City Cast Chicago

✨ Your guide to December in Chicago

December 4, 2023

Need help deciding how to make the most of December in Chicago? Here’s our guide to the month ahead (including some picks to navigate the city’s many festivities).

What's CITY Talking About?

Mayor’s Office: Brighton Park Tent Encampment Safe

That’s so long as mercury and other dangerous contaminants are removed from the site, and a newly installed stone barrier is periodically inspected and maintained, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office said Friday. [WTTW]

Construction began at the Southwest Side migrant camp last week. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Will it Take 40 Years to Remove Chicago’s Lead Pipes?

While President Biden is telling cities across the country to remove lead pipes in 10 years, Chicago is not included in the proposed national mandate. The city has more than 400,000 lead service lines, the most in the country. [Sun-Times]

How did Chicago get to this point? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Chicago Filming Resumes

“The Bear” is expected to resume production in late February or early March. “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.” began filming last week. [Deadline; Reel Chicago]

A mock-up of Illinois’ new monarch butterfly license plate. (Courtesy of Illinois Secretary of State)

Monarch Butterfly License Plates Available

Illinois drivers can get a special monarch butterfly license plate from the Secretary of State after a deal was finally reached after seven years. Proceeds will go toward a state fund supporting the butterfly’s migratory journey south. [The Daily Herald 🔒]

Reminded of her own immigration story, a Pilsen resident turned her home into a butterfly sanctuary. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Hosting this holiday season?

We have the secret to instant compliments … introducing Wildgrain. Wildgrain delivers artisan sourdough (and pasta … and pastries) that bakes from frozen in 25 minutes, no thawing required. Just pop in the oven, and enjoy! And if 15,000 5-star reviews aren’t enough, Wildgrain is offering free croissants for life. Order now.

Where Is It?

The pillars of the South Shore Cultural Center — The South Shore Cultural Center. (Jacoby Cochran / City Cast Chicago)

Last Week’s Winner

Answer: The South Shore Cultural Center. Many of you guessed correctly, including random winner Connee F. The next trivia comes from part two of WTTW’s “The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago,” which airs tonight at 7 p.m.

A close-up of a pharaoh on a building — This Lincoln Park building has some distinct architecture ... (Meredith Francis / WTTW)

This Week’s Clues

What is the name of this Lincoln Park building? Guess here for a chance to pick the next round of clues!

Built more than 100 years ago.
An example of Egyptian Revival commercial architecture.
Twin sculptures of pharaoh Ramses II represent the two founders of this moving and storage company.
Became a Chicago landmark in 1999.

❓ Where is it?