City Cast Chicago
👀 Was migrant shelter data leaked?
December 13, 2024 · —Sidney Madden
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What's CITY Talking About?
Was Migrant Shelter Data Mishandled?
Two whistleblowers filed a complaint with the federal government alleging one of Chicago’s largest migrant shelter contractors violated health information privacy laws. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Biden Pardons Illinois Woman
President Joe Biden is reducing the prison sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoning 39 others, including a 51-year-old from La Grange who was convicted of a nonviolent drug crime in her 20s. [CBS Chicago]
Chicago Restaurant Week Around the Corner
The lineup is out for the city’s annual restaurant week, which kicks off next month. More than 470 restaurants in the region will participate. Note that prices are up from last year: Brunch and lunch are $30 while dinner can be between $45 and $60. [TimeOut]
This Week’s Must-Listen
All week, I have been thinking about heartbreaking stories from Chicagoans who lost loved ones to gun violence: a mom who couldn’t touch her son’s body after he was fatally shot and a best friend who says the city needs more trauma centers. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Your Chicago News Quiz
Welcome to the news quiz! I ask the questions, you pick the answers. Here’s the first question 👇
Michelin announced its 2024 stars this week. How many Chicago restaurants have Michelin stars?
- 7
- 19
- 43
- 74
What To Do
Friday, Dec. 13
- Nature Photography 📸 Dan Ryan Woods | 9 a.m. | Free
- “A Celtic Christmas” 🎶 Irving Park | 7–10 p.m. | $35+
- “The Nutcracker” opens 🩰 Hyde Park | 7 p.m. | $35+
- “Elf in Concert” opens 🧝 The Loop | 7:30 p.m. | $79+
- “Rudolph The Red-Hosed Reindeer: An Unauthorized Musical Parody” opens 🎭 Northalsted | 7:30–9:30 p.m. | $31+
- Taylor Swift Dance Night (21+) 💃 Lincoln Park | 10 p.m. | $21+
- Pre-Christmas Poetry & Comedy Show 🎤 Bronzeville | 10 p.m. | $12
Saturday, Dec. 14
- Winter Celebration Market 🛍️ Back of the Yards | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Free
- TBOX Bar Crawl 🎁 Wrigleyville | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | $25
- Chicago Tap All Stars 🕺 Bronzeville | 1 p.m. | $30+
- Music Under Glass 🎻 Garfield Park | 1–2 p.m. | Free for residents
- Holiday Festa 🍝 River North | 1–4:30 p.m. | $65
- Winter Solstice Festival ❄️ North Park | 5–8 p.m. | Free
- Free Verse City 🗣️ Woodlawn | 6:45–9 p.m. | $10
- Uniting Voices Songs of the Season Concert 🎼 The Loop | 7 p.m. | $5+
- “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” Drive-In 📽️ Pilsen | 7–8:30 p.m. | $35
- Holiday Blind Book Swap Party (18+) 💝 Roscoe Village | 7–9:30 p.m. | $20
- Ugly Sweater Party 🎉 Hyde Park | 10 p.m. | $10+
Sunday, Dec. 15
- Santa Brunch & Playtime 🎅 Water Tower Place | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | $10
- Holiday Skate With Santa ⛸️ Mount Greenwood | Noon to 2 p.m. | Free
- A Mariachi Christmas 🎄 Pilsen | 2 p.m. | $40
- Building the Table 💡 Andersonville | 3–5 p.m. | Free
- Christmas Ball 🪩 Garfield Park | 4–7 p.m. | $30
- Chisme: A Holiday Extravaganza (21+) 🤫 Ukrainian Village | 7–8:30 p.m. | $12
Sponsored Content
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Off to spook myself and read about weird things that have happened in Chicago on Friday the 13th …
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