City Cast Chicago
🍕 Is Pizza City Fest worth it?
August 20, 2025 · – Emmi Mack
Hey pizza lovers! Today, we’ve got the former Hungry Hound aka Steve Dolinsky on the podcast. You know his face — it hangs proudly in restaurants all over the city.
This weekend, the bonafide Food Guy is putting on Pizza City Fest for the third year. It’s something of a redemption tour following a disastrous day in 2023. Steve dishes on what’s new this time — plus Chicago-style pizza and other iconic local foods.
We’ve also got some pizza recs of our own. And, of course, your daily news. Let’s dig in 🍕
What Chicago's Talking About
Pritzker Vetoes Nonprofit Investment Bill. Why?
Gov. JB Pritzker just blocked a bill that would have paved the way to create a state investment pool for nonprofits and labor organizations. The move puts Pritzker at odds with some state Democrats, but the governor says he wants to avoid "extremist" groups benefiting. [Tribune 🔒]
Target Fires Hundreds of Little Village Warehouse Workers Over Benefits Scheme
Workers found a glitch in the company’s medical loan program allowing them to pay back just $50 of loans exceeding $3,000. Between 400 and 700 employees have been terminated so far. [Block Club]
Was There Really a Sonic Boom at Air and Water Show?
I know the Air and Water Show always seems like it’s sonic booming, but in reality, an object must travel faster than the speed of sound to create that shock wave. That’s fast. However, an expert says planes rehearsing for the recent show did indeed go supersonic. (Windows shattered!) The U.S. Air Force denies the boom. [Sun-Times]
Sponsored Content
The Global Phenomenon now live on stage!
Blending theatre, gaming and one-of-a-kind storytelling, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern is a live interactive fantasy adventure that’s never the same twice. Featuring special weekly guest stars, no D&D experience is required to have an epic quest. Choose your heroes, battle monsters, and steer the story in real time. Get Tickets Now at BroadwayInChicago.com.
What To Do
Wednesday, Aug. 20
- 🎆 Fireworks | Navy Pier
- 🕺🏻 Pisco Disco | Tanta Cocina Peruana | Streeterville
- 🍷 Wine Fest on the Beach | Shore Club | North Avenue Beach
- 🎥 Fugue State Film Festival | Comfort Station | Logan Square
- 🔉 The Intimate Register | Experimental Sound Studio | Ravenswood
- 🇨🇳 Confluence & Reflection | CSI Project Space | Bucktown
- 🌳 if a tree falls | Roman Susan | Rogers Park
- 🍹 Bottomless Margaritas & Fireworks on the Riverwalk | 6:30-9 p.m. | $42 | Riverwalk
- 🎥 "Swoon" | Chicago History Museum | Lincoln Park
- 🎵 Hiatus Kaiyote | Riviera Theatre | Uptown
- 🎞️ “Casablanca” | Lake Shore Park
Thanks to Hey Chicago reader Jenn A. for sharing her most Chicago day: Kayaking in the river from Ping Tom Park, lunch in Chinatown, a disco nap, then a concert at the Salt Shed (with dinner beforehand at Goose Island).
That sounds like a perfectly epic day to me, Jenn.
Free · Daily