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New Ryan Field faces its neighborhood test

The new stadium is set to bring 35,000 people to Central Street in Evanston on Friday.

Sports

Northwestern football returns home Friday night, unveiling its $870 million Ryan Field nearly three years after the old stadium was demolished.The big picture: The Wildcats kick off against Penn State at 7pm Friday, exactly 100 years after the original Ryan Field opened.

Bite Club: The Reuben sundae

Kith Treats is serving three Katz's-inspired desserts, including a wild Reuben soft serve.

Food and Drink

New York&#x27;s legendary Katz&#x27;s Delicatessen has landed in Chicago, but don&#x27;t expect pastrami and corned beef.

New book highlights healing power of dance and more 

New book by Chicago's Dr. Geeta Maker-Clark illuminates many paths to healing.

Health

When Chicago physician <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Geeta Maker-Clark" data-vars-click-url="https://drgeetamakerclark.com/about/" data-vars-content-id="a2308e2a-253a-4d1f-a866-650dff87df41" data-vars-headline="New book highlights healing power of dance and more " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://drgeetamakerclark.com/about/" target="_blank">Geeta Maker-Clark</a> launched her book &quot;Medicine For All People&quot; this summer, she knew there had to be dancing — and lots of it.

Chicago neighborhood quiz, volume 2: Do you know these famous landmarks?

There are so many landmarks in Chicago that it's ripe for a second quiz!

Neighborhoods

Last week, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I quizzed you" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/09/25/chicago-neighborhood-quiz-landmarks-lakeview-beverly-pilsen-gold-coast" data-vars-content-id="9efdac03-893d-41ff-b5ca-53b20dff4fc1" data-vars-headline="Chicago neighborhood quiz, volume 2: Do you know these famous landmarks?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/09/25/chicago-neighborhood-quiz-landmarks-lakeview-beverly-pilsen-gold-coast" target="_self">I quizzed you</a> on Chicago neighborhood landmarks. <ul><li>I gave you the landmark; you gave me the &#x27;hood.</li></ul>

WTTW's "Chicago Stories" returns with 4 new documentaries

The award-winning docu-series is one of Chicago's media treasures.

Business

Chicago history is still getting the deep-dive treatment on local television. The latest: WTTW&#x27;s &quot;Chicago Stories&quot; returns Friday for a new season, bringing another round of documentaries exploring the people, places and events that shaped the city.

Exclusive: Morningstar will join Google at Chicago's Thompson Center

The financial firm will co-anchor the newly renovated building on Randolph Street.

Chicago-based financial services firm Morningstar is moving its global headquarters to the redeveloped <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thompson Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/12/13/thompson-center-renovation-renderings-google" data-vars-content-id="e3e9bc1e-3c37-4154-863d-84ca5bc71d5b" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Morningstar will join Google at Chicago&#x27;s Thompson Center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/12/13/thompson-center-renovation-renderings-google" target="_self">Thompson Center</a>, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The move keeps one of Chicago&#x27;s largest homegrown companies — and more than 1,500 employees — in the Loop while giving the Thompson Center redevelopment another major corporate anchor, in addition to Google.

United CEO wants 1,000 daily flights from O'Hare

Scott Kirby spoke about his vision for the future of Chicago air travel on a recent podcast.

Travel

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby wants the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="airline&#x27;s home base" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/04/16/united-airlines-ohare-billboards-southwest-earnings" data-vars-content-id="183d1cba-e0ba-48f0-b210-980963d6c33d" data-vars-headline="United CEO wants 1,000 daily flights from O&#x27;Hare" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/04/16/united-airlines-ohare-billboards-southwest-earnings" target="_self">airline&#x27;s home base</a> to be the best in the world.The latest: In a new interview with the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Office Hours: Business Edition&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://haslam.utk.edu/office-hours/" data-vars-content-id="183d1cba-e0ba-48f0-b210-980963d6c33d" data-vars-headline="United CEO wants 1,000 daily flights from O&#x27;Hare" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://haslam.utk.edu/office-hours/" target="_blank">&quot;Office Hours: Business Edition&quot;</a> podcast, Kirby lays out an ambitious vision: Make O&#x27;Hare the world&#x27;s No. 1 airport.

Chicago City Council weighs rival rental rules

Two competing plans could reshape the rules governing Chicago renters and landlords for years.

