Chicago’s 2025: A year of conflict and change Conflict and chaos were big themes in 2025. And as the year draws to a close, WGN’s Ray Cortopassi takes stock of the events that had a lasting impact on Chicago this year. Relief in Chicago: Kennedy Construction Ends After three years of gridlock, the last leg of the Kennedy Expressway rehab was completed. That happened in October, ahead of schedule to the tune of $170 million, not to add capacity, but to improve infrastructure.