Today In My City

All Stories

A collage of colorful ice cream cones, pastries, and paletas from various Chicago dessert shops, set against a backdrop of the city skyline.
Neighborhoods

Block Club Unveils 120+ Chicago Sweet Spots 2026 Guide

More than 120 ice cream shops, cafes, bakeries, and paleterias across Chicago are now cataloged in a single, comprehensive guide.

Caitlin O'Malley·May 26
A lively Chicago rooftop bar at sunset with city skyline views, people enjoying drinks and socializing.
Food & Drink

Chicago rooftop bars lounges restaurants guide for summer 2026

This Friday, May 15, La Bella Trattoria on Rush opened its doors at 101 E.

Caitlin O'Malley·May 26
A lively Chicago patio at dusk, filled with people dining and drinking under twinkling fairy lights with the city skyline in the distance.
Food & Drink

Discover Chicago's unique patios and beer gardens in 2026

With Block Club Chicago mapping over 240 outdoor drinking and dining spots, the city's patio scene has exploded, revealing a hidden world of neighborhood gems far beyond the usual suspects.

Caitlin O'Malley·May 26
How TravelThru Coordinates Private Rides Across Five Continents
Transportation & Transit

How TravelThru Coordinates Private Rides Across Five Continents

For business travelers and corporate planners, coordinating reliable ground transportation across multiple countries can be a logistical challenge. TravelThru addresses this by offering a unified platform for global chau…

Sponsored by TravelThru·Sep 2
A newly constructed seven-story Dinkel's Lofts residential building with a preserved historic bakery facade on North Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.
Real Estate & Development

City Issues Dinkel's Lofts Building Permit

After years of anticipation, a full building permit was issued on May 18, 2026, for Dinkel's Lofts, paving the way for a seven-story, 42-unit residential building at 3329 North Lincoln Avenue that wil

Rafael Mendoza·May 25
Chicago police officers are injured after a blue sedan drives into a crowd they were attempting to disperse on the Near West Side.
Business & Economy

CPD officers injured dispersing Near West Side crowd

Five Chicago police officers were struck by an 18-year-old driver's blue sedan, traveling against traffic, as they attempted to disperse a 'teen takeover' crowd early Sunday.

Rafael Mendoza·May 24
Diverse crowd enjoying the inaugural Forever Mine Music Festival in Chicago's Union Park, with Y2K-themed stage lighting and a vibrant atmosphere.
Arts & Culture

Forever Mine Festival Debuts in Chicago with Y2K Nostalgia

In Chicago's Union Park, the inaugural Forever Mine Music Festival debuted in 2026, not just with headliners like Kaytranada and Monica, but with a deliberate mission to center local Black and brown D

Caitlin O'Malley·May 24
Thousands of enthusiastic fans enjoying a night of reggaetón and regional Mexican music at the Sueños Music Festival in Chicago's Grant Park.
Arts & Culture

Sueños Music Festival Ignites Chicago with Reggaetón and Regional Mexican Stars

Last year, the Sueños Music Festival drew over 80,000 attendees to Chicago's Grant Park, a vibrant testament to Latin music's explosive growth from niche appeal to a dominant cultural force, according

Caitlin O'Malley·May 24
What Powers FIT 'N Bakes' High Protein Tortillas: A Breakdown
Food & Drink

What Powers FIT 'N Bakes' High Protein Tortillas: A Breakdown

Understanding how FIT 'N Bakes ' high-protein tortillas actually work starts with recognizing a major shift in consumer habits. People are looking more closely at the nutritional labels of everyday foods like bread and w…

Sponsored by FIT 'N Bakes·Sep 2
Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut bottle on a mini film set, promoting the 'It's a Pepper Fling' microdrama series.
Business & Economy

Dr Pepper promotes Creamy Coconut with new microdrama series

Dr Pepper, a brand boasting nearly $4 billion in Q1 revenue, is launching a four-episode social media microdrama, 'It's a Pepper Fling,' to promote its limited-time Creamy Coconut flavor.

Rafael Mendoza·May 23
Crowd enjoying music and food at the Taste of Chicago festival with the Chicago skyline in the background.
Neighborhoods

Taste of Chicago 2026 Adds Common, Beach Bunny, and Babyface to Lineup

The Taste of Chicago has already locked in headliners Common, Beach Bunny, and Babyface, alongside 84 food vendors and 20 food trucks, for its 2026 festival.

Caitlin O'Malley·May 23
A beautifully plated gourmet dish sits on a table in a sophisticated, dimly lit restaurant, symbolizing the successful relaunch of Atelier.
Business & Economy

Atelier Lincoln Square restaurant closure marks new beginning

Despite holding a coveted Michelin star, Atelier announced its closure due to financial issues in May 2026, only to swiftly reopen in a larger space at 4544 North Western Avenue in October 2026.

