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Chicagoland's group chat, but an email.

The Chicago Signal is a weekly email about the weird, the resigned, and the extremely specific. CTA drama. Neighborhood HOA meltdowns. Wildlife incidents. From the Loop to the collar counties.

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What you'll get:

✓ The Schaumburg Nextdoor is at war over a guy who parks his boat in his driveway. It has been three weeks. There are factions now.

✓ Someone in Ravenswood is leaving handwritten lawn care reviews under doormats. One resident got a 2/10 for "lack of vision."

✓ The taco place in Pilsen that doesn't have a sign is back open. Cash only. No parking. Worth it.

Archive

545 students displaced mid-year, illinois is still the only state that ignored a supreme court ruling, and chicago is already angling to host another dnc

Mar 3, 2026

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7 min read

545 students displaced mid-year, illinois is still the only state that ignored a supreme court ruling, and chicago is already angling to host another dnc

plus: two guys faked their own armed robbery, a school district's budget panic is spawning rumors, and north side restaurant week is happening right now

indiana just voted 95-4 to steal the bears, cook county's software meltdown just got personal, and the city owes you $163 million in parking ticket refunds

Feb 26, 2026

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8 min read

indiana just voted 95-4 to steal the bears, cook county's software meltdown just got personal, and the city owes you $163 million in parking ticket refunds

plus: geneva's getting a warby parker, naperville's offering teachers retirement incentives, and the pop-up dinner that could change chicago's food scene forever

a toy company in vernon hills just beat trump at the supreme court. $133 billion in refunds. no plan.

Feb 24, 2026

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9 min read

a toy company in vernon hills just beat trump at the supreme court. $133 billion in refunds. no plan.

plus: one brewery is ascending to the fifth dimension. naperville is mourning november. the plow is named and deployed.

a kane county family bought an old farmhouse. turns out they bought documented resistance history.

Feb 19, 2026

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7 min read

a kane county family bought an old farmhouse. turns out they bought documented resistance history.

also: a dormant polish dive bar, spring training delusion, and large model trains in lisle. you're thriving.

the cta has ai now and a guy is running every block

Feb 17, 2026

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5 min read

the cta has ai now and a guy is running every block

also: amazon is sending drones to your neighborhood

indiana is serious about the bears... and other public displays of affection

Feb 12, 2026

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8 min read

indiana is serious about the bears... and other public displays of affection

a 300-acre offer for the bears caps a week of very public plays

half the midwest woke up smelling chemicals. the rats are on birth control. a coffee shop boycott backfired beautifully.

Feb 10, 2026

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8 min read

half the midwest woke up smelling chemicals. the rats are on birth control. a coffee shop boycott backfired beautifully.

plus: a steakhouse dynasty hits the north shore.and a guy played 53 lawn concerts across the suburbs.

delivery robots want wicker park. the city’s worst landowner bought a florida house.

Feb 5, 2026

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5 min read

delivery robots want wicker park. the city’s worst landowner bought a florida house.

yes, we included pizza. and coyotes. you’re welcome.

we trusted a rodent with the climate again

Feb 3, 2026

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6 min read

we trusted a rodent with the climate again

also: naperville egg crimes, and a chemical leak that’s not funny at all.

🌭 new portillo’s sauces, bulls fans get THC, and a school admin’s retail crime spree

Jan 29, 2026

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8 min read

🌭 new portillo’s sauces, bulls fans get THC, and a school admin’s retail crime spree

also: haunted plainfield house, naperville bar guide, and target rises from k-mart ashes.

they found a loaded gun in the wall. then it got weirder.

Jan 27, 2026

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6 min read

they found a loaded gun in the wall. then it got weirder.

plus: door knockers of academic doom, lou canellis changes teams, and chicago’s budget does a magic trick called “scoop and toss.”

The Chicago Signal

The Chicago Signal

The Chicago Signal is a weekly email about the weird, the resigned, and the extremely specific. CTA drama. Neighborhood HOA meltdowns. Wildlife incidents. From the Loop to the collar counties.

I consent to receive newsletters via email. Terms of use and Privacy policy.


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