City Cast Chicago
🌈 Did you see that double rainbow?
June 6, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Double rainbow! I was having a rough day until I looked up around 7 p.m. Wednesday evening. That’s when I saw it — pictured here above the historic Freeze (soon-to-be Small Cheval 🙄).
People on Armitage Avenue gathered and watched the sky together for a few muggy minutes.
Afterward, I went to Moody’s Pub and had a cheeseburger that was equally majestic.
⁉️ Now, onto the news, the quiz — and another Rainbo(w) story.
What Chicago's Talking About
ICE Clash With Protesters During Mass Chicago Arrest
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained 10 people Wednesday in South Loop who were told to check into a monitoring program. As reports of the arrests quickly spread, protesters and alders arrived and scuffled with ICE. Ald. Anthony Quezada (35th) said agents pushed him to the ground. [WBEZ]
- Related: Here’s what to do if you spot ICE activity. [ICIRR]
Analyzing Sexual Assault Within CPD
A joint investigation into sexual assault within Chicago Police Department has led to a first-of-its-kind analysis. Invisible Institute’s Maria Inés Zamudio and Dana Brozost-Kelleher led the investigation and discuss those findings on today’s podcast. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
City Minimum Wage Increases Next Month
Raises are coming July 1. Chicago’s minimum hourly wage will increase to $16.60. Meanwhile, the tipped minimum wage will increase 8% annually, from $12.62, until it matches the standard minimum in 2028. Paid time off requirements are also increasing to guarantee many employees five days of time off and five days of sick leave. [ABC 7]
- Related: How much should you tip? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Reinsdorf to Sell Chicago White Sox in 2029 — Maybe
Jerry Reinsdorf, who owns the White Sox and the Chicago Bulls, has reached an agreement with fellow billionaire Justin Ishbia that may transfer Sox ownership. But it will take a while. Ishbia will come on as a limited partner this year, and Reinsdorf will have the option to sell his controlling interest to Ishbia between 2029 and 2033. [Tribune 🔒]
This Week’s Must-Read
Rainbo Club opened in 1985, and it’s as popular as ever. (Last Saturday, the bar was shoulder-to-shoulder before 10 p.m., everyone clinging tightly to cheap, splashing drinks.) Ken Ellis, Rainbo’s bartender, bouncer, and resident quiltmaker, has been around for all of it. This profile highlights Ellis’ iconic nightlife resume and teases his upcoming retrospective at the bar. [Block Club]
Take This Week's News Quiz
We spend all week bringing the news straight to your inbox. You better be paying attention! Time to test your knowledge.
What To Do
Friday, June 6
- 🚶🏽♂️ March Against Gun Violence | 3 p.m. | Free | Austin
- 🎸 Chicago Blues Festival | 3:45-9 p.m. | Free | Millennium Park
- 🍗 Ribfest | 5-10 p.m. | Suggested Donation | North Center
- 🇬🇷 Lincoln Park Greek Fest | 5-11 p.m. | Free | Lincoln Park
- 🎶 Anything Goes: Hip Hop, R&B and More | 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. | Free-$9 | Hyde Park
- 💕 Date Night | 7:30 p.m. | $30 | Pilsen
- 🎤 Kendrick Lamar | 7:30 p.m. | $290+ | Soldier Field
- 🎭 "Back Bone" | 7:30 | $29 | Hyde Park
- 🎵 Annie DiRusso | 8 p.m. | $33 | Pilsen
- 🎶 Blank Hellscape in the Game Room | 8:30 p.m. | Free | Loop
- 🖼️ ART on the Mart | 9 p.m. | Free | Riverwalk
- 🏳️🌈 WIGS — A Queer Dance Party | 9 p.m. | $8 | Avondale
Saturday, June 7
- 🎨 Gold Coast Art Fair | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Free | Grant Park
- 🖼️ 57th Street Art Fair | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Free | Hyde Park
- 🍗 Ribfest | Noon to 10 p.m. | Suggested Donation | North Center
- 🇬🇷 Lincoln Park Greek Fest | Noon to 11 p.m. | Free | Lincoln Park
- 💥 Alison Bechdel on “Spent”: A Comic Novel | 2-3:15 p.m. | $56 | The Art Institute of Chicago
- 🎸 Chicago Blues Festival | 3:45-9 p.m. | Free | Millennium Park
- 🎵 Jim Jarmusch and Jozef van Wissem in Concert | 7-8:15 p.m. | $56 | The Art Institute of Chicago
- 🎶 Vinyl Set: Karl Almaria | 7-10 p.m. | TBD | Pilsen
Sunday, June 8
- 🖼️ 57th Street Art Fair | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Free | Hyde Park
- 🎨 Gold Coast Art Fair | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Free | Grant Park
- 🍗 Ribfest | Noon to 10 p.m. | Suggested Donation | North Center
- 🇬🇷 Lincoln Park Greek Fest | Noon to 10 p.m. | Free | Lincoln Park
- 🎤 Former Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern in Conversation | 1-2 p.m. | $56 | Evanston
- 🎵 House Music is Home | 3-8 p.m. | $34 | Navy Pier
- 🎸 Chicago Blues Festival | 3:30-9 p.m. | Free | Millennium Park
- 🎵 Brooklyn Britches & The Whispers | 6-8 p.m. | Free | Riverwalk
Two more things:
- In yesterday’s newsletter, I misspelled Urbana-Champaign as Urbana-Champagne. Sorry I’m classy. Just kidding, I have no excuse except to say champagne is always on my mind 🍾Thanks to reader Anne S. for catching!
- Bad Bunny is trying to save a rare toad, which you can find at Brookfield Zoo.
Free · Daily