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Why Chicago isn't hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The city withdrew its bid in 2018, saying it didn't make economic sense to host the tournament.

News

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/04/13/what-to-know-about-world-cup-watch-parties-miami" data-vars-content-id="da422318-6d70-4c03-b0ef-fb2302fa4595" data-vars-headline="Why Chicago isn&#x27;t hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/04/13/what-to-know-about-world-cup-watch-parties-miami" target="_self">FIFA World Cup</a> kicks off next week and will be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada, but not in Chicago. The big picture: Eleven U.S. cities will host World Cup matches, including Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Dallas. The closest Midwest city is Kansas City.

Chicago Bears advance plan to leave Illinois for Indiana

It's unclear if this is the final decision, and Illinois leaders stressed that negotiations are ongoing.

The Chicago Bears are moving forward on a plan to build a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana. Why it matters: This is the strongest signal yet that Chicago&#x27;s NFL franchise <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="could leave Illinois" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/01/illinois-lawmakers-budget-bears-stadium-deal-taxes-gas-cell-phone-ban" data-vars-content-id="8106dd5a-ced0-4427-9ab6-ddc63df0fa99" data-vars-headline="Chicago Bears advance plan to leave Illinois for Indiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/01/illinois-lawmakers-budget-bears-stadium-deal-taxes-gas-cell-phone-ban" target="_self">could leave Illinois</a>.

Ferris Bueller turns 40: Rank the movie's best Chicago scenes

From Wrigley Field to the Art Institute, vote on the moments that made the movie a Chicago icon.

Culture

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="classic &#x27;80s movie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/05/ferris-bueller-vest-auction-sothebys-sale" data-vars-content-id="2626c797-b15f-40a3-bbdd-bb2fb5aa6ea5" data-vars-headline="Ferris Bueller turns 40: Rank the movie&#x27;s best Chicago scenes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/05/ferris-bueller-vest-auction-sothebys-sale" target="_self">classic &#x27;80s movie</a> about the lovable, sometimes irritating, slacker turns 40 this month. Flashback: John Hughes&#x27; &quot;Ferris Bueller&#x27;s Day Off&quot; premiered on June 11, 1986, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grossed more than $70 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/1986/?grossesOption=totalGrosses" data-vars-content-id="2626c797-b15f-40a3-bbdd-bb2fb5aa6ea5" data-vars-headline="Ferris Bueller turns 40: Rank the movie&#x27;s best Chicago scenes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/1986/?grossesOption=totalGrosses" target="_blank">grossed more than $70 million</a> at the box office, the 10th highest that year.

What to know about Chicago school board elections

Voters will be asked to select a president and representative from their subdistrict.

