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City Cast Chicago

Sidney Madden

, we asked Axios Chicago reporter Justin Kaufmann to give us some places to check out in the West Loop, where he’s lived for 17 years.

 is one of the best BBQ spots in the city. Get the pulled pork and broccolini side.”


 has a great fountain sculpture, lots of green space, and unreal views of the Sears Tower. Also, check out the Saturday morning farmers market.”


. What more can you ask?”

Also, happy first birthday to Axios Chicago! We are happy to learn with and from you. 

Bartelme Park in West Loop. (Justin Kaufmann / Axios)

Have you been following the news in Chicago this week? Prove it! Take the City Cast Chicago news quiz.

Looking for a previous Hey Chicago news quiz? Find it here.

How closely were you paying attention to this week's current events? Test yourself in our weekly trivia quiz.

Your Weekly News Trivia Quiz

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What Chicagoans have been wondering. We break down why things in Chicago are the way they are and how they work.

Chicago, Explained

Emily Mack

Chicago’s mayoral election is Feb. 23, 2027 — if no candidate gets a majority of the vote, a runoff will take place April 6.

far-off, but the race has already begun! Candidates are announcing, and money is pouring in — here’s where the race stands so far. 

 has been the state’s chief fiscal manager since 2016. Though she ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2019, this campaign feels more focused. She’s not seeking another term as comptroller and she's using social media to amplify (

A centrist Democrat, Mendoza is pro-police and has said that Chicago is facing 

 while serving his ninth term in Congress. Unlike Mendoza, Quigley is up for reelection in the general this fall.

 seems focused on addressing the city’s $1 billion-plus deficit.

Cook County Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas 

officially launched his campaign last week. And so far, his platform seems relatively moderate — 

. Previously, Cardenas spent nearly 20 years as 12th Ward alder, serving as an ally to former Mayors Lori Lightfoot, Rahm Emanuel, and Richard M. Daley.

 for his November reelection race … but Giannoulias doesn’t need big contributions to trounce a little-known Republican challenger. Seemingly, Giannoulias is shaping up to run for mayor.

Giannoulias is generally considered to have improved office (and line) conditions … but in 2010, 

the collapse of his family's bank cost him the U.S. Senate election

. Giannoulias lost to Republican Mark Kirk.

 is seeking reelection for her current role in November, though she’s previously said 

Pappas has served as treasurer since 1998 and recently published a damning report detailing 

 … but she’s perhaps best known for her 

has not formally announced his reelection campaign, though it seems likely. Then again, Johnson’s 

. Unlike past mayors, Johnson does not maintain a rubber-stamp majority in City Council.

 run again — but for now, he’s still dealing with 

debt and ethics fines from his previous campaign

So, Who’s Running For Mayor?

Kayleigh Padar

Seeing Chicago’s vibrant queer community come out in full force as the whole city launches into summertime always reminds me why I love living here.

I’m especially looking forward to the Pride Parade on Sunday. This year is particularly special because it falls on my birthday! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than putting some glitter on my face and soaking up thousands of people’s sheer joy.

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite LGBTQ+ owned businesses that keep Chicago bright and colorful all year long. For even more recommendations, check out City Cast Chicago contributor Anna DeShawn’s 

Iced coffee, bagels, and tarot, oh my! This community-centered coffee shop has quickly become a staple in the neighborhood. I swear, every time I walk by, there’s a line out the door. It offers a wide range of pastries, including vegan and gluten-free options, and they create a new zodiac-themed drink every month. The cafe hosts a slew of community events, from crafting meetups to comedy shows to tarot readings.

Open since 1980, it’s one of the city’s oldest LGBTQ+ bookstores and a place that’s easy to get lost in. Its multiple rooms of winding shelves are home to an unparalleled collection of LGBTQ+ literature, plenty of fiction and poetry, and an extensive section on sale. This 

 shows how the bookstore has evolved in the last 45 years.

This vintage shop has been “making Bridgeport weirder since 2022,” with its wide selection of clothing, art, and everything in between. The owners remake, remix, and repair antiques to give new life to timeless treasures. New items drop in-store every week, and you can also buy 

On a quest to increase the dwindling number of lesbian bars throughout the country, one queer couple opened a neighborhood cocktail lounge “for every friend of Dorothy.” The subterranean, 70s-inspired speakeasy is known for its arts-focused events, including silent reading nights, open mics, movie nights, and more. It’s a little tricky to find the first time, but don’t let that deter you. Look for the unmarked red door on Chicago Avenue just west of the “2500” painted on the building.

