City Cast Chicago
🌯 Psst! Chicago pop-ups you wanna know
June 2, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Hey Chicago! Did you know that The Admiral Theatre is not just a strip club? First built as a vaudeville house, the terra cotta time warp has stood on Lawrence Avenue since 1927. Intermittently abandoned, it served as a cartoon theater and an adult movie house before becoming the X-rated club you know (and may love) today. But, I recently learned The Admiral also hosts concerts and BYOB pro-wrestling!
👇 Now, onto the news!
What Chicago's Talking About
State Passes a Budget Without Fixing Transit Hole
Just minutes before the Saturday night deadline, the Illinois General Assembly passed a $55 billion budget balanced with spending cuts and an $800 million slate of tax hikes, including on tobacco products and online sports betting. However, transit bailout legislation failed to pass the House. That means the CTA could face major cuts — soon. [WGN]
- Related: What is the CTA’s ‘fiscal cliff’? [Hey Chicago 💻]
Chicago’s Merging Its Shelter Systems. How’s It Going?
It’s been almost three years since migrants were first bused to Chicago. Now, the city is combining the shelter systems for newer migrants and homeless people. In Hyde Park, that means a temporary shelter is becoming permanent — which has sparked debate. On today’s podcast, Hyde Park Herald’s Zoe Pharo and South Side Weekly’s Jackie Serrato discuss the pushback and the perspectives of shelter residents. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Pope Leo Event Tix Hit $1,200+ on StubHub
Tickets to Rate Field’s official Pope Leo XIV celebration-mass went live Thursday morning for $5 a piece. Within hours, some were appearing on StubHub for more than $1,200. Just remember: Pope Leo isn’t actually going to be there, though he will appear through a holy video message. [Sun-Times]
- Related: Illinois is cracking down on ‘junk fees.’ [Hey Chicago 💻]
‘DMV’ Hit You Up? Don't Text Back!
Nothing sucks more than when you’re wishing a certain guy would text you and, oh look, it’s the DMV! (No, just me?) Anyway, no matter how lonely you are, do not text back. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has warned that recent texts purporting to be from “the “Illinois State Department of Motor Vehicles” are fake. [Block Club]
Chicago-Based Oreo Maker Sues Aldi
Snack giant Mondelez International is taking Aldi to court over copycat packaging. Mondelez claims Aldi’s boxes for their own (knock-off) versions of Wheat Thins, Oreos, Ritz Crackers, Nutter Butters, and Nilla Wafers crackers are so similar as to “deceive and confuse customers.” [WGN]
- Related: All these beloved snacks have Chicago roots. [Hey Chicago 💻]
What To Do
Monday, June 2
- ☕️ Café Con Pilates | 7 a.m. | Suggested Donation | Lincoln Park
- 🙂 The Smiley Tillmon Band | 7 p.m. | Free | Beverly
- 🛳️ Sunset Cruise on Lake Michigan | 7:30 p.m. | $27+ | DuSable Harbor
- 🎱 Charity Bingo | 7-10 p.m. | TBD | Logan Square
- 🎵 Samia | 8 p.m. | $34 | Pilsen
- 🤣 The Best of the Second City | 8 p.m. | $46 | Old Town
- 🎭 The Truth About Love: The Musical | 8 p.m. | $17 | Lakeview
- 🕺🏻 Free Mondays | 9 p.m. | Free | Ukrainian Village
Tuesday, June 3
- 🎨 Mosaic Art Making | Various Times | $45 | Bronzeville
- 🚉 Low Line Market | 3-7 p.m. | Free | Southport Brown Line
- 🌮 Taco Tuesday Takeover | Free Admission | 4 p.m. to Midnight | Forest Park
- ⁉️ Trivia at Sterling | 5-7 p.m. | TBD | Loop
- 📕 Bookclub in June: “Hitchhiker’s Guide” | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Free | Lincoln Park
- 📖 Authors on Tap: Melissa Febos and Jessica Hopper | 7-8 p.m. | Free | Loop
- 😂 Giggle Hour | 7-8:30 p.m. | $12 | Bucktown
- 🎭 “She Who Dared” | 7:30 p.m. | $60+ | Loop
- 🎶 Chappell Roan versus Olivia Rodrigo | 8-11 p.m. | Free | Humboldt Park
- ✊ Rock Paper Scissors | Free| 9 p.m. | Logan Square
Also, did you see how hazy it was on Friday?! Reminded me of our podcast on potentially hazardous air quality 🤔
Free · Daily