Ivan Velazquez, 8, and his father, Nahin Velazquez, wait for the gates to open for a match between the Chicago Fire and Inter Miami at Soldier Field, Oct. 4, 2023. International superstar Lionel Messi was suddenly not expected to appear.
Hundreds of fans wearing pink and black jerseys attended the Inter Miami FC vs Chicago Fire match with hopes of getting a glimpse of soccer star Lionel Messi on Wednesday night.
Ivan Velazquez, 8, and his father, Nahin Velazquez, wait for the gates to open for a match between the Chicago Fire and Inter Miami at Soldier Field, Oct. 4, 2023. International superstar Lionel Messi was suddenly not expected to appear.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi fans sit the stands before a game between Inter Miami and Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.
A group of young soccer fans head for the gates to watch a match between the Chicago Fire and Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi plays, at Soldier Field, Oct. 4, 2023.
Fans of Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi arrive at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Fans of Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi stand before a game between Inter Miami and the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.
Young fans of Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi look out from the stands in hopes of seeing Messi play the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field in Chicago, Oct. 4, 2023.
Haaziq Mohiden, 8, of Omaha, Nebraska, holds a sign for his father to take a picture before a match between the Chicago Fire and Inter Miami.
Fans of Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi sit the stands at Soldier Field.
Fireworks are set off before game between the Chicago Fire and Inter Miami at Soldier Field.
Miguel Hernandez ushers his son Noe, 12, toward the gates before a match between the Chicago Fire and Inter Miami, Oct. 4, 2023.
Lionel Messi fans watch from the stands at Soldier Field.
A soccer fan hurries toward the gates while holding a sign before a match between the Chicago Fire and Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi plays, at Soldier Field, Oct. 4, 2023.
Elliot Abrams, 7, center, holds a sign as parents take pictures before a match between the Chicago Fire and Inter Miami at Soldier Field, Oct. 4, 2023.
Michael Arellano, from left, Randall Correa and Hunter Arellano, of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, wait for the gates to open.
Elliot Abrams, 7, waits with friends before a match between the Chicago Fire and Inter Miami.
Jessica Rodriguez talks with her husband, Maleck Salazar as they wait with their son Preston, 8, for the gates to open for a match between the Chicago Fire and Inter Miami.
Fans rise up to do “the wave” in the second half of a game between the Chicago Fire and nter Miami at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 4, 2023.
Inter Miami midfielder Dixon Arroyo (left) and Chicago Fire forward Georgios Koutsias (right) battle for the ball in the second half of a game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 4, 2023.
Chicago Fire midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri (left) celebrates with teammates, including forward Georgios Koutsias (19), after Shaqiri scored a goal in the second half of a game against Inter Miami at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 4, 2023.
Chicago Fire midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie (left) and Inter Miami defender Kamal Miller battle in the second half of a game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 4, 2023.
The Chicago Fire and Inter Miami face off in the first half of a game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 4, 2023.
![The last thing most business owners want is to be taxed and regulated, but hemp business owners are asking for just that — as a way to keep their industry alive. Hemp entrepreneurs came out Tuesday in favor of a proposal to license hemp sales, require testing and labeling of their products, prohibit products that look like well-known snack brands, and limit sales to those 21 and over. The bill also would impose taxes on the products. That proposal stands in contrast with a bill backed by the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, which would prohibit sales of hemp-derived intoxicating […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CTC-L-Hemp-regulations-07_187484400.jpg?w=506 "The last thing most business owners want is to be taxed and regulated, but hemp business owners are asking for just that — as a way to keep their industry alive. Hemp entrepreneurs came out Tuesday in favor of a proposal to license hemp sales, require testing and labeling of their products, prohibit products that look like well-known snack brands, and limit sales to those 21 and over. The bill also would impose taxes on the products. That proposal stands in contrast with a bill backed by the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, which would prohibit sales of hemp-derived intoxicating […]")