I gave you the landmark; you gave me the &#x27;hood.</li></ul>

Albany Park's "Port of Entry" kicks off final season

The acclaimed Albany Park production has drawn nearly 10,000 visitors since its 2023 debut.

&quot;Port of Entry,&quot; an immersive play that transports theatergoers to an Albany Park apartment building, is ending its run.Why it matters: &quot;Port of Entry&quot; reveals the deep immigrant history of one of Chicago&#x27;s most diverse neighborhoods and immerses audiences in true stories from the people who lived there.

Chicago Fashion Week spotlights local designers 

The 10-day event gives emerging designers a platform while bringing fashion across the Chicago area.

Things to Do

The third annual celebration of Chicago&#x27;s emerging and established fashion talent starts this week.Why it matters: While fashion capitals like New York and Paris target established players, Chicago Fashion Week provides new creators a space to showcase their work, network and learn essential business skills.

WTTW's "Chicago Stories" returns with 4 new documentaries

The award-winning docu-series is one of Chicago's media treasures.

Chicago history is still getting the deep-dive treatment on local television. The latest: WTTW&#x27;s &quot;Chicago Stories&quot; returns Friday for a new season, bringing another round of documentaries exploring the people, places and events that shaped the city.

Stephen Colbert's "Late Show" set lands in Chicago

It will be on display at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in the West Loop.

Stephen Colbert&#x27;s late-night desk has a new home in Chicago.The latest: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Museum of Broadcast Communications" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/27/broadcast-communications-history-museum-johnny-carson-loop-bozo" data-vars-content-id="1b3d7ab0-4cb7-4e90-89f8-339f37d35a6f" data-vars-headline="Stephen Colbert&#x27;s &quot;Late Show&quot; set lands 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/2025/10/27/broadcast-communications-history-museum-johnny-carson-loop-bozo" target="_self">Museum of Broadcast Communications</a> debuts its new &quot;Late Show with Stephen Colbert&quot; exhibition Friday, featuring the original set and artifacts from the recently ended CBS show.<ul><li>The museum is also getting the giant &quot;Late Show&quot; marquee that hung outside New York&#x27;s Ed Sullivan Theater.</li></ul>

Things to do in Chicago this weekend: Apple Fest, Ministry and more

Check out what our Axios Chicago writers are recommending.

We have a variety of events to help you plan your weekend — opportunities to laugh, move and snack on some apples!

Japan's teamLab makes Midwest debut at Chicago's Smart Museum of Art

The Japanese collective's colorful digital works transform galleries at the Smart Museum of Art.

Japanese art collective <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="teamLab" data-vars-click-url="https://www.teamlab.art/" data-vars-content-id="b14309b3-ac5f-4fd3-bf8c-12ef56998455" data-vars-headline="Japan&#x27;s teamLab makes Midwest debut at Chicago&#x27;s Smart Museum of Art" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.teamlab.art/" target="_blank">teamLab</a> makes its Midwest debut at Chicago&#x27;s Smart Museum of Art.The (very) big picture: teamLab presents large-scale digital works that collide with color and movement and interact directly with their surroundings.

New book highlights healing power of dance and more 

New book by Chicago's Dr. Geeta Maker-Clark illuminates many paths to healing.

Health

When Chicago physician <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Geeta Maker-Clark" data-vars-click-url="https://drgeetamakerclark.com/about/" data-vars-content-id="a2308e2a-253a-4d1f-a866-650dff87df41" data-vars-headline="New book highlights healing power of dance and more " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://drgeetamakerclark.com/about/" target="_blank">Geeta Maker-Clark</a> launched her book &quot;Medicine For All People&quot; this summer, she knew there had to be dancing — and lots of it.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Chicago

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="d98242f3-ca6e-4b69-aefe-2359e8ab769f" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in Chicago&#x27;s Logan Square neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

New exhibition explores Chicago's rich comics culture

The Glen Ellyn show spotlights the artists and community that shaped Chicago's alternative comics scene.

A new exhibition takes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago&#x27;s rich comics history" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/07/alex-ross-kingdom-come-documentary-music-box" data-vars-content-id="7455d6a0-a402-4f4a-a7c4-02e1ed37e03e" data-vars-headline="New exhibition explores Chicago&#x27;s rich comics culture" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/07/alex-ross-kingdom-come-documentary-music-box" target="_self">Chicago&#x27;s rich comics history</a> from the page and into the gallery. The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Linework: Chicago Comics and Community&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theccma.org/linework" data-vars-content-id="7455d6a0-a402-4f4a-a7c4-02e1ed37e03e" data-vars-headline="New exhibition explores Chicago&#x27;s rich comics culture" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theccma.org/linework" target="_blank">&quot;Linework: Chicago Comics and Community&quot;</a> explores what makes Chicago such a creative center for contemporary comics and artists.

Things to Do 🗓

Albany Park's "Port of Entry" kicks off final season

Chicago Fashion Week spotlights local designers

Bite Club: The Reuben sundae

WTTW's "Chicago Stories" returns with 4 new documentaries

Stephen Colbert's "Late Show" set lands in Chicago