City Cast Chicago
⚖️ Ed Burke found guilty
December 22, 2023
Before we send you on your merry way, today is your last chance to become a founding member of City Cast Chicago. It’s what all the cool kids are doing in 2024 (see in/out list below). You’ll still have a chance to support our newsletter and podcast next year!
What's CITY Talking About?
Ed Burke Found Guilty
A jury found the city’s longest-serving alder guilty Thursday of racketeering, bribery, and attempted extortion after 16 days of testimony and 23 hours of deliberations. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
- How did Chicago’s most powerful alder end up here? Get up to speed. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
How to Not Get Sick Over the Holidays
Only 11% of Chicagoans have gotten the most recent COVID-19 vaccine — brush up on how to stay safe and healthy right now. [WBEZ]
This Week’s Must-Read
Who else is watching “The Polar Express” to spot the similarities between the 2004 animated film and the Pullman neighborhood? [Block Club]
- Plus, press play on all sorts of Chicago–inspired movies over the holidays. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Sponsored Content
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What To Do
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
Sunday, Dec. 24
- Bears Watch Party 🐻 Chicago Heights | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Free entry
- Da Night Before Xmas Ugly Sweater Party 🎉 Hyde Park | 4–9 p.m. | $25+
- Hot 5 Comedy Show 😆 Logan Square | 6 p.m. | $12
Monday, Dec. 25
- Chinese Food Cooking Class 🥡 Lakeview | 3–6 p.m. | $95
- Artist Show & Pajama Party 😴 Cicero | 7 p.m. | Free
- ChiTown Movies Holiday Series Ends 🎞️ Pilsen | Varies | $33+
Chicago Chatter
Hey Chicago readers have crowned a Christkindlmarket mug champion after weeks of voting: the 2023 model! With custom designs for each of the market’s three locations across Chicagoland, the 2023 mug destroyed its competition.
And it’s popular among Christkindlmarket patrons, too: Organizers announced the signature mug was sold out this week.
Today on City Cast
Burke Guilty, Migrant Shelter Conditions, & Good News
The City Cast Chicago team breaks down the outcome in the city’s latest corruption trial, conditions at the city’s largest migrant shelter, and our favorite good news stories of 2023.
We’re almost ready to put a bow on 2023! Next week, we’ll pop into your inbox with ways to stay entertained in the city and into your podcast feeds with our favorite City Cast Chicago episodes of the year. Talk then!
—Sidney Madden
Thanks to editor Simone Alicea!
Free · Daily