City Cast Chicago
💔 Chicago restaurants we lost in 2023
December 21, 2023
Happy winter solstice! On the shortest day of the year, brighten up your day by becoming a founding member of the Hey Chicago newsletter and City Cast Chicago podcast. You’ll get ad-free listening, member-only updates, and more ☀️
What's CITY Talking About?
Migrants Brought to Chicago Via Private Plane
Without warning Chicago officials, Texas emergency management officials chartered a private plane to fly nearly 100 migrants to Chicago Tuesday. It was a first for the city, which is still receiving migrants from Texas via buses. The new arrivals are sleeping at O’Hare Airport. [WTTW]
Inside Johnson’s Anti-Violence Plan
The first-term mayor is focusing on the root causes of violence in four neighborhoods: Englewood, Little Village, Austin, and West Garfield Park. [Sun-Times]
New Red Stars Coach
Hot off a historic World Cup run with the Jamaican women’s national team, Lorne Donaldson is coming to coach the Chicago soccer team. [The Athletic]
- The hire comes after a former coach faced years of misconduct allegations. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Rejected License Plates
‘Tis the season for the Illinois Secretary of State to release the 304 requests for vanity plates it rejected this year. Among my favorites my editor let me print here are “POOPSY” and “DZNUTZ.” [CBS Chicago]
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What To Do
Thursday, Dec. 21
- Winter Solstice Potluck ❄️ South Holland | 2–4 p.m. | Free
- Skate Meetup 🛼 Garfield Park | 5:30–8 p.m. | Free
- Skip the Small Talk 💬 Logan Square | 7:30–9:30 p.m. | $15
Friday, Dec. 22
- Holiday Basketball Tournament 🏀 Douglas | 1–6 p.m. | Free
- “Home Alone” 🏠 Joliet | 6 p.m. | $5
- “A Mariachi Christmas” Opens 🎶 Lincoln Square | 7 p.m. | $40
- Winter Wonderland 🎄 | Austin | 7–8 p.m. | $15
- Winter Solstice Evening Concert 🌇 Lakeview | 8 p.m. | $25
- Christmas Comedy Show & Toy Drive 🤣 West Ridge | 8 p.m. | $10
Saturday, Dec. 23
- Ed Debevic's Ugly Sweater Party 🧥 Streeterville | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Varies
- Little Readers Book Club 📕 Edgebrook | 10 a.m. | Free
- Art in Nature 🎨 Dan Ryan Woods | 10 a.m. to Noon | Free
- Sip ‘n Sing-along 🎵 Pilsen | 7 p.m. | $10+
- Mariah Carey-oke 👑 Ukrainian Village | 9 p.m. | Free
Today on City Cast
How to Be the Perfect Chicago Holiday Host
Have friends in town but don’t know where to take them? Mike McMains shows off Chicago year-round with his company, Tours With Mike. He teaches us how to craft the perfect itinerary for your out-of-town visitors.
If it's a chain, I just don't care. I mean, you can do that in any other city? But Chicago is incredible. … Why focus on these things that are generic that you can find elsewhere?
Only T-80 days until daylight saving time — yippee!
—Sidney Madden
Thanks to editor Simone Alicea!
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