Rafael Mendoza·May 23
Chicago skyline at dusk with a Chicago Fire Department engine in the foreground, symbolizing the service and sacrifice of Engineer Steven M. Decker.
Business & Economy

Chicago Fire Department Engineer Steven M Decker Dies

Chicago Fire Department Engineer Steven M.

Rafael Mendoza·May 23
A Major Life Transition Can Be the Right Time to Revisit Your Financial Plan With John Mateyko
Business & Economy

A Major Life Transition Can Be the Right Time to Revisit Your Financial Plan With John Mateyko

Major life transitions like a new job, marriage, or inheritance are ideal times to revisit your financial plan, as they change the underlying facts of your financial situation. John Mateyko, a Fiduciary Financial Planner, emphasizes identifying what changed, rebuilding cash-flow, and reviewing new benefits to update your plan effectively.

Sponsored by John Mateyko·Sep 2
Hundreds of cyclists participate in the solemn Ride of Silence through Chicago, a tribute to fallen riders, as court cases related to cyclist fatalities proceed.
Neighborhoods

Cyclists Ride of Silence 2026: Court Cases Advance After Fatalities

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, hundreds of cyclists rode silently through Chicago, a solemn tribute to fallen riders.

Caitlin O'Malley·May 22
Overgrown vacant lots in Englewood, Chicago, with a chain-link fence and distant city skyline under a somber sky.
Neighborhoods

City moves to foreclose on Englewood junkyard owner's vacant lots

After years of inaction, the City of Chicago is now seeking to foreclose on eight Englewood properties owned by Paul A.

Caitlin O'Malley·May 21
Crowds enjoying live music and festive atmosphere in Chicago's Grant Park during Memorial Day weekend with the city skyline visible.
Arts & Culture

Chicago offers diverse weekend events from music to family fun

This Memorial Day weekend, Chicago's urban core transforms into an unprecedented festival hub.

Caitlin O'Malley·May 21
A lush Chicago parkway garden featuring tall native plants buzzing with pollinators, symbolizing a healthier urban environment.
Neighborhoods

Chicago council allows 36-inch native plants in registered gardens

Chicago City Council voted to allow native plants in registered parkway gardens to grow up to 36 inches tall, a significant increase from previous restrictions.

Aisha Patel·May 21
5 Boutique Villa Rentals Actually Worth Trying, Luxury Unique Places Included
Local Spotlights

5 Boutique Villa Rentals Actually Worth Trying, Luxury Unique Places Included

As travelers plan for 2026, the demand for private, exclusive, and unforgettable stays is higher than ever. Standard hotels are making way for curated experiences that offer both luxury and a sense of place. For those se…

Sponsored by Luxury Unique Places·Aug 31
Interior view of High Voltage Records & Hi-Fi, a new vinyl record store in Rogers Park, Chicago, showcasing a lively browsing atmosphere.
Local Spotlights

High Voltage Records & Hi-Fi Opens Doors in Rogers Park

In its first month of operation, High Voltage Records & Hi-Fi, a brand-new physical store in Rogers Park, sold over 1,200 records.

Caitlin O'Malley·May 21
Affordable housing complex in Rogers Park, Chicago, with diverse residents and community members.
Neighborhoods

Chicago committee approves Rogers Park affordable housing plan

In a stark contrast to typical Chicago development, the City Council's zoning committee just approved an 80-unit apartment complex in Rogers Park where every single unit will be below market rate, acc

Caitlin O'Malley·May 20
Motorized, LED-lit paddleboards glowing brightly as they cruise along the water at Ping Tom Memorial Park, with the Chicago skyline visible in the background.
Arts & Culture

Neon Paddle brightens Chinatown's Ping Tom Park with illuminated tours

Last year, 500 customers experienced Chicago's skyline from motorized, LED-lit paddleboards, making Neon Paddle a global rarity and a local hit.

Caitlin O'Malley·May 20
DJ Nudia Hernandez hosts Vocalo's new live call-in show, 'The Vocalo Hotline,' aiming to significantly expand the station's listener base.
Neighborhoods

Vocalo launches new live call-in show with DJ Nudia Hernandez

Despite recently cutting 14 positions across its units, Chicago Public Media is betting on a new live call-in show and a massive signal boost to transform its struggling sister station, Vocalo.

Chloe Jenkins·May 18
Botos Trading Academy: Mastering SPY Options With Expert Education and Psychology
Business & Economy

Botos Trading Academy: Mastering SPY Options With Expert Education and Psychology

The world of options trading, particularly with highly liquid instruments like SPY, offers immense opportunity but also demands a sophisticated blend of technical skill and mental fortitude. For retail traders navigating…

Sponsored by Botos Trading Academy·Sep 18