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Chicagoans caught in narco violence in Mexico

Sunday night at least eight continue to shelter in place after car jacking and bombed car.

News

At least eight Chicagoans were sheltering in place in Puerto Vallarta on Sunday amid violent attacks throughout the region in response to the capture and death of the Mexican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cartel leader" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/09/trump-mexico-colombia-venezuela-strikes-maduro" data-vars-content-id="0620688d-d624-485a-9556-6d28b5f1f789" data-vars-headline="Chicagoans caught in narco violence in Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/09/trump-mexico-colombia-venezuela-strikes-maduro" target="_self">cartel leader</a> known as &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="El Mencho" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/mexico-cartel-leader-el-mencho-drug-lord-killed" data-vars-content-id="0620688d-d624-485a-9556-6d28b5f1f789" data-vars-headline="Chicagoans caught in narco violence in Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/mexico-cartel-leader-el-mencho-drug-lord-killed" target="_self">El Mencho</a>.&quot;Zoom in: Lakeview resident Jonathan Pizer tells Axios that he and his husband Brad Lippitz were heading to go whale watching with two Chicago friends Sunday morning when their car was stopped.

Illinois lawmakers push back on Chicago Bears' Indiana stadium plan

IL Gov. JB Pritzker said he was surprised by the Bears' announcement Thursday.

The Chicago Bears publicly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expressed interest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" data-vars-content-id="3a84913f-bfe2-4c85-80a7-9d7f3f7a59a4" data-vars-headline="Illinois lawmakers push back on Chicago Bears&#x27; Indiana stadium plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" target="_self">expressed interest</a> in building a new stadium in Hammond, after Indiana lawmakers moved forward on a bill to lure them across the border.Why it matters: The &quot;Pride and Joy of Illinois&quot; could play football in a different state.

Axios Chicago poll: Should the Bears leave Illinois?

Take our ultimate poll about the continuing stadium saga in Illinois

While the Bears negotiate (again) for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new stadium site" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" data-vars-content-id="fef5ff15-c812-4d0a-b7a0-e4dd4b38e3cb" data-vars-headline="Axios Chicago poll: Should the Bears leave Illinois?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" target="_self">new stadium site</a>, we think it&#x27;s time to get your voice involved.State of play: We have a few questions for what we are calling the &quot;ultimate, hands down, definitive Bears stadium Axios Chicago poll,&quot; otherwise known as the UHDFBSACP.

Where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Chicago this weekend

From dances to dumpling classes, here's where to ring in the Year of the Fire Horse in Chicago.

Culture

Mark the Year of the Fire Horse with art, music and food this Lunar New Year. Here are a few ways to celebrate in Chicago this weekend.

Chicago transit stories to watch in 2026

From FTA funding warnings to the Red Line Extension, key Chicago transit issues are unfolding this year.

Transit

The feds delivered the CTA a blow at the end of last year when the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Federal Transit Administration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/12/19/cta-safety-plan-deficient-fta-warning-chicago-funding" data-vars-content-id="4ef94656-c622-4896-add6-bbf667ad54e3" data-vars-headline="Chicago transit stories 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/2025/12/19/cta-safety-plan-deficient-fta-warning-chicago-funding" target="_self">Federal Transit Administration</a> threatened to cut funding if the agency didn&#x27;t improve safety.The big picture: Safety is just one of the major issues and projects CTA and other Chicago-area public transit agencies are facing in 2026.

FTA says CTA safety plan "deficient," threatens funding cut

The FTA says Chicago's transit safety plan wouldn't significantly reduce assaults.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) sent a letter Friday to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CTA " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/transit" data-vars-content-id="aa351550-77ce-446b-a43c-05ebea8eb658" data-vars-headline="FTA says CTA safety plan &quot;deficient,&quot; threatens funding cut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/transit" target="_self">CTA </a>leadership saying the agency&#x27;s new safety plans are &quot;materially deficient,&quot; and doubled down on its threat to withhold federal funding.Why it matters: The<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" letter to CTA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/news/fta-demands-chicago-bolster-transit-safety-plan-or-risk-millions-federal-funding" data-vars-content-id="aa351550-77ce-446b-a43c-05ebea8eb658" data-vars-headline="FTA says CTA safety plan &quot;deficient,&quot; threatens funding cut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/news/fta-demands-chicago-bolster-transit-safety-plan-or-risk-millions-federal-funding" target="_blank"> letter to CTA</a> acting president Nora Leerhsen comes one day after CTA announced it was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasing police presence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/18/cta-to-add-more-police-officers-after-feds-threaten-funding/" data-vars-content-id="aa351550-77ce-446b-a43c-05ebea8eb658" data-vars-headline="FTA says CTA safety plan &quot;deficient,&quot; threatens funding cut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/18/cta-to-add-more-police-officers-after-feds-threaten-funding/" target="_blank">increasing police presence</a> on the transit system. FTA says if a stronger plan isn&#x27;t submitted, CTA could lose as much as $50 million.

