Happy New Year!! 

We at Dean’s TeamChicago wish all of you the happiest, healthiest 2026 ever!!

Thanks to the upcoming January Free Days at many Chicago area museums, you and your family can welcome in the New Year by learning about Chicago and world culture, art, and so much more:

Located on the Museum Campus, the Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Illinois residents can enjoy free admission (with proof of residency) on the following days:

• Wednesday, January 7
• Monday, January 12
• Wednesday, January 14
• Wednesday January 21
• Monday, January 26
• Wednesday, January 28

NOTE: Admission is always free for Illinois teachers.  Make sure to book online and in advance by clicking here.

In the Loop, The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Avenue offers Free Winter Weekdays, from Monday, January 5 – Saturday, February 28, 11am through closing each weekday (5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and 8pm on Thursdays. )

To receive free admission tickets, Illinois residents must reserve online in advance. It’s the perfect time to take in special collections like Raqib Shaw: Paradise Lost through January 19.

NOTE: The museum is always free for Chicago teens under age 18, all children under age 14, Link and WIC cardholders, active-duty military, and Illinois educators. To reserve tickets, click here. 

Lincoln Park’s Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark Street, helps you explore both Chicago and American history at their upcoming Illinois resident Free Days fromMonday, January 19 – Friday January 23 and Tuesday, January 27 – Friday, January 30.

Note: Throughout the year, admission is always free for active-duty military and active-duty Chicago police and firefighters, Illinois teachers, Illinois residents under age 18, and all children under 12. For tickets, click here. 

Washington Park’sDuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E. 56th Place,  offers free entry on select dates and for certain groups.

There’s free admission for all every Wednesday.

Note: Admission is always free for military and first responders, University of Chicago students, Chicago Park District employees, Illinois public school students, and other groups. For tickets and information, click here.

The iconic Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive.  Starting on Wednesday, January 7, every Wednesday throughout 2026 is free. 

Free tickets are available for advanced reservation online and on site. The free tickets include all general admission exhibitions. Just present a current Illinois driver’s license, state ID, or Chicago CityKey card at the ticket desk to establish proof of residency. For tickets and information, click here.

Note: Illinois teachers and active military personnel receive free general admission year-round.

In Hyde Park, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, offers several free admission days for Illinois residents. In January, free days are available on:

• Monday, January 12
• Tuesday, January 13
• Wednesday, January 14
• Sunday, January 25
• Monday, January 26
• Tuesday January 27
• Wednesday, January 28

Note: The museum is always free for United States military active-duty personnel and veterans, Illinois POWs, Chicago firefighters & Chicago police officers, Illinois teachers (Pre-K through 12th grade), United States military active-duty personnel and veterans also receive $4 off U-505 On-Board Tour tickets for themselves. Forinformationand reservations, click here.

Streeterville’s Museum of Contemporary Art,  220 E. Chicago Avenue, reserves every Tuesday from 5pm – 9pm for Illinois residents to receive free admission.

Note: The museum is always free for visitors under age 18, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers, active members of the military, police, and fire departments, veterans and their families, and Illinois elementary and high school teachers. 

And …If it’s not Tuesday evening, MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy — no one will be turned away.

Another Museum Campus favorite is the venerable Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive.  Illinois residents free access to all permanent exhibits on select dates throughout the year. In January, you can enjoy free admission days from Tuesday, January 6 – Thursday, January 8; Tuesday, January 13– Tuesday, January 20; and Tuesday, January 27– Thursday, January 29. 

And…Admission is always free for Chicago police officers and firefighters, active-duty U.S. military personnel, and educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

NOTE: There is a $5 convenience fee per order for Free Hours reservations made online. 

HOWEVER, you can reserve tickets by phone with no convenience fee by calling 312-939-2438. 

Andersonville’s Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark Street, has free admission every second Tuesday of the month throughout the year, and children aged 1 year or younger are admitted free every day they are open. Their current exhibit, We Are America, explores Swedish immigration to Chicago. There are environmental displays such as the deck of a steamship, a 19^th century Swedish stuga (cottage), an early 20^th century Swedish-American woodshop, and a mid-century Swedish-American kitchen. 

If you plan on visiting with a group of 10 or more, it is highly recommended that you contact the museum so that they can accommodate you for a guided or self-guided tour.  For more information, click here. 

