Why is Chicago covered in white fluff?

State Budget Signed

What’s in the $50 billion state budget Gov. JB Pritzker signed Wednesday? Increased spending for early childhood education and public universities, the Department of Children and Family Services, and asylum-seekers. [ABC7]

Bears Looking Past Arlington Heights?

In the last week, team CEO Kevin Warren has met with both Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli. Does that mean the Bears will stay at Soldier Field or move to the west burb? The franchise is pushing back on tax hikes on the Arlington racetrack, a property it bought and began demolishing this year. [NBC Chicago]

A Flight From O’Hare to Midway?

Twitter was tickled by the 20-mile United flight, but turns out the Chicago-based airline was repositioning a charter plane. [Sun-Times]

• But keep an eye out for unusual flights: Mistake fares can be good deals for leisure travelers, according to cheap flights guru Scott Keyes. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Firebird Dance in West Ridge | Thursday | 6 p.m.

Celebrate the phoenix at dances at parks across the city, starting on the Far North Side. [Free]

Vegandale in the Loop | Saturday | 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Eat plant-based treats and see Rick Ross perform at Millennium Park. [$17]

Vinyl & Vittles Fest in Englewood | Sunday | 1–6 p.m.

Shop record vendors, dance to local DJs, and grab a bite at the monthly summer event at Englewood Village Plaza. [Free]

Malibu Barbie Cafe in West Loop | All Summer | Varies

The pop-up features all-day brunch, themed cocktails, photo ops, roller skating, and more ahead of the Greta Gerwig movie coming out this summer. Come on, Barbie, let’s go party! [$17+]

👋 Share your story ideas, spill the tea, or just say hi to me and City Cast Chicago lead producer Simone Alicea at First Sip Cafe in Uptown today from 3–5 p.m. We want to make Hey Chicago better — tell us how!

Your Chicago Pride Guide

Block Club’s Jake Wittich put together a whole calendar from brunches to fests to dance parties. He shares family-friendly events, spots for Pride newbies, and underhyped happenings.