Photos from the Week 16 game between the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field on Dec. 24, 2023.

Chicago Bears players DJ Moore, Khalil Herbert and Jaylon Johnson surprised United Airlines employees — and travelers — at O'Hare Airport on Dec. 19, 2023.

A pastor burrito is made at El Habanero, a Logan Square taqueria beloved for both its food and friendly atmosphere.

CTA's holiday fleet has been operating for three decades.

After being rescued by the Alaska SeaLife Center, a 10-pound male northern sea otter received a warm welcome at Shedd Aquarium in late November. He has remained behind the scenes at the aquarium, where animal care and veterinary staff are monitoring and caring for him around the clock. The newcomer will eventually join the five southern sea otters at Shedd — Luna, Cooper, Watson, Suri and Willow — who are also rescues.

Concern over climate change has been a major motivation for many Illinoisians turning to solar energy more than ever before, industry experts say. A record 12,800 residential rooftop solar systems were connected to the grid in Northern Illinois in the first 10 months of 2023, up from 10,500 in all of 2022, and just 110 in 2013, according to ComEd. State and federal governments are encouraging homeowners with incentives for rooftop solar installations at a time when the world is struggling to stay on track to reduce planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

Photos from the Chicago Bulls' 111-100 victory against the Charlotte Hornets in the consolation bracket of the NBA In-Season Tournament on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, at the United Center.

Photos from the Chicago Bulls' 120-113 overtime victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, at the United Center.

Many still choose online shopping because of its convenience. But Black Friday was expected to be busy with many people still eager to go to real-life, brick-and-mortar stores. Crowds of shoppers still headed to Chicago area malls and stores. Many visited Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont and Water Towel Place in downtown Chicago. An estimated 182 million people around the country are expected to shop in stores and online this long weekend.