
City Cast Chicago
🍿 The most Chicago Chicago movies
July 17, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Calling all cinephiles! What’s the ultimate Chicago movie? Is it obvious, like “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” or seminal, like “Cooley High?” Maybe it’s subtle, like “The Weather Man.” Or perhaps it’s “Widows,” all wrapped up in aldermanic conspiracies.
It depends what Chicago, and movies, mean to you.
On today’s podcast, three movie snobs with entirely different tastes debate the best Chicago movies.

👇 Also, news out of City Hall and malls that aren’t dead yet!

What Chicago's Talking About
City Council Fails to Overturn Johnson’s Curfew Veto
In June, Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed an ordinance that would have allowed the police superintendent to set snap curfews for minors. Fewer than 34 alders — the minimum needed — voted to overturn that veto Wednesday. [WTTW]
- Related: All you need to know about the snap curfew debate. [Hey Chicago 💻]

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza Not Seeking Reelection
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced Wednesday that she will not seek a fourth term. During the news conference, she also slammed Johnson as "unsuccessful," seeming to indicate that she’s open for a mayoral run. Mendoza assumed her position as the state’s top fiscal officer in 2016. At that time, she was a fierce critic of then-Gov. Bruce Rauner. [Tribune 🔒]
Artis Venue to Close Following River North Shooting
After four people were recently killed and 14 others wounded outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge, Ald. Brendan Reilly pushed to revoke the new business’ license. Now, Artis has announced it’s closing permanently. [City Cast Chicago, Instagram]

Neighborhood Shoutouts
Every once in a while, we like to highlight recs from City Cast Chicago Neighbors. To plug your favorite business or nonprofit, become a member today.
This week, Joe D. is shouting out Escencia Urban Kitchen in Lakeview: “This family-owned restaurant never disappoints. The food is amazing and the service is great. I have been here many times and I am always happy when I leave. They do brunch and lunch. This place is always packed, so plan ahead. I am told by someone I trust that they have some of the best chilaquiles in the city.”
As a chilaquiles fiend, Joe, I thank you for this shoutout.

What To Do
Thursday, July 17
- 🧑🎤 “Dreamgirls” Singalong | Logan Center for the Arts | Woodlawn
- 🎳 Strike Homelessness: Bowl for a Cause | Avondale Bowl
- 🏮 Argyle Night Market | Argyle Street from Kenmore to Sheridan | Uptown
- 🎤 Not That Late Show | Steppenwolf Theatre | Old Town
- 🍎 Farmers Market + DJ Lip Gloss | Austin Town Hall Park | Austin
- 🎵 Comfort Music: Jesse Perlstein & Norman Long | Comfort Station | Logan Square
- 🖼️ Art After Work: Superhero Portrait Slam | Intuit | River West
- 🏳️🌈 Werk: Chicago's Premiere Queer Comedy Show | Lincoln Lodge | Bucktown
- ⁉️ ”Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me” | Fine Arts Building | Loop
- 🎶 Father John Misty | The Salt Shed | Goose Island
- 🎞️ 2025 Cinema Femme Short Film Fest opening | Music Box Theatre | Southport Corridor
- 🖼️ Conversation: Caillebotte, Sailing, and Society from Mackinac to the Seine | The Art Institute of Chicago | Loop
- 💥 Quimby’s Show & Tell with Rachel Hays | Quimby's | Wicker Park
- ☕️ A Skoli Moly Madd Tea Party | Cafe Mustache | Logan Square
- 🚇 CTA Chat | Forest Park Blue Line
- 🍺 Politico Playbook Live! with Brian Johnson | Hideout Chicago | Bucktown
- 🪦 Beyond the Gate | Bohemian National Cemetery | North Park
Friday, July 18
- 🍔 Roscoe Village Burger Fest | Belmont Avenue between Damen and Leavitt
- 🎉 West Fest | West Town
- 🚎 Bronzeville Art District Trolley Tour | Bronzeville Artist Lofts
- 🍽️ Taste of River North | Wells Street between Ontario and Huron Streets
- 📕 Grown Up Book Fair | First Sip Cafe | Uptown
- 🍹 Mocktails and More | Morton Arboretum | Lisle
- 🌮 Tacos y Tamales | Blue Island Avenue between Ashland and Wolcott | Pilsen
- 🍺 Horner BrewFest 2025 | Horner Park | Irving Park
- 🦸 “We Need A Hero” art exhibition | Bridgeport Art Center
- 🕺🏻 DSTRKT DISKO | DSTRKT | Wicker Park
- 🎨 Kathleen Cecelia Nesbitt: Women Embodied | Timeless Arts Gallery & Studio | Lakeview
- 🤯 Unleashed Consciousness | Fulton Street Collective | West Loop
💥 Flash! New speed camera alert! The city is adding six new cameras: two in West Lawn, one in Pasteur Park, one near LaVillita Park, one in McKinley Park, and one in Roseland.
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