City Cast Chicago
🥪 Is this Chicago sandwich worth an hour wait?
October 2, 2024 · —Sidney Madden
Want to hear an insider’s POV on the CTA? One operator answered questions in the Chicago subreddit this week. They dished on everything from their favorite train model to thoughts on leadership.
What's CITY Talking About?
COVID Lab Owner Pleads Guilty
At the height of the pandemic, Zishan Alvi and his suburban testing lab company provided people with fake negative COVID-19 results and billed the government for the tests. The 45-year-old has pleaded guilty to the $14 million scheme and could face up to 20 years in federal prison. [Block Club]
Shedd Aquarium Workers’ Unionization Efforts
Employees at the aquarium filed a petition earlier this week for union representation, alleging they are overworked, underpaid, and need more sick days. Workers first announced plans to organize in the spring. [WGN]
Two Chicagoans Win MacArthur ‘Genius’ Grants
Fiction writer Ling Ma who wrote the popular 2018 book “Severance” and mixed media artist Ebony G. Patterson are among the newest recipients of the MacArthur “genius grant.” The two Chicagoans will get $800,000 over the next five years to support their creativity. [WBEZ]
Milk Bar Coming to Fulton Market
Celebrity chef Christina Tosi is bringing Milk Bar to The Hoxton hotel. As Milk Bar’s first Midwestern outpost, the dessert shop is set to open in the next few months. [Eater]
The fact that a sweet steak in one restaurant on 111th Street got an equal amount of clout as a beef sandwich on Taylor Street — that is next to so much industrial and warehousing and has so much foot traffic — I think speaks highly to what the Far South Side has always been capable of.
Why the Sweet Steak is Tough to Get
Home of the Hoagy is set to reopen Thursday after a month-long hiatus. The Morgan Park spot has been serving sandwiches, including the Chicago classic sweet steak, since 1969. City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran talks about the childhood staple. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
What To Do
Wednesday, Oct. 2
- ADA Trail Walk 🌳 Forest Park | 10 a.m. | Free
- Polish Chicago Tour 🇵🇱 West Town | Noon to 2 p.m. | Free
- Sugar Skulls 💀 North Lawndale | 4–5 p.m. | Free
- Wedtober Fest 💒 Ravenswood | 5:30–9 p.m. | $20+
Thursday, Oct. 3
- Lawyers in the Library ⚖️ Washington Heights | Noon to 2 p.m. | Free
- Sunset Paddle 🌇 River Park | 5–7 p.m. | $10
- Exhibition Weekend starts 🖼️ Citywide | Varies | Varies
In exactly one week, the new seasons of the “Abbott Elementary” TV show and “Normal Gossip” podcast comes back on air 🎉 Just a couple more things to look forward to in October.
Free · Daily