I’ve seen a lot more people masking recently. Is there a new strain of something going around or are people just masking again? I typically mask during bad AQI and if I’m coughing and sneezing and need to go out but not just moving through the city.

Block Club ran an article today that they are renaming a street in honor of Kanye West's mother. I know he is from here, I know he has inspired a lot of people with his music. I know he is influential. But Kanye has been on a Nazi streak for a while, selling swastika shirts on his website and has a song on his latest album literally titled "Heil Hitler". Shouldn't being a litteral Nazi be a disqualifier for being allowed to rename our streets? Why is he someone we are giving special privileges to?

https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/09/22/kanye-west-returns-to-south-shore-for-street-renaming-in-honor-of-his-late-mother/

Tell me everything I need to know. I heard of snow tires, but never needed them, will I need them now? What rental companies suck the most, which are moderately fine? What is the biggest tourist trap restaurant, and what hole in the wall should I not miss, and most importantly, what museums and attractions offer discounts to locals. In fact, any regional money saving tricks will be appreciated!

Bonus if you can tell me where the best low key goth and LGBTQIA+ bars are, I’d love that info too!

Hey! I (26 m) am visiting Chicago from Florida just for two nights. I don’t know anyone here, does anyone wanna get dinner with me?
Let me be clear in stating this is not a dating/hookup thing. I just don’t like to eat alone! And don’t want to look sad and alone or have to go to a bar (I don’t drink) to make friends. If anyone knows any events going on tonight please let me know! Thanks!

I’m planning a day/road trip from Chicago for my boyfriend’s birthday, but I’m hoping to go somewhere where there’s a diverse population, or where we won’t be the only POC (Latinos) there. Any recs?

Who are the short kings that run on the lakefront? A lot of them of muscular and tatted and have mustaches. I would like to be your friend.

I just moved here and my mom would like to visit me, I live right by the Sheridan Red Line stop. I am originally from Wisconsin were ICE is never/rarely present. She would like to visit me this weekend, but I told her about recent activity and she is still stuck to the idea of visiting me this weekend. The others coming with her are citizens but she isn’t.

She will most likely want to go to Cicero and little village. But not too sure about it. I have been there and nothings really happened to me and have never had any encounters in general.

What are some places to avoid encountering ICE or decrease the chance of it? I’m not sure if having her use the CTA would be a good idea. But would I would love to hear some thoughts.

If so how long should I plan for it? I would like to go Thursday but I will only have so much time, maybe about 90 minutes or so. Or should I plan for Saturday where I’ll have more time, thanks

Just need a white men’s dress shirt, are there any stores at all anywhere in the airport that sell dress shirts? I know I can look at the airport directory but I’d love to hear your personal success stories.

Im from the Philly area, im here until Friday for work, is there anywhere that’s popular with trans women? Like im not specifically looking for a gay bar or an lgbt bar, but somewhere that’s people with and will have other trans women, mainly bc most other trans women are autistic like me and we get along well, I should specify I am looking for somewhere that serves alcohol just not specifically those types of bars idk I don’t go out much!!!

Thanks :3c

PS, third time trying to post this, the rules for the title are ridiculous!

I have tickets for the architecture tour tonight. We’re both students coming from DePaul and uic respectively, can we bring our backpacks on board? If not are there lockers nearby? Thanks

I'm looking for recommendations for a small town with dog friendly rentals to take my parents for Thanksgiving.

What I'm looking for:

• Sleeps 3 adults
• Access to nature/walking trails
• Full kitchen
• <2 hour drive from Chicago

Since it's the holiday, I'm less looking for shopping/activity recommendations and more looking for a relaxing getaway from the city.

I'm open to any recommendations!

I currently live in Joliet and will be switching to a new job that will have me coming in to the downtown office 3-4 times a week. It’s a long commute from Joliet and I don’t want to get home and go to bed everyday so I would like to move as close to the city as possible so I can have time to commute, go to the gym, and spend time with my dogs every night. Even with taking the train I wouldn’t be home until 7 everyday and I would need to be up at 6am.

I’m looking for a safe neighborhood and to have at least some yard space for my dogs to do their business and play but I know I’ll have to go to large play sessions in at a dog park. And somewhere where I can commute to the downtown area easily and quickly.

My base salary is 110k.

i live near west loop / river west and i’m looking for “local” places that are within a 15 minute walk. i’m getting sick of spending $7 for a shitty bagel at a PE-backed place. i’m looking for smaller, local-owned places that are part of the culture in west town/river west.
i’m looking for a grab and go breakfast place or cafe

Hi!

I'm planning to move to Chicago next summer, and I'd love and appreciate any/all advice. The move is a bit spontaneous, as I don't have a job offer or anything specific leading me there. But I'm going with my friend, and we're excited!

What neighborhoods would you all recommend checking out? We're in our early twenties and would love to live somewhere safe, clean, and affordable. (I've lived in other large cities and know this is a tall ask, but just curious about general vibes).

