Honestly, if you're stepping outside in Chicago today, you already know the vibe. It’s that biting, "burns your face" kind of cold that we all pretend to be used to but secretly hate. This Sunday, January 18, 2026, is shaping up to be one of those classic, chaotic Chicago days where the headlines are as scattered as the salt on the Kennedy Expressway. We’ve got a massive playoff game at Soldier Field, a bizarre string of car part thefts, and a city budget drama that’s finally reaching a boiling point.
The Big Game and the Bitter Chill
First things first: the Chicago Bears are hosting the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field for the NFC Divisional Game. Kickoff is at 5:30 PM, but the real story is the weather. Forecasters are calling for temperatures in the teens with subzero wind chills. If you’re heading to the lakefront, you better be layering like an onion.
Metra and the CTA are expecting heavy ridership, though the cold has a way of slowing everything down. On the roads, things have already been dicey. Earlier this morning, a woman was tragically killed and four others were injured when their car hit a pole on DuSable Lake Shore Drive. It’s a somber reminder that even when the pavement looks clear, those bridges and ramps are basically ice rinks.
The "Honda Civic" Crime Wave
If you drive a Honda Civic and live in Hyde Park or Bucktown, you might want to double-check your driveway. There is a really weird, specific crime trend hitting the city right now. Thieves aren't just stealing cars; they’re breaking in specifically to rip out the steering wheels and airbags.
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Chicago Police issued a fresh warning this weekend after a string of these hits in Hyde Park. Most recently, thieves targeted cars in the 5100 and 5300 blocks of South Dorchester Avenue. It sounds like something out of a bad movie, but apparently, there's a high black-market demand for these specific components. CPD is asking anyone with info to hit up Wentworth Area detectives or drop an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com.
Chaos at the Airports
Traveling today? Good luck. O'Hare (ORD) is currently seeing departure delays averaging about 40 minutes and climbing. It’s not just the local wind; it’s a ripple effect from winter weather hitting the East Coast. Midway is doing slightly better, but "better" in January usually just means you’re stuck at the gate for 20 minutes instead of an hour.
City Hall’s Budget Showdown
Away from the snow and the sports, there’s a massive game of chicken happening at City Hall. Mayor Brandon Johnson is staring down a $16.6 billion budget for 2026 that the City Council passed over his objections.
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The sticking points?
- A plan to sell off city debt (like unpaid parking tickets) to private collectors.
- A hike in the plastic bag tax from 10 to 15 cents.
- Legalizing video gambling terminals to bridge the revenue gap.
The Mayor called the debt-selling plan "morally bankrupt," but he didn't actually veto the budget yet. If he doesn't sign or veto it soon, we could be looking at a government shutdown. That would mean city services stopping and 30,000 workers not getting paid. It’s high-stakes politics at its most exhausting.
Local Safety Updates
It has been a rough 24 hours for public safety. Aside from the Lake Shore Drive crash, a 20-year-old man was charged today for a spree of armed robberies and burglaries across Ukrainian Village and Lincoln Park. In River North, a CPD squad car was involved in a crash that sent three people, including an officer, to the hospital.
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On a lighter note, if you’re looking to escape the news, the new moon peaks this evening. It’s one of the last big "skywatching" events of the month. If the clouds break, it’s a rare moment of peace in a city that’s currently anything but quiet.
Staying Safe and Informed
If you're out and about, here is the "real-world" advice for navigating the city right now:
- Check your car: If you own a Honda, park in a well-lit area or a garage if possible. These steering wheel thefts are happening fast—sometimes in broad daylight.
- Monitor the flight boards: Don't leave for O'Hare without checking the tracker; delays are volatile right now.
- Bundle for the Bears: If you’re going to the game, cardboard under your feet is an old-school trick to keep the concrete from sucking the heat out of your boots.
The city is moving fast today, and with the budget deadline looming and the playoffs in full swing, the "breaking news" isn't going to slow down anytime soon. Stay warm, stay observant, and maybe keep an extra eye on your car.