City Cast Chicago
🗑️ Chicago’s almost-junk credit status
August 4, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Tired, Chicago? It was a long weekend full of Lollapalooza chaos, aftershows, afterparties, art fests — and to top it off, bad air! Meanwhile, the city can’t seem to catch a break.
Chicago is facing a $1.2 billion budget gap. Last year's contentious budget battle led to an agency downgrading Chicago’s credit rating … but does Chicago’s credit rating really matter? On today’s podcast, DePaul University professor Amanda Kass explains how municipal credit ratings work and why Chicago is close to “junk” — yes, junk — status.
What Chicago's Talking About
Neighbors Against Proposed Housing in Austin
A plan to add a new housing development on Harlem Avenue in Austin was shot down by neighbors and the alderman. The five-story building would have added 80 market-rate units, but critics say the area is already congested. They also raised concerns over parking and potentially slower police responses. [Block Club]
- Related: Is affordable housing actually affordable? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Moody Bible Institute Lays Off 9% of Staff
Moody Bible Institute quietly laid off roughly 9% of its staff last month amid a steep drop in enrollment numbers. Just 141 freshmen attended the Catholic school in 2023 — down from 400 eight years ago — which reflects national trends. However, officials say the institute’s revenue remains steady. [Tribune 🔒]
Ravyn Lenae Stops by Alma Mater ChiArts
Rising (or longtime, depending who you ask) star Ravyn Lenae stopped by her old West Town high school, ChiArts, and spoke about taking advantage of arts training. On Friday, the Chicago native performed at Lollapalooza. [Sun-Times]
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What To Do
Monday, Aug. 4
- ✍️ Poetry Readings & Open Mic | The Green at 320 | West Loop
- 🧙🏽 “Wicked” | Lake Shore Park | Streeterville
- 🌅 Summer & Fall Afterwork Sunset Cruises on Lake Michigan | Anita Dee | DuSable Harbor
- 🥂 “Casablanca“ | Portage Park
- 🎷 Chicago Jazz Orchestra | Jazz Showcase | South Loop
- 🕺🏻 Free Mondays | Empty Bottle | Ukrainian Village
- 🎤 Make Some Noise Open Mic | Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar | Bridgeport
- 🎷 First Monday Jazz: TocaLive | The Arts Lawn | Washington Park
- 🍺 Industry Night | The Hideout | West Town
- 🤘 Punk Rock Mondays | Delilah’s | Lincoln Park
Tuesday, Aug. 5
- 📖 "Original Sins" Book Talk | Newberry Library | Near North Side
- 💍 “My Best Friend’s Wedding” | Millennium Park
- ⚾️ Cubs vs. Reds | Wrigley Field
- 🍽️ Maria’s Patio Jam | Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar | Bridgeport
- 🏀 Sky vs. Mystics | Wintrust Arena | South Loop
- 🌮 Taco Tuesday | Spicy Taco | Logan Square
- 🎭 “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” | Sauganash Park
- 🌪️ "Twisters" | Sulzer Regional Branch | Lincoln Square
- 📖 "A Tale of Mirth & Magic" Book Launch | Women & Children First | Andersonville
- 🎲 Tabletop Game Night | Northtown Branch | Rogers Park
- ⁉️ Trivia | Lizzie McNeill's Irish Pub | Streeterville
- 💪 Backyard Basics Fitness Club | 1928 N. Richmond St. | Logan Square
- 🎨 Paint Pottery | Color Cocktail Factory | Pilsen
- 💃🏻 CuuuTeee Dance Fitness | Austin Lo'ren Dance Academy & Boutique | South Loop
- 🎶 Kokoroko | Thalia Hall | Pilsen
- 👠 “Barbie” | Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens | South Loop
- 🌊 Out Our Front Door | Rainbow Beach Park | South Shore
- 🧙🏽♀️ “Wicked” | Walsh Playground Park | West Town
- 🎥 “Despicable Me 4” | West Lawn Park
One more art shoutout! I recently stumbled into Positive Space Studios and scored a beautiful floral painting by Katie Meuser. She was co-showing with Audrey Jewell, and their pieces, organized by purple and red tones, were a fun visual frenzy.
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