Elena Smentkowski

1 week ago | secretchicago.com | Elena Smentkowski

Breakfast at Portillo’s anybody? Three months after rolling out its first-ever A.M. menu at select franchises, the classic Chicago chain is bringing its early-bird eats to 10 more locations across the city and suburbs. Breakfast menu now available at North Side outposts Portillo’s will off the breakfast menu at two new Chicago restaurants on the North Side, and 8 new suburban locations, according to a report from ABC7.

1 week ago | secretchicago.com | Elena Smentkowski

Get ready to crank the AC—this weekend in Chicago is going to be a scorcher! Following weeks of below average highs, temperatures will soar into the mid 90s over the coming days. Extreme Heat Warning in effect beginning Saturday The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning beginning Saturday, June 21, at 10 a.m. until 12 a.m. Tuesday, June 24. Saturday’s high will reach 94 degrees, but humidity could make it feel as hot at 103 degrees.

1 week ago | secretchicago.com | Elena Smentkowski

Four CTA Red Line stations on the Far North Side will officially reopen for service on Sunday, July 20, after years of construction tied to the $2.1 billion Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) project, according to a CTA release. The largest CTA reconstruction project to date The nearly century-old stations have been completely rebuilt as part of the transit system’s largest renovation effort to date.

1 week ago | secretchicago.com | Elena Smentkowski

Heavy storms will hit Chicago this afternoon, bringing the risk of flooding to parts of the area. Flood watch in effect for Cook County According to the National Weather Service (NWS), showers and thunderstorms are possible Wednesday, with a 100% chance of precipitation after 2 p.m. The NWS has issued a flood watch for Cook County and much of Chicagoland, as new rainfall totals up to three quarters of an inch are possible.

1 week ago | secretchicago.com | Elena Smentkowski

The Midwest’s latest coffee obsession is expanding its footprint in the Chicago suburbs. 7 Brew is bringing its creative coffee concoctions and specialty energy drinks to Joliet. 7 Brew Coming Soon to Joliet A Tik Tok shared Monday shows a “Coming Soon” sign with 7 Brew signature branding next to a vacant property at 2421 W Jefferson St. The expansion follows the Arkansas-based coffee chain’s first Chicagoland outpost, which opened in Naperville in October 2024.