Politics

City Council is considering two <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="competing plans Wednesday to rewrite the rental rules" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/20/competing-renters-plans-work-through-city-hall" data-vars-content-id="a2662a67-e864-41da-a455-7c5092dae8b6" data-vars-headline="Chicago City Council weighs rival rental rules" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/20/competing-renters-plans-work-through-city-hall" target="_self">competing plans Wednesday to rewrite the rental rules</a> — the first major overhaul in decades.Why it matters: The dueling plans could reshape both tenant and landlord protections and costs in a city with more than 600,000 renters.<ul><li>Rent continues <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to increase" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/advice/hyperlocal/chicago-rents-going-up/" data-vars-content-id="a2662a67-e864-41da-a455-7c5092dae8b6" data-vars-headline="Chicago City Council weighs rival rental rules" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/advice/hyperlocal/chicago-rents-going-up/" target="_blank">to increase</a> in a city with more than 600,000 renters, and Chicago&#x27;s rental prices are higher than the national average.</li></ul>

Smell Test: Brach's Candy corn perfume 

The $22 fall fragrance blends buttery candy corn with caramelized sugar and vanilla notes.

Chicago&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brach&#x27;s candy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.brachs.com/" data-vars-content-id="f74be7a3-e711-4d3c-a010-977462299dc7" data-vars-headline="Smell Test: Brach&#x27;s Candy corn perfume " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.brachs.com/" target="_blank">Brach&#x27;s candy</a> has made its iconic fall candy wearable.The big picture: Burning leaves, pumpkin pie and, now, candy corn. The Chicago-based<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" candy conglomerate&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/02/14/the-former-candy-capital-of-the-world" data-vars-content-id="f74be7a3-e711-4d3c-a010-977462299dc7" data-vars-headline="Smell Test: Brach&#x27;s Candy corn perfume " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/02/14/the-former-candy-capital-of-the-world" target="_self"> candy conglomerate&#x27;s</a> latest invention banks on the waxy, orange, yellow and white treat being one of fall&#x27;s evocative scents.

Chicago's delivery robots face a make-or-break year

Coco and Serve are now sidewalk regulars, but crashes and blocked paths fuel resident pushback.

One year ago this month, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Serve Robotics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/serve-robotics-uber-grubhub-doordash-washington" data-vars-content-id="f2b486af-a38f-4daf-be16-bfa4e1eabd1e" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s delivery robots face a make-or-break year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/serve-robotics-uber-grubhub-doordash-washington" target="_self">Serve Robotics</a> released its delivery robots to Chicago&#x27;s sidewalks. The next year will determine whether they stick around.Why it matters: Coco and Serve robots went from quirky novelty to regular sidewalk companions, and tension between robots and pedestrians is testing the delivery devices&#x27; long-term future in the city.

Wilson pitching Bears and Super Bowl in Chicago

Mayoral candidates are weighing in with ideas on how to keep the Bears in Chicago.

News

Mayoral candidates are beginning to seize on an issue no mayor wants to own: the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bears leaving Chicago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/05/chicago-bears-indiana-hammond-stadium-mccaskey-braun-pritzker" data-vars-content-id="c069e31b-4a36-4464-a7d1-dba9fbb2a98b" data-vars-headline="Wilson pitching Bears and Super Bowl in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/05/chicago-bears-indiana-hammond-stadium-mccaskey-braun-pritzker" target="_self">Bears leaving Chicago</a>.Why it matters: The Bears&#x27; stadium saga is becoming a key issue in the 2027 mayoral race, with candidates likely to face questions about whether anything can still be done to keep the team in the city.

Evanston YWCA trains abuse survivors for culinary careers

A $50,000 grant will help the culinary program expand from 16 to 24 participants each year.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="YWCA Evanston/North Shore" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ywca-ens.org/" data-vars-content-id="766c197f-c7b0-4aab-b9ac-f8a77ef089a9" data-vars-headline="Evanston YWCA trains abuse survivors for culinary careers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ywca-ens.org/" target="_blank">YWCA Evanston/North Shore</a> trains survivors of domestic violence for restaurant jobs as they rebuild their lives.Why it matters: Participants in the YWCA Culinary Program are often transitioning from an unstable, volatile environment. Job training sets them on a path toward independence.

Google reveals latest Thompson Center plans

The renovation preserves key elements of Helmut Jahn's design while reimagining the Loop landmark.

Chicagoans are getting a fresh look at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Google&#x27;s transformation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/12/13/thompson-center-renovation-renderings-google" data-vars-content-id="b44e3ac7-37bb-438a-82ec-ed0ed97399c4" data-vars-headline="Google reveals latest Thompson Center plans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/12/13/thompson-center-renovation-renderings-google" target="_self">Google&#x27;s transformation</a> of the Thompson Center in the Loop.

Business 🏦

WTTW's "Chicago Stories" returns with 4 new documentaries

New Ryan Field faces its neighborhood test

Exclusive: Morningstar will join Google at Chicago's Thompson Center

United CEO wants 1,000 daily flights from O'Hare

Chicago City Council weighs rival rental rules