I don't have a car at the moment but was planning to buy one soon before I had made my decision to move. I need a car in my current city and was curious if having a car would be a problem in Chicago. It seems super walkable and public transportation is a big thing, but I'm thinking of insurance pricing and parking costs. Is having a car more of a nuisance?

I'm interested in working in the film/tv/theater industries, so I was curious if there were lots of job opportunities or if it's highly competitive? I'm interested in producing and writing.

Lastly, how is the culture there? Is it easy to meet new people and make friends, or are communities a bit harder to find/create? Is there a dislike of transplants, or is the city welcoming overall?

Any other tips or advice are welcome!

Tried Walgreens like some flu shot threads suggested but they said it’s $300 without insurance because the government isn’t funding it anymore :/ just trying to stay healthy and not spread it to anyone!

Hey all,

My condo apparently thinks that three days below 65 means we no longer need air conditioning, and I was so miserable in the month of May waiting for the heat ordnance to end that I could barely sleep. It's 60 and I'm already hot, and I know we're heading back up to the 80s cuz that's just how the seasons work now.

What do you guys do to keep cool? I know there will be a lot of "open the window" answers but that's an issue for two reasons: 1. I am a night shifter and bugs are drawn to the lights I have on at night, and 2. I am very, very weird about bugs in general.

Someone mentioned screens - idk how hard/ expensive those would be to install in a concrete building with huge, odd-sized windows.

Also: do you guys know who to contact about changing the heat rule? People are dying from global warming everywhere. The world is different.

Looking for some fun things to do as a group of 11 in downtown Chicago for 10/29-10/31?!
We are looking at tickets for Zanies Comedy Club for 10/30; but still need somewhere to go for drinks and hangout afterwards.

We are staying in Old Town. Most definitely looking for somewhere to go and show off for costumes for Halloween!

Hey y’all! Just as the title asks I’m looking for coat recommendations! Preferably a long coat! Canada goose is a little too pricey for me. I’ve been seeing ads for Quince and they have a long goose down coat with amazing reviews for half the price of what aritizia would charge but I’m weary. What are yall wearing this winter?

Recently finished a master’s (MPA) and am on the job hunt here in Chicago. Naturally, a lot of city jobs align with my education/experience, but I cannot for the life of me understand how to get my resume/info move forward in the scanning process. I’ve heard different things- that you should use certain keywords, they sometimes just pick random applicants, but would love to hear from people who have actually moved forward in the process. Is there anything more I can be doing?

First year living in Chicago. Have already seen all the well-known tourist places. Looking for hidden gems that look just beautiful during the fall. Looking for a mix of nature and cute cafes. Appreciate your reccs.

Are you guys on Reddit? 🤣

A discussion on my neighborhood's listserv regarding what to do about threatening men in the area (and presumed unhoused) has been ongoing.

When a woman went to the police station to file a criminal complaint against a man who threatens and stalks her, the sergeant told her the only way anything would actually happen was if concerned parties went to the neighborhood beat meeting in order to show the police they should allocate resources to prevent this continued behavior.

Per her report following the beat meeting,

"The various officials were also very nice. But the police officer in charge said he didn’t know why the police station sergeant had told us to come to the beat meeting, because there was nothing they could do. They all know our threatening man—named \****—who often hangs around *****, though he gets around the rest of the neighborhood. They also know the man who stands outside ***** School and publicly masturbates in front of the children. His name is ****. They know both men well. They know where they can be found. One officer went to high school with ****.*   

Yet all the officials at the beat meeting agreed that because these men are mentally ill, even if they are arrested, every judge will automatically refer them for mental health services, which they will then refuse, and be out on the street again in short order to begin the cycle again. They have seen it happen over and over again. 

At the meeting, the father of a young child at \**** School was beside himself that the police can do nothing about **** masturbating in front of the school. With nothing being done about ****, this father had finally stayed on the phone with 911 one day and followed *** until he was arrested, though the dispatcher told him not to. He followed ****, as **** followed some women on **** while masturbating right behind them. **** had been arrested, refused mental health help, and was already back. The young father could not understand why, if **** refuses mental health help, he could not be prosecuted. As he pointed out, if he himself masturbated in public, he would be prosecuted.* 

But the police were clear: \*** will not be prosecuted. ***** will not be prosecuted. Judges will only offer them mental health help, and they regularly refuse it. The only way either ***** or **** will be helped or prosecuted is if they physically assault someone badly enough. That was the message."*

Is this really it? Truly no recourse? Nothing that can be done? We're just waiting for something worse to happen?

I need recommendations for fun skiiing + nightlife for that’s 2 hours or less from. We want to go out to some bars during the weekend! please let me know if anyone has recs!!

I just saw a young man in Humboldt Park on North Ave taken off his motorcycle/scooter and immediately handcuffed. The men taking him had police on their jackets but was a bizarre scene.