City Cast Chicago
How 2024 election prep is underway in Chicago
September 15, 2023
What’s the shortest street in Chicago? It’s pretty close between Bay and Pier courts in Avondale, according to Chicago magazine. Cheers to all things short — including your fav newsletter editor 🤓
What's CITY Talking About?
City-Owned Grocery Store?
Chicago could be the first major city to have a municipally owned grocery store after Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a feasibility study earlier this week. In the last couple years, several grocery stores have closed on the South and West sides, creating bigger food deserts. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
- West Garfield Park is one of the areas affected. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
State Noncitizen Health Plan Changes Paused
Some immigrants enrolled in a Medicaid-like program will not yet have to pay copayments for certain services after the state paused Gov. JB Prtizker’s cost-saving measure. [Capitol News Illinois]
Chicago Humanities Festival Starts
For the next two months, Chicagoans can see and meet dozens of actors, authors, and artists as part of the art-and-culture fest. The fest kicks off with “Stranger Things” actor Millie Bobby Brown discussing her book, “Nineteen Steps,” Sunday. [Sun-Times]
This Week’s Must-Read
Chicago raised influential fashion legends like the late Virgil Abloh. But the next generation of designers is making a splash at New York Fashion Week. [The Triibe]
- Another Chicago fashion giant? Kanye West, whose legacy is complicated (to say the least). [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
What To Do
🔺 = Sid’s picks
Board of Elections Job Fair in Loop 🗳️ Friday | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Want to work next year’s elections? Learn about how to become an election judge, registration staffer, warehouse worker, and more. [Free]
Chicago Lawn Ceramics Show 🏺 Friday | 3–5 p.m.
Community members are invited to see students’ work. [Free]
Austin Power 5K 👟 Saturday | 8 a.m.
Run or walk this family-friendly West Side race. [$45]
🔺 Snail Championship in Logan Square 🐌 Saturday | 2 p.m.
Watch snails race at Unity Park. The slimy critters will compete in speed, rally, and obstacle races. [Free]
Queer Picnic in Humboldt Park 🌈 Saturday | 2–6 p.m.
Meet other LGBTQ Chicagoans, learn from queer organizations, and dance the afternoon away. Bring your own food and drink. [Free]
🔺 Community Nap in Little Italy 💤 Sunday | Noon to 1 p.m.
Head to the Jane Addams Bedroom Project launch at the Hull House where Tricia Hersey, aka the Nap Bishop, will read from her book, “Rest is Resistance.” [Free]
🔺 Lisle Celebración de los Árboles 🌳 All Weekend | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Take in the sounds and flavors of Latin America at the Morton Arboretum’s cultural event Saturday and Sunday. [Included with $12 admission]
🔺 Connect South Shore | All Weekend | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Enjoy live entertainment and an outdoor skating rink at the two-day South Side fest. [Free]
Ravenswood ArtWalk 🎨 All Weekend | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Check out open studios, galleries, performances, local artists, a beer garden, kids activities, and more at the North Side event Saturday and Sunday. [Free]
Music Film Fest in Lincoln Square | All Weekend | Varies
Head to CHIRP Radio’s inaugural film fest about all things music — documentaries, concert films, and narrative features — at the Davis Theater through Sunday. [Free]
Today on City Cast
City’s New Migrant Shelter Plan
Block Club’s Madison Savedra and Jamie Nesbitt Golden discuss the Johnson administration’s “winterized base camp” plan for migrants, a potential city-owned grocery store, and Riot Fest this weekend.
I think people I've talked to are optimistic, but I think they also know that realistically immigration policy changes in this country have been almost impossible to make.
Headed to Madison for a day trip! Pulling up some of City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran’s recs.
—Sidney Madden
Thanks to editor Simone Alicea!
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