City Cast Chicago
🏛️ City Council calls for cease-fire in Gaza
February 1, 2024
Happy Black History Month! Celebrate by digging into the City Cast Chicago podcast archive to learn about everything from Chicago-style skating to Harold Washington to house music’s origin story.
What's CITY Talking About?
City Council Calls for a Cease-fire in Gaza
Mayor Brandon Johnson was the tie-breaking vote at Wednesday’s City Council meeting calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, a resolution that has divided Chicagoans and alders for months. [WBEZ]
Changes Aboard Metra
Starting today, Metra riders will see a new fare structure, ticket windows will permanently close, and bikes will be allowed at all times. [The Daily Herald 🔒; Streetsblog]
Public Bathrooms Soon Coming to Chicago
Four high-quality public bathrooms are ready to be installed, 1st Ward Ald. Daniel La Spata told constituents last week. [NBC Chicago]
- The city struck a contract with JCDecaux to pilot the program after years of outrage over the lack of public bathrooms. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Chicago Tribune Staffers Walk Out
Joining other Alden Global Capital–owned papers across the country, journalists and employees at the Trib are walking out Thursday to demand fair wages. [Sun-Times]
Chicago Museums to Remove Native Items
With new federal regulations governing the ownership and display of Native American artifacts in museums, the Field Museum and Art Institute are covering up and removing Native objects. [Crain’s 🔒]
Cinema Chatham Closing
The 87th Street movie theater closed permanently this week after just a couple years in operation. South Siders are left with just two other movie theaters: the Harper Theater and AMC Ford City. [Block Club]
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What To Do
Thursday, Feb. 1
- Groundhog Weekend starts 🐿️ Lemont | Varies | Free
- Black History Month Skate 🛼 Auburn Gresham | 5–8 p.m. | $10+
- Singles Pickleball Mixer 🫂 Near North Side | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | $50
- Wizards & Whiners 🐉 Back of the Yards | 7 p.m. | $10
- Buddy Guy performances start 🎸 The Loop | 7:30 p.m. | $75
Friday, Feb. 2
- “Groundhog Day” Reunion 🎥 Navy Pier | 3–6:30 p.m. | Free
- Ice Fest starts 🧊 Downers Grove | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Free
- Skylark’s Grand Staying the Same Party 🍺 Pilsen | 7 p.m. | Varies
- CHIMEFest: Lovemusic 🎶 Woodlawn | 7:30 p.m. | Free
- Lesbian Social Club Be Mine Party 💗 River North | 8 p.m. | $15+
Saturday, Feb. 3
- National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day 🍦 Tinley Park | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Varies
- 95th Street Corridor Plan Open House 📝 Washington Heights | 10 a.m. | Free
- Tea Tasting ☕ Mount Greenwood | Noon | $30
- Mardi Paws Fundraiser 🐾 Wicker Park | 12–3 p.m. | $10+
- Repair Fair 🔧 Garfield Park | 1–4 p.m. | Free
- Yoga for Liberation 🧘 Bowmanville | 3–5 p.m. | Donation
- Night Snow Tubing ❄️ Lakeview | 3–10 p.m. | $127+
- Melanin, Roots, & Culture Film Fest starts 🎞️ Lakeview | 6:15 p.m. | $11
- “Star Dust: From Bach to Bowie” Ballet 👨🎤 The Loop | 7:30 p.m. | $30+
Today on City Cast
How to Make the Most of February in Chicago
The City Cast Chicago team has your guide to Black History Month events, Valentine’s Day celebrations, and local Leap Day trivia.
Calling all crafty Chicagoans: The Chicago Public Library is looking for makers-in-residence.
—Sidney Madden
Thanks to editor Simone Alicea!
Free · Daily