City Cast Chicago
🤨 Wait, what’s up with the National Guard?
September 3, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
A beef billionaire! That’s Dick Portillo’s legacy. In Forbes' recent cover story, the Portillo’s founder opens up about “selling out” — private equity took over the homegrown chain in 2014. (Did you notice a quality decline?)
Portillo then bought back some stores and enjoys being a landlord. “If they default or go under, I still have a good piece of property,” he says. Spoken like a true billionaire.
Now, onto less greasy news 👇
What Chicago's Talking About
So … What’s Up With the National Guard?
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that President Donald Trump broke the law by sending the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles in June. The ruling came after Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order calling on Trump to “stand down” from deploying armed forces to Chicago. Meanwhile, Trump doubled down on threats Tuesday — and so did Gov. JB Pritzker in opposing them. [NBC, Block Club, Triibe]
Tips For the End of Farmers Market Season
It’s not too late to enjoy farmers market season. That’s why we’ve got advanced tips for local shoppers. On today’s podcast, the City Cast Chicago team discusses some common mistakes and how to make the most of the next few weeks. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
CHA CEO Vote Stalls, Interim CEO Steps Down
As the Chicago Housing Authority delays voting on the appointment of former Ald. Walter Burnett as CEO, interim CEO Angela Hurlock has stepped down. The news comes following a request from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development not to appoint Burnett before it can review potential conflicts of interest. For now, interim board chair Matthew Brewer will take over CEO duties. [Tribune 🔒]
- Related: What happened with the CHA’s Plan for Transformation? [Hey Chicago 💻]
Kraft Heinz Is Breaking Up
Ten years after their megamerger, Kraft Heinz is breaking into two separate companies. Kraft, which is based in Chicago, split from its original snack division (now Mondelez International) in 2011. Currently, Kraft Heinz said there are no plans to change its local headquarters locations. [Sun-Times]
- Related: Yes, I tried the Heinz ketchup smoothie. [City Cast Chicago 📱]
What To Do
Wednesday, Sep. 3
- 🎆 Bottomless Margaritas & Fireworks | Riverwalk | Loop
- 📚 “Some Newberry Librarians Went Shopping, and Then...” | Newberry Library | Near North Side
- 🎥 "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" | Rooftop Cinema Club | Fulton Market
- 🍎 Green City Market | 1817 N Clark St. | Lincoln Park
- ⚾️ Cubs vs. Braves | Wrigley Field
- 🎶 Finn Wolfard + The Slaps | Thalia Hall | Pilsen
- 🍌 Pullman Farmers Market | 11100 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
- 🏀 Sky vs. Suns | Wintrust Arena | McCormick Square
- 🕺🏻 Pisco Disco | Tanta Cocina Peruana | Streeterville
- 🎥 He Never Dies: Films from Kalil Haddad and Luther Price | Elastic Arts | Logan Square
- 🍷 Art + Wine Tasting with Shall We Wine | 21c Museum Hotel Chicago
- 🌀 Erotic Hypnosis: a class and demonstration | Leather Archives & Museum | Edgewater
Thursday, Sep. 4
- 🎵 DuSummer Thursdays | DuSable Museum | Washington Park
- 📖 Storytime | 57th Street Books | Hyde Park
- 👟 2nd Annual Hyde Park Best Steppers Contest | Harper Court
- 🍎 Daley Plaza Farmers Market | Loop
- 🏐 Electric Anniversary |North Avenue Beach | Lincoln Park
- 🎇 Summer & Fall Afterwork Sunset Cruises on Lake Michigan | Anita Dee II | DuSable Harbor
- 🔈 Sonorous Somatics 005 | Blanc Gallery | Bronzeville
- 🏠 Let the walls bleed out / A vaulted room for future feelings | Lillstreet Art Center | Ravenswood
- 🎤 Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me | Studebaker Theater | Loop
- 📷 Channeling: body ←Image→ viewer | Museum of Contemporary Photography | Loop
- 🎵 The Black Keys | Huntington Bank Pavilion | Northerly Island
- 🍗 2025 Chef BBQ | 1817 N Clark St. | Lincoln Park
Spotted Monday night, in front of Daisies in Logan Square:
Your move, Daisies — bring the gnocchi back!
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