LGBTQ+ Owned Businesses in Chicago

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 became the local chain of thrift stores we know today, it took shape as a series of garage sales created in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Howard Brown Health founded the organization because so many people were dying and leaving behind entire homes full of belongings. Many families refused to take their things due to the stigma surrounding the disease, so the LGBTQ+ clinic stepped in.

Brown Elephant moved into its first storefront in 1982, and is now located in Northalsted at 812 W. Belmont Ave. and Andersonville at 5404 N. Clark St.

“Our name comes from the Brown in Howard Brown Health, and at the time, AIDS was known as the elephant in the room, so that’s why we’re Brown Elephant,” said Northalsted store manager Matt Talaga-Roman.

Ever since then, Brown Elephant has sold donated furniture, clothing, and household decor to raise money for Howard Brown Health, which serves more than 40,000 people each year.

“There have been times throughout Howard Brown Health’s history when funding from the Brown Elephant was the reason the organization survived,” Talaga-Roman said.

In the past fiscal year, Brown Elephant has provided more than $100,000 in vouchers for clinic patients and young people experiencing homelessness who visit Broadway Youth Center. The vouchers are exchanged for items at the store.

“It’s our way of giving back directly to our local community,” Talaga-Roman said.

Plus, as a shopper, there’s a lot to love. Brown Elephant accepts and sorts more than one million pounds of donations, making it the perfect place to find an emergency dress or a housewarming gift.

New items are added to the stores every day. Both locations run a “Monday Mayhem” sale every week, when all clothing is 50% off.

All this to say, you can feel good when you pick up that new-to-you crystal dish you don’t really need.

Before Brown Elephant became the local chain of thrift stores we know today, it took shape as a series of garage sales created in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Brown Elephant’s Legacy of Giving Back

Juneteenth weekend was extra bustling in Chicago this year, thanks to the Obama Presidential Center opening. The big party was Thursday night, followed by three more days of activities and performances.

It’s no surprise the city went so hard for Barack Obama — love him or hate him, he’s a Chicago legend. The same goes double for Michelle.

See how well you know their Chicago roots.

Test Your Knowledge of the Obamas in Chicago 

Back in April, I said every month feels like poetry month in Chicago. I feel the same way about Pride — this city stays bursting with queer energy. But, in honor of 

 Pride month, here are some local LGBTQ+ poets worth checking out.

 and all-around hometown hero. She’s also a decorated poet, often mining her Beverly upbringing for her work.

 you don’t fit in / everybody in your neighborhood color of white hen

Woods’ friendship with another local queer poet, Fatimah Asghar, inspired the series “Brown Girls.” 

Rachel Mennies is a Chicago-based writer whose poems get at queer longing. Her collection 

 is full of epistolary poems, written to the woman the speaker loves.

 / through my coat, enough to pool desire / where I most wanted you to touch me.

Britteney Black Rose Kapri is — I can attest — a great (though tough) poetry teacher. She’s published two books of poetry, including 

, as in dwelling, as in crib, as in where your inhibitions go to rest.

Born in Colorado, Katana Smith is now based in Chicago and previously served as Northwestern University’s artist-in-residence. Her poems 

 are an excellent package: petty and moving.

Maybe I was the only friend who would talk to you about him … I would have talked to you about literally anything.

Oli Rodriguez is an artist and writer born in Chicago whose intersectional work explores the AIDS pandemic.

 tells the story of a “sondaughter” raised in gay bars — and recalls the cruising hotspot that was Belmont Harbor.


📖 Read more Chicago poetry!

These local queer poets are worth checking out — during Pride month and beyond.

5 Queer Chicago Poets You Should Know

Find the best of everything that Chicago has to offer.

Chicago’s Best

Chicago's Best

Michelle Navarro

I take a very European approach to life in Chicago. By that, I mean forcing my friends to join me for weekday drinks and utilizing public space to the fullest. So when I heard Buckingham Fountain was getting 100 metal chairs inspired by the Luxembourg Garden in Paris, I had to see what this was about.

The Luxembourg chairs are from Fermob, a renowned French furniture manufacturer. Two styles now surround the fountain — the low armchair, which is slightly reclined, and the lounge armchair, an upright version. Both come in a subtle “willow green” color.

