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Lincoln Park billionaire accused of fueling rat infestation

Chicago billionaire accused of fueling Lincoln Park rat infestation

Environment

The city is weighing legal action against Lincoln Park billionaire Barre Seid over claims that his nut-spreading operation is fueling a rat infestation around<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Green City Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/20/snap-farmers-markets-chicago-green-city-market" data-vars-content-id="d83e5f19-c5d5-4263-bb7c-46da3d14ccaa" data-vars-headline="Lincoln Park billionaire accused of fueling rat infestation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/20/snap-farmers-markets-chicago-green-city-market" target="_self"> Green City Market</a>, Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43rd) says.Why it matters: The infestation is causing property damage that could leave taxpayers on the hook for repairs, according to city documents.

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.

Illinois' statewide races: What to know before November

Democrats defend every Illinois executive office, with incumbents on the ballot in three key races.

Politics

Democrats hold all Illinois executive offices, and all but one race has an incumbent on the November ballot.

Remembering 'Da Coach': Mike Ditka, Chicago icon and NFL legend, dies at 86

Mike Ditka loved Chicago and Chicago loved him back.

Sports

Mike Ditka, one of Chicago&#x27;s most iconic celebrities, died Friday after years of health issues, including heart attacks and strokes, according to The Score radio station. He was 86.Why it matters: The former Bears player and coach left a lasting impression on Chicago sports and culture, presiding over one of the best football teams in NFL history.

Chicago's delivery robots face a make-or-break year

Coco and Serve are now sidewalk regulars, but crashes and blocked paths fuel resident pushback.

One year ago this month, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Serve Robotics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/serve-robotics-uber-grubhub-doordash-washington" data-vars-content-id="f2b486af-a38f-4daf-be16-bfa4e1eabd1e" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s delivery robots face a make-or-break year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/serve-robotics-uber-grubhub-doordash-washington" target="_self">Serve Robotics</a> released its delivery robots to Chicago&#x27;s sidewalks. The next year will determine whether they stick around.Why it matters: Coco and Serve robots went from quirky novelty to regular sidewalk companions, and tension between robots and pedestrians is testing the delivery devices&#x27; long-term future in the city.

Chicago prepares for Mexican Independence Day crowds and caravans

The celebrations are expected to return after a muted 2025.

News

Chicago is preparing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for the return" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/12/trump-immigration-mexican-independence-day-caravans-downtown" data-vars-content-id="b529bcf0-44f5-4123-ac7c-9cd79770ea34" data-vars-headline="Chicago prepares for Mexican Independence Day crowds and caravans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/12/trump-immigration-mexican-independence-day-caravans-downtown" target="_self">for the return</a> of Mexican Independence Day crowds this weekend, a year after immigration raids put a chill on one of the city&#x27;s biggest celebrations.Why it matters: The annual festivities have become synonymous with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive downtown caravans and gridlock" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/09/19/downtown-chicago-street-closed-mexican-independence-day" data-vars-content-id="b529bcf0-44f5-4123-ac7c-9cd79770ea34" data-vars-headline="Chicago prepares for Mexican Independence Day crowds and caravans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/09/19/downtown-chicago-street-closed-mexican-independence-day" target="_self">massive downtown caravans and gridlock</a>. But this year, the crowd size could measure how much the city&#x27;s Mexican community has rebounded from last year&#x27;s immigration crackdown.

Traffic hot spots to watch this weekend in Chicago 

From Taste of Greektown and BTS at Soldier Field to Edgewater Music Fest and Edison Park Fest.

Things to Do

🏠 From the House Music Festival and Taste of Greektown to a PAWS 5K and Edison Park Fest, the city will be having a barking good time while stirring up traffic. <ul><li>Here are some of the hot spot to watch. </li></ul>

Inside the $2.25B plan for a 15-minute O'Hare-to-downtown train

This express train could drastically change traveling to and from O'Hare airport.

Transit

A group of business leaders wants to build a high-speed train to dramatically cut travel times between O&#x27;Hare and downtown Chicago.Why it matters: The express rail connection could give airport travelers a faster alternative to the CTA, cabs and ride shares without relying on public subsidies.

Chicago civic leaders plan a 15-minute train to O'Hare 

There's no word yet on fare cost or a launch date.

The trip from downtown Chicago to O&#x27;Hare could take just 15 minutes if a new plan announced Tuesday takes off. Why it matters: Fast transportation from the city to O&#x27;Hare, like Elon Musk&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Boring Company&quot; plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/elon-musks-company-to-build-ohare-express-tunnel/147447/" data-vars-content-id="23c9f33a-9f8f-4ea3-93e9-a9902e6cbf41" data-vars-headline="Chicago civic leaders plan a 15-minute train to O&#x27;Hare " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/elon-musks-company-to-build-ohare-express-tunnel/147447/" target="_blank">&quot;Boring Company&quot; plan</a>, has fascinated leaders for years but hasn&#x27;t materialized.

Traffic snarls to avoid this weekend in Chicago 

From the Indian Independence Day Parade and Lakeview Taco Fest to triathlon activities up and down the lake, it will be busy.

