Indiana Wants the Chicago Bears

BEST DATE NEWS

Feb. 19, 2026: Best Date News Volume #166

Welcome to Best Date News, your go-to guide for what’s happening in Chicago! This week, we’re diving into Indiana’s plans to steal the Chicago Bears, Route 66’s new starting point, a cool new event coming to Chicago this summer, concert announcements, weekend plans and more.

Feb. 19: National Holidays

• National Chocolate Mint Day

• National Tug of War Day

• National Lash Day

• National Arabian Horse Day

• National Airboat Day

Sponsored by our friends at Meet Chicago Northwest

Chicago Northwest Restaurant Week

• Meet Chicago Northwest: Mark your calendars because Chicago Northwest Restaurant Week returns Feb. 27 through March 8, with more than 60 restaurants participating and offering multi-course and featured menus.

• For 10 delicious days, enjoy specially curated breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner menus at a variety of great price points. It’s a fun excuse to explore new flavors and celebrate the vibrant, diverse food scene of Chicago’s Northwest suburbs, whether for date night or dinner with friends.

• Participating regions in the Chicago Northwest suburbs include Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Itasca, Roselle, Rolling Meadows and Wood Dale.

• Check the lineup for Chicago Northwest Restaurant Week and book your reservations!

Chicago News

• Chicago Bears: Momentum is building for Indiana in their effort to lure the Chicago Bears across the state border. Indiana lawmakers approved a key amendment this morning that would pave the way for a potential new stadium in Hammond near Wolf Lake, giving the state the ability to finance and develop the site. The Bears called it the most meaningful step forward in their stadium planning efforts so far, as Illinois lawmakers hit pause on a related Arlington Heights proposal, highlighting the growing competition between the two states. In other Bears news, they just named Jeff King their Assistant General Manager.

• Route 66: In celebration of 100 years of Route 66, Chicago is giving the iconic highway a new starting point. Navy Pier will now mark the official beginning of Route 66, moving it from its original location at Michigan Avenue and Jackson Boulevard in the Loop. Fun fact, Route 66 now starts at a pier (Navy Pier) and ends at a pier (Santa Monica Pier).

• Concert Announcements: There were a couple of big Chicago concert announcements this week. Australian EDM group Rüfüs Du Sol, who headlined Lollapalooza last summer, will perform at Wrigley Field on June 12. Fans can sign up for presale tickets through 9 a.m. Monday before tickets go on sale Tuesday, Feb. 24. Bruce Springsteen also announced the Land of Hopes and Dreams Tour, which stops at the United Center on April 29, with tickets going on sale to the general public tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 20 at noon.

• Hamilton Returns: The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Hamilton is returning to Chicago’s CIBC Theatre this spring, running from March 4 through April 26. Along with the show’s return comes the popular $10 digital lottery, with 40 tickets available for every performance. For comparison, standard ticket prices typically range from $63 to $208. The first lottery window opens tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. As an added perk, Metra is offering free round trip train rides to anyone who shows a Hamilton ticket.

• New Red Panda: The Lincoln Park Zoo has welcomed a new red panda resident just in time for Chinese New Year. Qi is an adorable seven-year-old male red panda who now calls the Pepper Family Wildlife Center at Lincoln Park Zoo home. He will share his habitat with fellow red panda Nisha, and the zoo hopes the pair will eventually have cubs as part of a breeding recommendation through the Red Panda Species Survival Plan.

Just For Fun

• Red Bull Spin Off: Summer in Chicago is getting a fun new event this June as the Red Bull Spin Off makes its first ever U.S. appearance. 40 teams of two will compete in a thrilling over-water tandem bicycle challenge using custom-built bikes. The free event takes place Saturday, June 13 at 12th Street Beach on Northerly Island. Registration is now open.

• Fool’s Spring: We hope you’ve been enjoying the recent stretch of spring-like weather, because unfortunately it isn’t going to last. Multiple days in the 60s had us feeling ready for summer, even though we knew it was Fool’s Spring, just one of Chicago’s 12 unofficial seasons. This weekend, temperatures are expected to drop back into the 20s and 30s.

• SKIMS: The new flagship Chicago SKIMS by Kim Kardashian just opened in the Gold Coast at 1000 N Rush St. The space at the high profile Oak and Rush shopping corner was previously home to Wintrust Bank. We stopped in to give you a first look at the new store, which features the brand’s best-selling shapewear and loungewear, along with its newer Nike collaboration, displayed inside the former bank vault.

• IKEA: A new IKEA store is coming to the Chicago suburbs, with a third Chicagoland location planned for Gurnee Mills Mall. Set to open this year, the 66,000 square foot space will be smaller than a typical IKEA store, but will still offer a curated selection of furniture, home goods and classic IKEA food favorites. It gives suburban shoppers easier access to the brand without the trip to Bolingbrook or Schaumburg.

• Ruby Hotels: A new international hotel brand is making its U.S. debut in Chicago. Ruby Hotels, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, will open its first ever U.S. location in downtown Chicago in 2027, transforming the historic Inn of Chicago building just off the Magnificent Mile. The 22 story hotel will feature 412 rooms, a reimagined lobby and bar, plus a rooftop terrace with skyline views.

Weekend Plans

• Argyle Lunar New Year: The 2026 Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration takes place in Uptown this Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The parade kicks off at Argyle and Sheridan at 1 p.m. and will feature more than 20 local community groups, cultural institutions, dancers and performers. The day also includes a local market, post-parade performances and free, family-friendly activities and pop-ups.

• Winter Jazz Fair: A one-of-a-kind, all-ages jazz event is taking place at the Chicago Cultural Center this Friday, Feb. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Winter Jazz Fair 2026 features an all-day lineup of live jazz performances, panel discussions, vendor booths and more. The event is free to attend, with optional registration available for those who’d like to support.

• Travel & Adventure Show: If you love to travel or are starting to plan your next vacation, the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show is taking place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont this weekend, Feb. 21 and 22. The trade show brings together travel experts, destination showcases and celebrity speakers, making it easy to explore the world of travel all in one place.

• Lil Sweet Treat: A new candy store called Lil Sweet Treat is opening in the West Loop at 807 W Randolph St this Saturday, Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. The globally sourced sweets shop already has locations in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. The first 100 people in line will receive a special candy gift bag as part of the grand opening celebration.

• Fun Food & Drink Games: On Friday, Feb. 20, Recess is bringing back Rock Paper Pizza, where anyone who buys a pizza can play rock paper scissors against a manager for the chance to win their pie for free. Meanwhile, Big Mini Putt Club in Lakeview is hosting a Mario Kart Tournament tonight, Feb. 19, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with the winner scoring 25% off their bar and food tab for the night.

Poll Question of the Week

Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last week, we asked if you were going out or staying in for Valentine’s Day, and it was a close race. 57% of you said you were staying in, while 43% said you were going out.

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

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

• Sunrise: 6:40 a.m. (10 minutes earlier)

• Sunset: 5:28 p.m. (9 minutes later)

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