Each year, we look back at some of the top stories of the year and we're continuing that tradition today.

🚨 Biggest story of the year: Federal immigration agents descend on Chicago

Why it matters: The arrival of hundreds of masked agents on Chicago streets threw the city into a state of chaos and fear with the tear gassing and arrest of thousands of local residents, including U.S. citizens and those with authorization to be here.

The latest: Locals are still sorting through the legal avenues for accountability and justice.

✝️ Biggest new celebrity: The Pope

Reality check: Vatican watchers thought they'd never see an American pope, but Pope Leo XIV isn't just an American — he's a South Side-born, White Sox fan.

👋 Best local retirements

It was a banner year for Illinois lawmakers to play musical chairs or just outright retire.

• Sen. Dick Durbin, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rep. Danny Davis and Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia retired while Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Rep. Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton are moving on from their current gigs to run for Durbin's Senate seat.

🤔 Biggest political head scratcher: Dick Durbin

After a long stalemate over health care subsidies, the federal government endured a record-setting shutdown, which furloughed workers, delayed SNAP benefits and forced delays and cancellations at airports.

• Our lame-duck senator broke Democratic ranks and voted to end the shutdown. He said it was to get federal jobs back, but his lack of a deal on health care was confusing at best.

Runner up: Chuy Garcia announcing he wasn't running for reelection after signatures were collected, ensuring his chief of staff will be the Democratic nominee for his 4th District seat.

🎤 Strangest press conference: DHS Sec. Kristi Noem in Springfield

Driving the news: Noem showed up at the state Capitol in May to blast Gov. JB Pritzker and the state's sanctuary status.

• Noem chose to hold her press conference near Emma Shafer's parents' home. An immigrant is the suspect in the 2023 fatal stabbing of Shafer.

Friction point: Shafer's parents clearly weren't on board with the presser and admonished Noem for using their daughter to push a "cruel and heartless political agenda."

🛣️ Best comeback story: The Kennedy construction project

After three long years of traffic headaches not just for expressway drivers, but for surrounding neighborhoods, the Illinois Department of Transportation finished the Kennedy.

🏈 Most bizarre interview: Coach Ben Johnson at halftime during Raiders game

Johnson snapped at reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala during an early-season Bears game against the Raiders when she suggested the Bears should play better. Johnson apologized later, but it was the first glimpse into his intensity.

• He made up for it by going shirtless and getting us free hot dogs.

🎉 Biggest party of the year: Wrigleyville in October

The Cubs finally made it back to the playoffs, and with it came exciting and jam-packed games at Wrigley Field. When those games finished, Clark Street looked like Bourbon Street.

🤣 Finally, weirdest statue: Harry Caray outside Wrigley

We can't believe it, but this enigma on the Northeast side of Wrigley Field has won this prestigious award for the third year in a row!

• It's growing on us, but still … this is by far the loser … errr … we mean winner of this year's award.

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💰Chicago Public Schools is expected to pay $33 million in interest from short-term loans it took out for operating expenses due to delayed delivery of property tax revenue. (WBEZ)

📚 A Barnes and Noble scheduled to open in February in Hyde Park has the neighborhood's many independent booksellers concerned about their businesses. (Block Club)

🚙 Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias revealed some of this year's rejected vanity license plate submissions, including "BBL" and "BDASMOM." (WGN)

From politics, religion, media and the arts, here are a few of the Chicagoans who died in 2025.

Politics and business

• Gov. Jim Edgar
• Gov. George Ryan
• Jerry "The Iceman" Butler
• Lori Healey
• Jeff Tobolski
• Mike Quinlan

Arts and culture

• Tony Fitzpatrick
• George Wendt
• Michael Madsen
• Steve "The Colonel" Cropper
• Joyce Piven
• Cindy Pritzker
• Rob Riley
• Bob Wilson
• George Freeman

Sports

• Ryne Sandberg
• Virginia McCaskey
• Steve "Mongo" McMichael
• Bobby Jenks
• Lee Elia
• Dick Jauron

Media

• Renee Ferguson
• Bruce DuMont
• Bruce Sagan
• Margie Korshak
• Harry Teinowitz
• Lorna Gladstone
• Earl Moses
• Joe "JoBo" Colborn
• Bruce Dold
• Michael Miner

Activism, public service and faith leaders

• José "Cha Cha" Jiménez
• Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt
• Lori Cannon
• Sister Rosemary Connelly
• Tuyet Le
• Sister Patricia M. Murphy
• Krystal Rivera

History makers and educators

• James Lovell
• Richard Garwin

📧 Tell us: Who did we miss?

More names from "In memoriam"

Huge thanks to our Axios Chicago members who power our newsroom. 🙌

We did it — we hit more than 1,000 Axios Chicago members this month! 🥳 Thanks for fueling our mission to deliver smart, local journalism. We're celebrating with a special member giveaway in the new year, so keep an eye on your inbox (and join now if you're not yet a member!)

✌️ We'll see you next year with even more great Chicago stories!