City Cast Chicago
🚌 Transit funding. Finally.
November 3, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Happy November! As a scorpio, I can assure you, we are entering a powerful season here in Chicago. The City Cast Chicago team agrees. Today’s podcast highlights ways to help neighbors as well as some soup to try. Also, it might be time to learn to navigate the pedway …
What's CITY Talking About
State Lawmakers Pass Transit Funding
Illinois lawmakers passed a $1.5 billion legislative package early Friday to save CTA, Metra, and Pace from drastic cuts. The governor said he plans on signing the bill into law. To fill transit budget gaps, it calls for:
- Redirecting $860 million in gas tax revenue
- Redirecting $200 million from interest accrued in the state’s Road Fund
- Increased sales taxes around Chicagoland
- A 45-cent hike on road tolls in northern Illinois
The bill also replaces the Regional Transportation Authority with the Northern Illinois Transit Authority. [CBS]
ICE Stories: Broadview Conditions, Facial Recognition, No ID
As “Operation Midway Blitz” continues, more details are coming to light about the inner workings of federal agents in Chicago:
- A new class-action lawsuit alleges “horrific and inhumane” conditions at the facility in Broadview.
- ICE is utilizing Clearview AI for facial recognition, a firm largely barred from doing business in Illinois due to privacy concerns.
- Despite an order from a federal judge, photographs reveal federal officers failing to include “visible identification” on their uniforms. [Sun-Times]
Sponsored Content
Japan's No. 1 Dumpling Hosts Chicago Pop Ups
Japan’s cult-following gyoza brand Ajinomoto is throwing two major free pop-ups to celebrate: November 5 at South Loop’s Jewel-Osco and November 6 at Bronzeville’s Mariano. The massive activations will include a rare sighting of the Ajinomoto food trucks, chef-led demos, tastings, photo-ready social media moments, games, prizes and more
Sponsored Content
Where Holiday Traditions Shine Bright
Step into a festive world filled with twinkling lights and global traditions! Wander among beautifully decorated trees and colorful displays, each celebrating cultures and customs from around the world. Join the festivities and celebrate the beauty of different holiday traditions together at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
What To Do
Monday, Nov. 3
- 🕺🏻 Free Mondays | Empty Bottle | Ukrainian Village
- 🤘 Punk Rock Mondays | Delilah’s | Lincoln Park
- 🎭 “The House That Will Not Stand” | Windy City Playhouse | Irving Park
- 🏆 Black Excellence Awards 2025 | Black Ensemble Theater | Uptown
- 🩸 Blood Drive with the American Red Cross | Sulzer Regional Branch | Lincoln Square
- 🎥 “It Was Just an Accident” | Music Box Theatre | Southport Corridor
- 💅 Grab and Go: Teen & Tween Nail Kits | Bezazian Branch | Uptown
Tuesday, Nov. 4
- 🎶 Six Scores for Yoko Ono | Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago | Streeterville
- 📖 The Chicago Literary Salon Launch | Nic + Junior’s | Streeterville
- 🍎 Lincoln Square Farmers Market | 4513 N. Lincoln Ave.
- 🍽️ Autumn Restaurant Week | Various locations | Andersonville
- 🤣 Patrick Warburton | Zanies Rosemont
- 🎶 The Whistler Jam | The Whistler | Logan Square
- 🎤 Open Mic 014 | Bookclub | Lakeview
- 🖼️ Curator-Led Gallery Tour of “Aquí en Chicago” | Chicago History Museum | Lincoln Park
- 🏀 Bulls vs. 76ers | United Center | Near West Side
🧡 I’m excited to dive into November with you all!
Free · Daily