Could the Chicago Bears Move to Indiana?

BEST DATE NEWS

Dec. 18, 2025: Best Date News Volume #157

Welcome to Best Date News, your favorite Chicago weekly newsletter! Thank you for being a weekly reader. In this week’s newsletter, you will read about the Bears expanded stadium search, Illinois’ overhaul of the region’s public transit system, the Chicago Snowballs, Portillo’s in the Loop, our Oberweis giveaway and more.

Dec. 18: National Holidays

• National Answer the Telephone Like Buddy the Elf Day

• National Twin Day

• National Re-Gifting Day

• National Bake Cookies Day

• National Roast Suckling Pig Day

Sponsored by our friends at Hubbard Inn

The Christmas Inn Holiday Pop-Up

• The Christmas Inn: Experience the magic of The Christmas Inn on Hubbard Street this holiday season. Hubbard Inn’s Christmas pop-up bar and restaurant is a Chicago favorite, bringing festive vibes with weekly events, weekday happy hour specials and plenty of holiday cheer.

• Go for the themed drinks, stay for the holiday pop-up magic. Expect festive cocktails, over-the-top décor, special events and their Ho Ho Happy Hour every weekday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with $10 select cocktails and bites.

• Something fun and festive is happening nearly every day of the week at The Christmas Inn, including Music Bingo Mondays, Wine and Craft Tuesdays, The Naughty List on Wednesdays, No Silent Nights on Thursdays, Jingle Bell Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays and a Very Merry Movie Dinner on Sundays.

• If you’re looking for a spot to fully lean into the Christmas spirit this holiday season, The Christmas Inn is worth a visit for dinner or one of their themed events. Just be sure to make reservations in advance.

Chicago News

• Indiana Bears: The Chicago Bears have reopened their stadium search after announcing that Arlington Heights is no longer their sole focus. In an open letter to fans, team president and CEO Kevin Warren said the team is now exploring other options across the Chicagoland area, including Northwest Indiana. The shift comes amid stalled talks with Illinois lawmakers over issues like property taxes and infrastructure funding. See what Bears fans are saying and join in on the conversation!

• Transit Bill: This week, Illinois officially approved a major overhaul of the region’s public transit system. A new agency called the Northern Illinois Transit Authority will replace the RTA and oversee CTA, Metra and Pace, alongside a long-term funding plan aimed at closing looming budget gaps as federal relief dollars run out. The bill also includes safety measures, fare coordination and service alignment.

• Chicago Snowballs: Chicago is getting its own Savannah Bananas–inspired baseball team this spring. The Chicago Snowballs are a new professional team launching with their season opener on May 3, 2026, at Kerry Wood Field. The co-ed team promises a fast-paced, two-hour “sportstainment” experience that blends baseball with over-the-top entertainment and circus-style acts. Based in Chicago, the Snowballs will tour the Midwest, with open tryouts set for Jan. 5–8 at the Rosemont Dome for anyone 18 and older.

• Taste of Joliet: After two decades as a summer staple, Taste of Joliet will not take place in 2026. City officials say the pause is intentional, giving organizers time to rethink and rework the longtime festival. Since its return in the mid-2000s, the event has brought major musical acts and drawn large crowds. A new festival concept is expected to debut in 2027, though specific details have not yet been announced.

• Chase Flagship: JPMorgan Chase is planning a new flagship financial center on the Magnificent Mile at 830 N. Michigan Ave, directly across from Water Tower Place, with an opening planned for fall 2026. The two-story location will combine a traditional Chase branch with a financial center focused on private and affluent clients. The move brings a major new tenant to a prominent stretch of the Mag Mile that has seen some retail vacancies in recent years.

Just For Fun

• New Loop Portillo’s: Is Portillo’s headed to Michigan Avenue? It appears so, as city permit filings show plans to convert the ground floor space at 300 N. Michigan Ave into a new dine-in restaurant. Details are still limited and there’s no opening timeline yet, but the filing points to a full build out, suggesting a classic Portillo’s experience could be coming to downtown.

• Oberweis Giveaway: Two iconic Chicago brands, Oberweis and The Joffrey Ballet, have teamed up to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Nutcracker with a special, limited-time Nutcracker Peppermint Swirl ice cream. To celebrate, we’re giving away a $100 Oberweis gift card plus two tickets to see The Nutcracker. Enter now! It currently has fewer entries than our typical giveaways, so don’t miss your chance on this one!

• Zoomies: Chicago’s first indoor dog park and bar is officially on the way to Avondale. Zoomies is set to take over a large warehouse space on Elston with climate-controlled, off-leash play areas, plus grooming, daycare and boarding for pups and a cafe and bar for humans. Construction is expected to begin early next year, with plans to open by summer.

• Broadway in Chicago: After 14 years, Broadway In Chicago is retiring its popular $25 on the 25th program and rolling out a new deal sometime this December. The new offer, called $30 on the 30th, will feature select shows announced on Facebook on the 29th of each month, with tickets going on sale at 10 a.m. on the 30th.

• Bulls Hello Kitty Night: The Chicago Bulls just announced a Hello Kitty Night is coming to the United Center on Saturday, April 5, 2026. Fans who purchase a designated ticket will receive an exclusive Bulls x Hello Kitty bag and plush keychain. Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m. against the Phoenix Suns.

Weekend Plans

• Bears vs Packers: The Chicago Bears take on the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field this Saturday, Dec. 20, at 7:20 p.m. in a game that could very well determine the NFC North division winner (game info). Temperatures are expected to be warmer than last week, which is good news after sodas were freezing instantly upon opening. Prefer to watch from indoors? Here are 15 Chicago sports bars where you can catch the game.

• Cars of Christmas: The world’s biggest Christmas car meet is coming to Chicago this Friday and Saturday. Dozens of cars fully decked out in Christmas lights will cruise together Friday night before gathering at the Field Museum around 10 p.m. for spectators to check them out. Saturday plans are still to be announced.

• 100 Best Ramen Spots: Warm up with a bowl of ramen this weekend. Yelp released its top 100 U.S. ramen shops for 2025, and six spots in the Chicagoland area earned a place on the list. The city showed up strong with four ranked spots alongside a couple of suburban favorites, highlighting just how solid the Chicago ramen scene is right now.

• Best Comedian Showcase: Get a front row look at Chicago comedy with a special showcase featuring all 10 nominees for The Chicago Reader’s 2025 Best Comedian award. The lineup includes both standup and non-standup performers, making this the only event where you can see every nominee on one stage. The show takes place this Sunday, Dec. 21, at The Lincoln Lodge from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with tickets priced at $18.48.

• Smoke Daddy Deals: If you’re looking for a great meal at a throwback price today, check out Smoke Daddy’s Throwback Thursdays in Wicker Park, where they’re rolling prices back to 1994. You can grab a $4.94 pulled pork sandwich or the Wrightwood Salad, a $9.94 cheeseburger or a half rack of ribs, and all sides are just $1.50. Dine in only.

Poll Question of the Week

Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last week, we asked you how often you get food delivered. Here were the results:

• 29%: Once a month

• 29%: Almost never

• 20%: Once a week

• 12%: Multiple times a week

• 10%: A few times per year

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

Here is today’s outlook in Chicago (compared to last week):

• Sunrise: 7:13 a.m. (5 minutes later)

• Sunset: 4:21 p.m. (2 minutes earlier)

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