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Chicago lawmakers pump brakes on stadium plan to keep Bears in Illinois

The Illinois House adjourned before voting on a package to help the Bears with property tax payments.

News

Illinois lawmakers are championing a bill to keep the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Bears" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/19/illinois-lawmakers-bears-indiana-stadium-hammond-pritzker" data-vars-content-id="4106e73d-d170-40a0-b1da-8fe18a4c4eb1" data-vars-headline="Chicago lawmakers pump brakes on stadium plan to keep Bears in Illinois" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/19/illinois-lawmakers-bears-indiana-stadium-hammond-pritzker" target="_self">Chicago Bears</a> in-state, but Chicago Democrats have serious concerns. The latest: An Illinois House committee voted 13-7 to advance a new bill that provides property tax flexibility to the Bears in the hopes they will build their long-awaited domed stadium in the Land of Lincoln. <ul><li>Before the bill could get a full House vote, Chicago Democrats, including bill sponsor Rep. Kam Buckner, threatened to pull support if the bill didn&#x27;t include, among other things, financial concessions for the city if the Bears moved to Arlington Heights. </li></ul>

Chicagoans caught in narco violence in Mexico

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

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.

New poll shows frustration with Chicago Bears stadium standoff

An Axios Chicago reader poll gave fans a chance to weigh in on the stadium drama.

Business

The saga over where the Bears will build their new stadium hit a crescendo last week as the Indiana General Assembly moved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closer to a deal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/19/illinois-lawmakers-bears-indiana-stadium-hammond-pritzker" data-vars-content-id="cc68fbc8-c20d-417e-904d-2a8d8e37a773" data-vars-headline="New poll shows frustration with Chicago Bears stadium standoff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/19/illinois-lawmakers-bears-indiana-stadium-hammond-pritzker" target="_self">closer to a deal</a> to lure the Bears across the border.The big picture: Lawmakers from both states have weighed in, but fans had mixed reactions to the possible relocation.

Man gets $30,000 from Dolton after car seizure

A Cincinnati law professor alleged that his car was taken by a Dolton cop as part of a pattern.

Neighborhoods

Last month, law professor Ken Katkin bought a round of drinks at a Cincinnati bar with part of a $30,000 settlement he reached with the village of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-american-elected" data-vars-content-id="ec008be5-68e7-48db-abc7-e91f4de230e3" data-vars-headline="Man gets $30,000 from Dolton after car seizure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-american-elected" target="_self">Dolton</a> following a three-year legal battle.Why it matters: Dolton officials paid the money to settle a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal lawsuit " data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/27369732-katkin-filed-civil-complaint-in-dolton-case-1/" data-vars-content-id="ec008be5-68e7-48db-abc7-e91f4de230e3" data-vars-headline="Man gets $30,000 from Dolton after car seizure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/27369732-katkin-filed-civil-complaint-in-dolton-case-1/" target="_blank">federal lawsuit </a>filed by Katkin, alleging that Dolton police Detective Major Coleman unlawfully seized his car in 2023, delayed its return for weeks and demanded an illegal payment.

Travel's newest flex: "Skillcations"

72% of people want time off work to explore a personal passion, Hilton's 2026 trends report found.

Travel

In 2026, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vacations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/23/2026-vacation-holidays-pto" data-vars-content-id="4092dab8-936c-47ba-b758-117bda09eee0" data-vars-headline="Travel&#x27;s newest flex: &quot;Skillcations&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/23/2026-vacation-holidays-pto" target="_self">vacations</a> aren&#x27;t just about switching off — they&#x27;re about coming back smarter. Why it matters: Vacations are being redefined as investments in personal growth — a shift that&#x27;s reshaping how people use PTO and how the travel industry sells time away.

How to beat Illinois traffic this Thanksgiving

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

Culture

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.

FAA flight reductions could spark Chicago holiday travel meltdown

Chicago airports brace for impact of government shutdown as holiday season approaches.

The FAA will begin reducing flights and restricting airspace on Friday to alleviate stress on air traffic controllers due to the government shutdown.Why it matters: These drastic moves will impact dozens of U.S. airports, including O&#x27;Hare and Midway, forcing airlines to cancel and delay flights.

O'Hare's boom continues despite shutdown flight chaos

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

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.

