City Cast Chicago
🏫 What’s next for CTU?
April 4, 2025 · — Ava Wojnowski
Hellooooo! Before you log off for the weekend, check out today’s top headlines and test your knowledge with the Friday news quiz 📰
What's CITY Talking About?
What’s Next for CTU?
Now that the Chicago Teachers Union has reached a tentative agreement … what’s next? Host Jacoby Cochran breaks down the details with WBEZ’s Kate Grossman and Injustice Watch’s Kelly Garcia. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Republicans Struggle in Suburban Elections
Dozens of townships across Illinois have switched from Republican to Democratic control. Gov. J.B. Pritzker credits Democrats’ victories in Chicago’s suburbs to the party’s statewide organizational efforts and widespread opposition to the Trump administration. [Tribune 🎁]
Who Are Chicago’s James Beard Finalists?
After 22 semifinalists were announced in Chicago, the list has now been narrowed down to five local finalists. The finalists are Galit for Outstanding Restaurant, Kumiko for Outstanding Bar, and for Great Lakes Best Chef: Thai Dang of HaiSous, Chris Jung and Erling Wu-Bower of Maxwells Trading, and Noah Sandoval of Oriole. [Eater]
This Week’s Must-Do
It’s Poetry Month at the Chicago public libraries, which means there will be workshops, readings, and even a poetry fest. Learn more about specific events here. [FOX32]
- Plus, meet Chicago’s first-ever poet laureate 📜 [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Your Chicago News Quiz
We’re back with another weekly news quiz! Let’s test your news knowledge 🧠
What To Do
Friday, April 4
- 🐦 Bird Painting Workshop: Bluebird | 9:30 a.m. | $5 | River Forest
- ⚾ Cubs vs. Padres | 1:20 p.m. | $76+ | Wrigley Field
- 🎻 Karina Canellakis Conducts Rachmaninov | 1:30 p.m. | $45+ | Loo
- 🏠 National Public Housing Museum opens | 2 p.m. | Free | Little Italy
- 📽️ 2nd Annual Reel Black Film Festival | 5-9 p.m. | $7 | Loop
- 🍺 New Beers Eve 2025 | 6-10 p.m. | $15+ | Ravenswood
- 🎤 Our Only Odyssey | 6 p.m. | $71 | Lakeview
- 🎹 Mark Guiliana | 7-8:30 p.m | $15 | Bridgeport
- 📚 Blind Date with a Book Swap Event | 7:30-10 p.m. | $18 | North Center
Saturday, April 5
- 🧶 YarnCon starts | West Loop
- 🗑️ Trash Bash | 9 a.m. | Free | Miller Meadow-South
- 🎼 Once Upon A Symphony first day | 10 a.m. | $20+ | Loop
- 🦓 Zoo Adventure Passport | 10 a.m. | Free | River Forest
- 📝 South Shore Gentrification Teach-In | 3-4:30 p.m. | Free | South Shore
- 🎵 Chicago Community Chorus Spring Concert | 3-5 p.m. | $10+ | Washington Park
- 🕺 Y2K Prom | 7 p.m. | $18 | West Town
- 🎤 Teen Open Mic | 7 p.m. | $3 | Lincoln Square
- 🤠 Brooks & Dunn | 7 p.m. | $60 | Rosemont
- 🎵 Judah & The Lion | 7:30 p.m. | $35 | Uptown
- 💿 Snakeships | 10 p.m. | $20+ | River North
Sunday, April 6
- 🥚 Egg Hunt | 9-11 a.m. | Free | Jefferson Park
- 🌱 420 Pre Party | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | $75+ | West Town
- 🧆 Arab American Celebration | 11 a.m. | Free | Willow Springs
- 🤣 Tina Fey & Amy Poehler | 3 p.m. | $109+ | Rosemont
- ♥️ We Love Soul 15 Year Celebration | 3-8 p.m. | $15+ | Hyde Park
Turn on WGN! City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran will be on Daytime Chicago between 10-11 a.m. to chat about “1,000 Things We Love About Chicago.” He’ll also be doing some Chicago-inspired trivia 🤔
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