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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Chicago. Written by Monica Eng, Justin Kaufmann and Carrie Shepherd.

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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>

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Chicago

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="d98242f3-ca6e-4b69-aefe-2359e8ab769f" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in Chicago&#x27;s Logan Square neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

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.

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>

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.

Business

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.

Best Day Ever: Zayd Ayers Dorhn

The playwright's ideal day includes lakefront biking, Hyde Park dining and a night at the theater.

Writer Zayd Ayers Dohrn spends a lot of time thinking about politics, free speech and his family&#x27;s radical past.<ul><li>But even serious writers need a day off.</li></ul>The latest: His new play, &quot;The Humanities,&quot; about free speech on an elite college campus and the political fights that ensue, is now on stage at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Victory Gardens Theater." data-vars-click-url="https://victorygardens.org/" data-vars-content-id="75915d5f-a580-4ede-9412-56060e41f9b9" data-vars-headline="Best Day Ever: Zayd Ayers Dorhn" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://victorygardens.org/" target="_blank">Victory Gardens Theater.</a>

Riot Fest, Twin Peaks and more Chicago weekend picks

Outdoor shopping, music and food fests will keep that summer feeling flowing this weekend.

It&#x27;s not time to move all your weekend plans inside just yet. State of play: Outdoor shopping, music and food fests will keep that summer feeling flowing.Yes, but: For those eager to stay snug inside away from the elements, this weekend is a good one.Here are some spots we&#x27;re checking out this weekend.

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.

Martini Expo celebrates Chicago's classy cocktail

Martini Expo brings a week of cocktail tours, tastings and top bartenders to Chicago.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Martini Expo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.martiniexpo.com/" data-vars-content-id="e8f84b83-d583-431d-a2ad-f3b71e95062b" data-vars-headline="Martini Expo celebrates Chicago&#x27;s classy cocktail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.martiniexpo.com/" target="_blank">Martini Expo</a> makes its Chicago debut this week, celebrating classic and quirky spins on the cocktail and its deep history here.

Food and Drink 🍽

Bite Club: The Reuben sundae

New book highlights healing power of dance and more

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Chicago

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

Smell Test: Brach's Candy corn perfume