Education

Chicago&#x27;s first full <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school board election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/11/06/results-chicago-first-elected-school-board" data-vars-content-id="e20238de-d984-4b83-8e73-f8d01b82cd6a" data-vars-headline="What to know about Chicago school board elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/11/06/results-chicago-first-elected-school-board" target="_self">school board election</a> hits new milestones this week as officials accept final candidate objections Tuesday and decide ballot placement Wednesday morning.Why it matters: This consequential Nov. 3 election features 10 districts, 21 seats and staggered terms depending on the type of incumbent holding the current seat.<ul><li>In other words, voters will need a lot of public education.</li></ul>How it works: Chicagoans will be asked to vote for two candidates — one for school board president and one for their particular subdistrict.<ul><li>The city is divided into 20 subdistricts (identified by a number and letter) where the candidate must live. You can find yours <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="here. " data-vars-click-url="https://www.cps.edu/about/chicago-board-of-education/member-map/" data-vars-content-id="e20238de-d984-4b83-8e73-f8d01b82cd6a" data-vars-headline="What to know about Chicago school board elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cps.edu/about/chicago-board-of-education/member-map/" target="_blank">here. </a></li><li>Most of the 21 races have at least two candidates running, but two subdistricts feature candidates running unopposed.</li><li>So far, five people have thrown their hats in the ring for board president: Jessica Biggs, Jennifer Custer, Hilario Dominguez, Victor P. Henderson and Sendhil Revuluri.</li></ul>By the numbers: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="51 people have filed petitions " data-vars-click-url="https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-05/Candidate%20Filing%20Report_20260526172953563.pdf" data-vars-content-id="e20238de-d984-4b83-8e73-f8d01b82cd6a" data-vars-headline="What to know about Chicago school board elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-05/Candidate%20Filing%20Report_20260526172953563.pdf" target="_blank">51 people have filed petitions </a>to run for president or as a board member.<ul><li>Yes but: Many could be eliminated through petition and signature challenges that will play out over the next several weeks.</li><li>Board president candidates need 2,500 valid signatures, while board candidates require 500 to 1,500 from residents of their districts.</li><li>The challenges can be costly and brutal. In 2024, a pool of 45 initial candidates [for school board] was whittled to 31 by the end of the process.</li></ul>The intrigue: As of Monday afternoon, not a single petition challenge had been filed against a school board candidate, Board of Elections officials tell Axios. Follow the money: Board members get no pay for their service, but spending on the 2024 partial school board races exceeded $13 million. Spending on this wider contest is expected to exceed that, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chalkbeat reports. " data-vars-click-url="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/04/17/chicago-public-schools-board-races-draw-cash/" data-vars-content-id="e20238de-d984-4b83-8e73-f8d01b82cd6a" data-vars-headline="What to know about Chicago school board elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/04/17/chicago-public-schools-board-races-draw-cash/" target="_blank">Chalkbeat reports. </a><ul><li>Much of the money came from the Chicago Teachers Union or super PACs funding candidates supportive of charters or school choice.</li></ul>Friction point: Despite heavy CTU spending on the 2024 election, union president Stacy Davis Gates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has warned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000019e-4176-d410-a1be-e5771aa10000" data-vars-content-id="e20238de-d984-4b83-8e73-f8d01b82cd6a" data-vars-headline="What to know about Chicago school board elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000019e-4176-d410-a1be-e5771aa10000" target="_blank">has warned</a> businessman and Democratic donor Michael Sacks to stay out of this year&#x27;s race — comparing &quot;billionaire&quot; campaign funds to Jim Crow voting laws, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Politico reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2026/05/20/chicago-schools-elections-get-ugly-00929035?is_magic_link=true&amp;template_id=OT5J0E7B7DD7" data-vars-content-id="e20238de-d984-4b83-8e73-f8d01b82cd6a" data-vars-headline="What to know about Chicago school board elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2026/05/20/chicago-schools-elections-get-ugly-00929035?is_magic_link=true&amp;template_id=OT5J0E7B7DD7" target="_blank">Politico reported</a>.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="In return" data-vars-click-url="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000019e-415b-d0fd-a3de-f75f6acc0000" data-vars-content-id="e20238de-d984-4b83-8e73-f8d01b82cd6a" data-vars-headline="What to know about Chicago school board elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000019e-415b-d0fd-a3de-f75f6acc0000" target="_blank">In return</a>, Sacks accused Davis Gates of defamation and hypocrisy, writing, &quot;no one in this city is focused more on spending big money on politics … than you do.&quot;</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Expect coverage of specific races, campaign spending and more as this historic election unfolds over the next five months.Editors note: An earlier version of this story indicated that the two subdistricts with uncontested incumbents were on the North Side, but only one is.

Illinois regulates AI safety but not data centers

Environmental groups decry the Legislature's failure to regulate centers' energy use.

Business

Illinois lawmakers passed one of the nation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strictest AI safety policies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/06/illinois-ai-bills-chatbot-safety-suicide-risks-child-protection" data-vars-content-id="2af0aca3-6765-40cc-b0be-0959c4e99660" data-vars-headline="Illinois regulates AI safety but not data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/06/illinois-ai-bills-chatbot-safety-suicide-risks-child-protection" target="_self">strictest AI safety policies</a> last week, but the state still lags behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Florida" data-vars-click-url="https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-signs-law-protect-floridians-subsidizing-data-centers" data-vars-content-id="2af0aca3-6765-40cc-b0be-0959c4e99660" data-vars-headline="Illinois regulates AI safety but not data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-signs-law-protect-floridians-subsidizing-data-centers" target="_blank">Florida</a> and Tennessee when it comes to regulating the buildings that make AI use possible: data centers. Why it matters: In the wake of massive data center expansion, Illinoisans are facing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="skyrocketing energy bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/10/electric-bills-map" data-vars-content-id="2af0aca3-6765-40cc-b0be-0959c4e99660" data-vars-headline="Illinois regulates AI safety but not data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/10/electric-bills-map" target="_self">skyrocketing energy bills</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a looming power shortage" data-vars-click-url="https://news.wttw.com/2025/12/19/illinois-electrical-grids-could-face-power-shortages-and-price-increases-state-report#:~:text=Warnings%20of%20the%20potential%20shortfall,new%20generators%2C%20the%20report%20noted." data-vars-content-id="2af0aca3-6765-40cc-b0be-0959c4e99660" data-vars-headline="Illinois regulates AI safety but not data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.wttw.com/2025/12/19/illinois-electrical-grids-could-face-power-shortages-and-price-increases-state-report#:~:text=Warnings%20of%20the%20potential%20shortfall,new%20generators%2C%20the%20report%20noted." target="_blank">a looming power shortage</a>.

Found your dream house? Skip the note, hit the waitlist

The Unlisted platform lets buyers join waitlists for homes they love, even before owners decide to sell.

Real Estate

Picture this: You find the perfect house with a great yard and a welcoming front porch in an ideal neighborhood. But it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="not for sale" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/real-estate" data-vars-content-id="ef797b05-054f-4e07-8a65-e31673006983" data-vars-headline="Found your dream house? Skip the note, hit the waitlist" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/real-estate" target="_self">not for sale</a>.The website Unlisted gives you a shot at that house.

