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A guide to fun things to do in Chicago this weekend.

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Bill Kurtis is ready to read, write and roam

It includes a walk along the river, writing, pancakes at Beatrix and dinner at Prairie Grass Cafe.

Things to Do

Legendary anchorman and &quot;voice of God,&quot; Bill Kurtis, 85, announced this month he&#x27;s retiring from his regular (and hilarious) gig as judge and scorekeeper on &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wait Wait…Don&#x27;t Tell Me" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/06/30/wait-wait-dont-tell-me-peter-sagal-chicago" data-vars-content-id="a17362b5-5eb2-4681-aaaa-a0624766b879" data-vars-headline="Bill Kurtis is ready to read, write and roam" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/06/30/wait-wait-dont-tell-me-peter-sagal-chicago" target="_self">Wait Wait…Don&#x27;t Tell Me</a>!&quot; His last show is May 23.<ul><li>In retirement, Kurtis tells Axios, he looks forward to &quot;More writing. More reading. More time on the land.&quot;</li></ul>

What to do in dangerous CTA platform situations

Contact CTA help, never intentionally jump in and avoid the third rail.

Public Safety

As a frequent CTA rider, I&#x27;ll admit it: Recent reports about violence on the system have freaked me out.<ul><li>They also got me wondering what to do in rare but worrying scenarios.</li></ul>State of play: Last year, I shared <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="advice for handling problems on trains" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/01/07/how-to-report-issues-get-help-cta" data-vars-content-id="996b60c0-d9ef-4001-99d2-d4eb6ef4397e" data-vars-headline="What to do in dangerous CTA platform situations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/01/07/how-to-report-issues-get-help-cta" target="_self">advice for handling problems on trains</a>. But what about on the platform? Like, what do you do if you drop your phone on the tracks?<ul><li>And what if you&#x27;re shoved?</li></ul><figure><img alt="Four-panel CTA poster in teal: subway platform scene with a man, a blue-haired figure saying, &quot;I can get down there. It&#x27;ll just take a second...&quot;; a moving train and a man near a grave; bottom caption urges to alert CTA staff." height="866" id="85cce7d0-e4ad-494f-81d2-9b4cce6b07e7" src="https://images.axios.com/X3ZV1B1gsHlqnegM5Tj-G76xQks=/2026/03/24/1774378462937.png" width="1724"/><figcaption>Courtesy of the CTA</figcaption></figure>Phone scenario: CTA officials shared this 2023 comic showing what not to do if you drop valuables on the tracks.The right answer: Contact a CTA employee to help you safely retrieve it.Case in point: Carrie once dropped her phone on the tracks, watched the train whoosh by and discovered her phone was still OK. <ul><li>She sought out CTA help and a staffer grabbed it for her. </li></ul><figure><img alt="A subway platform with a blue edge and exposed tracks; a blue-red train sits on the opposite track. An orange &#x27;Third Rails&#x27; label spans the rails as a few people stand on the far platform near a digital display." height="1576" id="5261941a-8b1d-42fc-ac20-52e4fe458f97" src="https://images.axios.com/40-nvcipOCUoMVQb-KnGmOpzX6I=/2026/03/24/1774378498779.jpeg" width="2100"/><figcaption>The third rails — highlighted in red — are located farthest from the platform at the Belmont El stop. Photo illustration: Monica Eng/Axios</figcaption></figure>Shoved into the tracks: If a train isn&#x27;t immediately approaching, your main goal is to avoid the third rail — typically the farthest rail from the platform. <ul><li>It carries 600 volts and can be deadly. </li></ul>Tip two: Ask someone to alert a CTA employee, who can signal coming trains, cut power and call for help.Tip three: If you&#x27;re able, assess your injuries and try to climb out with help from others nearby.<ul><li>Emergency ladders are typically located at the ends of platforms.</li></ul>Between the lines: CTA officials weren&#x27;t thrilled with the shoving question and stressed that these incidents are extremely rare.<ul><li>The roughly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="60 riders who&#x27;ve been shoved" data-vars-click-url="https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2026/03/16/chicago-transit-authority-shoving-incidents-train-platforms-trump-administration-targeting-crime" data-vars-content-id="996b60c0-d9ef-4001-99d2-d4eb6ef4397e" data-vars-headline="What to do in dangerous CTA platform situations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2026/03/16/chicago-transit-authority-shoving-incidents-train-platforms-trump-administration-targeting-crime" target="_blank">60 riders who&#x27;ve been shoved</a> onto the tracks over the past five years represent a tiny fraction of those who rode the system during that period. And none of those incidents proved fatal. </li><li>Officials remind that it&#x27;s illegal and very dangerous to intentionally enter this restricted area.</li></ul>

