City Cast Chicago
🤔 What can the National Guard even do?
September 8, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Hey Chicago! Welp, it didn’t happen. Despite ongoing threats — and one wackadoodle meme — the National Guard did not arrive in Chicago this past weekend.
What next? Who knows. In the meantime, we’ve got a primer for ya on what National Guard troops are even allowed to do, plus other major headlines from the weekend.
What's CITY Talking About?
Trump's New Threat to Chicago
According to President Donald Trump, “Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.” ICYMI, Trump rebranded the Department of Defense and promptly threatened Chicago in a post on Truth Social. The caption accompanied a cartoon image of the city ablaze with references to "Apocalypse Now.” As Gov. JB Pritzker put it: “This is not normal.” [Sun-Times]
Protests — and Mexican Independence Day Parade — Continue in Chicago
Thousands of demonstrators gathered downtown Saturday night to protest Trump’s ongoing threats to send the National Guard and immigration enforcement into Chicago. The same day, the 24th annual Mexican Independence Day Parade took place in Pilsen, though on a smaller scale than usual. [NPR]
Walter Burnett's Son Tapped For City Council
Mayor Brandon Johnson has appointed Walter Redmond Burnett as alder of the 27th Ward. If confirmed by City Council, Burnett will replace his father, Walter Burnett, in the role. The elder Burnett was alder for 30 years and might become Chicago Housing Authority’s next CEO. [Block Club]
- Related: Do you know your alder nepo babies? [Hey Chicago 💻]
The Big Threat to Chicago’s Drinking Water
The proliferation of big data centers could deplete water sources around the Great Lakes. On today’s podcast, Helena Volzer, senior water policy manager for the Great Lakes Alliance, explains why data centers use so much water and what that could mean for our drinking water supply. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
What To Do
Monday, Sep. 8
- 🎤 The Moth Chicago StorySLAM: Themeless | The Den Theatre | West Town
- 🍎 Loyola's Farmers Market | Loyola Plaza | Rogers Park
- 🤘 Punk Rock Mondays | Delilah’s | Lincoln Park
- 🏈 Bears vs. Vikings | Soldier Field
- 🍌 Edgewater Farmers Market | Broadway Avenue and Thorndale Avenue
- 🎤 Make Some Noise Open Mic | Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar | Bridgeport
- 📖 A Constellation of Stories | The Hoxton | West Loop
- 🦍 "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" | McKinley Park Branch
- 💃 Tango on Clark | Gallagher Way | Wrigleyville
- 🎷 Tom Tom's Big Band | The Arts Lawn | Washington Park
- 🌕 Full Moon Jam | Palmisano Park | Bridgeport
Tuesday, Sep. 9
- 🚇 Save Chicago Transit: The Show | Second City | Old Town
- 🎷 2nd Tuesday Jazz Jam | St. Moses the Black Parish | Greater Grand Crossing
- 🕺🏻 Pisco Disco | Tanta Cocina Peruana | River North
- 🎥 “Wanda” | Gene Siskel Film Center | Loop
- 🌠 Starry Night with a Chicago Astronomer | Skinner Park | Near West Side
- 🍎 Lincoln Square Farmers Market | 4513 N. Lincoln Ave.
- 🎤 Bonnie Raitt | Chicago Theatre | Loop
- 🛍️ Low-Line Market | Southport Brown Line | Lakeview
- 🎤 Whose Live Anyway? | Harris Theater | Loop
💒 If you ever fantasized about getting married at the venue from “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” I’ve got some bad news for you … But IMO, it’s only the second-best Chicago rom-com.
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