🌱 Bears Buy Arlington Park Racetrack + Flights Delayed, Canceled

Welcome back, Chicago! I'm here in your inbox today to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and chilly. High: 28 Low: 24.

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Here are the top three stories today in Chicago:

1. The Chicago Bears bought the Arlington Park Racetrack, moving a step closer to a new stadium in Arlington Heights. The Bears will have to fund the $197.2 million development without state taxpayer support as city taxpayers still have $640 million in debt for the 2002 Soldier Field renovations. Chicago taxpayers are paying $250 million in interest alone from the renovation project. (Illinois Policy)
2. Airlines reported delays and cancelations at O'Hare and Midway Airports as rain and snow moved through the Chicago area on Thursday. As of 8:08 a.m., O'Hare International Airport had canceled 202 flights. A Winter Storm Warning was in effect for Lake and McHenry counties, while Cook, DuPage, Grundy, and Will counties were under a Winter Weather Advisory on Thursday. (CBS Chicago)
3. After pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, Jason Hall, of Madison, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to a six-year prison term. Hall purchased significant amounts of cocaine from Winfield Agee and Darryl McDonald in Chicago and resold it to customers in Madison. McDonald, the remaining defendant in the cocaine distribution scheme, is expected to appear for a plea hearing on Mar. 15. (Department of Justice)

Today in Chicago:

• Pancakes And Booze Art Show At Reggies Chicago (8:00 PM)
• Los Hermanos Flores At V Live Restuarant (9:00 PM)
• Friday Late Night Standup Comedy Show At Laugh Factory Chicago (11:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• If you're looking for something to do this weekend – and don't mind an hour drive – head to Rosemont for the 54th annual Chicago RV and Camping show. (CBS Chicago)
• Do you want to visit Chicago museums but don't want to spend the money? Check out the upcoming free entry days at the link! (NBC Chicago)
• It's Chicago Theatre Week! You can see over 100 live performances across the city now through Feb. 26. Find out how at the link. (Choose Chicago via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you soon.

— Kaytlyn Mroz

About me: Kaytlyn Mroz is a copywriter at Lightning Media Partners – a content creation agency. She is a Rowan University graduate where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in writing. Outside of work, Kaytlyn is a dog mom to a boglen terrier named Finn and a golden retriever named Willow.