City Cast Chicago
🐶 Pet overload in Chicago
May 28, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Hey Chicago! The Illinois General Assembly ends its session this week — and the CTA’s fiscal cliff is still approaching. Meanwhile, (some) junk fees might be on the chopping block. More on that below 👇
Let’s get into it!
What Chicago's Talking About
City-Run Animal Shelter Sounds SOS
Chicago Animal Care and Control is facing a major surge in pet surrenders, taking in an average of 56 pets per day so far in May. The overcrowded shelter is now providing resources for pet owners, like food, to stop some from giving up their pets. [Block Club]
- Related: Learn more about how Chicago’s only city-run animal shelter accepts ALL animals. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Old Fashioned Donuts Goes Viral
Burritt Bulloch has been frying up donuts for over 50 years. Now, the 86-year-old owner of Old Fashioned Donuts is going viral thanks to his granddaughter’s TikToks. It’s a boon to business, with viewers making a pilgrimage to the classic Far South Side bakery. Get ‘em while they’re hot — the store is temporarily closing next month for renovations. [Sun-Times]
- Related: A visit to Old Fashioned Donuts — and more. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Chicago's Anti-Violence Orgs Face Layoffs
Think Outside Da Block, a violence prevention nonprofit in Englewood, laid off five of 10 outreach employees after the cancellation of federal grants. Grant cuts hit other organizations too, even as homicides have declined following these violence prevention efforts. [Tribune 🔒]
- Related: Here’s what Chicago peacekeepers do. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Get Ready for Farmers Marketmania
Chicago farmers market season is officially upon us — but do you have the right etiquette? On today’s podcast episode, we’re sharing our favorite local farmers markets plus tips on how to make the most of them. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
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What To Do
Wednesday, May 28
- 💪 Workforce Wednesday | 11 a.m. | Free | Pilsen
- 🚶🏼♀️ Afternoon Walking Tour | Noon | | Free | Streeterville
- 🎸 Golden Hour Ft. Luciano Antonio | 5-8 p.m. | Free | Near West Side
- 🍷 Art + Wine Guided Tour | 6-8 p.m. | $13 | Streeterville
- 📚 Chicago Book Club | 6 p.m. | | $23 Lincoln Park
- 🧩 Wind Down Wednesdays: Adult Bingo Night | 6-7 p.m. | Free | South Chicago
- 🌺 Tropical Wednesdays | 6-8 p.m. | | $10 | Near West Side
- 📄 AIGA Chicago Paper Show | 6-9:30 p.m. | $18 | Near West Side
- 🍷 Wine Down Wednesdays | 6:30 p.m. | $35 | Morgan Park
- 🪴 Houseplant Workshop | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | $75+ | Irving Park
- 😡 The Feud Trivia | 7 p.m. | Free | Wrigleyville
- 🗞️ Jonathon Capeheart: Yet Here I Am | 7-8:15 p.m. | $48 | Loop
- 🎤 Tim Fitzgerald Guitar Trio ft. Janvier Jones | 7-10 p.m. | $15 | Rogers Park
- 🧸 “The Antiquities” | 7:30 p.m. | $33+ | Loop
- 😵💫 Performance: Pleiades at IMSS | 7:30 | $15 | Gold Coast
Thursday, May 29
- 🧶 Crafty Kids | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Free | Bronzeville
- 🍄 The Shroom Room: An Interactive Mushroom Workshop | 6 p.m. | $10 | North Lawndale
- ✍️ Chicago’s Youth Poet Laureate Ceremony | 7-9 p.m. | Free | Loop
- 🇯🇲 Reggae Express ft. Hurricane | 7-10 p.m. | $15 | West Loop
- 🎤 Raq Baby | 7-10 p.m. | $30+ | Hyde Park
- 🤼 OnlyWrestlers Chi-Town Beat Down | 7:30-10:30 | $39 | Albany Park
- 👠 Drag Trivia Thursdays | 7 p.m. | $71 dinner package | Nothalsted
- 🍷 Pretty Girls Love Thursdays | 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. | Free-$15 | West Loop
📝 Poets — don’t forget that applications to become Chicago’s next poet laureate are due Thursday. That same evening, you can also catch Chicago’s youth finalists performing at Harold Washington Library!
Free · Daily