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City Cast Chicago

Sidney Madden

How closely were you following Chicago news this week? Test yourself in our news quiz.

CTA riders at the State and Lake station in 2023. (

Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune / Getty

Emily Mack

I visited the free National Veterans Art Museum to see Kurt Vonnegut doodles — his silkscreen prints remain on display. But once there, I was entranced by the work of vets I'd never heard of. 

Vietnam War veteran John McManus’ sculptures, bound in carved ropes and blindfolds, are so haunting that a college removed one (“Abandoned,” pictured above) 

You see, NVAM is not patriotic in the stereotypical flag-waving sense. Rather, the museum’s patriotism emerges through honoring veterans’ own images. It’s the only museum in America dedicated solely to art 

Plaques accompanying the permanent collection include writing from the artists, too: craft talk and war fog memories that weave together like grievous poems:

“... I always saw them with chutes streaming behind them, changing into futile wings that could not support or save them.” — Leo McStravick, a Vietnam vet, on 

“... How do we normal, walking-down-the-street kind of people end up doing these incredibly horrible things to each other?” — Randolph Harmes, a Vietnam vet, on 

“We are blindfolded on this planet; we are unable to see what we do to each other … when I sculpt, I learn to see.” — McManus on "POW" (pictured above)

In addition to NVAM’s permanent collection, you can catch 

“Never Forget: 9/11 25th Anniversary”

 through January and “we had each other, and still…,” a collection of paintings by Minneapolis-born 

An Iraq War veteran, Rick depicts tortured chaos, overseas and at home, to tell a broad story of the so-called war on terror. In one piece, the army recruitment station sits next door to a bail bondsman. Another collages the 24-hour news cycle. Viewed in succession, his paintings unfold like comic panels, satirizing war’s corporate interests.

Tucked away on the second floor of a Portage Park loft, NVAM is right above 

, where I enjoyed a delicious bowl of spicy chicken-and-sausage gumbo. Then, just around the corner, unwind at 

Veteran Tributes All Around Chicago

The National Veterans Art Museum is the only museum in America dedicated solely to art by veterans.

The National Veterans Art Museum Is Intense

Find the best of everything that Chicago has to offer.

Chicago’s Best

Chicago's Best

Last week’s election marked the first time Chicagoans voted on the city’s entire school board, marking the end of mayoral control — and the end of the Chicago Teachers Union’s stronghold.

 Common Ground Collective, a new PAC, spent $7 million against CTU-backed candidates. Local 

 also spent big against CTU, as much as $31 per vote.

Voter turnout for the school board responses was lower than the city’s overall.

 for school board president. Fewer than 540,000 were cast across the 20 district races.

 about 86% of Chicagoans who voted cast a vote for school board president and about 82% cast a vote in district races. (The city’s total 

 when there were 10 district races, about 

 for school board candidates, but overall turnout was higher for that general election.

The fully elected school board will include 20 members, plus a new board president.

, a former principal and current board member,

won the presidential race with almost 49% of the vote

Service Employees International Union, as well as 

 Preliminary results show ten of 20 electees were 

, a decrease for the union. Seven were endorsed by Common Ground Collective, which 

 — over $70 per vote in two unsuccessful races on the Northwest Side. INCS also saw costly defeats, though many winners are pro-school-choice.

CTU’s power on the board wanes, the incoming board will likely lean 

Claudia Peralta was supported by CTU, U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, and SEIU.

incumbent, was supported by CTU and SEIU.

Deborah “Debby” Pope, an incumbent, was supported by CTU.

incumbent appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, was supported by CTU and SEIU.

 over incumbent Carlos Rivas Jr., but votes are still being counted. Dónes is supported by CTU.

Ellen Rosenfeld, an incumbent endorsed by Common Ground Collective, INCS, and SEIU ran unopposed.

LaPamela Williams was supported by Common Ground Collective and INCS.

 Michilla “Kyla” Blaise, a CTU-backed

There’s a three-way tie between mayor-appointed incumbent Anusha Thotakura, Isaiah White, and Brenda Lee Anderson. White, backed by Common Ground Collective and INCS, is in a slight lead.

 Brittany B. Kimble, a newcomer with no CTU endorsement, beat a Common Ground Collective-backed opponent.

 Emma Lozano is a mayor-appointed incumbent with CTU backing, and anti-CTU groups spent big against her.

ran unopposed and was backed by Common Ground Collective and INCS.

Juan Ignacio Gonzalez, backed by Common Ground Collective, was technically unopposed on the ballot but faced a write-in opponent.

 Brittany Bailey Preston ran unopposed and was endorsed by Common Ground Collective and SEIU.

 Therese Boyle, an incumbent, was backed by INCS and won by a large margin.

 Che “Rhymefest” Smith, an incumbent, beat a CTU-backed write-in opponent. He was endorsed by Common Ground Collective and INCS.