Here's why Dempster in Chicago's suburbs is a dining destination

Herm's, Kabul House, Taboun, Savory Crust and more are all worth a visit.

Food and Drink

I was overwhelmed by the huge response I got to my <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dempster Dining Dive " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/20/20-delectable-treats-to-eat-along-dempster-street" data-vars-content-id="f531053c-c8b9-48e9-9bff-208cb58c4558" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s why Dempster in Chicago&#x27;s suburbs is a dining destination" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/20/20-delectable-treats-to-eat-along-dempster-street" target="_self">Dempster Dining Dive </a>earlier this week and the fabulous suggestions readers sent in for more delicious Dempster spots.<ul><li>Here are more great suggestions to add to your list:</li></ul>

Pick up an Illinois passport for America's 250th

A new Illinois passport guides visitors to 60 historic sites, from Cahokia Mounds to Pullman.

History

Illinois is putting its own stamp on the country&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th birthday." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" data-vars-content-id="7bb4c31b-b800-458a-b75b-ce75bbca4afe" data-vars-headline="Pick up an Illinois passport for America&#x27;s 250th" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" target="_self">250th birthday.</a>

CVS opens new type of store in Chicago

The smaller store offers bilingual staff and walkable access for largely Spanish-speaking area.

Health

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CVS Pharmacy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/12/cvs-stores-pharmacies-drugs-retail" data-vars-content-id="1874c13d-d9f5-4e75-856c-4d81929ee549" data-vars-headline="CVS opens new type of store in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/12/cvs-stores-pharmacies-drugs-retail" target="_self">CVS Pharmacy</a> is launching a new type of store and the first one is in Chicago&#x27;s Brighton Park neighborhood.Why it matters: The drugstore giant&#x27;s new pharmacy-only stores are meant to be more accessible and staffed and stocked with what the community needs.

New ad blitz targets tariffs on small businesses

A small business organization is using posters to highlight tariff challenges for entrepreneurs.

Business

A new monthlong guerrilla ad campaign is hitting Chicago on Monday to bring attention to small businesses that have been affected by tariffs.Why it matters: According to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surveys by the Council on Foreign Relations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cfr.org/articles/what-americans-really-think-about-trade-and-tariffs" data-vars-content-id="212dc5a1-ce18-4403-bc2d-b949b5c51d34" data-vars-headline="New ad blitz targets tariffs on small businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cfr.org/articles/what-americans-really-think-about-trade-and-tariffs" target="_blank">surveys by the Council on Foreign Relations</a>, 2 in 5 Americans mistakenly believe a tariff is paid by a foreign country. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Research from the New York Fed" data-vars-click-url="https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2026/02/who-is-paying-for-the-2025-u-s-tariffs/" data-vars-content-id="212dc5a1-ce18-4403-bc2d-b949b5c51d34" data-vars-headline="New ad blitz targets tariffs on small businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2026/02/who-is-paying-for-the-2025-u-s-tariffs/" target="_blank">Research from the New York Fed</a> and Columbia University shows that nearly 90% of the tariffs President Trump enacted in 2025 were paid by U.S. firms and consumers.

New Sound Cafe remixes former record shop

Owners turned a long-vacant building into a cafe designed for neighbors to gather and connect.

Once a gospel record store, New Sound Cafe in Chicago&#x27;s Austin neighborhood is filling a need for local meeting spaces.

