Chicago

blue

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

Axios Chicago

Standard

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

Axios Chicago Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Chicago Alerts

Alert

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

Axios Chicago Weekender

Weekender

Axios Chicago Partners

Chicago Members

Membership

Chicago's most beautiful houses of worship face off

Vote your favorites through our 16-site bracket to crown Chicago's most picturesque place of worship.

Culture

This month&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Chicago tournament" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/27/best-living-chicago-celebrity-murray-pope-oprah-cusack-obama" data-vars-content-id="17e46c77-73fa-41c5-8ff2-d84bbe247d57" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s most beautiful houses of worship face off" 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/best-living-chicago-celebrity-murray-pope-oprah-cusack-obama" target="_self">Axios Chicago tournament</a> is about the best-looking houses of worship in the Chicago area.Between the lines: We&#x27;re not talking faith. We&#x27;re talking architecture.

Trump's Indiana storm declaration puts Illinois FEMA aid in spotlight

Is Illinois getting the shaft on federal storm aid due to politics?

Climate

President Trump&#x27;s rapid emergency declaration for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="storm-ravaged Indiana" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/08/17/indiana-launches-emergency-assistance-housing-vouchers-for-flood-victims" data-vars-content-id="5db2749c-7612-4556-901a-5f0771ddb6f5" data-vars-headline="Trump&#x27;s Indiana storm declaration puts Illinois FEMA aid in spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/08/17/indiana-launches-emergency-assistance-housing-vouchers-for-flood-victims" target="_self">storm-ravaged Indiana</a> is renewing Democratic concerns about partisanship in federal disaster aid.Why it matters: Thousands of Illinoisans are dealing with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="damaged or lost property" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/12/illinois-derecho-tornado-indiana-south-suburbs-trees-power-flooding" data-vars-content-id="5db2749c-7612-4556-901a-5f0771ddb6f5" data-vars-headline="Trump&#x27;s Indiana storm declaration puts Illinois FEMA aid in spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/12/illinois-derecho-tornado-indiana-south-suburbs-trees-power-flooding" target="_self">damaged or lost property</a> from the same derecho that produced eight tornadoes, power outages and flooding on both sides of the state line.

Food Fight: Where to get the best donuts in Chicago

Our reporters duke it out over their favorite treats in town.

Food and Drink

This week&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Food Fight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/17/food-fight-best-thin-crust-pizza-dagostinos-foxs-michaels" data-vars-content-id="2608e0e9-7ba7-4e7a-837e-a2f60ec9ddd3" data-vars-headline="Food Fight: Where to get the best donuts 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/2026/08/17/food-fight-best-thin-crust-pizza-dagostinos-foxs-michaels" target="_self">Food Fight</a> is all about Chicago&#x27;s best pillowy, fluffy, glazed, gooey and fresh-fried treats.Why it matters: Life&#x27;s too short for mediocre donuts.

Jarrett Payton to replace Mike Mulligan on The Score

The radio shakeup comes as Bears football gets underway for 2026/27.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jarrett Payton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/31/jarrett-payton-wgn-tv-sports-walter-bears-sports" data-vars-content-id="d40e70a3-1cb9-40e6-921c-0a91fec21bf0" data-vars-headline="Jarrett Payton to replace Mike Mulligan on The Score" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/31/jarrett-payton-wgn-tv-sports-walter-bears-sports" target="_self">Jarrett Payton</a> will replace Mike &quot;Mully&quot; Mulligan as the co-host of the morning show at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Score" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/14/670-the-score-fm-radio-bulls-cubs-sports-talk-moving" data-vars-content-id="d40e70a3-1cb9-40e6-921c-0a91fec21bf0" data-vars-headline="Jarrett Payton to replace Mike Mulligan on The Score" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/14/670-the-score-fm-radio-bulls-cubs-sports-talk-moving" target="_self">The Score</a>. Why it matters: Payton brings a familiar Chicago sports voice — and one of the city&#x27;s most famous football names — to The Score&#x27;s flagship morning show just as the Bears season gets underway.

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.

Things to Do

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>

Traffic snarls to avoid this weekend in Chicago

Northalsted Market Days, Bud Billiken and more will be hopping in Chicago this weekend.

From Northalsted Market Days and Serbfest to a visit from the Indiana Fever and the return of the Bud Billiken Parade, Chicago will be bouncing with fun and traffic this weekend. <ul><li>Here are some of the hot spots. </li></ul>

Chicago-area families embrace school bike buses

Organized group rides are growing as families trade traffic jams for healthier school commutes.

As interminable school pickup lines inspire <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="memes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWhCvBMCRgp/" data-vars-content-id="b748d2d5-e15f-4225-96ce-fb0efe9004d7" data-vars-headline="Chicago-area families embrace school bike buses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWhCvBMCRgp/" target="_blank">memes</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="viral videos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch7VlFvD6Du/" data-vars-content-id="b748d2d5-e15f-4225-96ce-fb0efe9004d7" data-vars-headline="Chicago-area families embrace school bike buses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch7VlFvD6Du/" target="_blank">viral videos</a>, some Chicago-area families are ditching the car and hopping on a bike for organized &quot;bike buses.&quot;Why it matters: Studies show that kids who bike or walk to school feel more energized during the school day, gain a sense of independence and continue <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="healthy habits as they age." data-vars-click-url="https://www.rutgers.edu/news/young-children-who-walk-or-bike-school-are-more-likely-continue-habit-they-age" data-vars-content-id="b748d2d5-e15f-4225-96ce-fb0efe9004d7" data-vars-headline="Chicago-area families embrace school bike buses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rutgers.edu/news/young-children-who-walk-or-bike-school-are-more-likely-continue-habit-they-age" target="_blank">healthy habits as they age.</a><ul><li>Plus, bike commuting contributes to a healthier environment and builds community within the neighborhood and school.</li></ul>

Chicago's the 9th priciest U.S. commuting city

Chicago drivers face some of the nation's highest commuting costs.

Neighborhoods

If you needed another reason to take public transportation or a bike to work downtown, how about saving thousands of dollars in gas and parking? Zoom in: The ranking is based on gas prices and downtown parking costs for a 13.4-mile commute each way over 250 workdays, according to an analysis by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vettory.org" data-vars-click-url="https://vettory.org/" data-vars-content-id="b25b9b15-2e5f-4a64-bc54-54ff0f7d6f38" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s the 9th priciest U.S. commuting city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://vettory.org/" target="_blank">vettory.org</a>, which offers data on veterans&#x27; assistance programs.

A table that lists eight Chicago traffic-impacting events for Aug. 21-23, 2026. Friday includes Kacey Musgraves at 6:30 p.m. and Sox vs. Mets at 6:40 p.m. Weekend disruptions span Grant Park, DuSable Lake Shore Drive, United Center, Soldier Field, Southport, Fulton and Devon.

ð¨ Chicago weekend traffic alert for Aug. 21-23, 2026

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

Transit 🚗

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

Traffic snarls to avoid this weekend in Chicago

Darren Bailey pledges free Illinois tollways

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