If you assumed your older relatives were blowing smoke with those stories of "walking to school for a mile — in the SNOW," you might be wrong.

• Recent data shows that abnormally warm winter days have increased in all of Illinois' biggest towns over the last half century.

Why it matters: Analysis from independent climate research organization Climate Central suggests global warming is significantly shifting weather patterns in most U.S. cities.

• Fall data shows similar trends.

What they measured: 52 years (1970-2021) of temperature data in 246 locations across the U.S. from December - February.

National takeaways: Since 1970, winter is the fastest-warming season for the majority of the U.S.

• About 98% (241) of the researched locations had an increase in their average winter temperatures since 1970, with 84% warming by 2°F or more.
• Winter warming is greatest in the Great Lakes and Northeast region.
• Warming winters can have negative impacts on our health and regional economies that depend on snow.

By the (Illinois) numbers: Since 1970, the average winter temperature in Illinois' biggest cities has increased between 2.8 (Champaign) and 5.3 (Peoria) degrees. Abnormally warm winter days have also increased by 8 to 17 days.

• Rockford: 17
• Peoria: 15
• Moline: 13
• Chicago: 10
• Quincy: 10
• Champaign: 8

Anyone who's recently been to Europe, New York, Los Angeles or even the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana knows about apps used to verify vaccine status at public venues.

• In Chicago, not so much.

Why it matters: We are heading into flu season amid a surge of Delta cases and the arrival of the Omicron variant while often relying on phone pics of vaccine cards to keep us safe.

What they're (not) saying: "At this point we don’t have plans for such an app," Chicago Department of Public Health spokesperson Andrew Buchanan told Axios last Friday.

• "But there are other ways people can prove vaccination, including the State of Illinois' Vax Verify portal."
• Axios asked Mayor Lori Lightfoot's office if Chicago planned to create an app and got crickets back.

Yes, but: On Tuesday, health chief Allison Arwady said she's open to more stringent measures to prove vaccination status in Chicago.

What's next: Could Chicago finally catch up to Champaign-Urbana? Stay tuned.

Today's local gift idea is aimed at the person on your list with a sweet tooth and a soft heart.

The goods: Christmas cookie jar from Unique Sweets ($20), pecan pie from Justice of the Pies ($69) or cupcakes from Blue Sky Bakery ($2.75).

The mission: Unique Sweets employees individuals with developmental disabilities.

• Justice of the Pies cooks for and teaches cooking to low-income youth.
• Blue Sky Bakery trains youth with barriers to employment.

🐎 The proposal to allow sports betting at major sports stadiums has stalled because alderpeople want a bigger piece of the tax pie. (Block Club Chicago)

🍁 The Illinois cannabis industry is finally increasing minority representation. But after long delays, some startups no longer have funds to run the business and will have to sell their licenses. (Chicago Tribune)

💨 The city won't release the inspector general's report on the 2020 Little Village implosion and dust storm. (Sun-Times)

🏈 Justin Fields has been medically cleared to play and will start at quarterback on Sunday night against the Packers. (NBCSports)

🏟 Chicago startup Tailgreeter is sponsoring a college bowl game and coincidentally, NIU is playing in it. (Chicago Inno)

We received two dozen correct answers of 31st Street Harbor from you smarties after asking where Monica was yesterday.

• Some got close by guessing Northerly Island, Burnham Harbor or even Navy Pier.

Details: Built in 2012, 31st Street is the newest addition to Chicago's harbor system and can accommodate 1,000 boats.

• The harbor includes a prairie garden on the roof and picnic seating on two levels.
• It's adjacent to Margaret Burroughs Beach and Edwin C. Berry playground.

Congratulations to Andre G. and Jeremy H., whose names we pulled out of a digital hat for swag at our next event!

👋 Hi, Monica here!

• I'm not a big museum person but have visited the comics exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center three times already and can't wait to go back.

Why it matters: "Chicago: Where Comics Came to Life 1880-1960" closes on Jan. 9 and makes for a great free holiday outing.

The inspiration: Artist Chris Ware and historian Tim Samuelson created the show to complement last summer's modern comic exhibit at the MCA and to showcase local cartoon history.

You'll see: Huge reproductions of old strips presenting Chicago life and humor back in the day.

• Works by early female and African American cartoon creators.
• Super cool artifacts and toys from Samuelson's personal collection.

Four surprises: The Chicago Tribune published an anonymously written series called "Lucy and Sophie Say Goodbye," revolving around two kissing women — in 1905!

• Chicago papers ran a pre-WWII German-American comic strip called "Dinglehoofer und his dog Adolph" whose characters spoke with heavy accents.
• Front pages from the Chicago Tribune, Defender and Daily News on the same day in July 1921 show totally different stories and illustrate siloed news worlds even then.

Curator's choice: Ware devotes a third of the show to "Gasoline Alley" creator Frank King, whose characters grew up in real time.

• "He was the first cartoonist to harness the ephemeral nature of daily newsprint to capture the ineffable passing of life with characters who aged," Ware tells Axios.

Details: The free show is open daily 10am to 5pm at the Chicago Cultural Center.