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Axios Chicago
Eat and drink like you're at the Paris Summer Olympics
If you can't be in Paris for the Olympic Games, you can least enjoy French inspired specials closer to home. Here's a medal-worthy selection: La Grande Boucherie Photo: Courtesy of Rachel Bires.The two-story Parisian brasserie is offering three-course prix fixe meals that include Basque cheesecake and tuna-avocado and steak tartare for ($58)Available now through Aug. 29.Tareaux Tavern Photo: Courtesy of C__LOUISEThe Loop bistro is featuring a Vive la Révolution cocktail trio of red, white and blue gin-based cocktails to represent the French flag. ($16)Graystone Tavern Photo: Courtesy of Graystone TavernThe Lakeview bar offers an international lesson in fries, including Irish...
Chicago Sky players are getting a major practice facility upgrade
The Chicago Sky is planning to build a new WNBA performance center just outside the city. Why it matters: The 2021 champions are finally getting a professional-grade facility with amenities in line with what their male colleagues in the NBA have enjoyed for decades.Driving the news: The WNBA team announced Thursday they will break ground this fall on the $38 million facility in southwest suburban Bedford Park.Reality check: Since 2011, the Sky has practiced at Sachs Recreation Center, a park district facility in suburban Deerfield, nearly 30 miles from Wintrust Arena where the team plays home games.Bedford Park is about...
Big Ten Conference no longer just a Midwest division
Big Ten football is getting even bigger for the 2024 season.State of play: This is the first season since the conference ditched divisions and expanded to 18 teams with the addition of four programs from the devastated Pac-12.Why it matters: The new free-for-all format means the two teams with the best records at season's end will earn a ticket to the Big Ten Championship game on Dec. 7.Driving the news: USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon are the new kids this year.Their West Coast inclusion makes the traditionally Midwestern conference a bit more coastal, much like when the Big Ten expanded...
Federal Reserve Monday Museum highlights Negro Leagues
Black baseball is hitting it out of the park this year, especially in Chicago.What's happening: In May, Negro Leagues stats were finally merged with those in the rest of Major League Baseball, and this week a new exhibition on the leagues debuted at the Chicago Fed's Money Museum on LaSalle Street.Driving the news: The showcase is based on collectible coins released in 2020 to commemorate the league's 100th anniversary.Zoom in: One coin depicts the "father of Black baseball," Chicagoan Andrew "Rube" Foster."He not only put Black baseball in Chicago on the map in the early 20th century but more was...
Here's what's happening in Chicago this weekend
This weekend in Chicago, jam at Wicker Park Fest, taste Midwest bites on Lincoln Ave. or enjoy Latin music in Pilsen.1. 🎟️ Wicker Park FestEnjoy a three-day dance party at Wicker Park Fest, which turns 20 this year.Why it matters: John Ugolini, talent buyer for Wicker Park Fest and Subterranean, says that roughly 40% of the music acts are local."Being Chicago-centric with our programming and giving local artists and performers the opportunity onstage is very important."Chicago native Jamila Woods will headline the festival with Superdrag, The Felice Brothers, La Luz, and Fiji Blue.What to expect: Over 50 acts performing across...
Where Chicago drivers, pedestrians and bikers can't go during DNC
The Secret Service has released maps of planned security perimeters around the United Center and McCormick Place during next month's Democratic National Convention.Why it matters: The restrictions, which will apply to pedestrians, vehicles and bikes, will effectively lock down four square blocks of the West Loop and Near South Side for more than a week.Driving the news: United Center boundaries stretch from Hoyne Avenue to Paulina Street and Washington to Jackson boulevards from 7pm Aug. 17 until the morning of Aug. 23.McCormick Place boundaries will reach from Michigan to Calumet avenues and from 21st to 24th streets from 10pm Aug....
Chicago restaurants hope DNC will boost traffic, despite RNC lag
Despite disappointing business at some Milwaukee eateries during last week's Republican National Convention, many Chicago restaurateurs remain optimistic that next month's DNC will boost traffic, or at least won't hurt it.Why it matters: One analysis of the DNC's economic impact on Philadelphia in 2016 suggests promised benefits were overblown — and in Milwaukee, some restaurateurs say revenue actually dropped.What they're saying: Some business owners told the New York Times the RNC boosted crowds but discouraged regulars. Cheraty Par of an Awi Sushi location near the convention said, "Most of my customers are the people who work around here, so I...
Lula Cafe launches arts venue LouLou
The folks behind Lula Cafe are launching LouLou, just around the corner, to showcase art, discussion, food and community.Why it matters: Though many know co-owners Jason Hammel and Amalea Tschilds as Beard-winning chef/restaurateurs, they're also artists who used to host music and poetry shows at their 25-year-old Logan Square restaurant..What they're saying: "I just wanted my own space to do things that we can't do at Lula anymore," Hammel tells Axios."I see it as an artist series with some interviewing, eating and music," says Tschilds, who plays in country band Girls of the Golden West. "I might get guests who...
Chicago braces for potential migrant surge ahead of the DNC
City officials are bracing for up to 25,000 new migrants arriving between now and the Democratic National Convention after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he would keep busing people here.Why it matters: The city struggled to accommodate just 15,000 last winter, and the potential deluge could double that number if it materializes.Catch up quick: On the third night of the Republican National Convention last week, Abbott told supporters: "We have continued busing migrants to sanctuary cities across the entire country, and those buses will continue to roll until we finally secure our border."What they're saying: "We've looked at estimates of...
Diner en Blanc annual outdoor picnic features neighborhood foods.
