✈️ Your guide to O’Hare, Midway · City Cast Chicago

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What's CITY Talking About?

What Were Chicago’s Biggest Stories in 2023?

Thousands of asylum-seekers have arrived in Chicago as city officials have struggled to shelter them. The city has seen some weird weather this year. And Mayor Brandon Johnson was only elected *checks watch* in the spring. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Brighton Park Camp Costs

The city spent almost $1 million to convert a Southwest Side lot into a migrant camp before Gov. JB Pritzker shut it down earlier this month due to environmental concerns. The state said it did not pay the private contractor hired to run the Brighton Park camp. GardaWorld will instead convert a former Little Village CVS into a migrant shelter. [Sun-Times]

Little Village Residents Monitor Own Pollution

The Southwest Side neighborhood is one of the most polluted in Chicago. Residents in the Latinx–majority neighborhood say they are installing their own air sensors because officials aren’t doing enough. [WBEZ]

Vote for Your Favorite Local Newsletter, Podcast

Hey Chicago and City Cast Chicago are up for the Reader’s best Chicago newsletter and podcast — give us a vote? [Reader]

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?

Bronze statues greet CTA riders at a South Side Red Line stop. (Jacoby Cochran / City Cast Chicago)

Last Week’s Answer

Answer: The 69th Street Red Line stop. We stumped you all with this one. But there will be plenty of trivia to guess in 2024!

The Yale Building in Englewood, Garfield Park Conservatory mosaic, a Daniel Wilson mural in Pilsen, a Calumet Heights Mural, a NASCAR bus stop on the North Side, and a Lincoln Park sculpture — The Yale Building in Englewood, Garfield Park Conservatory mosaic, a Daniel Wilson mural in Pilsen, a Calumet Heights mural, a NASCAR bus stop on the North Side, and a Lincoln Park sculpture. (Carrie Shepherd, Amy B., Laurie R., Jacoby Cochran, Sidney Madden, and Grace H.)

YOUR Turn to Submit Trivia

All year, you have guessed on locations of statues, landmarks, murals, and buildings across the city and suburbs.

Now, we’re asking you to submit photos of Chicagoland locations for other Hey Chicago readers to guess. The only guidelines are to pick a place that Chicagoans might know and a picture that doesn’t reveal the location’s name.

📸 Submit your photos!

What To Do

Monday, Dec. 18

Gaza Film Series 🎞️ Pilsen | 6 p.m. | Free
Sound Meditation | South Loop | 6:30 p.m. | $25
Pasta Cooking Class 🍝 Norwood Park | 7–9 p.m. | $55

Tuesday, Dec. 19

Kwanzaa With Mama Edie 🕯️ Austin | 10 a.m. | Free
Cookies With Santa 🍪 Clearing | 11 a.m. | $10

Wednesday, Dec. 20

Winter Solstice Sunrise Concerts Start 🌅 Lakeview | 6 a.m. | $37
Yoga 🧘 Uptown | 5–6 p.m. | Free
“Solo: A Show About Friendship” Opens 🎤 Wicker Park | 8 p.m. | $41

More DC Events

Today on City Cast

A man and his daughter after arriving on a bus with other migrants from Texas at Union Station Aug. 31 — A man and his daughter after arriving on a bus from Texas with other migrants at Union Station Aug. 31. (Armando L. Sanchez / Tribune / Getty)

Biggest Chicago Stories of 2023

From new arrivals to a new mayor to extreme weather, City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea recap the biggest Chicago headlines of the year.

🎧 Plus, what to expect in 2024

A tropical bar pop-up at Cindy’s has all the fun vibes. (Sidney Madden / City Cast Chicago)

Wish you were somewhere warm this holiday? Check out Cindy’s Teeny Tiny Tropical Bar pop-up in the Loop all winter. 10/10 recommend the mocktail or cocktail version of Rabbit Season, a carrot juice–based drink.

—Sidney Madden

Thanks to editor Simone Alicea!