City Cast Chicago
🧑⚖️ Why the feds are suing Chicago
February 7, 2025 · — Adrian González
Good morning! It’s City Cast editor (and aspiring caviar connoisseur) Adrian González.
Some of us were born to enjoy caviar but are forced to eat ramen. Chicagoan Kendra Anderson is looking to change that and make caviar more accessible.
What's CITY Talking About?
Feds vs. Sanctuary Laws
The U.S. Justice Department is suing Illinois and Chicago, alleging that “sanctuary laws” are obstructing immigration enforcement. WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky and Heather Cherone gave us a rundown of the lawsuit and what it could mean for immigrant protections in Chicago. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Transit Funding at Risk
Illinois politicians are worried about losing billions in federal funding for transit projects like the Red Line extension after a Trump directive to prioritize transportation funding for communities with high birth and marriage rates and those who cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Illinois’ birth rate ranks 42nd. [Sun-Times]
- Meanwhile in Springfield, a new proposal would diversify transit funding in Chicago. [WTTW]
- If the Red Line extension goes through, what will it mean for the Far South Side? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Remembering the Bears’ Virginia McCaskey
Principal owner and daughter of team founder George Halas, Virginia McCaskey died Thursday at the age of 102. McCaskey took over the team when her father died in 1983 and was one of few women to hold such a powerful position in professional sports. [Tribune 🔒]
This Week's Must-Read
Chicago is famously a city of neighborhoods, but where are they exactly? Researchers at the University of Chicago recently took on the mammoth task of creating an unofficial neighborhood map with the help of residents, resulting in 120 unique neighborhoods. Unsurprisingly, people had a lot of opinions. [Block Club]
- How do you define a Chicago neighborhood? [Hey Chicago]
Sponsored Content
Become a City Cast Chicago member to receive exclusive benefits
Hey Chicago delivers essential daily news to you and your neighbors, without a paywall!
Support City Cast Chicago by becoming a member and receive benefits like,
- 🪩 An exclusive lookahead at upcoming can't-miss local events
- 🎧 Ad-free listening to the City Cast Chicago podcast
Your Chicago News Quiz
Pop quiz time! How much of this week’s Chicago news do you remember?
A formerly vacant school in which neighborhood is set to become a new community hub this summer?
What To Do
Friday, Feb. 7
- 🧩 Puzzlemania for Adults | 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Free | Bronzeville
- 🖌️ Valentine’s Craft Market Opening | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Free | Gurnee
- ♥️ Valentine’s Day Card Signing & Social Gathering (18+) | 1-3 p.m. | Free | Edgewater
- 🎵 Cultural Jam | 1-5 p.m. | Free | Galewood
- 🕯️ Valentine’s Day Candlelight Walk | 6-8:30 p.m. | Free | South Holland
- 🎻 Folk Festival Opening | 8 p.m. | $30 | Hyde Park
- 🎭 Las Leonas | 8:30 p.m. | $29+ | Jefferson Park
- 🤣 Chicago’s Best Stand-Up | 11:30 p.m. | $35 | Lakeview
Saturday, Feb. 8
- 🚗 Chicago Car Show Opening | 10 a.m. | $17 | McCormick Place
- 🎉 Argyle Lunar New Year Parade & Celebration | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free | Uptown
- 🤝 Volunteer with Cardz For Kidz | 10 a.m. to1 p.m. | Free | West Loop
- 🐍 Lunar New Year Stories & Crafts | 10:30-11:15 a.m. | Free | Uptown
- ♥️ Nature is My Valentine | 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Free | North Park
- 🥂 Mimosa Fest 2025 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | $15+ | Aurora
Sunday, Feb. 9
- ❄️ Winterpalooza | 9 a.m. | Free | River Forest
- 📸 “Debi Tira Más Fotos” Brunch (21+) | 12 p.m. | $28+ | Fulton Market
- 🥞 R&B Brunch | 12-5 p.m. | $15+ | Wicker Park
- 🐦 Winter ‘Brr’ding (16+) | 1 p.m. | Free | Lemont
- 🐍 Lunar New Year Parade | 1-3 p.m. | Free | Chinatown
- 🧶 Fiber Arts Club | 2-3 p.m. | Free | Avalon Park
If you made it this far into the newsletter and are still thinking about caviar, let me add to your cravings with this list of where to find oysters in Chicago.
Free · Daily