Chicagoans spend over three-and-a-half days a year stuck in rush-hour traffic, which is somehow still an overall improvement.

Why it matters: Traffic may be returning, but the pandemic may have shifted when we drive.

By the numbers: According to data from the TomTom traffic index, Chicago drivers spent 86 hours in rush-hour traffic in 2021 compared to 115 hours in 2019.

• There was a 14% decrease in morning rush-hour congestion and a 12% decrease in the evenings in 2021 compared to 2019.

Yes, but: Even though rush-hour traffic is declining, the overall time spent on the roadways is going up.

• Chicago had a 24% congestion level in 2021, which means that travel times on average were 24% longer than during non-congested conditions.

Zoom in: The worst time to travel? Fridays at 4pm.

• Traffic then dips 15% after the 4pm hour.
• The most surprising stat is that Mondays are the best day for rush hour.
• Worst traffic day of 2021? No joke, exactly one year ago today.

Zoom out: Chicago is the 6th-most congested city in the U.S. and the 149th-most congested city in the world.

• So even though losing three days a year is a lot, it's nowhere near the 123 hours per year that a New York City driver spends in rush-hour traffic.
• Even NYC doesn't compare globally, as living in Istanbul will cost 226 traffic hours per year (over 9 days).

Quick take: If you hate traffic but love big city life, maybe Minneapolis is more your speed.

• Residents there sit in rush hour for only 39 hours per year.

How it works: TomTom collected anonymized GPS signals from hundreds of millions of drivers to analyze traffic in 404 cities in 58 countries.

Go deeper: Chicago's page on the TomTom Traffic Index.

Speaking of traffic, we've got an update on a story we wrote last month about vanity license plate applications rejected by the Secretary of State's office.

The intrigue: The 6,000-word list of rejected names may not be as definitive as we thought.

• It lists GUNS (along with GUNMAN, GUNCRZY and GUNZ) as rejected words, but Monica saw a "GUNS" plate in her neighborhood last month.

What they're saying: Secretary of State representatives did not respond to our questions at press time.

Zoom in: Here are more words rejected in Illinois, according to a list we acquired as part of a Freedom of Information Act request:

🐷 Food-related: CRAPPIE, FUDJPAK, EATTHIS, FUSILI, IEATIT, PIG, PORKN

🍺 Drink-related: BEERME, MEZCAL, BOOZIE

👪 Family-related: MUTHA, YOPAPA, YOMAMA, WHUPASS

🚨 Politics-related: GOVERNR, GOVMAN, GASSIE

Go deeper: Here's an entire page of rejected names, but be careful — these are not safe for work.

💲 The worst-kept secret in Illinois: Billionaire Ken Griffin announced he is all-in on GOP gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin. Why? Griffin says it's Irvin's track record on criminal justice and economic revitalization efforts. (BGA)

Several Illinois lawmakers want to bring back the death penalty to deter crime. (Daily Line)

🏅 Olympic athlete Aja Evans, a Morgan Park High School grad who is an alternate on the bobsledding team, was recently profiled. (New York Times)

🎺 The Hyde Park Jazz Festival received a $50k grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. (The Triibe)

🔄 Refresh your career with one of these new listings.

1. Director, Business Development at Starcom.
2. Senior Account Executive at Hawthorne Strategy Group.
3. Account Director at Reputation Partners.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

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2022 marks the seventh year of Chicago Black Restaurant Week (CBRW), which runs through Feb. 20.

Why it matters: CBRW offers a delicious way to support Black entrepreneurs who have historically lacked equal access to capital.

The list: You can find the lineup of participating restaurants here, but not all have listed their particular specials, so call ahead.

• You can also make your own itinerary of Black-owned restaurants to visit from this list of 100.

The standouts: We recently visited a few and discovered some new notable dishes around town.

🍑 At Phlavz, we loved the crunchy and creamy salmon rolls ($15), the smoky jerked chicken tips over fries ($20) and the peach cobbler rolls ($14.50).

🥜 At Badou Senegalese Cuisine, we adored the sweet and tender jerk chicken served over jollof rice with sweet plantains ($15.99) and the rich, creamy mafe peanut butter stew ($14.99).

🦃 At The Mukase in Uptown, we were intrigued by the turkey tails ($7) in fiery suya powder and the rich palmnut soup ($5) at this restaurant with an array of African foods.

🍗 And at Mrs. T's Southern Fried Chicken in East Lakeview, don't miss the fried catfish, okra and, of course, the juicy chicken ($7.99).

Guess Monica's location with this poem:

It was born in an age that was gilded

And after two weeks, had to be rebuild-ed

It was owned by a prominent townie

Whose wife might have invented the brownie

📫 Reply with your answer and correct guessers will be entered into a drawing for some sweet Axios swag.