Axios Chicago Subscribe to Axios Chicago Get smarter, faster with a daily look at the biggest stories in Chicago Subscribe Monica Eng 5 hours ago - Things to Do Presenting our ode to Axios Chicago readers Monica pays tribute to Chicago readers with her new aspriational hit single "Song for Axios Readers." 👋 Hey, it's Monica. 50 years ago, Mayor Richard J. Daley proclaimed December as Chicago Songwriters Month. Why it matters: The proclamation stands as a testament to the city's rich and prolific songwriting scene at the time, embodied by folkies like Steve Goodman and John Prine. To mark the anniversary, I've written and recorded this Song for Axios Chicago Readers. Go deeper (<1 min. read) Axios on facebook Axios on twitter Axios on linkedin Axios on email Justin Kaufmann 5 hours ago - Things to Do Material Issue film premieres Thursday with concert Jim Ellison of Material Issue performing at a Tower Records release party in 1994. Photo: Philin Phlash, courtesy of Arvonia Films It's been 30 years since Chicago's Material Issue released its first major-label album "International Pop Overthrow." A new film, premiering tomorrow at Lincoln Hall, captures that moment in time. Go deeper (1 min. read) Axios on facebook Axios on twitter Axios on linkedin Axios on email Monica Eng 5 hours ago - Food and Drink The state of food in Illinois' biggest dining hall Lunch plates from UIUC's newest dining hall. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios 👋 Howdy, it's Monica. Earlier this week I drove my daughter back to school at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and checked out the massive new Illinois Street Residence (ISR) dining hall. Why it matters: Eating in Illinois' biggest dining hall at the state's largest university serves up an illuminating taste of today's college food scene. Go deeper (1 min. read) Axios on facebook Axios on twitter Axios on linkedin Axios on email Monica Eng Nov 30, 2021 - News CPS expands composting program — but slowly Students at CPS schools that compost separate liquid from recyclables and compostables after their meals. Photo courtesy of Seven Generations Ahead Chicago Public Schools could nearly double the number of schools that compost their food waste this school year. The district plans to add 10 more schools to the 14 that already compost—diverting nearly a ton of waste from the landfill each day. Go deeper (1 min. read) Axios on facebook Axios on twitter Axios on linkedin Axios on email Monica Eng Nov 30, 2021 - Food and Drink Taste test: Chicago's Christkindlmarket foods Hot cocoa, leberkase and a kilometer sausage with sauerkraut from the Christkindlmarket in Wrigleyville. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios Now in its 25th year, Chicago's Christkindlmarket has expanded its food offerings way beyond bratwurst, strudel and spiced wine. But it's hard to know what's worth trying with only one stomach for sampling. So we brought three hearty appetites to the Wrigleyville Christkindlmarket to test old favorites and new flavors. Go deeper (1 min. read) Axios on facebook Axios on twitter Axios on linkedin Axios on email Monica Eng Nov 29, 2021 - Business Map of the best bathrooms in downtown Chicago Data: Axios Chicago readers; Map: Thomas Oide/Axios Thanks again to the readers who shared their secret downtown public bathroom spots last month. In response to requests, we've mapped the locations above with an interactive version here. 🧻 Perfect for the next time you're near the Loop and really need to … make a pit stop. Axios on facebook Axios on twitter Axios on linkedin Axios on email Monica Eng Nov 29, 2021 - Things to Do Hanukkah 2021 events in Chicago Lakeview and other communities around Chicago celebrated the first night of Hanukkah with public menorah lightings. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios The first night of Hanukkah featured lighting ceremonies around the Chicago area Sunday evening, but there are plenty more Hanukkah activities to enjoy over the next seven nights. Go deeper (<1 min. read) Axios on facebook Axios on twitter Axios on linkedin Axios on email Monica Eng Nov 29, 2021 - News Best Illinois schools for entrepreneurs Students at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management gather at the Evanston campus. Photo: Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Financial database PitchBook released its annual list of the top 50 colleges for business founders last week, and both the University of Illinois and Northwestern made the Top 25. Why it matters: Good founder schools attract would-be entrepreneurs who create new businesses that add to Chicago's first class startup community. Go deeper (1 min. read) Axios on facebook Axios on twitter Axios on linkedin Axios on email More stories News worthy of your time. Download the app About About Axios Advertise with us Careers Events Axios on HBO Axios HQ Privacy and terms Online tracking choices Contact us Subscribe Axios newsletters Axios app Axios podcasts Courses Earn Axios rewards