City Cast Chicago
👀 Ex-mayoral candidates vie for congressional seat
October 4, 2023
Have you been to Bally’s temporary casino in River North? Tell us about your experience! Don’t plan on going ever? We want to hear that, too. Fill out this poll.
What's CITY Talking About?
Ald. Ray Lopez Launches Congressional Bid
The 15th Ward alder is challenging U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García in the March primary for the congressional seat covering much of the city’s Southwest Side and nearby western suburbs. [Sun-Times]
- The challenge comes after both Lopez and García unsuccessfully ran for mayor. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
South Suburban Auto Workers Laid Off
As the United Auto Workers union strike continues, Ford laid off hundreds of workers at the Chicago Heights plant over the weekend. [CBS Chicago]
AI Learns From Local Authors’ Books
Companies are developing AI to sound more intelligent by using datasets that include pirated e-books — without authors’ permission. Chicago writers Rebecca Makkai, Sonali Dev, and Ben Austen are among those affected. [WBEZ]
Chicago Ranked Best Big City … Again
For the seventh year in a row, Condé Nast Traveler listed the Windy City as the best big city in the U.S based on more than 520,000 reader surveys 💪 [NBC Chicago]
- The ranking comes after the New York Times put out its Chicago itinerary, and we had some thoughts … [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
What To Do
Climate Cafe in Avondale 🌎 Wednesday | 6:30–8 p.m.
Community members are invited to Skunk Cabbage Books to share personal responses to climate change. [Pay what you can]
North Lawndale Bike Ride 🚲 Friday | 5:30 p.m.
Get a taste of Hollywood on the West Side by cycling through Cinespace, the Firehouse, Manhattan Beach Studios, and CineCity. [Free]
Latina Comedy Fest Citywide 😆 Friday to Sunday | Varies
The three-day show has expanded to include 35 Latina comedians at four venues — including the marathon showcase at the Lincoln Lodge. [$20]
Flamenco in West Lawn 💃 Sunday | 3–4:30 p.m.
See guitarist Marija Temo and dancer Kerensa DeMars perform together at the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture. [Free]
Today on City Cast
What Are Chicago’s Lost Department Stores?
Historian and author Leslie Goddard helped curate a new Elmhurst History Museum exhibit about the city’s lost department stores. She shares how stores like Marshall Field's, Sears, and Carson Pirie Scott played a huge role in shaping Chicago and American shopping.
That sense of occasion and that customer service — I really miss it.
While everyone is sipping on their PSLs, I’m hyped for the most wonderful time of year: the Chicago Tribune holiday cookie contest. Send your recipes in by Oct. 15!
—Sidney Madden
Thanks to editor Simone Alicea!
Free · Daily