City Cast Chicago
🗳️ Sen. Dick Durbin is retiring — now what?
April 24, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Hey bookworms! Today, I want to warmly welcome Walter D., our newest City Cast Chicago Neighbor, and share an especially kind note from Phillip M., another recent Neighbor:
I love starting my morning with y’all. Your podcast makes me feel informed, inspired and excited to live in Chicago and I appreciate you showcasing with every episode the million things that make Chicago the best city in the world!
Wow Phillip, you made our morning. If, like Phillip and Walter, you love this city (and our newsletter and podcast), become a Neighbor today. Your support ensures I can keep bringing you the stories and perspectives that make life in Chicago a little brighter.
What Chicago's Talking About
Sen. Dick Durbin Will Not Seek Reelection
After 42 years representing Illinois in Washington, the last 28 as a U.S. Senator, Dick Durbin says he’s not seeking another term. The 80-year-old is the chamber’s No. 2-ranking Democrat. Now, the battle begins to replace him in 2026. He already suspects “a dozen … serious” contenders. [WBEZ]
- Meanwhile: A 26-year-old challenges a 26-year incumbent on the North Side. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Riot Fest Lineup Revealed
Now back in Douglass Park, the fest’s 2025 lineup includes blink-182, Weezer, Green Day, Jack White, Weird Al Yankovic, the Beach Boys, and most of the Sex Pistols. The festival is scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 19. [Pitchfork]
Sentencing Begins for Highland Park Shooter
On Wednesday, witnesses to the 2022 July 4th mass shooting in Highland Park shared harrowing statements as part of the sentencing hearing of Robert Crimo III. Crimo pleaded guilty last month to murder and attempted murder, forgoing a trial. He did not show up for the first day of sentencing. [NBC]
“The Listening Field” takes place this Sunday at the Kehrein Center for the Arts. It aims to promote sound healing, meditation, and rest on Chicago’s West Side. Event producers Jamila Woods and Kori Coleman discuss what that looks like. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
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What To Do
Thursday, April 24
- 💡 Rethinking Philanthropy | 12:45 p.m. | $25 | Lincoln Park
- 🖼️ EXPO Chicago: Opening Night | 5-8 p.n. | $165 | Navy Pier
- 👒 Boss Babes of Business: Hats & Heels | 6-9 p.m. | $50+ | Wicker Park
- 🔌 Chicago Tech Mixer | 6-9 p.m. | $15+ | Loop
- 🎻 Choirs and Orchestra Present Mozart's Requiem | 7:30 p.m. | Free | Little Italy
- 🎛️ Dibia$E with Fess Grandiose | 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. | $15+ | Hyde Park
Friday, April 25
- 🥞 The Annual Breakfast + Open Studios | 9 a.m. to Noon | Free | West Loop
- 🎨 EXPO Chicago | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | $40 | Navy Pier
- 🦋 TEDxUofIChicago: "MetamorphoXis" | 5-8 p.m. | $5 | UIC
- 🎨 EXPO Chicago: Art After Hours | 5-9 p.m. | Free | Various locations near West Loop
- 📽️ “Single-Use Planet” | 5:30-9 p.m. | Free | Austin
- 🍄 Chicago Terroir: A Celebration of Mushrooms, Beer, and the Environment | 5:30-10 p.m. | $20 | West Town
- 📚 “This Is Body Grief”: Q & A and Book Signing with Jayne Mattingly | 6-7:30 p.m. | Free-$35 | Lakeview
- 🎭 “Don't Kill Me, I Want To Live” | 6-8 p.m. | $35 | Englewood
- 👗 Modern, Eco Friendly, Ready2Wear Show | 6-9 p.m. | $22+ | Water Tower Place
- 💗 HERE: in our bodies | 7-9 p.m. | $25 | The Newport Theater
- 🗽 Miss Congeniality Bar Crawl | 7-11:30 p.m. | $20 | Northalsted
- 🎭 “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” | 7:30 p.m. | $35 | Lakeview
- 🎷 Winard Harper & Jeli Posse | 8 p.m. | $30+ | South Loop
- 💃 Party With Nora Fatehi | 8 p.m. | $40+ | Fulton Market
- 🎧 Silent Dance Party | 10 p.m. | $10+ | Near South Side
- 🪩 Afro Fusion Friday | 11 p.m. | Free-$50 | Uptown
☕️ Find me on the book crawl by looking for the girl with a City Cast Chicago mug — but you’ll have to get your own. There’s only one way: Become a Neighbor today.
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