Mayor Brandon Johnson's push to fund services for the unhoused with a real estate tax hike hit a roadblock Friday when a Cook County judge sided with business groups suing to get it off the March ballot.

Why it matters: The proposal, known as Bring Chicago Home, is a cornerstone of Johnson's progressive agenda and this development could derail it until at least the fall.

State of play: As of Sunday evening, voters had already cast 2,611 early and mail ballots with the referendum on it.

• Chicago Board of Elections officials say they won't be changing the ballot until the court issues explicit orders, but for the time being, referendum votes won't be counted.

Catch up quick: Johnson and advocates worked for months to place the referendum on the ballot, promising to raise more than $100 million a year for homelessness services by increasing taxes on properties that sell for $1 million or more.

• Opponents said the tax hike would further hurt the commercial real estate market, which still hasn't recovered from the pandemic.

Zoom in: The real estate business groups who sued argued the wording of the three-part ballot question constituted "log-rolling" because it blended a tax hike with a tax cut to incentivize voters to pass it. Representatives for the business groups celebrated Friday, saying they were "gratified" by the ruling.

The other side: Johnson said he believes the referendum is "legally sound" and his team will be "exploring every legal option available."

• Bring Chicago Home organizers are urging supporters to continue voting for the measure while it's on the ballot.

What's next: The organizers of the ballot measure tell Axios they'll be appealing to the First District Appellate Court as soon as the Cook County judge signs her order.

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Chicago wants to revitalize its northern border with Evanston by developing more public spaces along Howard Street.

Why it matters: Several Howard Street businesses have closed since the pandemic, and residents have raised concerns about public safety in the area.

The big picture: The city has embarked on projects to improve Howard Street before, but this marks the first time Evanston and Rogers Park have worked together on a corridor plan.

Driving the news: Stakeholders on both sides of the border announced plans this week for the One Howard Street project, which proposes new community spaces from Western/Asbury, heading east all the way to Sheridan Road.

• The project focuses on pedestrian-designed infrastructure, including upgrading shopping spaces, creating outdoor events spaces and improving the Howard CTA stop.

What they're saying: "Howard Street shouldn't be a boundary, it should be a neighborhood," Rogers Park Business Alliance's Sandi Price tells Axios.

What's next: Both Chicago and Evanston have earmarked tax money or tax credits for this project to move forward. It's estimated to take 5-15 years to complete.

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🏒 Former Blackhawks star Chris Chelios had his jersey retired yesterday in front of a sold-out crowd at the United Center. (ESPN)

💰 Northwestern University agreed to settle a federal antitrust lawsuit accusing several schools of favoring wealthier applicants. The University of Chicago agreed to a settlement in 2022. (Crain's)

💨 Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the EPA worked out a deal for the state to stop new polluters from setting up shop in places already environmentally stressed. This applies to neighborhoods like Little Village and the Southeast side of Chicago. (Sun-Times)

⚾️ The Cubs re-signed slugger Cody Bellinger to a 3-year contract worth $80 million. The former All-Star expects to play games at center field and first base. (Tribune)

It's time for another Axios Chicago tournament! In the last few months, our readers have crowned the best newscaster, local commercial and park.

• This week, let's get a grudge match going over the best neighborhood in town ... for food!

The big picture: It's going to be hard to crown a champion among heavyweights like the West Loop, Logan Square, River North, Hyde Park, Pilsen and Chinatown.

Methodology: We could only choose 16 neighborhoods for the bracket, so we prioritized value, variety and access. But there were plenty deserving including runner-ups Old Town, Albany Park and Grand Crossing.

• As with every tournament, the criteria is your own. Consider, perhaps, the best restaurants, best cheap eats or the best delicacies.

Vote in the first round now! We'll keep it open until 4pm.

Bittersweet pastry shop has been making waves this month with a new location in Pilsen, and $105 afternoon tea inspired by "Top Chef" Katsuji Tanabe at its longtime Lakeview home.

Dig in: We couldn't afford the tea but splurged for another Tanabe treat: A square Underberg croissant ($12), featuring cream infused with the legendary herbal digestif along with candied orange, pistachio and fresh blackberries.

The verdict: A visual and tasty showstopper but the actual dough is tough and chewy.

What's next: Bittersweet's carnitas quiche collab with Carnitas Uruapan in Pilsen.