Wonder Lake, IL Arts & Culture and More

IRM Acquires Train of CB&Q Gallery Cars

The Illinois Railway Museum has acquired a second complete and operational train of bi-level “gallery cars.” The three stainless-steel Chicago Burlington & Quincy cars, including two coaches and a cab car, arrived at the Museum on November 11, 2026. Cars 702 and 709 were built by the Budd Company of Philadelphia in 1950 and were among the very first gallery cars ever constructed. Cab car 791 was built in 1965 and was part of the Burlington’s original order for cab cars, which enabled the railroad to inaugurate push-pull commuter service.

partner publisher · 193.4K followers

ABC 7 Chicago

Cook County Sheriff's Office transforms prison transport bus into mobile library for children

A former prisoner transport bus has been transformed into a mobile library, bringing thousands of books to children in Cook County communities with limited access to reading resources.

Cook County, IL · 3d

WGN News

partner publisher · 99.3K followers

KPop Demon Hunters world tour coming to Chicago in 2027

Chicago's United Center will host two shows on Saturday, June 19, 2027.

partner publisher · 193.4K followers

ABC 7 Chicago

'Windy City Weekend' previews Mag Mile Lights Festival

With Ryan Chiaverini out preparing for the CMA Awards red carpet, friend of the show Cody LaGrow stepped in to co-host this week's "Windy City Weekend."

partner publisher · 21.6K followers

WGN Radio

Friday the 13th: The history behind the infamous superstition

If you're feeling a little superstitious today, you're not alone.

chicagotheatrereview.com

Working My Way Back to You

Can you believe that this National Tour marks the 20th Anniversary of the wonderful jukebox and biographical musical called the JERSEY BOYS? Time can’t diminish the pure power and entertainment value of this magnificent musical. Repeated viewings don’t lessen the drama and emotional impact of how a young phenom named Frankie Valli, and his buddies, the Four Seasons, evolved into the most popular singing group of their era. And the music? “Oh, What a Night!” Every song is a hit. Each tune has the audience bopping their heads, shaking their shoulders, tapping their toes, snapping their fingers and eventually singing along. These are the tunes that evoke so many fond memories of our teenage years, a more innocent time, when pop music stirred our souls and made everyone simply just want to get up and dance!

partner publisher · 5.3K followers

Axios Chicago

Alley cafes and plants in the Pedway: 3 ideas to transform Chicago's State Street

From more green space to interactive installations, three winning proposals reimagine what could make Chicago's State Street "that great street" once again. Why it matters: The plans could help breathe new life into a part of the Loop that was once a retail, cultural and social attraction. Driving the news: The Chicago Architectural Club, World Business Chicago and other civic organizations on Wednesday announced the winners of this year's Burnham Prize . Context: In April, the groups called for ideas for "The Future of State" — ways to make State Street a vibrant, inviting and modern urban center. Zoom in: The three winning projects take different approaches to best utilize what already exists along State Street, as well as what new infrastructure is needed. Thickness: From Corridor to Urban Field focuses on the spaces between the buildings. It would turn parking lots into green space, alleys and the Pedway into spots to meet and drink and build elevated walkways to move through the Loop. Unlocking State Street centers on the Chicago Federal Center block, a Mies van der Rohe-designed complex surrounded by Dearborn, Clark and Adams Streets and Jackson Boulevard. The plan would move the security barriers that exist around

publisher · 196.5K followers

rolling out

Angela Oakley returns home for street naming and community impact

Coming home means something different when the community that helped raise you is preparing to put your name on a street. For entrepreneur and The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Angela D. Reed-Oakley, that recognition is an opportunity to celebrate her roots while bringing attention to an issue that continues to affect families across Chicago: gun violence.

