City Cast Chicago
👀 Will Johnson raise property taxes?
October 30, 2024 · —Sidney Madden
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What's CITY Talking About?
Budget Address Today
Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to propose a property tax hike when he presents his 2025 budget plan today, according to alders briefed on the matter. [Tribune 🔒]
- Johnson campaigned on not raising city property taxes, but the city now faces an almost $1 billion budget gap. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Local Puerto Rican Community Reacts to Trump Rally
Chicagoans gathered Monday in Humboldt Park, the heart of the city’s Puerto Rican community, to protest a comedian calling Puerto Rico “an island of garbage” at former President Donald Trump’s New York rally Sunday. [ABC7]
In Layoff News …
Walgreens is laying off about 250 employees and getting rid of 215 open or unfilled roles to cut costs. The news comes a day after Pepsi Co. abruptly closed a South Side plant and laid off almost 80 employees. Workers allege the company violates Illinois’ Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification Act. [Crain’s 🔒]
- The WARN Act requires certain employers to provide notice of a plant closure or mass layoff. [Hey Chicago 💻]
Neighbors Fundraise for Palestinian–Owned Cafe
Nabala Cafe in Uptown was vandalized again over the weekend, the second attack in two months. Almost $19,000 has been raised to help with repairs. [Block Club]
Patel Brothers, the store, was founded in 1974 in Chicago. It's the world's largest Indian grocer. And I think as Chicagoans, we don't take pride in that. That is just an awesome fact. It's everywhere — you go to New York, New Jersey, California, it's the name upon names.
Where to Find South Asian Cuisine in Chicago
Devon Avenue is known as a cultural hub for South Asian Chicagoans. As folks celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, Eater’s Ashok Selvam shares some of his favorite Indian and Pakistani restaurants in the city. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
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What To Do
Wednesday, Oct. 30
- Diwali Celebration 🪔 Irving Park | 10:30–11:30 a.m. | Free
- Mini Pumpkin Painting 🎃 Jeffrey Manor | 4–5 p.m. | Free
- Trunk or Treat 🍬 Austin | 4–6:30 p.m. | Free
- Costume Crawl 🦹♂️ Ravenswood | 5:30–8:30 p.m. | $26
- Alder at Night ⭐ Adler Planetarium | 6–8 p.m. | Free
- “Frozen: The Broadway Musical” opens 🎭 Aurora | 7 p.m. | $28+
Thursday, Oct. 31
- Fall Fest 🍂 North Lawndale | 2:30–3:30 p.m. | Free
- Volunteer at Art on the Park 👋 Grant Park | 10 a.m. to Noon | Free
- Community Halloween Party 🎉 Sauganash | 4–5 p.m. | Free
- Spooky Halloween 🎃 Englewood | 4–7 p.m. | Free
- Goblins, Ghosts, and Ghouls 👺 South Shore | 5–7 p.m. | Free
- Howl-A-Ween Dog Fashion Show 🐾 River North | 5–8 p.m. | Donation suggested
- A Chosen Few DJs Halloween 🎧 Wicker Park | 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. | $10+
- Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade 👻 Northalsted | 6:30–10 p.m. | Free
- “Nightmare Before Christmas” Paint & Sip 🍷 Hyde Park | 7–9:30 p.m. | $45
- Thursday Night Terror 🧟 Pilsen | 8–11 p.m. | Varies
Who else isn’t surprised to see Chicago on this list of friendliest cities in the country?
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