Chicago Restaurant Week is back!

Today marks the start of the 17th Annual Chicago Restaurant Week, which is the perfect opportunity to explore the Chicago food scene, have a taste of the hundreds of cuisines the city has to offer and experience one of the major reasons why Chicago has been the Best Big City in the U.S. for seven years in a row.

Each neighborhood has a selection of notable restaurants to choose from which provide prefixed menus for brunch, lunch and dinner, exceptionally crafted to provide the best dining experience for guests. With over 400 participating restaurants across the city, there is food to appease every kind of palate.

Enjoy a variety of foods from around the world, local favorites or traditional American food. Must-try spots include award-winning restaurants, diet friendly restaurants with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options and places with one-of-a-kind dining experiences.

Chicago Restaurant Week runs until Feb. 4. To make a reservation and view a full list of participating restaurants visit the Chicago Restaurant Week website.

Cheers!

Remembering Betty White on what would have been her 102nd Birthday

• Happy Birthday

Over 100 years ago on Jan. 17, 1922, Betty White was born in Oak Park. White led an incredible life. She was the first woman to produce a national TV show, the first woman to star in a sitcom, the first woman to receive an Emmy nomination and the first woman to ever appear on television.

She received the honorary title of the Mayor of Hollywood in 1955 and has been formally inducted into the academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. In 2013, the Guinness World Records awarded White for having the longest television career for a female entertainer.

White was notorious for her love of animals, even passing up a role in the Oscar-winning movie “As Good As It Gets” because of a scene where the anti-hero pitches a small dog down a trash chute.

To honor her and her love of animals, the Betty White challenge began – taking place on her birthday and encouraging people to donate to their local animal shelter.  White is quoted saying, “Animals don’t lie. Animals don’t criticize. If animals have moody days, they handle them better than humans do.”

White is remembered for her light heartedness and genius comedic timing. Happy birthday to Illinois’ own!

Winter adventures in Illinois

The temperature may be dropping, but the cold doesn’t stop Illinois adventures. Bundle up to enjoy all of the wonderful experiences that Illinois has to offer this month.

Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition
Visit Rockford for a chance to see snow sculpting teams from across the state in action competing to represent Illinois in the U.S. National Snow Competition in 2025. The competition will be held Jan. 24-27 and the sculptures will be on display in the park for as long as weather conditions allow.

Sledding Hill at Soldier Field
One of the best places for sledding in Chicago is at Soldier Field’s 220-foot sledding hill. Sledding on the hill is permitted during daylight hours based on weather conditions.

Morton Arboretum Pine Pacer
The Pine Pacer hosted by the Morton Arboretum in Lisle is a virtual running event that challenges participants to complete a goal of running or walking 25, 50 or 100 miles by the end of January. Individuals can reach their goal by running or walking through the beautiful winter scenery at the Arboretum, around their neighborhood, or anywhere else they enjoy running or walking. Registration for the event is now open.

Stay warm!

Eagle watching in Illinois

Catch a glimpse of the majestic American bald eagles that represent our country’s spirit, freedom and strength in Illinois this winter season!

More than 3,100 wintering bald eagles call Illinois home during the coldest months of the year, which is more than any other state outside of Alaska. Bald eagle watching in Illinois is a tradition for many people across the state. This year, Illinois Eagle Day is celebrated Saturday Jan. 27, but eagle watching events occur all winter long.

Here are two eagle watching events to check out in January:

Rock Island Clock Tower Eagle Watch
Eagle watching from the Clock Tower building on the Rock Island Arsenal is the perfect opportunity to view bald eagles in their natural habitat along the Mississippi River. Eagle watching will be available Saturday, Jan. 13 and Saturday, Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Starved Rock Eagle Watch Weekend
Visit Starved Rock State Park Saturday, Jan. 27 and Sunday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to learn more about bald eagles, experience the breath-taking sights of the park and witness bald eagles in the wild. Activities will be taking place at various locations across the Starved Rock area.

For more winter eagle watching events, visit the state website.

Happy watching!