CBS News layoffs shut down CBS News Radio, affecting Chicago's WBBM

CBS News Radio started in Chicago in 1927.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CBS News layoffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/20/cbs-news-layoffs-paramount-skydance" data-vars-content-id="9dbdf0d3-2cf3-469c-9d3f-7522729592ad" data-vars-headline="CBS News layoffs shut down CBS News Radio, affecting Chicago&#x27;s WBBM" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/20/cbs-news-layoffs-paramount-skydance" target="_self">CBS News layoffs</a> will disrupt a key national news pipeline for Chicago&#x27;s top-rated all-news station, WBBM Newsradio.The big picture: CBS News laid off 6% of its staff on Friday to cut costs. The cuts include shutting down CBS News Radio, which began broadcasting in 1927 and offered national newscasts to over 700 stations nationwide. <ul><li>CBS News Radio traces its roots to Chicago as United Independent Broadcasters before rebranding and moving to New York.</li><li>WBBM Newsradio, owned by CBS Radio for decades, was sold to Audacy in 2017.</li></ul>Yes, but: WBBM still relies on those CBS national newscasts, which anchor its hourly format.What they&#x27;re saying: The announcements were made to staff on Friday morning via two memos from CBS News leadership. <ul><li>&quot;While this was a necessary decision, it was not an easy one,&quot; they said, referring to the radio cuts.</li><li>&quot;A shift in radio station programming strategies, coupled with challenging economic realities, has made it impossible to continue the service.&quot;</li><li>Locally, Audacy declined to comment on what the station will do when the newscasts end on May 22. </li></ul>State of play: The radio cuts are notable given CBS News&#x27; legacy as a pioneer in news radio.<ul><li>Its flagship program, &quot;World News Roundup,&quot; is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="longest-running" data-vars-click-url="https://www.radiohalloffame.com/cbs-world-news-roundup" data-vars-content-id="9dbdf0d3-2cf3-469c-9d3f-7522729592ad" data-vars-headline="CBS News layoffs shut down CBS News Radio, affecting Chicago&#x27;s WBBM" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.radiohalloffame.com/cbs-world-news-roundup" target="_blank">longest-running</a> daily radio newscast in the country.</li><li>WBBM — Chicago&#x27;s only all-news station — ranked No. 1 in January ratings, with CBS national reports as a key part of its format.</li></ul>Zoom out: It&#x27;s been a tough month for the WBBM family. Longtime morning host John Hultman died March 15 at 89.<ul><li>Hultman and co-host Felicia Middlebrooks dominated morning ratings in the 1980s and 1990s.</li><li>&quot;I didn&#x27;t lose just a colleague. I lost my friend,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Middlebrooks wrote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/felicia.m.hill.5/posts/pfbid0V6PPSxJuQdrGjRcd85Rm3gYBaHdnkbq4VcfjWEkdyrWgutF7EnBt5VSbiwboYgd5l" data-vars-content-id="9dbdf0d3-2cf3-469c-9d3f-7522729592ad" data-vars-headline="CBS News layoffs shut down CBS News Radio, affecting Chicago&#x27;s WBBM" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/felicia.m.hill.5/posts/pfbid0V6PPSxJuQdrGjRcd85Rm3gYBaHdnkbq4VcfjWEkdyrWgutF7EnBt5VSbiwboYgd5l" target="_blank">Middlebrooks wrote</a>.</li></ul>

O'Hare, Midway brace for spring break crush amid shutdown chaos

The annual spring break for Chicago schools means a surge in traffic.

Travel

O&#x27;Hare and Midway are bracing for a spring break travel surge — just as delays and disruptions <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pile up nationwide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/17/dhs-shutdown-tsa-fema-ice-democrats-discharge" data-vars-content-id="a9cf6a2c-0384-40c4-91f0-fddb3a8eb465" data-vars-headline="O&#x27;Hare, Midway brace for spring break crush amid shutdown chaos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/17/dhs-shutdown-tsa-fema-ice-democrats-discharge" target="_self">pile up nationwide</a>.Why it matters: Chicago Public Schools&#x27; spring break is sending thousands more travelers through local airports at a moment when a prolonged federal shutdown is straining the system.

Smashing Pumpkins finally get their Lollapalooza moment

The band has never headlined in Grant Park.

