🚨 This hospital could close this weekend

CPS Budget Crunch Time and Weiss Hospital Closing

There’s a lot of Chicago stories to track this weekend. The clock is running out for Chicago Public Schools to solve its $734 million dollar problem. Weiss Memorial Hospital in Uptown could shut down very soon. Meanwhile, the city’s investment in Pullman is seeing real returns. On today’s podcast, Axios Chicago’s Carrie Shepherd and The Triibe’s Corli Jay stop by to break it all down — and offer some Bears preseason chatter. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

A Steep Drop in Shootings Where ShotSpotter Was Removed

Nearly a year after ShotSpotter sensors were turned off in 12 South and West side neighborhoods, those areas are seeing fewer shootings and homicides. New data shows an approximate 18% drop in violent crime and a 37.5% decrease in homicides during the first six months of 2025, year over year. Initially, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to drop ShotSpotter was controversial. [WTTW]

Martyrs' Memorial Concert To Benefit Young Musicians

The annual Chucky Ar La Fest at Martyrs’ honors Charlie Sullivan, a late Chicago musician. (I often saw Charlie growing up, going to concerts and hanging out in parks on the North Side.) Sullivan died of accidental fentanyl poisoning when he was just 23. This year’s event takes place Saturday and will raise money to support young local musicians. [Block Club]

This Week’s Must-Read

Greektown was once a cultural powerhouse, the birthplace of flaming saganaki. (Opa!) But the four blocks have lost a lot of Greek restaurants over the past decade, all while Fulton Market transforms the surrounding area. This article dives into the strip’s history, from Greek immigration up through high-rise development, and asks whether Greektown’s due for a revival. [Crain’s]

Another busy week, another Chicago news quiz. This one includes some juicy hamburger content. Pun intended. Test your knowledge!