All topics

The best Chicago newsletters

5 newsletters, ranked by editorial quality and how recently they published. Looking for something more specific? Search instead.

noexpectations.fyi· weekly· Published 7 days ago

A weekly music newsletter by Chicago writer Josh Terry that champions independent artists and rejects algorithmic recommendations. Each issue offers album picks, a 15-song playlist, artist interviews or band deep dives, and local Chicago show listings.

indie music recommendationschicago musicindependent artistsalbum recommendationsweekly playlistchicago concerts
chicagojournal.com· irregular· Published 11 months ago

A subscriber-supported blog offering commentary on Chicago's politics, crime, culture and economy, alongside travel guides and personal essays about the city. Readers get a local perspective with a strong personal voice, from sharp takes on public safety to seasonal recommendations and nostalgic writing about baseball.

chicago newschicago crimeloop chicagochicago opinionfall foliagedoor county

15 West

Ghost
15west.org· irregular· ES· Published yesterday

15 West is a Spanish-language news newsletter covering Chicago neighborhoods, especially Berwyn and the West Side, with local community stories, school board election coverage and investigations into the Fisk power plant demolition. Readers get local reporting on civic life, education and environmental concerns in Spanish.

chicago newsberwynpilsenfisk power plantchicago board of educationschool board election
pointlessexercise.com· weekly· Published 2 days ago

A profane, irreverent sports newsletter covering the Chicago Cubs and Bears with sharp takes on awards, front-office decisions and game recaps. Readers get opinionated commentary and blunt jokes rather than neutral reporting.

chicago cubschicago bearsgold glove awardscubs pitchingjed hoyercaleb williams
amplifyicnw.org· irregular· Published 6 days ago

Amplify with ICNW is a community newsletter from Indivisible Chicago's Northwest Side group, covering stories of local residents affected by Project 2025 and people organizing against it. Recent issues profile young adults' views on jobs and AI, urge readers to canvass before the midterms, and promote a live theatre production about immigration.

project 2025indivisible chicagovoter canvassingmidterm elections 2026young adults economysanctuary stories