💸 More free Chicago things

Did Parking Meter Deal Get … Worse?

The city might owe over $100 million to the private company that has a monopoly on Chicago street parking after former Mayor Lori Lightfoot temporarily ceased parking meter enforcement in the early days of the pandemic. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

• In 2008, the city agreed to privatize parking meters for 75 years in return for $1 billion. Fast forward to today, and the meters are worth a lot more. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Bears Invite Focus Groups for Stadium Talks

Some season ticket holders will be invited downtown and to Schaumburg this week to give their opinions on a new stadium. A Bears spokesperson said the focus groups will talk about desirable amenities regardless of stadium location. [The Daily Herald 🔒]

State Fines Suburban Brewery for Cicada Malört

Noon Whistle in Lombard was fined for infusing Jeppson’s Malört with cicadas foraged from a nearby park. Local authorities have long been worried about potential contamination in infusions. [Eater]

• Here are some cicada snacks you can make at home. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
• Plus, we tried to stomach Malört on its own. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

You can find free things across the city if you look close enough. Luckily, that’s what Hey Chicago is for.

Best Way to See Chicago Museums: Free Days

Flash that Illinois ID, and get into the city’s best museums like the Shedd Aquarium and Museum of Science & Industry on select days.

Best Free Tours: Chicago Greeter Tours

Whether you want to play tourist for a day or want a guide to take your out-of-town visitors around the city, these Choose Chicago tours led by local volunteers are informative, fun, and free.

Best Free Workout: Chicago Park District

Chicagoans can get a free 3-month single-site fitness center membership if they have a doctor’s prescription for exercise for obesity-related diseases. Fitness center memberships are pretty inexpensive compared to private gyms.

Best Kayak Deal: Chicago River & Canoe Pass

Rent a canoe or kayak four times from this company with outposts from Winnetka down to Orland Park, and the fifth time is free with a paddle pass! Your fav newsletter editor has just a couple more rides to go 🛶

Best Free Dental Clinic: Chicago Dental Society

Volunteer dentists at the Wheaton clinic help low-income residents in Cook, DuPage, and Lake counties take care of their pearly whites.

• 🥈 Runner-Up: The University of Illinois Chicago’s College of Dentistry has affordable care compared to other dentists in the area.

Best Bang-for-Your-Buck Haircut: Tricoci University

Cosmetology students offer haircuts for $15 and braids and twists for as low as $30.

Best All Around: Chicago Public Library

Your local branch not only has books you can borrow, but seeds to take home, passes to city attractions, and more.

+ Anyone know any good local rewards programs? Could be for grocery stores, coffee shops, bowling alleys — you get the idea. Hit us up!