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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>

Chicago weekend events: Chicago Gourmet, live music and fall fun

A scavenger hunt, prairie adventure and Riverside tour offer plenty of reasons to embrace the season.

Things to Do

Fall is definitely in the air. We&#x27;re in that sweet spot where outdoor activities are quite pleasurable — not too sweaty but not shivering.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s how we plan to savor it.</li></ul>

Chicago mayor proposes 12-month moratorium on new data centers

The move would give the city time to study the impacts data centers have on residents.

Environment

Chicago could halt new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center development" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/11/chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson-urges-moratorium-on-data-centers" data-vars-content-id="c3cd2ce8-1203-4cea-994a-38f331ba73cd" data-vars-headline="Chicago mayor proposes 12-month moratorium on new data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/11/chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson-urges-moratorium-on-data-centers" target="_self">data center development</a> within city limits for a year.Why it matters: Data centers&#x27; growing demand for electricity and water could affect residents&#x27; utility bills and the environment, and city leaders want more time to study those impacts.

Why yellowjackets are so aggressive in Chicago right now

September is seeing an uptick in aggressive wasps.

Chicago can&#x27;t catch a break from bugs this year.The latest: Earlier this summer, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Asian tiger mosquitoes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/getting-eaten-up-this-summer-invasive-asian-tiger-mosquitoes-may-be-to-blame/3977739/" data-vars-content-id="1d6f0544-7d62-4a08-9097-56830a644cf4" data-vars-headline="Why yellowjackets are so aggressive in Chicago right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/getting-eaten-up-this-summer-invasive-asian-tiger-mosquitoes-may-be-to-blame/3977739/" target="_blank">Asian tiger mosquitoes</a> wreaked havoc on outdoor activities. Now, pest experts say they&#x27;re getting an uptick in calls about notoriously aggressive yellowjackets.

Chicago ranked world's most climate-resilient city, but risks remain

With the EPA rolling back climate protections, Chicago looks to chart its own course.

Chicago ranked No. 1 for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate resilience" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/realestate/is-your-city-prepared-for-climate-disaster.html" data-vars-content-id="7f05e169-e412-431f-ae99-5d12dc9cd417" data-vars-headline="Chicago ranked world&#x27;s most climate-resilient city, but risks remain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/realestate/is-your-city-prepared-for-climate-disaster.html" target="_blank">climate resilience</a> in an AlphaGeo analysis of 72 major cities, a distinction Mayor Brandon Johnson is touting as he runs for reelection.The big picture: More than 50 years after officials adopted the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Deep Tunnel plan" data-vars-click-url="https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/tunnel-and-reservoir-plan-tarp" data-vars-content-id="7f05e169-e412-431f-ae99-5d12dc9cd417" data-vars-headline="Chicago ranked world&#x27;s most climate-resilient city, but risks remain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/tunnel-and-reservoir-plan-tarp" target="_blank">Deep Tunnel plan</a>, Chicago continues to invest in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trees" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/05/30/tree-cover-pollution-chicago" data-vars-content-id="7f05e169-e412-431f-ae99-5d12dc9cd417" data-vars-headline="Chicago ranked world&#x27;s most climate-resilient city, but risks remain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/05/30/tree-cover-pollution-chicago" target="_self">trees</a> and stormwater infrastructure as it prepares for more extreme weather.<ul><li>Now planners are considering the city&#x27;s next generation of climate defenses.</li></ul>

When is it too late to seed your lawn in Chicago?

The unseasonably warm September temperatures are causing complications.

Climate

Chicagoans hoping to repair their lawns after a hot summer are running out of time.Why it matters: Late summer and early fall are the best times to reseed lawns in northern Illinois, giving new grass enough time to establish before winter.

Beluga deaths raise questions about what's next

Animal welfare advocates are questioning captive care after three whales died at the Chicago aquarium.

The recent beluga whale deaths at Chicago&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shedd Aquarium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/05/making-drinking-water-from-sewage-recycling" data-vars-content-id="21eb1bcf-7dd9-4fbf-920a-188718657403" data-vars-headline="Beluga deaths raise questions about what&#x27;s next" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/05/making-drinking-water-from-sewage-recycling" target="_self">Shedd Aquarium</a> are renewing animal welfare activists&#x27; scrutiny of these facilities.Why it matters: Animal welfare activists point to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/09/03/2-more-beluga-whales-die-at-shedd-aquarium-including-recent-rescue/" data-vars-content-id="21eb1bcf-7dd9-4fbf-920a-188718657403" data-vars-headline="Beluga deaths raise questions about what&#x27;s next" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/09/03/2-more-beluga-whales-die-at-shedd-aquarium-including-recent-rescue/" target="_blank">deaths</a> as examples of the dangers of captivity, while aquariums and other marine facilities argue they&#x27;re best equipped to care for the mammals.

Data centers could score a break under next assessor 

Statements from Cook County's front runner for assessor suggest so.

Cook County Assessor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fritz Kaegi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/02/16/cook-county-property-tax-relief-kaegi" data-vars-content-id="0b5e7607-f623-4849-a2b6-6611e89046d3" data-vars-headline="Data centers could score a break under next assessor " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/02/16/cook-county-property-tax-relief-kaegi" target="_self">Fritz Kaegi</a> has pushed back on suburban data center owners who, he believes, have undervalued their properties to achieve lower taxes.<ul><li>But Pat Hynes, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="who beat Kaegi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/18/cook-county-assessor-fritz-kaegi-pat-hynes-democratic-primary" data-vars-content-id="0b5e7607-f623-4849-a2b6-6611e89046d3" data-vars-headline="Data centers could score a break under next assessor " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/18/cook-county-assessor-fritz-kaegi-pat-hynes-democratic-primary" target="_self">who beat Kaegi</a> in the Democratic primary to run for assessor, tells Axios he would take a different approach — one that could lower taxes for data centers, leaving a greater tax burden on homeowners.</li></ul>

Chicago mayor spars with activists on quantum 

Later in the week the sides seem to be making up

Politics

After walking out of a tense anti-quantum event Saturday, Mayor Brandon Johnson is attempting to mend fences with progressive South Side activists who attended.Why it matters: The scene of Johnson being jeered off stage by Black and brown social justice advocates struck a discordant note for a progressive mayor who has long counted these groups as his voter base.

Mosquito bite remedies: What works for itching and prevention

Axios readers offer suggestions from lemon oil to hair dryers and more.

After recently complaining about vicious mosquito attacks while walking my dog, I asked readers for their best itch remedies. 🦟 The buzz: Axios fans came through with a swarm of great advice for avoiding and treating mosquito bites — a few of which I&#x27;ve had a chance to try.

How far $500K goes at Chicago parks

A new voting process lets residents help decide which Park District improvements get funded.

For the first time, Chicagoans can weigh in on how the Park District spends $500,000.Why it matters: Participatory budgeting gives residents a say in how city officials spend tax dollars on public amenities and services.