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More people left our state than any other in the 2010s. Part of the problem: Unlike elsewhere, urban growth hasn’t offset rural decline.Read More

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Attention: stop what you’re doing and give yourself a high five. Because you made it through January during a pandemic. And a lot of other intense stuff (we won’t go into details). So feel free to reward yourself. Maybe explore a museum. Go ice skating. Dine in at a local restaurant. You deserve it, friend. Here’s what’s open now or reopening in Chicago this February.

Art Institute of Chicago

111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

Mark your calendars! Downtown Chicago’s top art museum reopens to the public on February 11. Expect the normal COVID safety protocols (face mask, keep your distance, sanitize, etc.). Also, advance ticket purchase is required for the public. Of course if you’re a member, you don’t need to reserve tickets. 

Field Museum

1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

Been missing Sue the T-Rex? Well great news, Chicago’s favorite history museum officially reopened to the public on January 23rd. Stop in to see your favorite prehistoric animals and more by booking your tickets here. 

Shedd Aquarium

1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

Oh the adorable penguins, cheeky beluga whales, colorful sea creatures. It’s been waaay too long since we connected with our favorite aquatic life. Thankfully, the Shedd reopened to the public on Saturday, January 30. So go ahead, plan a fun family day or treat your S.O. to something different. 

Steak 48 Chicago

615 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Hungry for some red meat? This family-owned steakhouse was limited to delivery and pick-up for the last few months. And now, the staff is excited to welcome guests back in! Steak 48’s two-level floor plan not only provides ample space for social distancing, but also offers multiple dining rooms, in addition to a unique collection of semi-private dining suites for an intimate experience.

Observation Deck Chicago

875 N Michigan Ave 94th floor, Chicago, IL 60611

Prepare your eyeballs for stunning, panoramic views of Chicago! The CHICAGO 360 observation deck started welcoming back guests on January 29th. See out the sights 1,000 feet above the famed Magnificent Mile and learn more here. 

The Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park

337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601

Grab a friend and lace up your skates for a chilly day at the Skating Ribbon! An hour and half session costs $16 per person with skate rental included. Book tickets online here. But hurry, the Skating Ribbon will close for the season on February 28th! 

Chicago Botanic Garden

1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe IL 60022

Looking to reconnect with nature? Turn off your brain and take in the quiet solitude at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera! You could catch a glimpse of birds, geese, and other animals. The Garden is open daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last entry 4 p.m.) through the end of February. Get your timed tickets here.

Featured Image Credit: Maggie Daley Park on Facebook

The post What’s Reopening in Chicago This February appeared first on UrbanMatter.

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“For a couple months, I was just DJing for tips. Luckily the community that I have around me, they were pouring into me as much as I give out to them.”

CaSera “DJ Ca$h Era” Heining, 25, is a producer at WGN Radio and runs her own mobile DJ company.…Read More

On the new double-disc compilation Defilements, long-running Japanese band Coffins solder together a patchwork of death and doom metal from five out-of-print releases that trace their development throughout the 2010s. Coffins spike the collection with covers of iconic American groups such as Death and Buzzoven, faithfully executing each homage, and their original tracks simply swing.…Read More

Last month, initial renderings of the proposed DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field hit the web and fans got a first look at what gambling at Wrigley Field may look like one day. We reported on the $100M partnership between the Chicago Cubs and the sports gambling and daily fantasy sports giant DraftKings back in September, and nothing much has changed beside the Cubs roster going from division-contender to that of St. Rita’s.

“The Chicago Cubs and DraftKings announced a $100M partnership that would put a sportsbook right at Wrigley Field by the end of 2022. This is huge news for more than a few reasons, none more significant than the fact that it has the potential to be the first book at a professional sports stadium. The Cubs and DraftKings aren’t thinking small on it either, as they have stated that the intention is to make it the largest individual sportsbook in the entire country.”

With sports betting moving to the front of the line for sports fans in terms of entertainment value, you could expect that the initial unveiling would be spectacular.

For those curious, here’s a look at the planned Wrigley Field Sportsbook (mini thread): pic.twitter.com/bC3QwJnZeA

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— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) January 13, 2021

If you’re wondering why the Cubs haven’t spent a dime on the field it’s because of things like this. For years now the Ricketts family has spend hundreds of millions of dollars revamping the fan experience, Wrigleyville, and pulling Wrigley Field itself into the 21st century. However, as time progressed and projects delayed and COVID-19 essentially halted game-day related revenue streams, the Chicago Cubs went from big spenders to penny pinchers.

However, of the massive overhauls done, the DraftKings sportsbook is one of the cooler attractions the Ricketts braintrust has brought to the forefront. There’s nothing to indicate that when the sporting world returns to normal this place won’t be jam-packed with sports fans and avid gamblers alike. This also comes at a time where Illinois’ sportsbook operators reported a record $450M wagered in a single month, per a press release from PlayIllinois.com. Since legalization, sports gambling has exploded on the scene with DraftKings competitors such as FanDuel, Bet Rivers, and PointsBet leading the way. No one has the scope and interactive game day operation that DraftKings and the Cubs are offering.

Time will tell on the success of the DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field but the latest renderings are promising. Even if the Cubs themselves will be tough to watch in the coming years we at least can wager on their futility from the corner of Sheffield and Addison in 2022.

Featured Image Credit: Michael Cerami on Twitter

The post New Wrigley Field DraftKings Sportsbook Update With Renderings and More appeared first on UrbanMatter.

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