City Cast Chicago
⛸️ How to skate into the holidays, Chicago
November 17, 2023
Prepping for Thanksgiving dinner? Test your loved ones’ food trivia: Chicago is named after a “smelly onion,” but what is the most popular onion variety? (Hint: You can find the answer here — or we’ll tell you Monday!)
What's CITY Talking About?
More State, County Funding for Migrants
Gov. JB Pritzker said the state will spend an additional $160 million to assist the 20,000-plus migrants in Chicago this winter, and Cook County Board of Commissioners set aside $100 million in the county’s 2024 spending plan to help asylum-seekers in the city and for disaster aid. [WTTW]
- News of the additional funding came after alders expressed concerns there wasn’t enough aid for migrants in the city budget, which sailed through City Council this week. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
CTA Crash
At least 23 riders have been hospitalized, three in serious-to-critical condition, following a train crash Thursday on the Yellow Line between Rogers Park and Evanston, authorities said. [NBC Chicago]
South Side Warehouse Fire
Heavy, black smoke could be seen from miles away after a fire at a Back of the Yards warehouse Thursday. No injuries were reported. [ABC7]
This Week’s Must-Read
Cook County’s Palestinian population is the largest of any U.S. county. But the 18,000-plus residents could be an undercount, according to some experts. [WBEZ]
What To Do
🔺 = Sid’s picks
Friday
- 🔺 Christkindlmarket Opens ☕ The Loop, Wrigleyville, Aurora | 11 a.m. | Free, $25 fast pass
- Ice Skating ⛸️ Millennium Park | 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. | $20 for skate rental
- Ice Skating ⛸️ Maggie Daley Park | 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Free or $5 with your own skates, $20 for skate rental
- ZooLights Starts ✨ Lincoln Park | 4:30–10 p.m. | $10
- Sauced Merry Little Night Market 🎁 Logan Square | 5–10 p.m. | Varies
- Tree Lighting Ceremony 🎄 Millennium Park | 6 p.m. | Free
- Under 25 at National Museum of Mexican Art 🖼️ Pilsen | 6–10 p.m. | Free
- Open Studios 🎨 Bridgeport | 7–10 p.m. | Free
Saturday
- Turkey Trot 🦃 Scottsdale | 8 a.m. to Noon | $5
- Thanksgiving Kids’ Cooking Class 🍗 Oak Brook | 9 a.m. | $20+
- Market Days 🍎 Garfield Park | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Free
- 🔺 MSI Christmas Around the World Opens 🎄 Jackson Park | 11 a.m. | Included in admission
- Gratitude Vision Board Party 🙏 Ashburn | 2–6 p.m. | $5+
- 🔺 Viking Pub Crawl 🛡️ Andersonville | 3–6 p.m. | $35
- Queer History Teach-in 🏳️🌈 Virtual | 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Free
- Festival of Lights Parade 🎅 Magnificent Mile | 5:30 p.m. | Free
Sunday
- Yoga in the Woods 🪷 Willow Springs | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Free
- 🔺 West Side Writers Readers Series 💬 Austin | 2–4 p.m. | Free
- Holiday Bunny Yoga 🐰 Lakeview | 7:15 p.m. | $22
Today on City Cast
Why Hiring the City’s New Top Doc Was a Big Move
Crain’s Katherine Davis and City Bureau’s India Daniels are here to discuss the next public health commissioner, the city’s newly approved $16 billion budget, and police district councils.
Sponsored Content
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One calendar that might be funnier than Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’? The STFU About Chicago one — it made me laugh.
—Sidney Madden
Thanks to editor Simone Alicea!
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