The week Chicago told us to wait until 2029

One of the busiest Loop ‘L’ stations — the 130‑year‑old State/Lake stop — closed Jan. 5 for demolition. CTA says the new version will have wider platforms, elevators and a glass canopy, but riders will have to use adjacent stations and Lake Street will be limited to local traffic during construction . Officials admit the project will take until 2029. For the next three years commuters can watch progress from the sidewalk.

Chicago’s fourth annual snowplow naming contest is accepting submissions until Jan. 10 and officials want punny entries that riff on local celebrities or Chicago trivia . Past winners include “Mrs. O’Leary’s Plow,” “Salter Payton” and “Snower Wacker,” with a 50‑character limit and one entry per person . Department of Streets & Sanitation staff will narrow the field to 25 finalists, then the public will vote for six names — one for each snow district . Mayor Brandon Johnson even took to cable news to endorse the pun “Abolish ICE,” using the contest as a humorous protest against federal immigration enforcement .

In Maywood, seven convenience stores were shut down after an undercover investigation caught them repeatedly selling tobacco and THC products to kids. Mayor Nathaniel George Booker said exploiting youth for profit isn’t a simple oversight; it’s a violation warranting license suspensions. A hearing on Jan. 13 will decide whether the closures become permanent. Meanwhile, locals will have to travel farther for snacks and vapes.

Adidas and Foot Locker are celebrating the Bulls’ decision to retire Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey on Jan. 24 by hosting D. Rose Day on Jan. 4 at 1848 S. Blue Island Ave. Fans can visit a pop‑up shop, enter a contest for suite tickets to the retirement game and reserve the retro AdiZero Rose 1 sneaker before its Jan. 17 release . The event promises collectible figures and a chance to see Rose’s early shoes up close . Because if you can’t take the ‘L’ downtown, you might as well get a new pair of sneakers.

Morton Grove opened a brand‑new Metra station on Dec. 15, replacing its drafty 1970s shelter. Parking rules haven’t changed (pay stations and accessible spots stay), but permit parking at Chestnut Street disappears Jan. 1 . Improvements will continue into spring 2026.

Customs officers at O’Hare recently seized 17 pounds of unidentified plants, 11 pounds of beans with pests and four pounds of “non‑human primate” meat from a passenger arriving from Congo . The traveler reportedly thought the meat was an acceptable souvenir . Agents posted photos showing a trussed animal and reminded travelers that such items are prohibited and are destroyed . We’re adding “monkey meat” to the list of things that are not allowed in your carry‑on.

That new state law requiring libraries to stock opioid reversal medication? Oak Park Public Library has already used it about 20 times over the last decade. The law just makes it official everywhere else.

Today (Jan. 6): A chance of drizzle or snow before 8 a.m. with patchy fog; otherwise mostly cloudy with a high near 41 °F .

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny Wednesday with a high around 46 °F and light winds .

Next 3–5 days: Rain chances return Thursday afternoon (40 % chance) with highs near 50 °F . Rain is likely Thursday night and Friday with temperatures in the mid‑40s . By Saturday rain may mix with snow, highs drop to the mid‑30s, and Sunday looks partly sunny near 31 °F . Forecasters still warn that a disrupted polar vortex could bring bitter cold later in the month .

Eat: Half Shell — A subterranean crab house on Diversey. Since 1968 it’s required cash only, no reservations and, per the sign, gentlemen must remove hats . There’s an ATM inside, garlic butter on everything and the seafood platters arrive on beds of fries.

Do: Skate at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink — In Millennium Park, admission is free but you must reserve a time slot; the rink is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and offers free skating lessons funded by the McDonald’s Active Lifestyles Endowment

Avoid: Bringing exotic meat to O’Hare. See Above.

Winter 2026 Chicago Park District programs begin this week and run Jan. 5‑March 15 . Online registration opened in December, but in‑person registration continues at parks with available spots and the first Learn to Swim session for kids 6–17 is free with coupon code FIRSTFREE . Update your account and grab a slot before those indoor soccer classes fill.

Why now:  It’s the other Chicago pie — thin crust, square cut, topped to the edge and ideal for a week when we can’t get downtown.

Note: The beer in the dough keeps the crust thin and crispy; letting the rolled-out dough rest overnight in the fridge dries it out and improves texture

Why it's worth your time: Doug Schenkelberg runs the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness. In this interview, he explains why people choose tent encampments over shelters, why a single affordable housing unit now costs three-quarters of a million dollars, and why federal funding cuts could displace 170,000 households nationwide. It's a clear-eyed look at a problem the city keeps trying to shuffle around.

That's the week. If you need us, we'll be waiting in line at a different 'L' station, voting for snowplow puns, and absolutely not bringing monkey meat through customs.

See you Thursday. Unless that gets delayed until 2029 too.

-The Chicago Signal