City Cast Chicago
🫰 Snap curfews and Uber refunds
May 2, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Hi Neighbors! We made it — today is the final day of our spring membership campaign!
Over the last two weeks, as new Neighbors joined, we kept hearing the same message: City Cast Chicago makes this place feel more like a neighborhood. We love that. That’s why we’re here.
But to help you feel in on the local conversation, we need support.
Becoming a City Cast Chicago Neighbor is what keeps this whole thing going — it makes our city a better place to live. On that note, welcome to our newest Neighbors: Janet L., Bridget R., Quinton F., Jamie N-G., Rosie M., Joanna T., Durrell W., and Rachel F.
Today’s your last chance to join and get the City Cast Chicago Neighbors mug for just $10/month. Come on, guys. That’s the price of like one cocktail — or two Chicago Handshakes.
What Chicago's Talking About
No Snap Curfews in Chicago … Yet
Block Club’s Melody Mercado and Axios Chicago’s Carrie Shepherd stop by City Cast Chicago to discuss the ongoing debate over roving curfews – as well as presidential executive orders, a West Loop shooting, local arts funding, and upcoming concerts. A truly packed episode. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
2 Confirmed Measles Cases in Chicago
Two adult measles cases were reported in Cook County this week. Points of public exposure include O’Hare Terminal 1, a health food shop in Irving Park, plus locations in Lyons, Stickney, and Berwyn. Health officials are urging people to get vaccinated before any international travel. [NBC Chicago]
Uber Pledging Refunds for Downtown Surcharge
Beginning in January, rideshare companies began charging a $1.50 surcharge for downtown rides between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., with revenue going to the City of Chicago. But Uber customers were charged outside those hours. [Block Club]
This Week’s Must-Read
Sarah Schulman, a Northwestern professor and author of "The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity," offers an insider’s perspective on last year’s pro-Palestinian protests at Northwestern, the school’s response, and accusations of antisemitism from President Donald Trump’s administration. [Chicago Review of Books]
- Related: Here’s how Trump is pressuring Chicagoland colleges. [City Cast Chicago 💻]
Take This Week's News Quiz
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What To Do
Friday, May 2
- 🍝 First Fridays at Eataly | 3-7 p.m. | $25 | Streeterville
- 👮🏻♂️ Chicago Leather Pride | 3 p.m. to 4 a.m. | Varies | Edgewater
- 👀 Open Studios at Hubbard Street Lofts | 6-10 p.m. | Free | West Town
- 🎉 AACM 60th Anniversary Concert | 7-9 p.m. | $7-32 | Woodlawn
- 🎼 Scott Joplin’s “Treemonisha” | 7:30 p.m. | $39+ | Loop
- 🍺 ”Drink the Past Dry” | 7:30 p.m. | Suggested Donation | North Center
- 🎭 “Spring Awakenings” | 8 p.m. | $15 | Lincoln Park
- 🍾 Rooftop Party: Lit Fridays | 8 p.m. to Midnight | $20+ | Chinatown
- 🖤 Emo Night | 9 p.m. | $21 | Wicker Park
- 💥 Free Comic Book Day Pre-Party | 9 p.m. | Free | Wrigleyville
- 🎵 Afro Fusion Friday | 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. | Free-$50 | Uptown
Saturday, May 3
- 👮🏻♂️ Chicago Leather Pride | 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. | Varies| Edgewater
- 🚶🏻♀️ Walking Tour | 11 a.m. | Free | Lincoln Square
- 💥 Free Comic Book Day Shop Crawl | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Free | Various Locations
- 🛍️ Chicago Spring Market | 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | $8+ | Ravenswood
- 🍹 Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl | 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | $50+ | Pilsen
- 🥒 Pickle Fest | 11 a.m. | $10+ | Wrigleyville
- 👽 Oddities Flea Market | $25+ | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Fulton Market
- 🤩 "Star Wars: A New Hope" in Navajo | 1-3 p.m. | Free | Gold Coast
- 🎁 Art Mart | 12-3 p.m. | Free | Logan Square
- 🎼 Scott Joplin’s “Treemonisha” | 3 p.m. | $39+ | Loop
- 💪 May Day at Haymarket House | 3-6 p.m. | $25 | Buena Park
- 🍹 Cinco de Mayo Weekend Booze Cruise | 3-6 p.m. | $35+ | South Loop
- 👒 Kentucky Derby Watch Party | 3:30 p.m. | $36 | Bucktown
- 🌹 Kentucky Derby Watch Party | 4:30 p.m. | $25+ | River North
- 🌸 Spring Soiree | 7-10 p.m. | $55+ | Museum of Science and Industry
- 💔 “Heartbroken” | 9:30 p.m. | $25+ | Northalsted
- 🎶 Sirocco Sessions | 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. | $30 | West Loop
Sunday, May 4
- 🍎 First Farmer’s Market | 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Free | Wicker Park
- 🛍️ Chicago Spring Market | 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | $8+ | Ravenswood
- 🍹 Cinco de Mayo Party | 12 p.m. | Free | Lakeview
- 🕺🏻 The Hop Fundraiser | 12-4 p.m. | Apply for Tickets | Loop
- 🛸 “Star Wars” Day | 1-8 p.m. | $10 | Irving Park
- 🎼 Scott Joplin’s “Treemonisha” | 2 p.m. | $39+ | Loop
- 🌮 Pretty Girls Love Tacos presents TACO FEST! | 2-8 p.m. | $20+ | Hyde Park
- 🌌 “Star Wars” Board Gaming | 3-5 p.m. | $10 | Bucktown
- 🤼♀️ Lucha de Mayo | 5-9 p.m. | $20+ | Bedford Park
- 🎭 “Berlin” | 7:30 p.m. | $24+ | Hyde Park
I’ll be blunt. We’ve been plugging the mug for two weeks because, well, it’s a really nice mug. But this is about so much more than the mug, guys. It’s about access to members-only events, it’s about shouting out your fave local business or nonprofit, it’s about supporting local journalism. We love presenting stories that are genuinely interesting to Chicagoans, and we want to keep doing that!
So what are you waiting for? Join now! And I’ll see ya next week! Hopefully, you will be sipping from your new mug ☕ Now is your last chance to get it.
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