It was the price tag that caught my attention more than the chairs’ origin. The 

100 metal chairs in Chicago came out to $54,488

, or about $544 per chair. Lollapalooza covered about 55% of the costs.

I’m quick to pocket-watch the city, but I can’t help but admit I am a fan. The chairs are comfortable and inviting — and they’re movable. The chairs weigh 11-13 pounds, pretty lightweight for a durable metal patio chair. I was able to easily pick one up with one arm. A child could drag one across the floor thanks to the silencing pads at the bottom of the legs.

Public chairs that aren’t benches or bolted to the ground have already proven popular in the city. There are the 

, but those are more difficult to move just by virtue of their shape. They are still comfortable for looking out at the architecture tour boats and people watching.

Before the chairs, the only seating options at the fountain were benches that circle the far perimeter of the plaza. Chicagoans and tourists would swing by, look at the fountain, take some photos, and keep it pushing.

. After visiting on a weekday morning and afternoon, I was happy to see people taking time to sit for a while. Some took in the skyline or the fountain itself. Others, myself included, positioned the chairs to sunbathe. I can imagine walking over on a summer evening after a Millennium Park concert, my friends collecting chairs to pull close to one another.

 — unlocked before 8 a.m. and locked up around 11 p.m. Early Friday, I caught two Park District guys coming out of white pickup trucks, unlocking the heavy-duty security cable around the chairs. They said their job is to “make sure the chairs survive the night.” 

I give the fancy French public chairs my highest recommendation, but the cynical Chicagoan in me is wondering how long it will be until one of the chairs ends up in the lake or a dibs spot next January. I hope we can all fight the urge and protect the chairs at all costs.

Buckingham Fountain got 100 pricey French chairs — but are they comfortable?

A Review of the Chairs at Buckingham Fountain

Buckingham Chairs Review

Wicker Park is a full-on bagel battlefield right now. Call Your Mother, a Montreal-style bagel chain from Washington, D.C., just moved into the former Dimo’s space. Nearby, a locally owned bagel shop is not having it.

Bro Bagel owner Bill Jacobs (who also owns Piece Pizza) slammed CYM’s private equity backing in 

The post, which garnered thousands of likes, sparked a larger conversation about 

corporate versus independent businesses in Wicker Park

. Both chains and small business ebb and flow in the pricey area that was 

But let’s be honest, we really just want to know which bagel tastes better.

Around 8 a.m., Bro Bagel was empty save for a couple coffee runs — I could see why Jacobs might feel fired up. Manager Rosa seemed equally passionate and offered me all her recs as I ordered an Atomic Bagel Sandwich, plus a toasted sesame bagel with butter.

The sesame was fine, not seedy enough for me. I merely nibbled it to save room for the Atomic Bagel, which features delicious, fiery-hot sausage 

 and bland. The bagel was nicely chewy but a tad salty. I didn’t care. I savored every bite of the hot links, subtly enhanced by melted pepperjack.

With ample colorful seating, Call Your Mother feels nothing like counter-only Bro Bagel. “It’s giving millennial ice cream shop,” my buddy RJ remarked. 

People seemed into it. A line formed quickly behind me as I placed my order: one Bacon Sun City, plus my control, a toasted sesame bagel with butter.

The sandwich tasted like something from a solid New York City bodega. The everything bagel was deeply toasted; the American-cheddar blend, gooey and rich; the bacon was strong yet crunchy. The eggs, too, undoubtedly beat Bro Bagel’s, folded neatly and sunshine yellow. But unless you like a fruity kick, I’d skip the hot honey.

The sesame bagel, meanwhile, was seedier than Bro Bagel’s but totally under-toasted. And the house strawberry jam tasted more like fruit punch. 

As for whether I’ll return … not for what I ordered. It simply wasn’t unique enough. (Although a tuna melt bagel did catch my eye.)

We’ve documented Chicago’s bagel boom before — folks 

, it singlehandedly reintroduced bagels into my morning routines. (Yeah, yeah, I went to college in New York.)

TBH, El Bagelero’s chorizo El Machismo is the strongest breakfast sandwich in the area. But from Bodega Bay to Mindy’s Bakery to Helfeld’s Deli, there’s bagel competition around every corner — with and without private equity.

