The McRib is back — in a Chicago courtroom

Chicago Theater Week is back (again, somehow) From February 5–15, more than 100 shows across the city are offering $15 and $30 tickets—from big names like Goodman and Steppenwolf to the smaller storefronts that will emotionally devastate you in 90 minutes or less.

It’s the annual reminder that Chicago has one of the best theater scenes in the country, and also that you haven’t been “meaning to go” since 2019.

Ben Folds headlines Grant Park Fest The 2026 Grant Park Music Festival lineup dropped. Ben Folds, family matinees, and at least 20 chances to pretend Chicago summers are low-stress.

Rideshare tax, because we need more fees As of Tuesday, it's $1.50 extra for rideshare pickups and dropoffs in the "congestion zones" from 6 a.m.–10 p.m. That's what we're calling them now: the congestion zones.

The McRib triggers a class action McDonald's is being sued for allegedly misleading customers about the McRib's return. Claims include deceptive signage and implied pork permanence. The case could change how limited-time items get advertised. Or it'll settle quietly and we'll do this again in 2032.

A fleet of delivery robots, parked and waiting. For what, we don't know.

Amazon targets Orland Park A 225,000 sq ft Amazon retail center is planned for 159th & LaGrange. It includes dining, general merchandise, and 837 parking spots that will all be full by 11 a.m. 

Miskatonic Brewing closes in Darien After about 10 years in the southwest suburbs, the longtime brewery poured its last pints late last month as loyal customers gathered one final time in Darien. The closure follows financial strain tied in part to the earlier shutdown of its Naperville outpost and softer overall demand for on-premise beer, according to reporting from the Chicago Tribune.

Naperville refuses to stop opening new places CAVA opens its first Naperville location at Block 59 on Jan. 12; Yemeni coffee shop Shibam Coffee is targeting March; New York-style pizza spot Slyce of New York is aiming for early spring; and more retail is on the way downtown.

Today’s weather: fake spring, act accordingly.

Chicago is hitting the warmest day of the week, with highs in the low-to-mid 50s under mostly cloudy skies.

Rain arrives late this afternoon into the evening, with breezy conditions and temperatures sliding back down overnight. Enjoy the warmth while it’s here — it’s not sticking around.

This is a “light jacket, immediately wrong” kind of day.

Eat: Armitage Alehouse. Rich food, dark wood, cold weather energy. No reservations for the bar seats.

Do: Free museum days (Illinois residents):

Avoid: Loop rideshare dropoffs $1.50 + the knowledge you funded the congestion zone.

Family Days at the Chicago Architecture Center

Drop in with kids (any age) for a free, hands‑on design activity in the Skyscraper Gallery on January 10, 2026, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. — build, explore, and learn about the city’s shapes together. 

Why now: Because you need dinner and leftovers.

Note: It’s lasagna’s rowdy cousin.

Why it’s worth your time: A deep narrative on how a modest home in Dolton — where Pope Leo XIV grew up — has become an unexpected point of civic pride and contention. The piece threads local history, community tension, and our city’s unique blend of the earnest and the absurd in a way that feels quintessentially Chicago‑area.

Tips please.

We’re always watching the news, but your block sees things first. Reply with your neighborhood and one thing that made you pause, squint, or text someone “???”

Talk Tuesday.

-The Chicago Signal