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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>

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.

Business

<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.

Kids' suicide ER visits jump 74%

Half of youth suicide-related ER visits occurred at hospitals with fewer pediatric care resources.

Many emergency rooms receiving young people in need of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mental health services" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/09/illinois-universal-student-mental-health-screenings" data-vars-content-id="901fbcae-e5eb-42ef-b76d-724243f57300" data-vars-headline="Kids&#x27; suicide ER visits jump 74%" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/09/illinois-universal-student-mental-health-screenings" target="_self">mental health services</a> lack the resources to provide that care.Why it matters: About half of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="suicide-related visits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/11/girls-suicide-rates-boys-gender-gap" data-vars-content-id="901fbcae-e5eb-42ef-b76d-724243f57300" data-vars-headline="Kids&#x27; suicide ER visits jump 74%" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/11/girls-suicide-rates-boys-gender-gap" target="_self">suicide-related visits</a> from young people occurred at ERs with fewer annual pediatric visits, where therapists or other mental health care professionals aren&#x27;t on staff.<ul><li>That&#x27;s according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new study" data-vars-click-url="https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2026/09/childrens-suicide-related-emergency-visits-spiked-by-74-in-the-us-between-2016-2022?fj=1" data-vars-content-id="901fbcae-e5eb-42ef-b76d-724243f57300" data-vars-headline="Kids&#x27; suicide ER visits jump 74%" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2026/09/childrens-suicide-related-emergency-visits-spiked-by-74-in-the-us-between-2016-2022?fj=1" target="_blank">a new study</a> by doctors at Northwestern and Ann &amp; Robert H. Lurie Children&#x27;s Hospital. </li></ul>

University of Chicago tops college free speech rankings

UChicago earned a B- as most U.S. colleges continue to struggle with campus free expression.

Education

American colleges are largely failing to create a healthy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free speech" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/24/fiu-students-ice-free-speech-aclu-florida" data-vars-content-id="eea9829d-8f27-40c2-ab3c-7a3bac403cc5" data-vars-headline="University of Chicago tops college free speech rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/24/fiu-students-ice-free-speech-aclu-florida" target="_self">free speech</a> climate on campus, but the University of Chicago breaks from that trend, according to a new national ranking.Why it matters: Students are self-censoring at high rates amid intense <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="political pressure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/21/trump-higher-ed-shakeup-colleges-fall-semester" data-vars-content-id="eea9829d-8f27-40c2-ab3c-7a3bac403cc5" data-vars-headline="University of Chicago tops college free speech rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/21/trump-higher-ed-shakeup-colleges-fall-semester" target="_self">political pressure</a> from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="eea9829d-8f27-40c2-ab3c-7a3bac403cc5" data-vars-headline="University of Chicago tops college free speech rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> administration and efforts by some universities to change policies in response.

Mood Fabrics opens in Chicago

The famed New York fabric store has landed in the Loop, with sewing and design classes coming soon.

The textile mecca born in New York and made famous on &quot;Project Runway&quot; is now open in Chicago.Why it matters: Mood Fabrics expands into Chicago a year after chain retailer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Joann&#x27;s Fabrics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/12/joann-fabrics-closing-stores-2025-bankruptcy" data-vars-content-id="fecc79d2-b363-4464-b3e3-e6a79ffb1df4" data-vars-headline="Mood Fabrics opens in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/12/joann-fabrics-closing-stores-2025-bankruptcy" target="_self">Joann&#x27;s Fabrics</a> closed, and it joins a stable of locally owned options.

UChicago limiting tech in classes

Students will read on paper and discuss texts face to face in device-free classes.

Some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of Chicago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/21/uchicago-northwestern-financial-aid-lawsuit-settlement-payments-class-action" data-vars-content-id="0a459a36-1ad8-43da-bc79-7f780adcf2ab" data-vars-headline="UChicago limiting tech in classes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/21/uchicago-northwestern-financial-aid-lawsuit-settlement-payments-class-action" target="_self">University of Chicago</a> students can expect an analog classroom experience next school year.Why it matters: As higher education <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grapples with the role AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/15/college-major-ai-skills-job-search" data-vars-content-id="0a459a36-1ad8-43da-bc79-7f780adcf2ab" data-vars-headline="UChicago limiting tech in classes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/15/college-major-ai-skills-job-search" target="_self">grapples with the role AI</a> plays in students&#x27; academic careers, the prestigious university known for intellectual rigor believes the classroom should be a space for &quot;free, robust and uninhibited discussion.&quot;

Chicago Public Schools shifts 2026 AI rollout 

The district is retaining an AI-assisted literacy tool for grade-schoolers.

