The Fourth of July weekend may turn out to be another record-setting travel time for O'Hare, just as the next phase of construction begins at the global airport.

Why it matters: Americans continue to travel in record numbers despite higher airfares and fuel prices.

Reality check: Even after FAA-imposed flight reductions aimed at easing congestion, O'Hare is still scheduled to handle more flights this summer than last year.

The latest: United said roughly 93,000 passengers departed O'Hare last Sunday and expects heavy crowds leading into the holiday weekend.

• United expects Thursday to be O'Hare's busiest travel day this week, followed by Sunday.
• More than 72 million people are expected to travel over the weekend, setting a new record, according to AAA.

The intrigue: AAA projects 4.29 million Illinoisans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday weekend, with a record 3.8 million expected to drive.

The big picture: As O'Hare prepares for another busy holiday, it's simultaneously preparing for its future. City officials cleared a major milestone in the airport's long-term expansion, approving a $1.455 billion agreement to build the new 19-gate Concourse D.

• Concourse D is the first major construction phase of the $8.8 billion ORDNext expansion, which will eventually replace Terminal 2 with a new Global Terminal and two satellite concourses.

What's next

Lewandowski is coming to Chicago Fire FC in a blockbuster signing widely viewed as the biggest MLS acquisition since Inter Miami landed Lionel Messi.

Context: Lewandowski is considered one of soccer's greatest strikers.

• He's scored more than 700 career goals, won league titles with Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, and is Poland's all-time leading scorer.

The intrigue: The Fire have steadily raised expectations after reaching the MLS playoffs last season and are in third place in the Eastern Conference.

By the numbers: The Fire have not said what Lewandowski is being paid, but multiple reports indicate he may be the second-highest-paid player in MLS behind Messi.

Between the lines: He arrives in a city with the nation's largest Polish population, giving the club a natural opportunity to connect with one of Chicago's signature communities.

Zoom out: The Fire are making headlines. The Lewandowski news comes after the team broke ground on a new privately funded stadium in the South Loop.

The bottom line: The stadium represents the Fire's long-term ambitions. Lewandowski is about winning now.

Keep reading

A sea of green jerseys snaked around Kinzie, Peoria and Hubbard as Mexico (and some Ecuador) fans lined up outside Recess Chicago for last night's World Cup match.

• Mexico won 2-0 to advance to the next round.

👩‍⚖️ The U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenges to local assault weapons bans next term, including the one in Cook County. (Axios)

A woman died after being struck by a Brown Line train at the Addison stop yesterday. (WGN)

🐈‍⬛ Chicago Animal Care and Control and area shelters are at capacity with cats. CACC is hosting an adoption event to create space for other strays and surrendered animals. (Block Club)

Chicago's 82 public library branches stretch far and wide, so visiting every single one is a feat.

• City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran took up the task.

The big picture: Cochran's quest is a way to explore Chicago neighborhoods through their libraries and the people who use them.

By the numbers: Since last November, he's visited 56 locations.

His favorites: Each has its own virtues, so the host, writer and educator broke it down by category:

• Art: Legler (Garfield Park), Woodson (Washington Heights) and Little Village
• Nature: Sulzer's Koi pond (Lincoln Square)
• Architecture: Blackstone (Kenwood) and Independence (Old Irving)

What's next: The Obama Presidential Center branch, which opened on June 19. "I am going to save that branch for last!"

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Children of all ages will find a fresh treat on their tables at more than 20 local restaurants this summer with the newest young chefs' placemat.

Why it matters: The placemat is more than just a way to keep kids busy. It's aimed at sparking creativity and putting them in touch with seasonal foods.

What's cooking: The program represents a collaboration between chef Sarah Stegner of Prairie Grass Cafe and the Evolved Network, a non-profit run by chef and psychotherapist Sebastian White, that connects kids in South and West Side schools with their food.

What they're saying: Evolved Network wants to "create space at the table—literally—for exploration. What can we create with what's right in front of us? How do we make choices when options are finite? What does it mean to be part of a system—of soil, of culture, of community?" the group says on its website.

Where you can find them: Luella's Southern Kitchen, Prairie Grass Cafe, Molly's Cupcakes, Verzênay Chicago, Nakorn, Demera, Saigon Sisters, Soul 7 Smoke, Floriole and more.

See the full list of restaurants

👋 Hey, it's Justin! It's too hot for regular coffee, so how about some iced coffee?

Today's place: Canyon Coffee (1144 W. Fulton Market)

The vibe: A sleek, curated pop-up! It's nestled inside Design Within Reach, so if you love a good iced coffee while you peruse couches, this is the place!

• Act fast; it's only open through the end of July.

The coffee: Originally from Los Angeles, Canyon specializes in really sophisticated coffee and tea. I got the iced "Bear Hug Latte," which is a salted caramel latte with a miso flake ($7).

• It was not too sweet and yet not too salty.

The service: The barista gave me a history lesson on the brand. There was no line, but I was there in the afternoon.

☕️ 10-word review: Great coffee, whether you are in a canyon or not.

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