This year's Dîner en Blanc celebrates the city's vast, diverse culinary culture.Why it matters: Each Chicago neighborhood offers a different set of ethnic traditions and scrumptious foods. For Dîner en Blanc's 10th anniversary, the fancy "outdoor picnic" features baskets with food from Maxwell Street, Greektown, Devon, Pilsen and Little Italy. Last year's Dîner en Blanc. Photo: Courtesy of Chris DiltsHow it works: The annual outdoor picnic is held at a secret location that guests don't learn about until they arrive at a separate meeting place. They must dress in white and bring their own picnic table and place settings; they can opt to provide their own baskets of food.Guests can also purchase tickets that include a prepared picnic basket and buy booze during dinner.Picnic baskets range from $52 for a French cheese and charcuterie platter served with a baguette to $82 for Little Italy-inspired surf and turf.Past locales have included the Art Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo and Federal Plaza.What to expect: This year the food is prepared by Charles Haracz of Blue Plate catering, with wine and champagne (the only beverage options) from local winery Glunz. If you go: Tickets for Wednesday's soiree range from $55 to $68.
Chicago's Runaway Cow has all the flavor, none of the dairy
A new ice cream spot in Bridgeport serves up Dairy Queen-style soft serve, minus the dairy.On the menu: Runaway Cow has plant-based soft serve cones, sundaes, snowstorms (like a Blizzard) and ice cream sandwiches.The bite: "The Elvis," vanilla ice cream topped with banana slices, homemade peanut butter topping, ground nuts, whipped cream, and a cherry. ($9.99) Banana split. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/AxiosThe intrigue: Co-owner Alison Eichhorn tells Axios her family owned a DQ in Lansing, Illinois, where she honed her soft serve chops and can whip up a brownie fudge sundae lickety-split.Eichhorn had been on the hunt for tasty vegan, gluten-free ice cream and figured growing up in the biz gave her a leg up.The verdict: Yummy! In my experience it's difficult to master creaminess for dairy or dairy-free soft serve as it's often too icy, but Runaway Cow does it, and the whipped cream tastes creamy and naturally sweet.If you go: Runaway Cow, 608 W. 31st St. in Bridgeport.
Axios Chicago quiz: Where's Monica this week?
Each week, Axios Chicago reporters pose at various Chicago locations.Where's Monica Eng this week? Here's a hint:In a town to the north on Lake Michigan's shoreThere are buckets of flags that to drivers implore:"Slow your fast speed and let people walk!"But these flags have inspired some drivers to balk.
Poll: Who should Harris pick for running mate?
We often hear just from the pundits, but let's take a moment to hear from you, the wisest readers in the land. Reality check: We are embarking on our first annual Axios Chicago "temperature check." This is an informal poll (no scientists have been consulted). The questions are below, and we'll publish results later in the week.Ready, set, poll! Update: We closed the poll Tuesday at 6pm. We will publish the results Wednesday in our Axios Chicago newsletter.
DNC protest plans continue with Kamala Harris as presumptive nominee
The Coalition to March on the DNC has been clear about its plans to protest the Biden administration's Gaza policies during the DNC, and organizers say a new nominee doesn't change that.Why it matters: The coalition, comprising several advocacy organizations including U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) and Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR), is united around the goal of a ceasefire in Gaza.The coalition says it blames the Democratic Party's policies, not just President Biden's, for the prolonged war.Driving the news: After Biden stepped down as the Democratic nominee and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday, protest...
Pritzker's chances of landing as Harris running mate
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination Monday, shifting attention to his prospects as her VP pick.The big picture: The governor has been a frequent surrogate during the Biden campaign, specializing in attacking former President Trump, the Republican nominee.What he's saying: "Vice President Harris has proven, at every point in her career, that she possesses the skills, strength, and character to lead this country and the vision to better the lives of all Americans," Pritzker said in a statement Monday morning.Context: Pritzker has long been considered a rising name in the Democratic Party....
Pritzker and top Chicago Democrats endorse Harris
The day after President Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin threw their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination.Why it matters: The endorsement squashes speculation that Pritzker was eyeing a presidential run of his own, but the governor remains on a speculative short list of possible Harris running mates. Context: In the hours since Biden's bombshell announcement, Democratic leaders nationwide endorsed Harris.She has been calling Democratic officials to try to lock down the nomination, Axios' Hans Nichols reported.What they're saying: "Vice President Harris has proven, at every...
TechChicago Week celebrates local community
The annual TechChicago Week is back this week with prominent speakers, events and activations around town.The big picture: Chicago's tech community has seen an uneven couple of years as investors have pulled back, forcing several big companies like Google and Meta to lay off workers this year.Yes, but: Thanks to the movement in quantum and EV manufacturing, Illinois and Chicago are seeing huge job growth in the tech sector in 2024.What they're saying: "Tech Week is important to Chicago," Tifair Gillespie Hamed of P33, which is organizing the week, tells Axios."We want to make sure that the culture of our...
Pritzker's DNC could be wild ride
President Biden has decided to end his re-election campaign, opening the possibility that other politicians — perhaps even Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker — could play a pivotal role in what's next.Why it matters: Democrats are without a nominee just weeks before the Democratic National Convention, which starts Aug. 19.Catch up quick: In a statement Sunday, Biden said, "I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work," and endorsed her in a second post.Driving the news: The Tribune reported Pritzker would make an announcement Monday about his political future and cited an unnamed...
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Axios Chicago, anchored by Monica Eng and Justin Kauffman, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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