City Cast Chicago
🐕🦺 Are CTA K-9s actual cops?
December 15, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Hey guys … I won’t sugarcoat it. We have not hit our membership goal for this year. But it’s not too late! It’s never too late to support independent journalism in Chicago.
To sweeten the deal, if you sign up to be a City Cast Chicago Neighbor today, you still can still get the City Cast Chicago beanie. But this is really the last chance now. Seriously.
What's CITY Talking About
Ascending Power Players in Chicago Politics
Back in January, we discussed the most powerful people in Chicago. But a lot has changed since then … or has it? TV host Brandon Pope and the Tribune’s A.D. Quig are back on today’s podcast to discuss how power is shifting across Chicagoland in light of recent retirements — and which power players might emerge in 2026. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Greg Bovino Always Wanted the Spotlight
Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino, whose department carried out thousands of arrests during “Operation Midway Blitz,” found early inspiration in a Clint Eastwood movie. (Of course, in “Border Patrol,” those agents are the villains.) Today, his bravado and bombastic posts define his public persona. [WBEZ]
Museum Workers are Unionizing
In the last four years, workers from the Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Shedd Aquarium, Newberry Library, and recently, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, have unionized. Adler Planetarium and Chicago Botanic Garden are organizing too. The trend persists despite this “precarious” time for museums. [Sun-Times]
A Potential Crackdown on Unregulated Slot Machines
Sweepstakes machines, as they’re called, operate like slot machines but with non-cash prizes due to a legal loophole. They’re also unregulated and untaxed. A new proposal from Ald. William Hall (6th) would ban them. [Block Club]
- Did You Know: Bally’s started in Chicago with pinball machines. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
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What To Do
Monday, Dec. 15
- 🕺🏻 Free Mondays | Empty Bottle | Ukrainian Village
- 🎞️ “Christmas in Chicago” | Facets | Lincoln Park
- 🤘 Punk Rock Mondays | Delilah’s | Lincoln Park
- 🎞️ “Mixed Christmas” | Dorothy | Humboldt Park
- 🧑🎄 "Mrs. Claus! A Holiday Musical" | Beverly Arts Center
- 🧟 "28 Years Later" | Avalon Branch
- 🎶 Jam Session | Cole’s Bar | Logan Square
Tuesday, Dec. 16
- 🕎 Chanukah in Downtown Chicago | Daley Plaza | Loop
- 🎤 Radiate | Kimball Arts Center | Humboldt Park
- 🛍️ Oddball Market | Empty Bottle | Ukranian Village
- 🎥 "The Unholy Three" | Gene Siskel Film Center | Loop
- 🎤 Pop Up Karaoke | Carol’s Pub | Uptown
- 🎶 Strictly Christmas Music | Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture | Roscoe Village
Once again, thank you so much to all the members who did sign up during this campaign cycle. I know a lot of organizations need money right now and from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate you spending your dollars with City Cast Chicago. It goes a long, long way.
And with that, I want to warmly welcome our newest Neighbors: Jonathan L., Monica H., Kim M., Sue M., Lorraine K., Annette S., Abby R., Mark B., Joseph S., Jamaque N., Timothy G., and Heather B.
🤩 I can’t wait for you to see what’s in store.
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