💸 Where to get free stuff in Chicago

Why Was a Mansion Mistaken for a Vacant Lot?

The county assessor’s office has misclassified hundreds of properties, missing out on at least $444 million in value and unfairly shifting the tax burden, according to a new investigation. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Inside North Lake Shore Drive Revamp

Some transit advocates and lawmakers say local officials’ plan to overhaul North Lake Shore Drive doesn’t go far enough. Other discarded proposals included dedicated bus lanes and a light rail system. [WTTW]

Garbage Piles Up in South Shore

South Shore has the most sanitation code violations of any South Side neighborhood in the last five years. Unsure whose job it is to help, neighbors have come together to clean up. But the garbage keeps growing. [WBEZ]

Piping Plover Chick Still Here

Birders thought Nagamo migrated south for the winter, but the baby chick was just taking a test flight before returning to Montrose Beach late last week. [Block Club]

• Nagamo is the grandchild of Monty and Rose, the piping plovers who first captured Chicagoans’ hearts years ago. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

If we’ve learned one thing about Hey Chicago readers over the years, it’s that “free” is your love language. That’s why we’re sharing the freebies you can cash in on year-round.

Best Place Where Kids Eat Free: Fogo de Chao

While adults feast on all-you-can-eat meat at the Brazilian steakhouse downtown and in the suburbs, kids under age 6 can eat for free and kids ages 7–12 for half-price.

Best Food Challenge: Strings Ramen’s ‘Monster Hell’

Want to get a free meal, T-shirt, and a $50 gift certificate? Slurp down a spicy bowl of ramen at the chain in Chinatown, Hyde Park, Lakeview, or Aurora. Sign that waiver, and we’ll see you on the other side 🫡

• 🥈Runner-Up: After I witnessed a relative complete Timothy O’Toole’s ‘Big Timmy’ Challenge, I did not see him until the next day.

Best Free Plants: Rogers Park Seed Library

The literal grassroots organization has been serving Far North Siders for the last five years by providing free seeds out of PO Box Collective.

• 🥈 Runner-Up: Check out plant swaps at this citywide subreddit and South Side Facebook group.
• 🥉 Runner-Up: The Chicago Botanic Garden is doing plant giveaways, but you do have to pay to get in.

Best Free Tools: Chicago Tool Library

Need a power tool? A projector? A tent? The Garfield Park space offers a pay-what-you-can membership to those borrowing equipment.

Best Free Books to Own: Books4Cause

Check out the free bookstore in Avondale offering fiction, nonfiction, and kids books. Plus, the store also offers free school supplies and DVDs.

• 🥈 Runner-Up: Open Books Pilsen has free kids books and pay-what-you-can adult books.

Best Free Furniture: Chicago Furniture Bank

The Brighton Park nonprofit works with other organizations to get beds, couches, dishware and more to Chicagoans in need of furniture. They also offer free pickup for your gently-used items.

Best Marketplace: TrashNothing

You might be able to find something free on Facebook or Craigslist if you’re lucky, but the Chicago chapter of TrashNothing has helped residents get everything from treadmills to patio covers.

Best Free Car Wash: Zippy’s

Enter your phone number to get a free car wash at the Niles spot.

Best Free Composting: City of Chicago

Chicagoans can drop off their food scraps daily at 17 locations across the city from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All you have to do is fill out this form.

👀 Meet me here same time tomorrow for even more free stuff in Chicago.