City Cast Chicago
😬 Chi’s $1B budget shortfall
August 30, 2024 · — Adrian González
Good morning! It’s City Cast editor Adrian González stepping in for Sindey.
A reminder that we’ll be off Monday in observance of Labor Day, so the next newsletter will land in your inbox on Tuesday.
What's CITY Talking About?
CPS Watchdog Steps Down
Chicago Public Schools Inspector General Will Fletcher has resigned to take a new gig at an East Coast public transit agency. Amber Nesbitt, Fletcher’s deputy, will serve as acting IG. [Chalkbeat]
- Classes are back in session, but Chicago schools are still having bus trouble. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
City Budget Blues
Chicago is facing a $982.4 million budget shortfall for 2025, forcing the city to find cuts. Mayor Brandon Johnson has previously said the city would avoid raising property taxes, but a hiring freeze is on the table. [WBEZ]
- Hopefully there won’t be a repeat of the city’s parking meter disaster of 2008. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
NASCAR to Return to Chicago
Love it or hate it: The league announced its Chicago street race will return for a third year next summer. [Sun-Times]
- Maybe this time it won't rain? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Stateville Prisoners Relocated
The southwest suburban prison is relocating incarcerated men across the state after a federal judge deemed its facility conditions “hazardous.” The state plans to rebuild the century-old prison. [🔒 Tribune]
Your Chicago News Quiz
Time for our weekly news quiz! Reference past newsletters and City Cast Chicago podcasts.
Which Chicago labor event directly helped make Labor Day a federal holiday?
- Haymarket Riot of 1886
- Pullman Strike of 1894
- Upton Sinclair’s 1905 book, “The Jungle”
- Memorial Day Massacre of 1937
What To Do
Friday, Aug. 30
- Arc Music Festival starts 🎧 Union Park | 2–10 p.m. | $200+
- Youth Film Festival 📽️ Wrigley | 4:30–7 p.m. | Free
- Taste of Polonia starts 🇵🇱 Jefferson Park | 5–10:30 p.m. | $10+
- Art Fest starts 🖼️ Fulton Market | 5–10 p.m. | Free admission
Saturday, Aug. 31
- Fall Festival starts 🍂 Frankfort | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Free admission
- Free Movie Weekend starts 🎥 Music Box Theatre | Noon | Free
- Lucha Libre 🤼 Logan Square | Noon to 3 p.m. | Free
- Pravdafest 🎹 Berwyn | 1 p.m. | $40+
- Artists Navigating South Asian Identities 🎤 South Loop | 2–4 p.m. | Free
- Jollof Festival 🤤 The Promontory | 2–7 p.m. | $25+
- Bit Bash 🎮 Lincoln Park | 6–10 p.m. | $30+
- Starry Night Walk ✨ South Holland | 7–9 p.m. | Free
- Fire vs. Inter Miami ⚽ Soldier Field | 7:30 p.m. | $26+
- Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band 🎼 Aurora | 8 p.m. | $20
Sunday, Sep. 1
- Bike the Drive 🚲 Lake Shore Drive | 6:30 a.m. | $78
- Yoga in Nature 🪷 Bridgeport | 10–11 a.m. | $10
- Mural Walking Tour 🎨 Hyde Park | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | $25
- Music Bingo 🎶 Fulton Market | 2 p.m. | Free
- Chi-soul workshop 💬 Austin | 2–4 p.m. | Free
- Storytelling Potluck Show 🎭 Lakeview | 7–9 p.m. $5+
It’s not too late to pick up some extra supplies for the weekend, so here’s a guide to the best Chicago snacks to bring to the cookout. See ya on Tuesday!
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