Connie Anderson, a CTU-backed incumbent, was appointed to the board by Johnson recently.

The Chicago Teachers Union lost its stronghold on the school board. Here's how things shook out.

2026 Chicago School Board Election Results

Meet the New School Board

What's being decided in Chicago City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and Chicago City Council. 

Chicago Election and City Hall News

Local Civics

Chicago’s Best New Restaurants of 2026. Plus, What’s Next in 2027

 every month. But our friends over at The Infatuation actually get out there to try just about everything.

So we’re excited to welcome The Infatuation’s Adrian Kane and John Ringor 

All Well, an American restaurant from the team behind Oriole, also landed on The Infatuation's national list of the 25 best new restaurants.

Resurrecting the name of the bar that stood there for 40-plus years, Beaumont's

is now a large tavern restaurant with an upstairs steakhouse.

 — everyone says it’s worth the (long) lunch lines.

From the team behind romantic bistro Le Bouchon, this is a different kind of restaurant, serving rotisserie chicken on paper plates.

This Afro-Caribbean spot is delicious, Ringor says, yet there’s usually an open table 👀

From a private supper club business comes this all-day cafe with coffee, cocktails, and light bites.

Garuda is one of only two Indonesian restaurants in Chicago (the other is Rendang Republic, also fairly new).

This Mexican-Guatemalan counter-service spot is a “master of masa-based alchemy,” Ringor says.

Discover the full list 

Last year’s martini trend is still going strong, though Ringor now recommends All Well’s dirty daiquiri. Splashy steakhouses are also big, as Kane and Ringor say diners gravitate toward big nights out. A new steakhouse, Esquire, is coming to Gold Coast, too.

Whereas in 2025 Kane said Chicagoans wanted 

 opting for (albeit pricey) à la carte items over pricier tasting menus, this year, restaurants are dressing up everyday foods to make them 

Another emerging trend is all-day spots, like Txa Txa Club. “ I think [people] need third spaces,” Kane said. I get that — I’ve been frequenting 

, a new cafe-by-day and bar-by-night, to write this newsletter 😉

Got favorite new spots? We want to know!

Experts from The Infatuation share their picks for Chicago's best new restaurants of the year.

Chicago's Best New Restaurants of 2026

The Best New Restaurants of 2026

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Chicago. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Chicago Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Kayleigh Padar

So, I’ve been told that there’s more to Thanksgiving than dessert. I’m listening, and I’m learning.

If your guests are expecting more than just pie on the table this year, check out these restaurants that offer Thanksgiving catering and sit-down deals.

 If you’re expecting a smaller crowd, bring home Daisies’ 

 for $395. It includes everything you need to serve turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and more.

All orders can be picked up on Nov. 25. The restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

includes turkey or rotisserie duck, plus six savory sides and dessert, and can serve a group of four. You can order sides and extra portions for an additional cost. They’re also selling 

 for $225 each, an all-natural turkey stuffed with chicken thighs and duck sausage.

Orders can be picked up or delivered Nov. 25. The restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

For $42.99 per plate, this Thanksgiving Holiday Personal Feast Package includes three kinds of meat, four sides, rolls, and dessert.

 In addition to small and large classic Thanksgiving pies, they also offer a variety of savory dishes including quiche, savory pot pies, harvest soups, salads, and pastas.

Pickup dates are Nov. 23, 24, and 25. All First Slice locations will be closed on Nov. 26-27. 

Skip the cooking this year. These Chicago restaurants offer Thanksgiving catering, turkey dinner kits, and sit-down holiday meals for 2026.

Where to Order Thanksgiving Dinner in Chicago

Keep It Local

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Whether you prefer to stick to the classics or are adventurous enough to explore twists on fall favorites, these Chicago bakeries are serving pies that will charm your whole family.

This family-owned and operated bakery at 5927 W. Lawrence Ave. has been around since 1998. The mother-daughter duo uses fresh ingredients to cook homestyle European treats. Some of their Thanksgiving favorites include an 

 for $28, which are available for pre-order online.

🧑‍🍳 If you want to amaze your family and friends with a homemade pie, sign up for the shop’s 

Before Floriole opened at 1220 W. Webster Ave. in 2010, it started as a stand in Chicago’s Green City Market. This year for Thanksgiving, you can order 9-inch pies like a 

for $54. They also offer other homemade pastries, like 

Maya-Camille Broussard opened the shop at 8655 S. Blackstone Ave. in honor of her late father, a criminal defense attorney who called himself the Pie Master because of his love for baking and eating pies. Some of their Thanksgiving specialties include a 9-inch 

 for $45, all of which are available for pre-order online.

🍎 Pies are available for pickup starting Friday, Nov. 20. 

