💵 How to avoid getting ripped off in Chicago

How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off in Chicago

Whether it’s junk fees or sketchy utility offerings, learn how to best complain to get your money back. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

What’s Next for Palace Grill?

The popular Blackhawks game day spot near the United Center has been closed since Thursday after a grease fire caused extensive damage. Owner George Lemperis vowed to rebuild, but it’s unclear how long it’ll take. [Block Club]

Little Village Food Pantry Running Out of Food

Pan de Vida Fresh Market is part of New Life Centers, which has been working to house migrants and asylum-seekers in Chicago. The food pantry is now serving nearly twice as many people a day, many of whom are new arrivals. [The DePaulia]

Girl Scout Cookie Season Begins

Fellow Thin Mints–lovers rejoice! But be prepared to shell out $6 a box around Chicago — a dollar more than last year. [Sun-Times]

Crowdsourcing Favorite ‘Good Times’ Episodes

With the hit show celebrating its 50th anniversary this month, current and former Cabrini-Green Homes residents are being asked to share their favorite episode from “Good Times,” which took place in the public housing complex. [National Public Housing Museum]

• Years after the show ended, Cabrini-Green residents were displaced. Decades later, some are still fighting to return. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Last Week’s Winner

Answer: Alcala’s in West Town. Gail M. is our random winner, and this week’s trivia comes from Hey Chicago.

This Week’s Clues

“The Geographic Center of Chicago” sign is located at the intersection of which streets? Guess here for a chance to pick next week’s trivia.

• In 1896, the Tribune dubbed this McKinley Park spot, then a cow pasture, the city’s geographic center.
• BUT that was before Chicago annexed O’Hare, which shifted the midpoint more northwest.
• Nonetheless, the sign has remained in the neighborhood and a new one was reinstalled last fall after a car accident.

Chicago Consumer Complaints 101

Sun-Times’ Stephanie Zimmermann is helping Chicagoans stay on the lookout for junk fees, sketchy utility offerings, and other bad deals. She shares how you can protect yourself.