City Cast Chicago
🖐️ What Chicago kids want grown-ups to know
January 8, 2026 · — Emmi Mack
Hey Chicago! Say what you will about the later days of Berlin night club, but the dance floor was wild — from its opening in 1983 to its closing 40 years later. This lovely piece recalls the giant, cabaret-style mural that hung above the bar for decades, watching over the chaos …
Now, onto the news and snow plow politics 👇
What's CITY Talking About
Schakowsky Backs Evanston Mayor to Fill Her Congressional Seat
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (9th) has endorsed Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss to succeed her, citing his “progressive values.” The 80-year-old Schakowsky has represented the North Side district, which includes Evanston, since 1999. The race to replace her is crowded. [Politico]
- Related: What big-time retirements mean for Illinois politics. [Hey Chicago 💻]
Chicago History Museum CEO Out Amid Unionization Efforts
Chicago History Museum CEO Donald E. Lassere is leaving his post after nearly five years. The move comes after a tense year at the museum. Following unionization efforts, four staff members were fired and four were laid off. Workers say they were “intimidated, harassed, and bullied.” [Sun-Times]
Chicago Kids in Their Own Words
With federal funding for child care and education uncertain, we visited an after-school program, the Carole Robertson Center for Learning in Albany Park. The kids there told us what they think Chicago adults ought to know, and staffers shared why these programs matter. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
'Missing Middle' Housing Initiative Breaks Ground in Lawndale
Construction has begun on a series of market-rate two-flats in North Lawndale as part of an effort to increase middle housing in Chicago. Middle housing is housing that’s between a large apartment building and a single-family home. The city hopes it will attract middle-class buyers. [Block Club]
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Neighborhood Shoutouts
Another year, another lot of Neighborhood Shoutouts! This is how City Cast Chicago Neighbors share their love for local organizations and businesses.
Today, Erica R. is shouting out the Austin Community Food Co-Op: “Reach out to [email protected] to learn more about how you can get involved."
What To Do
Thursday, Jan. 8
- 🎶 Tommorow Never Knows starts | Various locations
- 🎭 "The Unknown Variable" starts | The Edge Theater | Edgewater
- 🖊️ Devotionals writer’s workshop | The Understudy Coffee and Books | Andersonville
- 🎻 Tea Time Concert | Fulton Recital Hall | Hyde Park
- ❄️ Ice Bumper Cars | Gallagher Way | Wrigleyville
- 🎶 Golden Hour Featuring Jay Tyre | Epiphany Center for the Arts | West Loop
- ⁉️ “Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me” | Fine Arts Building | Loop
- 🖼️ “Barnacles” | Weatherproof | Albany Park
Friday, Jan. 9
- 🖼️ Second Fridays | Fine Arts Building | Loop
- 🎤 Fork Arts Festival | Not Not | Humboldt Park
- 🎶 Tomorrow Never Knows | Various locations
- 🎸 Free Blues Friday | Epiphany Center for the Arts | West Loop
- 🏒 Blackhawks vs. Capitals | United Center | Near West Side
- 🎻 A Live Presentation of “2001: A Space Odyssey" | Chicago Symphony Center | Loop
- 🛸 "Crepusculine" closing | Quimby's Bookstore | Wicker Park
Also, Chicago has a new poet laureate! Mayda Alexandra del Valle succeeds the inaugural avery r. Young in the role. A born-and-raised South Sider, here’s a snippet from her poem, “This is How You Leave Home”:
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