City Cast Chicago
❓Who is trashing Chicago on CNN?
January 31, 2025 · —Sidney Madden (your fav newsletter editor)
What do I love about Chicago? It’s a Q I’ve been wondering as we collect 1,000 things before City Cast Chicago’s 1,000th podcast episode.
I love the obsession with the ‘90s Bulls, the first warm day after Chicago winter, and especially the Hey Chicago community.
This is my last edition, and I’m moved by all the ways we’ve connected over the past few years. From sharing engagement stories and NASCAR gripes to extending invites to book clubs and block parties, thank you for welcoming me into your inbox.
While the world feels heavy and sad, reading the things you love about Chicago — tulips in the spring, neighborhood roosters, and pozole ladies named Lupita — has brightened my days.
If I can make one last ask, tell us what you love about Chicago 💌
What's CITY Talking About?
How ICE is Affecting Chicago
How are local communities managing heightened tensions and the growing presence of immigration enforcement? With growing media coverage of arrests, many residents are living in constant fear. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Madigan’s Fate in Jury’s Hands
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s trial has persisted longer than anticipated, but a conclusion from the jury is on the horizon. If convicted, a long prison sentence is on the table. When there’s a verdict, we’ll let you know, so keep your eyes on your inbox 📧 [Tribune 🔒]
- Falling a bit behind on the Madigan case? Catch up with City Cast Chicago. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Watch Cubs Games in Luxury
Wrigley Field now features “The Yard," a seating area in the Budweiser Bleachers in center field, offering five semi-private rental spaces. Groups of 4 to 50 people can enjoy unlimited drinks and classic ballpark food. [MLB]
- Hot dogs anyone? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
This Week’s Must-Read
Guess who’s the new face of the DuSable Black History Museum?! Historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas will join the Washington Park museum as a brand ambassador and social media chief. [Block Club]
Your Chicago News Quiz
The Chicago news cycle has been busy lately. Do you remember everything that happened this week? Test yourself in our weekly news quiz. Guess who said the quote in our first question.
“Sanctuary cities are making it very difficult to arrest the criminals. For instance Chicago, very well educated, they’ve been educated how to defy ICE, how to hide from ICE. … They call it ‘Know Your Rights.’ I call it how to escape arrest.”
Who said the above quote on immigration arrests this week?
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What To Do
Friday, Jan. 31
- 🎤 Teen Talent Showcase | 4–7 p.m. | Free | Englewood
- 🎶 TGIF: Friday Afternoon Show Tunes | 4–9 p.m. | Free | Northalsted
- 💃 Speed Dating: Bachata Dance Class | 7 p.m. | $40 | Oak Park
- 🎙️ Jimmy O. Yang: Big & Tall Tour | 7 p.m. | $160+ | The Loop
- 📚 Book Club | 7:30 p.m. | Free | Pilsen
- 🎉 Party Girls Night (18+) | 9 p.m. | $25+ | River North
Saturday, Feb. 1
- 📜 Poetry Trail: Black History Month | 10 a.m. | Free | Palos Township
- ☕ Fika Fest Opening | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Varies | Andersonville
- 🍩 Stan's Donut Fest (21+) | 11 a.m. | $21+ | River North
- 📽️ Black History Month Kickoff Drop-in | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Free | Willow Springs
- 🧶 Stitch-a-Palooza | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Free | Uptown
- 🐍 Global Connections: Lunar New Year | 1–5 p.m. | Free | Navy Pier
- 🐉 A Loooooooong Celebration: Lunar New Year Show | 6–9 p.m. | Sliding Scale | Bridgeport
- 🎤 Teen Open Mic | 7 p.m. | $3 | Lincoln Park
- 💃 Selena: The Show (21+) | 9 p.m. | $10 | Merrionette Park
Sunday, Feb. 2
- 🎸 Music of Bob Marley + More for Kids | 11:30 a.m. | $15 | Pilsen
- 💍 Wedding Walk | Noon to 5 p.m. | $20+ | West Loop
- 🎬 “Successor” | 2 p.m. | Free | The Loop
- 🍿 "Hidden Figures" | 2 p.m. | Free | Pullman
- 🐾 Groundhog Day | 3 p.m. | Free | Navy Pier
- 🌶️ Chili Cook Off | 3–5 p.m. | Free | Rogers Park
- 🏆 The 67th Annual Grammys Watch Party | 7 p.m. | Varies | Lakeview
Before I sign off for the last time, I want to send birthday wishes to some cool aquariuses:
- City Cast editor Ava Wojnowski, who will pen Hey Chicago while the team searches for my replacement.
- City Cast Chicago executive producer Simone Alicea, my trusted editor and friend.
Thanks all for reading — excited to be reading alongside you 💙
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