Food Fight: Chicago's best Frozen yogurt

Axios Chicago reporters fight to crown a winner.

Food and Drink

Anyone religiously on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Instagram" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/axioschicago/" data-vars-content-id="68de8eaa-9d39-4af7-a298-1fa0e7faa5de" data-vars-headline="Food Fight: Chicago&#x27;s best Frozen yogurt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/axioschicago/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> (🙋) can tell you the food trend taking over feeds is frozen yogurt — less TCBY at the mall, and more fancy fro-yo with inventive toppings.Yes, but: We&#x27;re not quite where New York is on the trend, but there are definitely some reliable places.

Illinois lawmakers race to pass budget, Bears stadium deal before session ends

The next 72 hours will be crucial for lawmakers trying to keep the Bears in Illinois.

Lawmakers are preparing for a marathon weekend in Springfield as they race to pass a deal to keep the Bears in Illinois. Why it matters: The General Assembly must close a budget gap, navigate pressure over taxes and spending, and decide whether Illinois will offer incentives to keep the Bears from potentially leaving the state.

Public media funding cuts begin hitting Illinois stations

WEIU-TV closed permanently, while NPR cut staff.

Local public media is starting to feel the impact of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal funding cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/07/23/congressional-public-broadcasting-cuts-illinois-stations" data-vars-content-id="f8f33983-732a-449e-9b50-78fc6288d6d9" data-vars-headline="Public media funding cuts begin hitting Illinois stations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/07/23/congressional-public-broadcasting-cuts-illinois-stations" target="_self">federal funding cuts</a>.The latest: National Public Radio announced layoffs and voluntary buyouts this week, including veteran reporters Don Gonyea and Nell Greenfieldboyce.

Midwest cannabis industry converges on Chicago for major summit

The forum will convene a day's worth of panel discussions and presentations about Midwest weed.

The top Midwest minds in cannabis are set to converge on the Near West Side Thursday for an inaugural summit on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="all things marijuana" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/24/marijuana-reclassification-illinois-thc-banks-research-medical" data-vars-content-id="ffd581b1-179d-4848-93eb-0dd213f772aa" data-vars-headline="Midwest cannabis industry converges on Chicago for major summit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/24/marijuana-reclassification-illinois-thc-banks-research-medical" target="_self">all things marijuana</a>.The latest: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Midwest Cannabis Forum" data-vars-click-url="https://midwestcannabisforum.com/" data-vars-content-id="ffd581b1-179d-4848-93eb-0dd213f772aa" data-vars-headline="Midwest cannabis industry converges on Chicago for major summit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://midwestcannabisforum.com/" target="_blank">Midwest Cannabis Forum</a> will take over Salvage One on Hubbard Street, featuring panel discussions, demonstrations and audience Q&amp;As.<ul><li>Attendees are expected from Illinois and neighboring states, including Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin and Minnesota.</li></ul>

Could you soon fly from a parking lot in Chicago?

A new study suggests there is a market for more regional air travel in the Midwest.

Transit

Imagine skipping O&#x27;Hare security lines and instead catching a plane from a nearby parking lot for a quick trip to Madison or Grand Rapids.<ul><li>That future may be nearer than it sounds, according to a new market study from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Electra" data-vars-click-url="https://electra.aero/" data-vars-content-id="fa92a8df-fa0f-48d5-ba01-07b07fdddf76" data-vars-headline="Could you soon fly from a parking lot in Chicago?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://electra.aero/" target="_blank">Electra</a>, a hybrid-electric aviation company based in Virginia. </li></ul>Why it matters: Supporters believe small hybrid-electric aircraft could dramatically reshape regional travel by turning parking lots, rooftops and other small sites into mini air hubs.

Judge orders MRED to restore Zillow home listings

A court ruling restores Zillow's access to Chicago-area listings amid a fight over private sales.

A federal judge ordered the company that distributes most Chicago-area home listings to restore <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zillow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/20/chicago-homes-zillow-mred-listings-cutoff-compass-private-listings" data-vars-content-id="2ac3f004-c19c-48ca-bdfc-e1e9d07a2c79" data-vars-headline="Judge orders MRED to restore Zillow home listings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/20/chicago-homes-zillow-mred-listings-cutoff-compass-private-listings" target="_self">Zillow</a>&#x27;s access to its database — at least for now.Why it matters: Buyers who visited Zillow were not seeing the full scope of homes for sale after MRED, the major multi-listing service for the Chicago area, cut off Zillow&#x27;s access to its portal this week.

Business 🏦

Chicago Bears advance plan to leave Illinois for Indiana

Illinois regulates AI safety but not data centers

Why Chicago isn't hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Found your dream house? Skip the note, hit the waitlist

Food Fight: Chicago's best Frozen yogurt