As Chicago Public Schools students return to class Monday, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="role of AI in the district " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/18/cps-board-candidates-asked-to-sign-ai-pledge-" data-vars-content-id="7f7b1c05-b856-4d55-8ad2-ef3abc78af60" data-vars-headline="Chicago Public Schools shifts 2026 AI rollout " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/18/cps-board-candidates-asked-to-sign-ai-pledge-" target="_self">role of AI in the district </a>remains under debate, with one AI literacy app in place and a high school chatbot getting the boot.Why it matters: The discontinuation of these programs could have a significant impact on how CPS students learn. And local questions on the issue reflect wider debates lawmakers and<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" education officials" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/02/alpha-schools-ai-expansion-50-campuses" data-vars-content-id="7f7b1c05-b856-4d55-8ad2-ef3abc78af60" data-vars-headline="Chicago Public Schools shifts 2026 AI rollout " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/02/alpha-schools-ai-expansion-50-campuses" target="_self"> education officials</a> are having around the country.

School board candidates split on AI use limits 

The pledge would place a 3-year moratorium on generative AI use.

A Chicago Public Schools parent group is asking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school board" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/01/chicago-school-board-campaign-season-begins" data-vars-content-id="2cf16b37-272f-4017-b148-981b46dd1302" data-vars-headline="School board candidates split on AI use limits " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/01/chicago-school-board-campaign-season-begins" target="_self">school board</a> candidates to sign a pledge limiting AI use in the district. So far, about half of all board contenders have signed.Why it matters: The effort, led by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Illinois Families for Public Schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ilfps.org/" data-vars-content-id="2cf16b37-272f-4017-b148-981b46dd1302" data-vars-headline="School board candidates split on AI use limits " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ilfps.org/" target="_blank">Illinois Families for Public Schools</a> (IFPS), could have a major impact on the way Chicago students learn this year.

NEIU adds AI major

The new program mixes computer science with AI ethics as students prepare for a changing job market.

Northeastern Illinois University on Chicago&#x27;s North Side just became the first public university in the state to offer an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI major" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/15/college-major-ai-skills-job-search" data-vars-content-id="b7bccef4-76f9-4a4a-8a31-d66d74c6e964" data-vars-headline="NEIU adds AI major" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/15/college-major-ai-skills-job-search" target="_self">AI major</a>.Why it matters:<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" " data-vars-click-url="https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/college-labor-market#--:explore:unemployment" data-vars-content-id="b7bccef4-76f9-4a4a-8a31-d66d74c6e964" data-vars-headline="NEIU adds AI major" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/college-labor-market#--:explore:unemployment" target="_blank"> </a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Unemployment for recent grads" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/college-labor-market#--:explore:unemployment" data-vars-content-id="b7bccef4-76f9-4a4a-8a31-d66d74c6e964" data-vars-headline="NEIU adds AI major" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/college-labor-market#--:explore:unemployment" target="_blank">Unemployment for recent grads</a> is the highest it&#x27;s been in three years, putting more pressure on universities to prepare students for a job market disrupted by AI.

Illinois' undocumented student tuition law faces uncertain future

It's unclear whether the state will appeal the recent federal court ruling striking down the law.

A federal judge ruled this month that Illinois&#x27; laws allowing eligible <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="undocumented students" data-vars-click-url="http://axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/25/illinois-hosts-some-of-the-most-unauthorized-immigrants" data-vars-content-id="e041a75a-c960-416e-813a-17a9875437ff" data-vars-headline="Illinois&#x27; undocumented student tuition law faces uncertain future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/25/illinois-hosts-some-of-the-most-unauthorized-immigrants" target="_self">undocumented students</a> to pay in-state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tuition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/06/06/northwestern-mutual-report-parents-pay-for-college" data-vars-content-id="e041a75a-c960-416e-813a-17a9875437ff" data-vars-headline="Illinois&#x27; undocumented student tuition law faces uncertain future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/06/06/northwestern-mutual-report-parents-pay-for-college" target="_self">tuition</a> are unconstitutional, threatening expanded college access for immigrants.Why it matters: The decision upends more than 20 years of Illinois legislation making it more affordable for tens of thousands of undocumented students to attend community college and university in Illinois.

Chicago school board passes amended CPS budget

Officials remained divided Thursday over the repercussions of the vote

Chicago school board members voted 11 to 7 Thursday night to reject a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CPS-crafted budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/03/chicago-public-schools-budget-tax-increment-financing" data-vars-content-id="8d843da8-0286-437e-92c0-44931b398d5b" data-vars-headline="Chicago school board passes amended CPS budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/03/chicago-public-schools-budget-tax-increment-financing" target="_self">CPS-crafted budget</a> and instead adopt a plan backed by the Chicago Teachers Union that restores jobs and relies on $150 million in uncommitted state funds. Why it matters: Depending on which officials you ask, the move will finally force Springfield to cough up the money it owes CPS — or it breaks state laws and will cause &quot;catastrophic&quot; pay delays.

Education 📚

Evanston YWCA trains abuse survivors for culinary careers

Kids' suicide ER visits jump 74%

University of Chicago tops college free speech rankings

Mood Fabrics opens in Chicago

UChicago limiting tech in classes