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City Cast Chicago

City Cast Chicago

🗣️ What did Johnson tell Congress?

March 6, 2025 · — Ava Wojnowski

Good Morning! Spring break is just around the corner. Maybe you’re planning a staycation or you have friends visiting Chicago. Today we talk about the must-do activities for someone who is planning to come to Chicago for spring break.

P.S. This is my City Cast Chicago podcast debut! So take a listen to hear me yap about my Chicago experiences 🤩

Podcast Player: "6 Secrets to Spring Break in Chicago"
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What's CITY Talking About?

Mayor Brandon Johnson speaking in front of Congress.
Mayor Brandon Johnson testified in Washington D.C. yesterday with fellow sanctuary city mayors. (Saul Loeb / Getty Images)

What Johnson Told Congress

Republican lawmakers grilled Mayor Brandon Johnson and other mayors in D.C. for several hours over sanctuary city laws. Some notable moments include:

  • Johnson said Chicago’s immigration policies have helped reduce crime in the city, rather than posing a threat as critics say.
  • Texas Rep. Brandon Gill questioned the mayor’s ethics, citing accusations that Johnson failed to properly report accepted gifts.
  • Republican representatives repeatedly threatened legal action in addition to pulling funding from cities. [ABC7, X]

Why Does This Chicago Landlord Owe Tenants $80K?

A Cook County judge has ordered a Chicago landlord to pay former tenants $80,000 after threatening to report them to immigration authorities in 2020. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund said this is the first case to reach judgment under the state’s 2019 Immigrant Tenant Protection Act. [Tribune 🔒]

Hitch a $5 Ride Out of the United Center

A new Uber Shuttle will transport people leaving the United Center along a designated route starting at $5. Riders will be able to reserve up to four seats at a time on the 23-passenger vehicle. So yes … a bus 🚌 [Sun-Times]

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Walk Around Milwaukee, WI With Me!

A photo of CCC Newsletter Editor, Ava Wojnowski.
Take a stroll with me in Milwaukee, WI! (Ava Wojnowski / City Cast Chicago)

If you get into your car and drive straight north (well not exactly straight but you get the idea) for about an hour and a half, you’ll end up in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I grew up just north of Milwaukee, so I’ve got some good recs for those who may want to visit.

Since we’re talking about spring break in Chicago on today’s podcast, I wanted to offer a twist on our neighborhood guides for any of you looking to get out of town. Come for a walk with me in Milwaukee!

How To Get Around

While some areas of Milwaukee, like the Historic Third Ward, are extremely walkable, you might need some transportation to get to other parts of the city. The Hop streetcar is free to use.

What To Do

My day always starts with a cup of coffee, and one of my favorite coffee shops in Milwaukee is the Colectivo on the lakefront. It’s in the historic Milwaukee River flushing station and it’s a lovely spot to sit, especially in the summer. I often park at the marina across the street, go for a little run along Lake Michigan, and then grab a coffee.

After a run and some good coffee, all I’m thinking about is food. My favorite breakfast spot in Milwaukee is Sweet Diner for the good food and that cute brunch vibe. I’m a classic savory breakfast girl (except for a table pancake ofc), so I go for their omelets. A more fun option is the birria skillet with birria beef, potatoes, cheese, eggs, and veggies.

A carousel of photos.
On my walk, I got an omelet at Sweet Diner, a new plant at Mod Gen, and lunch at the Milwaukee Public Market. (Ava Wojnowski / City Cast Chicago)

Sweet Diner is located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, which is also a popular shopping area. I first stopped at Mod Gen, a plant lover's paradise. In addition to plants, you can buy household items, such as reusable towels or ceramic ware. Down the street, Shōō offers footwear along with other fun accessories and clothing items. I also love Retique, an elevated thrift store owned by Goodwill.

After all that walking, my stomach started to grumble again, so I stopped for lunch. My favorite place to get food in Milwaukee is the Milwaukee Public Market. There are a ton of vendors to choose from, but I opted for the grilled veggie panini from Foltz Family Market. Tip! If you’re looking for a free bathroom in downtown Milwaukee, this is a great pit stop for you.

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What To Do

Thursday, March 6

Friday, March 7

As the mayor said during yesterday’s Congressional hearing, “Everything that’s dope about America comes from Chicago.” And our friend Shermann "Dilla" Thomas already has a shirt that says exactly that 🙌

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