City Cast Chicago
🗳️ Vote, vote, vote!
March 17, 2026 · — Emmi Mack
Vote, Chicago! Today’s the last day to cast your primary ballot. And as Chicagoans know, primaries are where races really go down. Make your voice heard! Today’s newsletter includes some reminders on where to vote and guides on who you may want to vote for — plus other daily headlines.
Let’s get into it 👇👇👇
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What's CITY Talking About
Got BORG? Blackout rage gallons, aka BORGs, dominated Chicago Saturday. As young drinkers took to the streets to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the plastic jugs full of DIY jungle juice were everywhere. The trend supposedly originated in Ohio. (Back in my day, we kept it simple with Ice Mountain bottles.) [Block Club]
Even more elections: Yes, the big election is today. But tomorrow, Chicago Public Schools families, teachers, students, and neighbors can cast a vote for their local school councils. LSCs help plan school improvements and budgets and can evaluate or hire principals. [Sun-Times]
- Want to vote? Here’s where. [CPS]
- Also: Meet CPS’ three CEO finalists. [Chalkbeat]
Rent is (way) up: The median rent in the metro Chicago area rose 4% year over year, reaching $1,670 per month. That’s a faster increase than in the country’s other nine largest cities. At least it’s still cheaper than New York and Los Angeles! [Axios]
What To Do
Tuesday, March 17
- 🗳️ ELECTION DAY!!! | Varies
- ☘️ The Party of the Season! | Irish American Heritage Center | Mayfair
- 🎤 Ani DiFranco talk | Cahn Auditorium | Evanston
- ☘️ St. Patrick’s Day Celebration | Gale Street Inn | Jefferson Park
- 🎤 The Moth StorySLAM: Ambitions | FitzGerald's | Berwyn
- 🥧 Pi Day Workshop | Trogo Kitchen and Market | Avondale
- 🎤 Story Hour for Grown-Ups | Harold Washington Library | Loop | Free
- 🍽️ Andersonville Restaurant Week | Varies
- 🌹 Free admission | Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe
- 🎵 Celtic Soul | Garcia’s Chicago | West Loop
- 🎨 Button Making and Art | Uptown branch | Free
- 🐟 Free admission | Shedd Aquarium | Museum Campus
Wednesday, March 18
- 🦖 Free admission | Field Museum | Museum Campus
- 🍽️ Just(Us) Dinner: Fight Another Day | The BLK Room | West Garfield Park
- 🎥 "Love Is Not Enough Film" | Logan Center for the Arts | Woodlawn
- 🍽️ Andersonville Restaurant Week | Varies
- 🎥 “Quick Billy” | Constellation | Lakeview
- 🎶 Lucid Express | Sleeping Village | Avondale
- 🎤 Blue Hour poetry and open mic | Haymarket House | Buena Park
- 🌹 Free admission | Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe
ICYMI Chicago was represented at the Oscars Sunday night. Amy Madigan, daughter of well-known CBS newsman John Madigan, took home a trophy for her work in “Weapons” while local blues legend Buddy Guy took to the stage for an era-bending performance full of “Sinners” co-stars.
Free · Daily