Axios Chicago

October 20, 2025
๐ฏ๏ธ It's Monday. Happy Diwali to all who celebrate.
โ๏ธ Today's weather: Sunny and breezy with a high of 65.
๐ Happy birthday to our Axios Chicago members Benjamin Bullock, Joanne Trumbull, Steve Reinhart and Barbara Hairston!
Today's newsletter is 1,083 words โ a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: No ICE theme of 'No Kings' protest
One hundred thousand people flooded Chicago's Grant Park on Saturday for the "No Kings" protest against President Trump โ with many rallying against the Department of Homeland Security's aggressive immigration crackdown.
The big picture: Protesters waving "Abolish ICE" and "Hands Off Chicago" signs and chanting "Immigrants are welcome here" capped weeks of organizing by neighbors and activists pushing back against ICE and CBP raids across Chicago and its suburbs.
State of play: There were no arrests, Chicago police spokesperson Tom Ahern told Axios.

Catch up quick: Since Trump launched "Operation Midway Blitz" in Chicago last month, an ICE officer shot and killed a man in suburban Franklin Park. Federal agents also swept up U.S. citizens and zip-tied children during a raid on a South Shore apartment building, according to witnesses and local advocacy groups. National Guard troops were dispatched, but a judge's temporary restraining order halted their deployment.
- Rapid response groups have trained community members in alerting neighborhoods to ICE's presence and families have stepped in to protect students whose immigrant parents are being swept up by officers.

What they're saying: "When we see ICE, we yell 'ICE.' It's good in a way that we see the way that community has come together to help each other out," Isis Espinoza of Ashburn told Axios at Saturday's march.
- "The livelihood of places like Little Village has gone down. It's depressing to see it, because, where is the Hispanic essence in the heart" of Chicago's Hispanic neighborhood?

2. Illinois in recession or close to it, new analysis finds

Twenty-two states are either in a recession or on the precipice of a downturn, according to an intriguing analysis from Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics.
Why it matters: Illinois, along with the other 21, make up about a third of overall GDP, Axios' Emily Peck reports.
- The analysis is based on Zandi's calculation of where things stood in the economy at the end of August โ perhaps more useful now, as more data measures go dark with the federal government shut down.
How it works: He created an index looking at state-level jobs data, as well as other inputs, including modeled industrial production, personal income and housing starts.
Zoom in: The states most impacted are the ones more reliant on agriculture and manufacturing, like Illinois. Those sectors are more likely to be impacted by tariff increases, Zandi says.
The bottom line: "My takeaway is not that the economy is in recession, but it's pretty darn close," he says.
3. Tips and Hot Links: Trump's ongoing guard push
๐ช President Trump filed an emergency appeal Friday, asking the Supreme Court to approve the deployment of the National Guard to Chicago, a request that has already been denied by two courts. (Axios)
โ๏ธ Chicago's interim ICE field office director Russell Hott has returned to Washington, D.C., days before he was requested to appear before a federal judge to explain recent federal immigration actions in the city. (WTTW)
๐๏ธ Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates has been chosen to lead the Illinois Federation of Teachers. She plans to lobby the General Assembly this month for more school funding statewide, her representatives tell Axios. (ABC 7)
๐ The Bears (4-2) defense stymied the Saints at a rain-soaked Soldier Field yesterday. The 26-14 victory was the team's fourth win in a row. (Sun-Times)
4. River North's Crying Tiger roars with beauty
๐ Hey, it's Monica!
Crying Tiger, one of the most anticipated restaurants of the year, has finally opened its gorgeous doors in the old Hub 51 spot in River North.
The big picture: The latest addition to the Lettuce Entertain You family offers some of the boldest Asian flavors the restaurant group has showcased yet in a menu driven by Thai Dang of Hai Sous, Cร Phรช ฤรก and formerly Embeya.

๐ฅ Dig in: Dang and partner Amarit Dulyapaibul present traditional and novel versions of Southeast Asian dishes, including a prawny twist on Chinese youtiao fritters ($17) and duck confit in panang curry ($32).
- I loved the irresistible mix of textures and flavors in the nuoc cham crispy pork belly ($18) appetizer paired with grilled sticky rice ($5).
๐น Drink up: Kevin Beary (Three Dots and a Dash and Gus' Sip & Dip) leads the beverage program featuring a coconut fat washed sbagliato ($20); a salted plum tequila soda ($15) and spiced Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed coconut milk ($8).
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5. '85 Bears at 40: Green Bay Packers
๐ Hi, it's Justin! In honor of the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Bears, I'm recapping every game from the historic season.
This week: Green Bay Packers (Oct. 21, 1985)
๐ Recap: This game may have been touted as a rivalry on Monday Night Football, but it ended up being owned by one man: The Fridge.
- On this cold night at Soldier Field, the Bears stomped the Packers 23-7 behind a rushing touchdown from William "The Refrigerator" Perry.
What they said: "We are seeing a folk hero being made," broadcaster Frank Gifford announced as the crowd erupted when The Fridge hit the field.
๐คฉ The star: The Fridge, no doubt. But Walter Payton had another huge game and the Bears defense forced five turnovers.
Yes, but: It was a sloppy game. The Bears' offense fumbled the ball four times before the half. Quarterback Jim McMahon was injured late in the game, giving way to Steve Fuller and, for at least one play, Mike Tomczak.
Play of the game: Again, all Fridge. He didn't just rush for a touchdown, but he blocked for both of Payton's scores.
๐๏ธ Non-football moments: Gifford marveled at Soldier Field, talking about its history, saying it was a "great old stadium." The Bears still play there 40 years later.
- Also, Ditka went with a sweater vest. It was October, after all.
The bottom line: The Bears are 7-0 and are off to the franchise's best start in 43 years.
Next up: Vikings at Soldier Field.
Edited by Lindsey Erdody.
๐ฟ Carrie thought watching "Thief" on a rainy Chicago night this weekend was very fitting.
๐ฎ Monica's family sampled several grocery store tacos Saturday to help compile the ultimate Axios list. Respond to this email with your favorite spot.
๐ Justin is still reeling from the weekend. Thanks to all the great folks who came out to see the Schadenfreude reunion. It was amazing to catch up!
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