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BEST DATE NEWS

Jan. 9, 2025: Best Date News Volume #108

Welcome to Best Date News, your favorite Chicago weekly newsletter! In this week’s newsletter you will read about Chicago’s congestion problem, the reopening of the Kennedy Expressway express lanes, Tilly Bagel, 90 Miles, rejected license plates and more!

Jan. 9: National Holidays

• National Balloon Ascension Day

• National Static Electricity Day

• National Apricot Day

• National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

• International Choreographers Day

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Chicago News

• Traffic Problems: Chicago is officially one of the most congested cities in the world according to the INRIX 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard that was released this week. It ranked Chicago as the second most congested city in the U.S. and the third most in the world. Chicago also somehow has five out of the 10 most congested roads in the country. This press release summarizes all the info nicely. Will New York-style congestion pricing make its way to Chicago? It’s being considered.

• Kennedy Expressway: One way to potentially clear up some of Chicago’s roadway congestion is to reopen the Kennedy Expressway express lanes. This part of the years-long construction project was originally supposed to finish back in December. It was not completed on time, and the express lanes have been closed for months. The good news is that the Illinois Department of Transportation has announced plans to reopen the express lanes as early as next week, depending on weather.

• Tilly Bagel: Chicago’s most talked about bagel shop is set to open a second location this spring. Tilly Bagel announced last November that they would be opening in West Loop, and it appears that will take place in April at 204 N Aberdeen in Fulton Market. Known for their “Chicago Style” bagels, Tilly has a unique variety of flavors like Cacio e Pepe, Chicago and Garlic Rosemary on their normal menu. However, their rotating weekly flavors push the bagel envelope even further.

• 90 Miles: 90 Miles Cuban Cafe appears on the verge of closing both their locations. The Roscoe Village restaurant, opened in 2008, is now shutdown and the Logan Square location, opened in 2009, may soon suffer the same fate as rental charges and other fees pile up. Read the full Block Club story about 90 Miles’ possible eviction.

• Best Places to Live: U.S. News and World Report recently put together a list of the “25 Best Places to Live for Quality of Life in the U.S. in 2024-2025.” While Chicago didn’t make the cut, six Midwest cities (that you are likely familiar with) did, including the number one overall spot. See the list.

Just For Fun

• Rejected Plates: Sticking with the road theme of this week’s newsletter, the state of Illinois received over 60,000 requests for personalized license plates in 2024. Of those requests, only 335 were denied. You have to watch this hilarious video to see the creative license plates that got rejected this past year. Spoiler alert, HOKTUAH didn’t get approved. And neither did these ones.

• Girl Scout Cookies: From rejected plates to rejected cookies. The Girl Scouts of the USA have announced that they will be retiring two of their 12 classic cookie flavors at the end of this season, that kicks off on Tuesday, Jan. 14. See which flavors are being retired.

• Chicago Gyms: If you need to work off those Girl Scout Cookies, or you are just sticking to your New Year’s resolution, TimeOut Chicago put together a list of the 29 best gyms in Chicago. Did your gym make their list?

• Super Bowl at Soldier Field: No, the Chicago Bears won’t be playing in this year’s Super Bowl, but you still have a chance to watch it at Soldier Field this year; if you act quickly. A free Verizon FanFest event will be taking place at Soldier Field on Feb. 9 with first come, first serve tickets. Request tickets here.

Poll Question of the Week

Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last newsletter we asked if you had a good 2024. 77% of you said that it was a great year overall. We hope that 2025 is even better for everyone!

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

Here is today’s outlook in Chicago:

• Sunrise: 7:17 a.m. (1 minute earlier this week)

• Sunset: 4:38 p.m. (7 minutes later this week)

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