In Wicker, Bro Bagel's owner is taking on Call Your Mother. But which bagel is best?

Bagel Battle in Wicker Park

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

Ahead of this weekend’s Randolph Street Market, we asked Axios Chicago reporter Justin Kaufmann to give us some places to check out in the West Loop, where he’s lived for 17 years.

Get to Know West Loop with Justin Kaufmann

A cheat sheet for getting beyond your block.

Everything to know about Chicago neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Chicago Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is happening today through July 19 across North America. It starts today at 2 p.m. when Mexico and South Africa play, and South Korea and Czechia play at 9 p.m. Even though Chicago isn’t a host city, there are plenty of sports bars and watch parties to experience the World Cup matches and energy.

Chicago was seen as a prime location to host World Cup matches— we have the third-largest population, a travel hub, and the historic Soldier Field. But

 then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel withdrew the city’s bid

 in 2018, his final year in office. Emanuel didn’t want the cost to fall on the city and taxpayers when it came to transportation, security, and safety. The last straw? There was a chance FIFA could request a dome built over Soldier Field at the city’s expense.

: Gov. JB Pritzker expressed a similar sentiment for why he didn’t want 

in West Loop, which will include a giant screen, a DJ, happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m., and patio vibes.

Latina Sweat Project World Cup Viewing Party

 in Pilsen with a live DJ, soccer-themed face paintings, cotton candy, popcorn, and aguas frescas.

 in Logan Square is opening earlier for the match. Their full burger and beer menu will be available.

are playing matches in Spanish using live cinematic audio and video.

I’m rooting for Mexico 🇲🇽! Reply to this email and tell us where you’re watching and who you're rooting for.

Chicago has plenty of spots to catch World Cup matches.

Where to World Cup in Chicago

The long-awaited Obama Presidential Center opens Juneteenth — a day with plenty 

events across Chicago. And that’s all in addition to Pride, the end of the school year … and more. This month is PACKED.

As we jump into June, here’s your official guide to keep everything straight.

 is June 20 and 21 in Northalsted, headlined by Durand Bernarr on Saturday and G Flip on Sunday.

Finally, the big parade is June 28. It starts at 11 a.m. on Sheridan and Broadway and ends on Diversey. 

Chicago Public Schools are out Thursday! By now, the kids in your life probably have their summers scheduled, but the parks are full of 

 (for free). Meanwhile, we’ll be keeping our eye on the 

upcoming school board elections and the district’s major budget concerns

The birthplace of Juneteenth is Galveston, Texas, but the holiday has plenty of 

. Celebrate Black Chicago throughout that week:

 | DuSable Black History Museum | Washington Park

Boxing Out Negativity Juneteenth Celebration

Multiple events through the National A Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum

, across 19 acres of Jackson Park, opens officially to the public June 19. Museum slots for the weekend are full, but there’s availability on 

 for free activities and performances on the campus. Register ASAP!

As you all know, summer in Chicago is fest season. They’re really ramping up this June — but don’t forget to 

 all month long for additional street (and non-street) parties.

 | Lincoln Avenue between Irving and Berteau | North Center

 | American Writers Museum and Harold Washington Library | Loop | Free

 | Clark Street between Foster and Gregory | Andersonville

 | Randolph Street between Peoria and Racine | West Loop

The long-awaited Obama Presidential Center opens Juneteenth — a day with plenty more events across Chicago. And that’s all in addition to Pride, the end of the school year … and more. This month is PACKED.

June 2026 Guide to Chicago

Your Guide to June 2026 in Chicago

May kicked off with a jolt on Friday as Chicagoans turned out to celebrate May Day all across the city. I expect the energy will stay high all month long — a lot is going on!

, true Chicago farmers market season begins in May. Twelve seasonal markets start back up this month, stretching across the city from 95th Street to Uptown. 

Maxwell Street’s Sunday market returns May 17

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is AAPI Month. Here’s how Chicago is celebrating:

 | May 7 | Experimental Station | Woodlawn | Free

 | May 26 | Davis Theater | Lincoln Square

May kicked off with a May Day jolt, and I expect the energy will stay high.

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Get to Know West Loop with Justin Kaufmann

Sidney Madden

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Test Your Knowledge of the Obamas in Chicago

5 Queer Chicago Poets You Should Know

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Bagel Battle in Wicker Park