And a reminder…though not a museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2400 N. Cannon Drive, offers free admission 365 days a year. Discover fascinating wildlife, make unforgettable memories, and embrace the thrill of the wild. And through January 4, for $7 per person,  you can experience the magic of ZooLights!

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago 

Power strips have many benefits. They allow you to plug in more items and make it easier to organize a space without tangled cords. They can be turned off, as opposed to a wall outlet, which saves energy costs. We install them in our homes to protect items vulnerable to power surges, and often don’t give them a second thought beyond that. 

But, they can be dangerous too!

There are limits to what a power strip can handle safely. So, it’s always a good idea to know the correct way to use and store these appliances. Here are some tips:

Always buy high quality strips that are UL listed with surge protection. Cheap ones can be a serious hazard, even if not overused. Surge protectors help keep devices safe from electrical spikes.

Never plug multiple power strips or extension cord into one another. Overloading is the biggest reason strips become dangerous. If you plug in too many high-wattage devices or connect extensions, you will eventually overheat and melt the strip. 

Don’t plug in damaged electronics. Overloading is not the only danger. If you plug in a damaged electrical device there is a risk of sparks, shocks and accidental electrocution. Make sure the strip itself is not damaged either! Regularly check for frayed, cracked or loose cords, which can cause a fire and need to be replaced immediately. 

Make sure the power strip has space. Strips also need to be kept where they can get plenty of air flow. Stuffing them behind furniture, under a lot of junk or in small, enclosed spaces can cause overheating and even fire. 

Know what electronics are safe and the wattage of what you’re plugging in. There is a wide range of devices that are safe to use with a power strip. Low power items like phone chargers, TVs, gaming consoles, and lamps do well with strips. They won’t overload the power strip. 

There are just as many that should never be plugged into a strip and need to always be plugged directly into a household power outlet. Any device that cools or heats is always a high-power drawing item and should never be in a strip. Space heaters, microwaves, toasters, fridges, freezers or power tools need to be plugged into an outlet. Only one high-power appliance per outlet!

Turn off your power strip if you aren’t using it. Power strips with surge control are generally safe to leave the power on with low-wattage items, but it’s recommended to unplug or turn off the power strip when not in use. This will keep electronics completely safe from any power surges and save you money on your energy bills. 

So, if you remember these 6 rules for power strips, you can save on energy, preserve your electronics, and most importantly, keep your home safe. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Even though Christmas 2025 is officially in the books, we still have time to enjoy the many, various holiday events in Chicago.  Here are a few unique holiday events that wrap up this weekend and a few that last an additional week.  Join us in keeping the magic of the holiday season going!

Enjoy a newly revised production of Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs ‘A Christmas Carol’ Again this final Saturday (3 p.m. or 8 p.m.) or final Sunday (3 p.m.) at Theater Wit (1229 W. Belmont Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood.  This show paints an intimate and slightly absurd portrait of the famous author Charles Dickens as he is once again booked to perform his popular Christmas tale just as he has every December since 1853.  However, he might have other ideas.  This production is recommended for ages 15+ and runs 95 minutes with no intermission.  Perhaps you can create a charming new holiday tradition to share with family and friends!

Another of Theater Wit’s holiday hits has returned for its 5^th year with Who’s Holiday! which is also wrapping up this weekend as well.  The tot from The Grinch has grown — Cindy Lou Who, now 40, retells the story of the sordid events after meeting the Grinch from her trailer home in this adults-only romp.  It’s been said that she’s cursing and drinking, super messy, and has had nothing but trouble after five years at the Wit.  In fact, they fear she might make it a double.  Why not come see for yourself if Cindy Lou does indeed make it a double!

Explore Chicago’s vibrant downtown, historic landmarks, cultural institutions and hidden gems all decked out for the holidays on a Big Bus Tours’ Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour through December 31 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.).  Buses arrive every 20-30 minutes at Chicago Riverwalk (98 E. Wacker Dr.) in The Loop and last approximately two hours.  In addition, their local guides have inside knowledge of what you should see and things you should do while on your hop-on, hop-off tour.  It’s a great way to have fun and learn all about Chicago at the same time!

Take in an original play for young audiences at the Cornservatory (4210 N. Lincoln Ave.) in the North Center neighborhood as they present their newest show The Cozy Cabin Tales now through January 4, 2026.  This series of wintry fables and folktales is told by a group of friends waiting out a snowstorm in their cabin with only a small fire to keep them warm as they pass the time by bringing their fantastical tales to life and learning some real-life lessons as well.  These vignettes are a heartwarming way to spend even more time with your family this holiday season!

