City Cast Chicago
📣 Chicago hot dog or paczki?!
April 9, 2025 · — Natalia Aldana
Hey friend! We’ve got a tasty story to start your day 😋
The City Cast Chicago team taste-tested Local Style Chips' new homegrown snacks paying homage to classic Chicago foods like Italian beef, deep-dish pizza, and the Chicago hot dog. Tune in to find out if they really taste like like these classics, and hear why Local Style founder Laura Gardner thinks Chicago should take over the snack aisle 🥔
What's CITY Talking About?
Vendors Balk at Johnson’s Request
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s request for vendors to accept 3% cuts to contracts as the city seeks to trim nearly $9 million from the 2025 budget has been met with “incredulous and scathing responses.” Only $450,000 has been netted so far. [Tribune 🔒]
Man Charged in NW Side Sex Assaults
Chakib Mansour Khodja, 36, was arrested Friday, and has been charged with 16 felony and two misdemeanor counts for five sexual assaults in Logan Square and Lakeview from May 2022 through February. He is being held in jail pending trial. [Sun-Times]
Settlement Expected in NU Hazing Lawsuit
Following mediation, a group of former Northwestern football players is expected to settle their lawsuit over a hazing scandal involving former coach Pat Fitzgerald, who led the team for 17 seasons. Fitzgerald, who also filed a wrongful termination suit, was fired in 2023 following reports of “egregious and vile and inhumane behavior.” [WTTW]
Habitat For Humanity Builds in Austin
The nonprofit has begun construction on seven affordable homes in Austin — three on North Lockwood and four on West Ferdinand. The two-story, four-bedroom homes are expected to be completed by 2027. [Block Club]
The Ultimate Chicago Food Face-Off
The people have spoken: It’s come down to paczki 🍩 versus the Chicago hot dog 🌭
Who will win this esteemed championship? Vote for the winner of the Ultimate Chicago Food Face-Off!
📣 Cast your vote before 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 15. The winner will be announced in the following day’s newsletter — so stay tuned!
What To Do
Wednesday, April 9
- 🌎 Wee Wonders: Earth Day | 10 a.m. | Free | South Holland
- 💪 Veterans Biathlon Clinic and Challenge | 11 a.m. | Free | Bridgeport
- 🏛️ Destination Discovery Story Time| 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Free | Field Museum
- 🍷 Wagner Family Tasting Event | 6:30-8 p.m. | $40 | Norwood Park
- 🎵 Mulligan Mosaics Big Band | 6:30-10:30 p.m. | Free | Forest Park
- 🏀 Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat | 7 p.m. | $38+ | United Center
- 🤣 Heather Shaw | 7:30 p.m. | $25 | West Loop
Thursday, April 10
- 🐔 Chicken Little starts | 10:30 a.m. | $18 | Lincoln Park
- 🖍️ Crafternoon | 11 a.m. | Free | Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion
- 💎 Jewelry Making | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Free | Ashburn
- 🍻 Chicago On Tap Fest | 6-10 p.m. | $45 | River North
- 💘 Meet IRL Curated Speed Dating | 6:15-8:30 p.m. | $35 | Ravenswood
- 🎭 Helena & Hermia in the Enamored Odyssey | 7:30 p.m. | $26 | Wicker Park
- 🩰 CSO & The Joffrey Ballet starts | 7:30 p.m. | $55+ | Loop
- 🎻 Alan Gresik’s Swing Orchestra | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | $10 | Uptown
- 🎤 Grease Sing-a-Long | 9:45 p.m. | $15 | Lakeview
🍏 With all the news on tariffs and a possible, looming recession, Chicago shoppers shared how they’re looking for deals and changing their buying habits.
Are you a savvy shopper? Share your grocery shopping tips with us!
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