💰 Can Johnson close $538M budget gap?

Budget Gap, Now What?

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration says the projected $538 million shortfall in next year’s budget comes from efforts to support asylum-seekers and rising personnel costs. How will the city close the gap? We’ll learn more during the mayor’s first budget address slated for next month. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

CPS 2024–25 Application Process

Here’s what parents and students need to know about applying to high schools and elementary schools for next school year. [Chalkbeat]

• Who gets in and who gets left out of selective enrollment schools? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Guinness Taproom Preview

Waiting for the West Loop taproom to finally open next week? Construction pushed back a St. Patrick’s Day opening, but Chicagoans can get a taste of the interior of the 15,000-square-foot brewery with these pics. [Block Club]

Last Week’s Winner

Answer: Garfield Park Conservatory. Many of you correctly guessed where this beautiful mosaic fountain was. Laurie R. was our random winner and picked the next round of trivia.

This Week’s Clues

What neighborhood is this mural in? Reply correctly for a chance to pick next week’s trivia.

• Created by artist Daniel Wilson, who said the mural was based on a portrait where he didn’t like the eyes.
• This former rail viaduct has been transformed into an outdoor gallery.
• Many locals and tourists travel to this neighborhood for murals (also a good date FWIW).

McKinley Park Scavenger Hunt 🍁 Tuesday | 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Get to an autumn equinox–inspired scavenger hunt based on the book “The Wheel of the Year.” [Free]

Winter Garden Yoga in the Loop ❄️ Tuesday | 5:30–8 p.m.

Flow on the top floor of the Harold Washington Library. [Free]

Speed Dating in Pilsen 💞 Thursday | 6:30–9 p.m.

Whether you’re looking for something casual or something serious, meet other singles at Sushi Hoshi. [$20]

‘The Lehman Trilogy’ in Streeterville 🎭 All Month | Varies

Head to the Broadway Playhouse to see the story about the rise and fall of Lehman Brothers and a financial crisis. [$30+]

How Will Johnson Close Budget Gap?

Mayor Brandon Johnson released his first budget forecast last week, kicking off the city’s monthslong process. WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel tells us what’s driving a $538 million shortfall, how Johnson is responding, and why it matters.