Last week the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a $20 million grant for a nature trail in Englewood along an old railroad corridor.

Why it matters: Like the 606 Bloomingdale Trail, the Englewood Nature Trail could rejuvenate its area with safer recreation and transportation.

But organizers hope to avoid one big pitfall of the 606: gentrification and displacement.

• U.S. officials specifically noted planners' work to address "potential impacts such as gentrification, displacement, and equitable employment opportunities," in their announcement.

What they're saying: "We want to create protective measures for residents to help build community ownership and a future here," Grow Greater Englewood (GGE) lead steward Anton Seals tells Axios.

• He plans to do so with community engagement, compacts, ordinances and land trusts.

Yes, but: He stresses that Englewood — with its huge rate of vacancies — is starting with a very different real estate landscape than Bucktown and Logan Square did ahead of the 606.

Flashback: Community members started planning the Englewood project more than a decade ago.

• But last spring it got a boost when Mayor Lori Lightfoot pledged $6 million in city money and said officials would apply for federal funding.

Zoom in: The trail is projected to run between 58th and 59th streets, stretching for 1.75 miles from Lowe (700 West) and Hoyne (2100 West) Avenues.

• It's meant to link local urban farms and "transform a vacated rail corridor into a naturalized space for residents to enjoy and use to connect with nature," according to the GGE website.

What's more: DOT officials see it as "an alternative, safer [travel] option for residents."

• They note that within a half-mile of the trail, "there were more than 4,000 crashes between 2016 and 2020 — 11 of which were fatal."

What's next: Community members can attend a planning meeting on Sept. 8 and offer feedback here.

• Organizers aim to finish the first phase of the trail by 2027.

A lot has been made about people leaving Illinois and where they are heading. But why are most people in the U.S. moving at all?

The big picture: A new Axios/Ipsos Two Americas Index survey finds Democrats and Republicans have more differences than similarities when it comes to reason for relocating from state to state.

• Republicans are more likely to move over finances, while Democrats move at higher rates for personal and family reasons.

What's more: The survey also shows Democrats are more likely to move to "blue states" while Republicans stick with "red" ones.

Read the whole Axios story

✈️ Chicago-based United Airlines will hire hundreds of new employees to combat staffing shortages and delays. (ABC7)

🌳 Little Village and Lawndale residents are feeling "sad" and "ignored" by the city and park district over the disrepair of Douglass Park after this summer's music festivals. (Block Club)

🩰 The Joffrey Ballet is launching a contemporary ballet training program, the first of its kind in the country. (Tribune)

⚾️ Justin Verlander outdueled Dylan Cease, but the Sox came from behind for another big win against the Astros. (ESPN)

Hey, it's Monica. Last year I noticed a bunch of mysterious "meat and seafood" stores called Wild Fork popping up around the Chicago area, including one on Belmont near home.

• After passing by for months, I recently stopped in for a peek.

The intrigue: I was amazed by the offerings from this Brazilian company with a U.S. base in Florida.

Beyond meat and seafood, it offers high-quality plant-based proteins, desserts, pasta, appetizers, vegetables, side dishes, spices, sauces and grilling supplies.

• Also there are frozen cassava, plantains and Brazilian cheese balls.

The big picture: Everything here is what they call "blast frozen," which is supposed to keep food super fresh. I don't know much about freezer technology, but I do know most of this stuff tastes great.

The highlights: Grass-fed, dry-aged skirt steak ($22.98/lb) that seared up nicely in a cast-iron pan and gave us two days of tacos.

• Juicy Argentine chorizo ($4.48) that paired beautifully with peppers and onions.
• Fun, Argentine-style grilling cheeses on a stick ($9.98).
• Buttery, skin-on salmon steaks ($7.78/lb) that make dinner easy.

Rare surprises: Elk, bison, ostrich, yak, foie gras, blood sausage and A-5 wagyu beef.

Yes, but: A slightly gritty flan and dryish eggplant parmigiana were both just OK.

Between the lines: As a half-Latina whose partner lived in Argentina for years, I'm thrilled to find a place that lets us host a South American grilling party in a snap, but also offers so much more.

• For those looking for dry-aged, grass-fed, pastured, organic, heritage or antibiotic free meat, Wild Fork has your number.

What's next: I'm trying to avoid visiting Wild Fork too often, because there's a lot more that I want to try but that won't fit in my freezer.

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This one was too easy for our Generation X readers. It's the old Tower Records at Belden and Clark. Dozens of you answered correctly.

• And those of a certain age remembered it as the old Belden Deli.

Flashback: Tower was a great place to shop for records but also to catch in-store shows by bands like The Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt and, of course, Liz Phair.

• The music palace closed in 2006.

🎉 Congrats to Nisa J. and Bailey S., who were randomly selected from a yellow Tower Records bag.

You can pick up your swag at our Axios Office Hours event on Friday!

• The show runs from 6-7:30pm and will feature interviews with baker Mindy Segal, storyteller Jacoby Cochran and hip-hop star Vic Mensa.
• 🍹Come hang out. The first round is on us.

Go deeper for some reader memories of the old Tower Records.