CHICAGO – A sandwich shop in Chicago has garnered high praise from Yelp users, earning the title of best sandwich shop in Illinois.

Firenze Italian Street Food, which is located in the city’s West Loop neighborhood at 131 N. Clinton Street, brings the flavors of Florence, Italy, to the Midwest with its freshly baked schiacciata bread and a small menu of savory sandwich creations.

The Yelp list identifies top sandwich spots across the United States, factoring in the volume and ratings of reviews mentioning “sandwiches.”

In neighboring states, other sandwich shops also received high praise.

In Indiana, Subito in Indianapolis earned the title of best sandwich shop. This takeout-only spot is renowned for its sandwiches on soft buns or ciabatta, baked fresh every day.

Over in Michigan, Ernie’s Market in Oak Park has become a local legend. The shop, which opened in 1955, is famous for its enormous sandwiches on fresh-baked onion rolls.

Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, Casetta Kitchen and Counter in Madison delights locals with its homemade focaccia bread. It’s only open four hours a day and frequently sells out.

To check out the full Yelp report, click HERE.

ILLINOIS (WIFR) – As students prepare for school, AAA reminds drivers to give themselves extra time and avoid unnecessary risks on their commute.

According to a survey from AAA, more than half of people in Illinois drive through a school zone or pass a bus stop on their normal commute. 39% of people admitted to speeding in an active school zone, and 30% admitted to using their hand-held cell phone while driving in an active school zone.

“Get ready for heavier traffic than normal, especially at first, since a lot of parents like to drive their kids to campus during the first few days back,” says Molly Hart, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “It would be a good idea to budget an extra half hour for your morning commute because drivers who are running late are more likely to speed and take unnecessary risks while behind the wheel. That endangers everyone on the roadway.”

18% of people admit to driving around a school bus while it’s stop sign is extended, according to the survey. Illinois law requires motorists to stop when a school bus has its lights flashing and stop arms extended. The only exception is on a divided highway with a raised divider.

AAA provides tips for pedestrians and parents of young pedestrians:

• Avoid wearing headphones in order to hear traffic
• Use sidewalks when available or walk against the direction of traffic so you can see oncoming vehicles
• Wear bright-colored or reflective clothing to be seen more easily
• Don’t assume drivers see you, make sure they stop before crossing the street, and make eye contact with the driver to ensure they saw you

For bicyclists, AAA recommends:

• Wear a helmet
• Wear bright-colored clothes
• Ride in the same direction as traffic and use bike lanes when possible
• Don’t wear headphones so you can hear traffic
• Cross the street at intersections and do not pull into the street from between parked cars

For students at a bus stop:

• Arrive at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive
• Stay five steps away from the curb
• Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus driver signals for you to board

For more information, download the AAA mobile app, or visit their website.

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Welcome to “Good Morning, Illini Nation,” your daily dose of college basketball news from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey. He’ll offer up insights every morning on Brad Underwood’s team and college basketball at large:

Illinois doesn’t have much of a connection to the Olympics. At least when it comes to basketball. Deron Williams is the only former Illini to play in the summer games, which just wrapped their 33rd iteration Sunday in Paris.

But at least Williams was successful. The one-time Illinois guard turned first-round draft pick and three-time all-star won gold with Team USA at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. The closest any other former Illini got was at the FIBA World Championship with Tal Brody playing for Team USA in 1967 and 1970, Rick Schmidt winning bronze in 1974 and Kiwane Garris also winning bronze in 1998 (which came during the NBA lockout).

The future of Illinois basketball and the Olympics might play out in 2028 in Los Angeles. Of course, it’s doubtful the Illini will have anyone on Team USA. Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr., at least as things stand now, don’t project to be on that roster.

Will Riley? Kasparas Jakucionis? Tomislav Ivisic? That could be a different story.

Canada has a growing wealth of talent to pull from, but a 22-year-old Riley might have a chance to be the “young guy” on that team. That is if he follows the five-star path he’s currently on. 

Jakucionis is already considered one of the best young guards in Europe and has played for Lithuanian at every other level. It doesn’t seem like a stretch to think he could play for “The Boogeyman from the East” should Lithuania qualify (they didn’t this Olympics). 

The same is true for Ivisic with Croatia. He already got some senior national team experience in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers last year. He’ll also be 24, turning 25, when the 2028 games happen and perhaps ready to assume a bigger role alongside his twin brother, Zvonimir.