Calumet City, IL · 1d

blockclubchicago.org

Pop-Up Museum Highlights Route 66’s Passage Through North Lawndale

NORTH LAWNDALE — Get your kicks celebrating Route 66’s centennial anniversary at a pop-up museum in the Central Park Pink Line stop in North Lawndale. Neighbors and officials cut the ribbon earlier this week on “Route 66 @ 100 in North Lawndale,” an interactive museum inside the Pink Line station at 1915 S. Central Park Ave. The pop-up includes history exhibits, games and pop culture memorabilia related to Route 66’s history locally and nationally.

publisher · 67.1K followers

Fox 32 Chicago

Stolen handbag story connects Chicago business owner to Prince's family

A FOX Chicago report about a stolen designer handbag connected local business owner John Crispino with a member of Prince's extended family. Crispino and business partner Paige Partin are now selling a luxury handbag collection belonging to Prince's late sister, Tyka Nelson, valued at up to $310,000. Select pieces will...

publisher · 6.0K followers

WBEZ

Where to ice skate in Chicago and the suburbs 2026

With the season’s first snowflakes potentially falling on Friday, it’s a sign that now is the time to hit the rink. Whether you have your sights set on Olympic glory or don’t know a snowplow from a salchow, one of these 14 Chicago-area venues, from great date night spots to large, regulation-sized rinks, offer something for skaters of all levels. At Skatium Ice Arena in Skokie, you’ll even find classic rink fare like burgers and nachos with Jamaican flair.

chicagoonthecheap.com

Illuminate 900 Shops Holiday Event

Chicago’s tallest holiday tree will be the center of the 10th annual Illuminate 900 tree-lighting event, benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation on November 19, 2026, at the 900 N. Michigan Shops in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Get ready for the ultimate holiday extravaganza with music, performances, food, crafts and of...

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Block Club Chicago

Palmer Square Park’s ‘Helping Hand’ Sculpture Removed — But Neighbors Hope To Bring It Back

LOGAN SQUARE — For eight years, the big white hand sculpture seen at Palmer Square Park was a neighborhood symbol and became synonymous with the park’s identity. But last weekend, the “Helping Hand” sculpture was removed by artist Carrie Fischer, much to the dismay of neighbors. During the takedown, dozens of neighbors asked Fischer why she was removing the sculpture, she said.

partner publisher · 866.5K followers

Parade

In 1982, Someone Walked Into Chicago Drugstores, Laced Tylenol Bottles With Cyanide, and Put Them Right Back on the Shelf; Nobody Knows Who or Why

Nobody broke in. Nobody tampered at the factory. They died. Seven people died. No one’s ever been charged.

Chicago, IL · 3d

evanstonroundtable.com

Evanston Public Library to host author event on Nov. 14 with Jill Vanneman, daughter of former mayor

The Evanston Public Library is hosting an author event with Jill Vanneman to talk about her new book, The Perfection Campaign: A Daughter’s Search for Acceptance. It will take place from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in the Community Meeting Room (107) at the Main Library, 1703 Orrington Ave.

Evanston, IL · 2d

evanstonroundtable.com

New film, ‘Mouse,’ has lots of local ties

The movie Mouse, written by Kelly O’Sullivan and directed by O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, is a thoughtful, at times funny, and sensitive story about navigating grief, high school and complex mother-daughter relationships. The film is set in 2002 and filmed in North Little Rock, Arkansas. O’Sullivan and Thompson...

Evanston, IL · 1d

rockrivercurrent.com

publisher · 8.7K followers

Once a staple in Chicago, new monumental public art lands in Rockford’s Davis Park

ROCKFORD — A large-scale abstract sculpture that was a fixture of the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago for nearly four decades has a new home in Davis Park. Bridgeport, a 35-foot tall and 15-foot wide painted aluminium sculpture from late artist and sculptor John Henry, now serves as the centerpiece of a new collection installed this week in the riverfront park, 320 S. Wyman St. in downtown.

Rockford, IL · 1d

The Crusader Newspaper

Johnson Publishing Company building revisited in dazzling new book

The office desks were gone. So was the exotic furniture and framed artwork. The space where the bustling cafeteria fed employees $1 dollar lunch meals was empty and silent. But the vacant interior spoke loudly to renowned photographer and Columbia College Professor Barbara Karant. It was a building Karant never...