CTA must submit safety plan this week to feds

The FTA has set a deadline for the CTA to submit and implement a transit safety plan after a woman was set on fire.

The Federal Transit Administration is demanding that the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CTA " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/transit" data-vars-content-id="3d2c06a5-842e-4c3c-b47d-6c2955c87a54" data-vars-headline="CTA must submit safety plan this week to feds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/transit" target="_self">CTA </a>submit a safety plan Monday after a horrific assault on a Blue Line train.Why it matters: Safety has been a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major concern for the CTA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/09/08/cta-boosted-security-spending-but-violent-crime-rate-remains-above-pre-pandemic-levels/" data-vars-content-id="3d2c06a5-842e-4c3c-b47d-6c2955c87a54" data-vars-headline="CTA must submit safety plan this week to feds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/09/08/cta-boosted-security-spending-but-violent-crime-rate-remains-above-pre-pandemic-levels/" target="_blank">major concern for the CTA</a>, especially as post-pandemic rider habits shift — and it&#x27;s back in the national spotlight after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="man with more than 70 prior arrests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/lawrence-reed-charged-setting-woman-on-fire-cta-indicted-march-attack/" data-vars-content-id="3d2c06a5-842e-4c3c-b47d-6c2955c87a54" data-vars-headline="CTA must submit safety plan this week to feds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/lawrence-reed-charged-setting-woman-on-fire-cta-indicted-march-attack/" target="_blank">man with more than 70 prior arrests</a> set a woman on fire on the Blue Line.<ul><li>The woman&#x27;s family posted on a GoFundMe page that she is still hospitalized and recovering.</li></ul>

Waymo's future in Chicago unclear while it rolls out to more cities

While Waymo rolls into other cities, Chicago is still stuck in neutral on AV policy.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Self-driving cars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/18/self-driving-cars-powered-by-ai-whats-next" data-vars-content-id="ae9bb4ca-3f06-4e5c-8f97-5c0256194338" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s future in Chicago unclear while it rolls out to more cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/18/self-driving-cars-powered-by-ai-whats-next" target="_self">Self-driving cars</a> have been popping up across the country, but it&#x27;s unclear how soon — if ever — we&#x27;ll see them in Illinois.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/12/03/waymo-autonomous-vehicle-testing-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="ae9bb4ca-3f06-4e5c-8f97-5c0256194338" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s future in Chicago unclear while it rolls out to more cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/12/03/waymo-autonomous-vehicle-testing-pittsburgh" target="_self">Waymo </a>calls itself the world&#x27;s first autonomous ride-hailing service and the &quot;most experienced driver.&quot;<ul><li>It operates in five cities — Los Angeles, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Francisco" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco" data-vars-content-id="ae9bb4ca-3f06-4e5c-8f97-5c0256194338" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s future in Chicago unclear while it rolls out to more cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco" target="_self">San Francisco</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Atlanta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta" data-vars-content-id="ae9bb4ca-3f06-4e5c-8f97-5c0256194338" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s future in Chicago unclear while it rolls out to more cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta" target="_self">Atlanta</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Phoenix" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix" data-vars-content-id="ae9bb4ca-3f06-4e5c-8f97-5c0256194338" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s future in Chicago unclear while it rolls out to more cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix" target="_self">Phoenix</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin" data-vars-content-id="ae9bb4ca-3f06-4e5c-8f97-5c0256194338" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s future in Chicago unclear while it rolls out to more cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin" target="_self">Austin</a>. Nineteen more are being added in the next couple of years, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Joann Muller reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/waymo-robotaxis-seattle-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="ae9bb4ca-3f06-4e5c-8f97-5c0256194338" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s future in Chicago unclear while it rolls out to more cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/waymo-robotaxis-seattle-minneapolis" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Joann Muller reports</a>.</li></ul>

Snow lingers in bike lanes days after the storm

Officials urge patience as the city works to clear the lanes, but advocates say it should be faster.

Public Safety

Bike lanes across the city remain unplowed days after the recent snowfall.Why it matters: The snowy paths are treacherous for riders who risk injury or worse while cycling through them.

Chicago weighs overhaul of O'Hare expansion plan amid soaring traffic

The timeline for the long-awaited expansion project is getting shuffled.