From the Chicago Triathlon and Lakeview Taco Fest to big events at the United Center and Soldier Field, Chicago will be swimming with fun and traffic this weekend.

Darren Bailey pledges free Illinois tollways

The Republican gubernatorial candidate unveiled a four-point plan, but it lacks details.

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>

Think you know Chicago streets? Match them to their route numbers

Can you get a perfect score on street numbers?

Chicago continues to celebrate the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="100th anniversary of Route 66" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/12/chicago-route-66-navy-pier-santa-monica-downtown?utm_adgroup=&amp;keywords=&amp;subid=&amp;utm_device=c&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw1vXTBhB-EiwAEKr_k8a6xG_FWlf3OnYSYs8w9ykHHAZNo12y3ewq2KgYJEVPyJYaX3zw5hoCThAQAvD_BwE&amp;campaignid=24066055372&amp;adgroupid=&amp;adid=&amp;utm_medium=&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_campaign=&amp;utm_term=&amp;hsa_acc=2813569195&amp;hsa_cam=24066055372&amp;hsa_grp=&amp;hsa_ad=&amp;hsa_src=x&amp;hsa_tgt=&amp;hsa_kw=&amp;hsa_mt=&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=24061403426&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACBUgDR_wCOoAagENTAYtUvCZbD_V&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw1vXTBhB-EiwAEKr_k8a6xG_FWlf3OnYSYs8w9ykHHAZNo12y3ewq2KgYJEVPyJYaX3zw5hoCThAQAvD_BwE" data-vars-content-id="b2cd683e-1acc-486d-ac40-b51a4e0f0bbf" data-vars-headline="Think you know Chicago streets? Match them to their route numbers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/12/chicago-route-66-navy-pier-santa-monica-downtown?utm_adgroup=&amp;keywords=&amp;subid=&amp;utm_device=c&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw1vXTBhB-EiwAEKr_k8a6xG_FWlf3OnYSYs8w9ykHHAZNo12y3ewq2KgYJEVPyJYaX3zw5hoCThAQAvD_BwE&amp;campaignid=24066055372&amp;adgroupid=&amp;adid=&amp;utm_medium=&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_campaign=&amp;utm_term=&amp;hsa_acc=2813569195&amp;hsa_cam=24066055372&amp;hsa_grp=&amp;hsa_ad=&amp;hsa_src=x&amp;hsa_tgt=&amp;hsa_kw=&amp;hsa_mt=&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=24061403426&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACBUgDR_wCOoAagENTAYtUvCZbD_V&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw1vXTBhB-EiwAEKr_k8a6xG_FWlf3OnYSYs8w9ykHHAZNo12y3ewq2KgYJEVPyJYaX3zw5hoCThAQAvD_BwE" target="_self">100th anniversary of Route 66</a>. But with all the hoopla over the Mother Road, what about Chicago’s other routes?This week&#x27;s &quot;Kaufmann Quiz&quot; is one for the commuters.

Deaths revive debate on lakefront e-scooters

Recent e-scooter deaths in Chicago have revived the question.

Public Safety

While Lime and Divvy scooters riders can freely travel busy Chicago streets, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="they&#x27;re electronically barred from " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/06/17/lime-scooters-lakefront-trail" data-vars-content-id="7d34e90f-73a9-4d8d-86aa-26619103b332" data-vars-headline="Deaths revive debate on lakefront e-scooters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/06/17/lime-scooters-lakefront-trail" target="_self">they&#x27;re electronically barred from </a>the relatively safe Lakefront Trail.<ul><li>People riding privately owned e-scooters, however, ride up and down the trail every day. </li></ul>

Greenways offer hidden gems for Chicago cyclists

They offer 85 miles of quieter biking routes that not enough riders know about.

Amid a wave of recent cycle and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="scooter deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/08/chicago-e-scooter-ridership-injuries-data-tracking-hospital-crashes" data-vars-content-id="e1d7d5da-afb9-4aab-a8bc-c51f52ab2642" data-vars-headline="Greenways offer hidden gems for Chicago cyclists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/08/chicago-e-scooter-ridership-injuries-data-tracking-hospital-crashes" target="_self">scooter deaths</a>, many Chicagoans are looking to infrastructure for answers.<ul><li>But some of that infrastructure could be hiding in plain sight, in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="85.2 miles of quiet greenways" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/complete-streets-chicago/home/bike-program/existing-bike-network.html" data-vars-content-id="e1d7d5da-afb9-4aab-a8bc-c51f52ab2642" data-vars-headline="Greenways offer hidden gems for Chicago cyclists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/complete-streets-chicago/home/bike-program/existing-bike-network.html" target="_blank">85.2 miles of quiet greenways</a> that wind their way through the city.</li></ul>

ð¨ Weekend traffic alert for Aug. 27-30, 2026

Data: Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communication; Chart: Monica Eng/Axios

Transit 🚗

Chicago's delivery robots face a make-or-break year

Chicago prepares for Mexican Independence Day crowds and caravans

Traffic hot spots to watch this weekend in Chicago

Inside the $2.25B plan for a 15-minute O'Hare-to-downtown train

Chicago civic leaders plan a 15-minute train to O'Hare