There’s no better way to celebrate the season than 103 stories above the city at Holidays at Skydeck now through January 4, 2026, at the Skydeck Chicago (233 S. Wacker Dr.) in The Loop.  In addition to the spectacular views from the Skydeck, Willis Tower also sparkles with a dazzling holiday tree, appearances by a strolling Grinch, special surprise live performances from local entertainers, and a holiday market.  Enjoy a festive celebration that’s warm, bright, and indoors!

Since our Bears will be in San Francisco taking on the 49ers this Sunday, here in Chicago the Chicago Bulls will take on the Milwaukee Bucks this Saturday (7 p.m.) and the Chicago Blackhawks will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins this Sunday (6 p.m.) at the United Center (1901 W. Madison St.) in the West Loop!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

“If Bronzeville Winery’s energy could be harvested, this place would have enough backup power to keep its DJ spinning during a blackout.”

Eater.com, 2022

While not actually a winery, there’s no better place in Bronzeville to experience this community.  Founded by Eric Williams of The Silver Room and Cecilia Cuff of The Nascent Group and opened in 2022, Bronzeville Winery blends food, art, and music in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood, and features fresh-grown ingredients from urban gardens, wines from Black-owned wineries and a lively atmosphere with live music and local djs…all with a touch of elegance. 

Start with a French-inspired POACHED PEAR SALAD, which is a spiced poached pear, wild greens, blue cheese, toasted candied pecan, and aged balsamic dressing. Or a BABY GREEN SALAD with mixed Olive Harvey Farm daily market greens and a Green Goddess dressing. ENDIVE SALAD has Belgium endive, citrus, vegan feta cheese, pomegranate seeds in a champagne vinaigrette.

Dinners offer wide-ranging options, with carefully selected wine pairings,  including COCONUT CURRY SALMON, whichpairs Atlantic salmon with red Thai curry, coconut cilantro rice, lemongrass, chili, and lime. They recommend a Portuguese wine, A Laranja Mecânica (‘A Clockwork Orange‘) Fita Preta’ Orange / Arinto, Roupeiro, Derecho, from Alentejo, Portugal. LITTLE CHICKEN + BISCUIT offers a 1/2 fried cornish hen with country gravy, house-baked buttermilk biscuit, good butter,  and Alabama White BBQ Sauce. What kind of wine goes best with chicken and biscuits? I’m curious too! They recommend an Italian Abbazia Di Novacella ‘Kerner’ Trentino, Valle Isarco, Alto Adige, Italy ’22.  TOMATO BASIL FLATBREAD has Heirloom tomato, mozzarella, balsamic reduction, and fresh basil. They suggest a Brown Estate ‘House of Brown’ Red Blend from Napa Valley, California ’21.  MUSHROOM LEEK FLATBREAD has wild mushrooms, caramelized leeks, arugula, and truffle oil, which they suggest pairing with a Spanish  Bodegas Hermanos del Villar, Oro de Castillo Verdejo/ Rueda DO ’20. 

Other selections include SHRIMP + STONEGROUND GRITS, with buttermilk-marinated Gulf Shrimp, served grilled or fried, with creamy stone ground grits, tomato jus, hot honey gastrique, paired with a California -based Brown Estate ‘House of Brown’ Chardonnay from  Napa Valley, California ’21. CREOLE SALMON TAGLIATELLE is a spicy combination of Cajun-spiced salmon, and hand-cut tagliatelle, bathed in a Creole bianco sauce, paired with a festive Italian Cantine Ceci, ‘Licataa’, Vino Spumante Demi-Sec Rosso from Lombardy, Italy.

After dinner, enjoy such frozen treats as VANILLA BEAN ICE CREAM, VEGAN CHOCOLATE GELATO, or a CHEF’S FRUIT SORBET. 

Brunch is served on Sundays only, and includes CHICKEN & BUTTERMILK WAFFLES,  crispy fried chicken thighs with a hot sauce gastrique and golden buttermilk waffles, served with warm maple syrup and butter. SHIRRED BAKED EGG have a rich tomato sauce with herb sauce, and served with a side salad and toasted sourdough bread. ATLANTIC SALMON SALAD  are greens tossed in a preserved lemon vinaigrette, grilled Atlantic salmon, radish, avocado, carrot, tomato and fresh herbs. Others raved about their BREAKFAST BURGER, a quarter pound of Wagyu Beef, with a fried egg, beef bacon, tomato jam, arugula, sharp cheddar cheese on a brioche bun with adobo fries and housemade pickles. 