Music

Lollapalooza tickets <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="go on sale Thursday morning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lollapalooza.com/tickets" data-vars-content-id="83230a96-d697-4249-94f6-9ac376d74ebd" data-vars-headline="Smashing Pumpkins finally get their Lollapalooza moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lollapalooza.com/tickets" target="_blank">go on sale Thursday morning</a> and Gen X alt-rock fans have a big reason to care: The Smashing Pumpkins are finally headlining the Grant Park festival.Yes, really: They&#x27;ve never played Lollapalooza in Chicago.

O'Hare Airport capacity concerns: FAA may limit summer flights

United and American are being hauled before the FAA after both added several flights.

News

The country&#x27;s busiest airport may be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="too busy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/27/ohares-flight-boom-american-united-busiest-airport" data-vars-content-id="1ae6a893-fc26-4568-9c3a-efaccbb83e96" data-vars-headline="O&#x27;Hare Airport capacity concerns: FAA may limit summer flights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/27/ohares-flight-boom-american-united-busiest-airport" target="_self">too busy</a>.The latest: The Federal Aviation Administration is meeting with United Airlines and American Airlines to pare down the number of flights expected this summer at O&#x27;Hare Airport due to capacity issues.

Live Nation settlement not good enough, Illinois AG says

Attorney General Kwame Raoul joins other states arguing the proposed DOJ settlement wouldn't curb Ticketmaster's power.

Illinois and dozens of other states say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Live Nation&#x27;s tentative agreement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/09/live-nation-ticketmaster-doj-settlement" data-vars-content-id="d6a1b8f5-2e4d-4bbb-900a-da6248643816" data-vars-headline="Live Nation settlement not good enough, Illinois AG says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/09/live-nation-ticketmaster-doj-settlement" target="_self">Live Nation&#x27;s tentative agreement</a> with the federal government doesn&#x27;t do enough to protect concertgoers.Why it matters: Live Nation&#x27;s ownership of Ticketmaster has created a monopoly in live entertainment, allowing the two companies to control ticket prices for concerts and events, the U.S. Department of Justice and the states contend.

Why Illinois utility bills may be too high

A Springfield proposal would limit price hikes and stop auto-renew traps that inflate power and gas bills.

Your utility bill may be higher than it needs to be — and Illinois lawmakers want to change that.Why it matters: While utilities such as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ComEd and People&#x27;s Gas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/06/07/peoples-gas-rate-increases-comed" data-vars-content-id="dbc02f70-0925-46ef-8ef4-83ca498b8f6d" data-vars-headline="Why Illinois utility bills may be too high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/06/07/peoples-gas-rate-increases-comed" target="_self">ComEd and People&#x27;s Gas</a> are not allowed to mark up the cost of electricity and heat, alternative suppliers can, driving up consumers&#x27; bills.

Chicago company offers model as Illinois phases out subminimum wages

Illinois will phase out subminimum wages for workers with disabilities by 2029.

Illinois is in a multi-year rollout to ensure companies pay all workers a fair wage.The big picture: Gov. JB Pritzker signed the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dignity in Pay Act " data-vars-click-url="https://icdd.illinois.gov/dignity-in-pay-act.html" data-vars-content-id="793847ab-9771-4a13-9cfc-3bcc6692693d" data-vars-headline="Chicago company offers model as Illinois phases out subminimum wages" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://icdd.illinois.gov/dignity-in-pay-act.html" target="_blank">Dignity in Pay Act </a>last year, requiring companies to pay workers with disabilities at least <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="minimum wage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/18/minimum-wage-increase-states-2024" data-vars-content-id="793847ab-9771-4a13-9cfc-3bcc6692693d" data-vars-headline="Chicago company offers model as Illinois phases out subminimum wages" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/18/minimum-wage-increase-states-2024" target="_self">minimum wage</a> by 2029.

Business 🏦

CVS opens new type of store in Chicago

New ad blitz targets tariffs on small businesses

New Sound Cafe remixes former record shop

CBS News layoffs shut down CBS News Radio, affecting Chicago's WBBM

O'Hare, Midway brace for spring break crush amid shutdown chaos