O&#x27;Hare International Airport is hitting record traffic levels, triggering the city to reevaluate its ongoing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renovation project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/10/23/ohare-airport-renovation-customer-satisfaction" data-vars-content-id="aa779ede-ca97-42cd-bb7d-104449ea175e" data-vars-headline="Chicago weighs overhaul of O&#x27;Hare expansion plan amid soaring traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/10/23/ohare-airport-renovation-customer-satisfaction" target="_self">renovation project</a>.The big picture: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://las.depaul.edu/centers-and-institutes/chaddick-institute-for-metropolitan-development/research-and-publications/Documents/Outlook%20for%20O&#x27;Hare%20Through%202032.pdf" data-vars-content-id="aa779ede-ca97-42cd-bb7d-104449ea175e" data-vars-headline="Chicago weighs overhaul of O&#x27;Hare expansion plan amid soaring traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://las.depaul.edu/centers-and-institutes/chaddick-institute-for-metropolitan-development/research-and-publications/Documents/Outlook%20for%20O&#x27;Hare%20Through%202032.pdf" target="_blank">new report</a> published by the Chaddick Institute at DePaul University points out that O&#x27;Hare had the most growth of any U.S. airport in 2024.<ul><li>It could see up to 30% more passenger traffic by 2033, which the report says would be difficult to accommodate following the current renovation timeline.</li></ul>

How to beat Illinois traffic this Thanksgiving

Avoid gridlock with travel advice for the busiest Thanksgiving week on record.

Thanksgiving&#x27;s almost here and AAA is expecting a record 4.1 million Illinoisans to travel at least 50 miles over the next six days.Why it matters: Record holiday trips could bring heavy holiday traffic. So we&#x27;ve gathered some data to help you do more chewing and less stewing, more baking and less braking, more memory sharing and less highway swearing. OK, we&#x27;ll stop.

New one-way streets spark confusion in Chicago's West Loop

Alders sound off against city on move to make popular West Loop streets one-way.

In an effort to control traffic in the West Loop, the city has started making popular streets one-way.Why it matters: This move is designed to lessen congestion in the dense neighborhood, but alders and residents are confused about the rollout.

Illinois lawmakers pass a transit deal in the final hours of fall veto session

Chicagoland's public transit is staring down a fiscal cliff and faced major service cuts without new revenue.

State lawmakers had a few major agenda items to tackle during this month&#x27;s fall veto session. One of the most pressing — the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="future of Chicagoland public transit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/14/illinois-fall-veto-session-chicago-transit-funding" data-vars-content-id="a86c1ca8-31c1-441b-8d0a-461004014f43" data-vars-headline="Illinois lawmakers pass a transit deal in the final hours of fall veto session" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/14/illinois-fall-veto-session-chicago-transit-funding" target="_self">future of Chicagoland public transit</a>, and after months of negotiations, they got a deal.Why it matters: The Regional Transportation Authority has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sounding the alarm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/01/18/cta-metra-pace-budget-deficit-illinois" data-vars-content-id="a86c1ca8-31c1-441b-8d0a-461004014f43" data-vars-headline="Illinois lawmakers pass a transit deal in the final hours of fall veto session" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/01/18/cta-metra-pace-budget-deficit-illinois" target="_self">sounding the alarm</a> for more than a year on the need for $1.5 billion as it stares down a fiscal cliff next year, warning about massive service interruptions and job cuts at CTA, Metra and Pace.

O'Hare's boom continues despite shutdown flight chaos

O'Hare is seeing record growth as airlines compete for market share.

Business

The government shutdown continues to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="impact both Chicago airports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/27/flight-delays-shutdown-controllers" data-vars-content-id="a1ea15cb-7d19-42d4-be0c-f503500704c5" data-vars-headline="O&#x27;Hare&#x27;s boom continues despite shutdown flight chaos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/27/flight-delays-shutdown-controllers" target="_self">impact both Chicago airports</a>, even as O&#x27;Hare sees record growth in 2025. Why it matters: Air traffic controllers have been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="calling in sick" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/07/staffing-shortages-ohare-airport-federal-shutdown-delays-faa" data-vars-content-id="a1ea15cb-7d19-42d4-be0c-f503500704c5" data-vars-headline="O&#x27;Hare&#x27;s boom continues despite shutdown flight chaos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/07/staffing-shortages-ohare-airport-federal-shutdown-delays-faa" target="_self">calling in sick</a> during the shutdown, forcing full airport ground stops and massive delays across the country.

Transit 🚗

Chicago transit stories to watch in 2026

FTA says CTA safety plan "deficient," threatens funding cut

CTA must submit safety plan this week to feds

Waymo's future in Chicago unclear while it rolls out to more cities

Snow lingers in bike lanes days after the storm