Axios Chicago

January 21, 2026
🪧 Happy Wednesday! On this day in 2017, an estimated 250,000 people gathered downtown for the Women's March.
🌨️ Today's weather: Chance of snow then partly sunny, with a high of 30.
🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Chicago members Anita Liskey, Michael Brown, Bert Crossland, Steven Newberger, and Gerald Ritter!
Today's newsletter is 1,114 words — a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: Quigley threatens DHS funding
Mayoral candidate and U.S Rep. Mike Quigley will reject new ICE and CBP funding unless agents change their practices on tear gas, masks, warrantless entry, body cameras and more.
Why it matters: Federal immigration agents are facing growing accusations of unconstitutional conduct — from shootings and warrantless arrests to the use of chemical irritants on journalists and protesters — without a single known federal investigation into those actions.
Zoom in: Quigley plans to introduce an amendment to the FY26 Homeland Security appropriations bill that would restrict using the funds on immigration enforcement unless DHS:
- Ends raids at "sensitive locations" like schools, hospitals, and courthouses
- Bans agents from wearing face coverings and using chemical irritants like pepper spray on bystanders
- Requires ICE and CBP to wear body cameras
- Prohibits warrantless arrests
- Stops Border Patrol operations in non-border states without state permission.
Between the lines: Quigley's attempt to withhold federal funding could succeed where local efforts to rein in DHS agents have struggled due to a supremacy clause that grants broad immunity to federal agents in the line of duty.
What they're saying: Quigley says constituents are urging him "to do something," but he thinks calls to defund ICE —including one Rep. Delia Ramirez is expected to announce today — have "zero chance with the majority of the public."
- "We need Homeland Security at the border and airports, but we just don't need ICE violating the Constitution and the laws of the land," he tells Axios.
Reality check: In a GOP-dominated Congress, Quigley's amendment would need some Republican support.
Timeline: The North Side congressman plans to debut the amendment this week once the appropriations bill is introduced.
2. Primary push reignites Pritzker 2028 speculation
Illinois Democrats want to move the state's 2028 primary earlier — a bid to give Illinois voters more influence in picking the Democratic presidential nominee.
Why it matters: If Illinois secures an earlier slot, it could benefit a presidential candidate with local ties, such as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
- Pritzker, who hasn't formally announced a run for the White House, has long been a rumored candidate, based on his battles with President Trump on national issues while also campaigning for Democrats in other states.
Flashback: Illinois has done this before. In 2008, the state moved up its primary to help its then junior senator, Barack Obama.
Zoom out: For years, the DNC and the Republican National Committee shared primary dates, but that changed after 2020.
Friction point: The DNC says it will decide based on the criteria of "rigorousness, fairness and efficiency," which could be an issue for the state if Gov. Pritzker decides to run.
The bottom line: This move by Illinois Democrats is the strongest indication yet that Pritzker is in for a 2028 run.
3. UNESCO's global jazz fest lands in Chicago
For the first time, Chicago will host UNESCO's International Jazz Day — a global celebration of the art form that will spotlight the city's deep jazz roots on April 30.
The big picture: International Jazz Day brings together artists and fans from around the world each year. In 2026, Chicago will take center stage — with hometown legend Herbie Hancock helping lead the celebration in a city that helped shape jazz itself.
Driving the news: Gov. JB Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago cultural leaders announced yesterday that Chicago will host the event.
State of play: The month-long calendar of performances, workshops, and youth-focused events runs from April 1 to May 2 and wraps up with the All-Star Global Concert from the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
What they're saying: "Jazz isn't just about individual brilliance and generosity. It demands rare collaboration, individual skill, intelligence and dedication, joined with empathetic listening, active mutual support and collective risk taking," musician Kurt Elling said at the event.
4. Tips and Hot Links: Robert Jr. traded
⚾️ White Sox star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. has been traded to the New York Mets for two prospects, according to ESPN. Robert Jr. was the lone player left from the team's last playoff run in 2021. (ESPN)
✈️ O'Hare Airport was crowned the busiest airport in America for the first time since 2019, surpassing Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson. (Daily Herald)
🅿️ Mayor Brandon Johnson backed away from the idea of buying back the city's parking meter rights. (Crain's)
5. History Mystery revealed: Madison and Wells
Several clues tell us that this week's 1918 photo was taken near the corner of Madison and Wells streets in the Loop.
The intrigue: The photo gives us a glimpse into wartime Chicago. The wide banner above the street advertises a $3,000,000 war fund raised by the Knights of Columbus.
- Also, the streetcars and the horse and buggies! Automobiles are prevalent at this point in history, but don't totally take over transportation until the 1920s.
Zoom in: The biggest clue is the restaurant sign in the bottom right corner of this photograph. The sign partially reads "Vogel," which, when zoomed out, would be Vogelsang's Restaurant at 173 W. Madison Street.
- The restaurant was demolished just a year after this photo was taken.
- It also appears that the photo was taken from above, which could be from the Wells Street "L" platform, built at the turn of the 20th century and still in operation today.

Zoom out: The current stretch of Madison east of Wells Street does not have the same charm as this photo captured over 100 years ago, but it still is a hustling and bustling downtown street.
6. Photo of the day: A Caleb lookalike
Caleb Williams fever continues in Chicago, despite Sunday's playoff exit.
State of play: Last night, The Wieners Circle held a Caleb Williams lookalike contest. The winner was Trenton Harris from Bourbonnais.
What they're saying: "My wife has been telling me for a while that I look just like him, so it's pretty cool," Harris told Axios.
His prize: A Wieners Circle gift card, a cup of Starbucks matcha and a trophy.
Edited by Lindsey Erdody.
🎬 Carrie is interested in watching "70 Acres in Chicago" tonight at the Seward Park Fieldhouse, hosted by Cabrini Art House.
🤳 Moyo is enjoying all the 2016 trends making a comeback!
🧤Monica urges you to wear well-insulated mittens instead of gloves to stay warm over the next couple of weeks.
🏀 Justin is wondering what game Caleb and PCA will hit up next. I'm guessing a DePaul basketball game at Wintrust? A Wolves game at Allstate Arena? A local Pickleball tournament?
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