If you’ve ever wanted to try a bean pie, look no further than The Supreme Bean at 7351 S. Stony Island Ave. 

, at just $14.99, is a protein-packed alternative to Thanksgiving’s favorite dessert, made from navy beans, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

📦 All pies are shipped out on Mondays and Tuesdays, so place your order at least a week in advance.

This bakery is known for its Thanksgiving pies that regularly sell out within the first few weeks of November. Pies at the West Town location are already sold out, but 

you can still order from the Evanston location

 at 749 Chicago Ave. through Nov. 22. I’m eyeing their 

 that’s made with real Wisconsin maple syrup!

🥧 All pies can be picked up Nov. 24-26. The shop closes at noon on Thanksgiving Day.

Skip the baking this Thanksgiving. Order classic and creative pies from five Chicago-area bakeries, with prices, deadlines, and pickup times.

Where to Order Thanksgiving Pies in Chicago 2026

Chicago Pies That’ll Steal the Show at Thanksgiving

, we're digging into local midterm results. 

Chicago had a gloriously warm Election Day with turnout 

 as of Tuesday afternoon — several polling sites 

 will replace retiring longtime U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, beating former state Republican GOP chairman Don Tracy with 61% of the vote. Previously, Stratton won a 

Stratton becomes the second Black woman from Illinois elected to the U.S. Senate, and her arrival will mark the first time 

 at the same time. Illinois will also becomes the first state represented with two U.S. senators who are women of color. 

, Democrats swept the five open U.S. congressional seats:

won with about 73% of the vote, beating Republican Michael Noack to succeed U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly. Kelly stepped down to run for Senate. 

 retiring Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia will be replaced by his hand-picked successor, Democrat 

, Patty gained more than 70% of the vote in the general election, beating one Republican and multiple independents.

 (8th) beat Republican Chad Koppie to replace 

 won back her old seat after 16 years, beating Republican Jennifer Davis with almost 65% of the vote. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi gave his seat up to run for Senate.

 won 76% of the vote, beating Republican John Elleson to replace 

(5th), who will be on the ballot again in February, as he runs for mayor.

 won a historic third term — he's Illinois' first Democratic governor to do so — with almost 60% of the vote, beating Republican Darren Bailey 

 as his lieutenant governor, as Stratton set out for the Senate. Bailey ran alongside Cook County Republican Party chair Aaron Del Mar.

. Thanks to those deep pockets, he’s become 

Chicago’s first-ever fully elected school board will include 20 members, plus a new board president.

, a former principal and current board member, will be the next school board president. She

, beating the Chicago Teachers Union’s pick Hilario Dominguez and attorney Victor P. Henderson.

was competitive, as all three candidates 

. Biggs was fired from the school she led in 2018, but she was eventually backed by the

Service Employees International Union and 

were endorsed by Common Ground Collective, a new 

Many positions were retained by Democrat incumbents:

 won a second term, beating Republican Diane Harris with more than 64% of the vote. Meanwhile, he continues 

 won a third term, beating Republican Bob Fioretti with more than 61% of the vote.

won her bid for comptroller, as incumbent Susana Mendoza steps down to 

. Croke beat Republican Bryan Drew with almost 61% of the vote.

Michael Murphy, winning a fourth term with 

 of the vote. (Hynes ousted incumbent Fritz Kaegi in the primary.) 

 beat previous competitor Libertarian Brad Sandefur, winning 

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District 

, who was running unopposed in a special election, plus 

 (including mayoral candidate George Cardenas) ran unopposed.

Cook County circuit judges up for retention run and campaign as a single class. Though 

, historically, most judges are retained.

 up for retention kept their seats this election. 

All Chicagoans also had the chance to vote on 

Nearly 85% of voters agreed the city should take legal action against the federal government to recover revenue lost during last year’s immigration raids.

More than 67% of voters supported Chicago building public grounds for events, following recent pushback against music fests in neighborhood parks.

Two years after Chicago terminated its contract with ShotSpotter, more than 72 percent of voters think it should restart using gunshot detection tech.

Two referendums centered on whether Illinois should impose a new tax on millionaires for public funding, and about 80% of voters said “yes.”

73% of voters agree owners of vacant lots pay a penalty to raise more money for schools.

Election Day brought a blue wave nationwide — and in Chicago. See the local results. 

Chicago’s Midterm Election Results

Kicking off the month with an election is just 

more than midterms. Scorpio season’s in full swing. Folks are coming home for the holidays. Make the most of it — before days get even shorter.

In addition to fall fun, there are some major news stories to keep an eye on this month.

The last day to vote is today, Nov. 3. Here’s everything you need to know about 

 This is a big election for Chicago, as we vote on the city’s first-ever fully elected school board, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s replacement, and more.

In addition to fall fun, there are some major news stories to keep an eye on this month. 

Your Guide to November 2026 in Chicago

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