Monos opens first Chicago storefront and cafe in West Loop

Experience travel, music and food inside West Loop's Monos and Postcard

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Monos" data-vars-click-url="https://monos.com/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=8222006582&amp;utm_adgroup=84490726546&amp;utm_content=424845545674&amp;utm_term=dev_c--net_g--tid_kwd-533064761--kwmt_e--kwid_monos--prodid_%7Bproductid%7D--plc_&amp;wm_source=google&amp;wm_medium=ads&amp;wm_ad_id=424845545674&amp;wm_adgroup_id=84490726546&amp;wm_campaign_id=8222006582&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=8222006582&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAC6YPFlXPpQbX8gUPdueIGk76MMjo&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw3tzHBhBREiwAlMJoUveXL8bxklv5OIm9d49CR5590VyOpXelwaxeHUZDNmneK93XsAGmGxoCgKgQAvD_BwE" data-vars-content-id="af858fe3-51be-4ab6-9890-e4b512b51ff6" data-vars-headline="Monos opens first Chicago storefront and cafe in West Loop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://monos.com/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=8222006582&amp;utm_adgroup=84490726546&amp;utm_content=424845545674&amp;utm_term=dev_c--net_g--tid_kwd-533064761--kwmt_e--kwid_monos--prodid_%7Bproductid%7D--plc_&amp;wm_source=google&amp;wm_medium=ads&amp;wm_ad_id=424845545674&amp;wm_adgroup_id=84490726546&amp;wm_campaign_id=8222006582&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=8222006582&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAC6YPFlXPpQbX8gUPdueIGk76MMjo&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw3tzHBhBREiwAlMJoUveXL8bxklv5OIm9d49CR5590VyOpXelwaxeHUZDNmneK93XsAGmGxoCgKgQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Monos</a> is now open in Chicago&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="West Loop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/21/west-loop-walking-tour-shows-union-park-bartelme-mary-todd-lincoln" data-vars-content-id="af858fe3-51be-4ab6-9890-e4b512b51ff6" data-vars-headline="Monos opens first Chicago storefront and cafe in West Loop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/21/west-loop-walking-tour-shows-union-park-bartelme-mary-todd-lincoln" target="_self">West Loop</a>, one of the Canadian luggage brand&#x27;s first U.S. stores. The big picture: Launched in 2018, Monos is aiming to curate new experiences for customers through shopping and hospitality. The brand&#x27;s name comes from the Japanese phrase &quot;mono no aware,&quot; the concept of finding and appreciating beauty in life&#x27;s fleeting moments.

Chicago commuters brace for years of detours as bridge work begins

Just as the Kennedy Expressway construction project nears its end, three bridge closings could snarl traffic.

Chicago commuters: Do you want the good news or the bad news?First, the good news! The Kennedy Expressway construction is on schedule to be done by late fall, and the Illinois Department of Transportation says <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outbound lanes could reopen" data-vars-click-url="https://illinois-department-of-transportation.prezly.com/outbound-kennedy-lanes-to-fully-reopen" data-vars-content-id="0ae4076d-259a-459c-b222-1d2d111ea789" data-vars-headline="Chicago commuters brace for years of detours as bridge work begins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://illinois-department-of-transportation.prezly.com/outbound-kennedy-lanes-to-fully-reopen" target="_blank">outbound lanes could reopen</a> as soon as this weekend.<ul><li>And after three years, the Harrison Street Bridge and viaduct project is complete and the bridge is reopening Friday.</li></ul>

Summertime Chi sets new record for tourism

Hotel stays brought nearly $1B in revenue to Chicago during a summer of big events and global visitors.

Chicago hotel guests booked over 3.5 million rooms from June to August, breaking a tourism record set in 2019. Why it matters: Despite President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="constant putdowns " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/30/enemy-from-within-trump-rhetoric-troops-pritzker-national-guard" data-vars-content-id="5e90abbe-4e36-45a2-bfe3-c4d716980d0b" data-vars-headline="Summertime Chi sets new record for tourism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/30/enemy-from-within-trump-rhetoric-troops-pritzker-national-guard" target="_self">constant putdowns </a>of Chicago as a violent &quot;hellhole,&quot; tourists are finding plenty of reasons to flock to the country&#x27;s third-largest city.

Your next road trip should be Indiana

Indiana is full of surprises — from floating cabins to whitewater rafting and epic museums.

For many travelers, the idea of Indiana begins and ends with the familiar — but step off the interstate and you&#x27;ll discover a state that subverts expectation at nearly every turn.<ul><li>You&#x27;ll find floating cabins, escapades with elephants, scuba diving, state parks, sand dunes, and more — here&#x27;s how you can plan your next summer vacation.</li></ul>

Chicago launches new tourism campaign to play up its "swagger"

The $540K tourism campaign aims to play up the city's"swagger."

Chicago&#x27;s newest tourism campaign is meant to attract visitors but also speak to locals.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kristen Reynolds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/04/04/chicago-travel-new-tourism-chief" data-vars-content-id="acefafff-b6ca-4d74-b5de-aae04ece679f" data-vars-headline="Chicago launches new tourism campaign to play up its &quot;swagger&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/04/04/chicago-travel-new-tourism-chief" target="_self">Kristen Reynolds</a>, president and CEO of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Choose Chicago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.choosechicago.com/" data-vars-content-id="acefafff-b6ca-4d74-b5de-aae04ece679f" data-vars-headline="Chicago launches new tourism campaign to play up its &quot;swagger&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.choosechicago.com/" target="_blank">Choose Chicago</a>, joined Mayor Brandon Johnson Thursday to unveil &quot;Never Done. Never Outdone.&quot;