The broad optimism that Americans felt about the economy in the spring of 2021 — optimism that even a global pandemic couldn't squelch — has finally been undone by inflation, Axios' Felix Salmon reports.

Why it matters: The sharp rise in food and energy prices over the past year has had a particularly harsh effect on the finances of suburban and rural Americans.

Driving the news: Since last year, McKinsey and Ipsos have conducted a massive survey of Americans every six months that asks about their perceptions of the state of the economy. This time around, sentiment has fallen sharply.

By the numbers: Americans now have a negative outlook on the economy, as the overall index has fallen to 99 — a "negative outlook" — this spring from 103 — a "positive outlook" — a year ago.

• City-dwelling Americans remain optimistic overall, with their score falling modestly, from 112 to 109.
• In the suburbs, pessimism has started to bite more seriously, with the score falling from 103 last fall to 96 this spring.
• Rural areas seem to be faring the worst. The index shows their score at a shocking 85, down from an already weak 95 a year ago.

Between the lines: Overall inflation is bad, with prices rising 8.3% over the past year. Food and energy prices, however, have shot up much more quickly than that, up 17.4% in April from the previous year.

• Gasoline prices alone are up 43.6%.

💭 Justin's thought bubble: I have a small urban family. We don't worry about inflation because we've been eating $15 cheeseburgers and drinking $6 coffee for years.

• Gas, groceries, goods and services have always cost more here. But I can get to Navy Pier in, like, 10 minutes. Jealous? 😂

💭 Monica's thought bubble: As an urban mostly empty nester who works from home, cooks a lot, and takes a bike or a train to my appointments, I'm not feeling inflation as much as most. But I recognize the luxury of my position.

• My siblings, who live in the 'burbs with kids and commute to work, feel much differently.

Summer gas prices are surging as more people are traveling and refineries are switching to the lower-mpg summer blend.

By the numbers: California leads the nation with an average of $6.08 a gallon, but Illinois is no slouch.

• We have the highest prices in the Midwest at $4.96, about 60 cents more than Wisconsin.
• Somehow our gas is even more expensive than New York's, which averages $4.93 a gallon.

🏖️ Eleven guns were confiscated at North Avenue Beach on Memorial Day. (Sun-Times)

👩‍💻 Illinois residents can file a claim for settlement money in a lawsuit against Google. (NBC 5)

🥎 The Northwestern softball team is in Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series. Their first game of the double-elimination tournament is tonight against the defending champion Oklahoma Sooners. Go Cats! (Tribune)

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In celebration of grilling season and the new "Bob's Burgers Movie," we're serving up a Food Fight on our favorite local hamburgers.

🍔 Monica's pick: The Big Jones Burger uses house ground beef from Fischer Farms, tomatoes from Mighty Vine, Bibb lettuce from Gotham Greens, Duke's mayo, housemade bread-and-butter pickles, and sliced shallots on a soft brioche bun ($20).

• This Andersonville eatery might be most famous for its fried chicken, but the burger here is just as juicy, tasty and thoughtfully sourced.

🍔 Justin's pick: Come at me with your Au Cheval cheeseburger and tempt me with Top-Notch, but I'm going with a newcomer to the scene: Rêve Burger.

• Born out of the pandemic by chef Curtis Duffy and the team at Ever, the Rêve burger features two beef patties, American cheese, pickles and Rêve sauce on a brioche bun.
• It also comes with a lot of BBQ-seasoned fries.
• The burger's expensive at $16.95, but what isn't these days?

📭 Respond with your favorite burger in the area for our list next week!

👋 Hey, it's Monica! I was driving through Albany Park last week when I spotted a particularly stylish mail carrier walking with a spring in his step.

• Naturally, I pulled over to talk to him while my mortified daughter hid in the back seat.

The city dweller: Kalani Han, a rookie mail carrier who started with the USPS last November and assembles his outfits with an intentional old-school flair.

Inspiration: "I prefer to have a polished look because I'm proud to represent the mail service," says Han, who didn't seem at all surprised by my sudden request for an interview.

• "I admire those 1950s milkman, mailman kind of looks. In fact, the other day I was on eBay looking for some vintage mailman hats with the little brim. You'd be surprised, they are very popular."

Where you can spot him: Walking the 60625 postal code in Albany and North Park.

Local traditions are blooming again this summer.

• One of our favorites is the Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards (CEGA), which resumes in-person judging this year and is taking nominations through July 1.

How it works: Folks nominate their favorite local gardens, and judges visit throughout the summer. Awards are handed out in September.

Prizes: No cash, but winners do get weather-proof signs and huge bragging rights.

• Plus, all entrants are eligible to win rain barrels through a drawing.

What they're saying: While gardens get points for beauty and neighborhood improvement, judges "also keep an eye out for native plants, wildlife habitat and sustainable elements," according to a CEGA statement.

📫 In the meantime, show us your garden! We'll collect the best and feature them later this month.