New Year’s Eve Party!

Ring in 2026 at Bronzeville Winery, which will be transformed to THE EMERALD CITY with live music and more! Step into a world of elegance and celebration as Bronzeville Winery transforms into “The Emerald City” for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience!  The evening starts with an elegant four-course meal with two sittings, for $95 per person, which includes a ticket to the THE EMERALD CITY.  Later on, the party includes a complimentary welcome cocktail and champagne toast at midnight, and live music featuring The Michael Damani Band! For information click here.

Bronzeville Winery is located at 4420 S. Cottage Grove Avenue. They are open Wednesday and Thursday from 4pm-9pm, while the kitchen closes at 8:45pm. On Friday and Saturday from 4pm-11pm, with the kitchen closing at 10:45pm. They have a DJ and Live Music from Wednesday – Sunday . Mondays and Tuesdays are for private events only. Sunday Brunch is available from 10am-2pm, with the kitchen closing  at1:30pm. For reservations, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

The real estate market has always evolved—but the past few years have accelerated change in ways few could have predicted. Shifts in how we work, live, and prioritize our well-being have reshaped what buyers look for in a home. Features that barely registered five years ago are now top of the wish list.

If you’re thinking about selling (or just curious where the market’s heading), here’s a look at what today’s buyers care about most—and why it matters.

1. Dedicated Work-From-Home Space

Five years ago, a spare bedroom was just that—spare. Today, buyers are actively searching for homes that support remote or hybrid work. A dedicated office, flexible bonus room, or even a quiet nook with good lighting can be a major selling point.

Buyers want separation between work and life, and they’re paying attention to layout, noise levels, and internet readiness.

Seller tip: Stage an extra bedroom as a home office to help buyers visualize the potential.

2. Outdoor Living Is No Longer Optional

Backyards, patios, balconies, and outdoor entertaining areas have moved from “nice-to-have” to “must-see.” Buyers value spaces where they can relax, host, or simply get fresh air without leaving home.

Even smaller outdoor areas feel more important now, especially when they’re designed for comfort and usability.

Seller tip: Clean, declutter, and add simple touches like seating or potted plants to highlight outdoor spaces.

3. Move-In Ready Matters More Than Ever

While fixer-uppers once attracted buyers eager for a project, today’s buyers often prefer homes that are ready to go. Rising renovation costs, supply chain delays, and busy schedules have made turnkey properties especially appealing.

Updated kitchens, modern bathrooms, and fresh paint can strongly influence buyer interest.

Seller tip: Small updates—new fixtures, neutral paint, refreshed hardware—can go a long way without a full remodel.

4. Energy Efficiency and Lower Utility Costs

Energy efficiency used to be a bonus feature. Now it’s a priority. Buyers are increasingly aware of monthly costs and environmental impact, and they’re looking for homes with efficient windows, insulation, appliances, and smart thermostats.

Solar panels, once considered niche, are now a real draw in many markets.

Seller tip: Be prepared to highlight energy-saving upgrades and provide average utility costs when possible.

5. Flexible Spaces Over Formal Rooms

Formal dining rooms and rarely used living spaces are losing appeal. Buyers want flexibility—rooms that can adapt to changing needs like fitness areas, guest rooms, playrooms, or creative studios.

Open layouts still matter, but adaptability matters more.

Seller tip: Stage rooms with multi-purpose use in mind to spark ideas.

6. Wellness and Comfort Features

Buyers are thinking beyond square footage. Natural light, good airflow, quiet surroundings, and overall comfort now play a bigger role in decision-making. Homes that “feel good” leave a lasting impression.

This includes everything from lighting and ceiling fans to calming color palettes and thoughtful design.

The Big Takeaway

Today’s buyers are shopping with a lifestyle mindset. They’re asking, How will this home support my daily life—not just now, but years from now?

Understanding these shifts can help sellers position their homes more effectively and help buyers focus on what truly adds value.

If you’re curious how your home stacks up in today’s market—or which updates make the most sense—I’m always happy to help you navigate the next steps.