City Cast Chicago
💔 A eulogy for Lincolnwood mall
April 22, 2026 · — Emmi Mack
Hey Chicago! Did ya miss me? As I’ve been exploring the podcast production side of what we do here at City Cast, Michelle has done a bang-up job with the newsletter. It takes all hands on deck to bring you the news every day — you can support that work by becoming a City Cast Chicago Neighbor.
We’ve been telling you all week why we think it’s worth your time and money to become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. Member events! Bonus podcast content! That gorgeous pennant! An upcoming member event with Chicago Architecture Center! And of course, helping to literally sustain our beloved newsletter.
What's CITY Talking About
Cinco De Mayo Parade Canceled
The annual Cinco de Mayo Parade in Little Village has been canceled for the second year in a row due to concerns over federal immigration raids. Also on today’s podcast: Why did a judge just dismiss a lawsuit over National Guard deployment? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
CTA Ends Private Security Contract
CTA has ended a multi-million dollar contract that paid for hundreds of unarmed security guards, with plans to fund officers and other trained professionals instead. CTA had just renewed its deal with Monterrey Security but canceled the agreement, claiming it wasn’t funded. [Sun-Times]
- Wait: What do those unarmed guards even do? [City Cast Chicago 💻]
- Remember? The federal government gave CTA a security ultimatum. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
The Onion is Relaunching Infowars as Parody
After a lengthy legal battle, the Chicago-based Onion is taking over Infowars, the domain once run by right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. As for what that will look like, the Onion says it’s sourcing ideas from “even the very stupidest among us.” [Variety]
- Take a look: The landing page is official! [Onion]
Bridge Lifts Begin Today
It’s that time of year again: Bridges on the Chicago River will lift on Wednesday and Saturday mornings through June 24 as boats travel to and from storage yards. Traffic will halt while bridges are raised, so plan your downtown travel accordingly. [City of Chicago]
What To Do
Wednesday, April 22
- 🪐 Free admission | Adler Planetarium | Museum Campus
- 📜 Free admission | Chicago History Museum | Lincoln Park
- 🦖 Free admission | Field Museum | Museum Campus
- 🎶 Project Earth | Guarneri Hall | Loop
- ☀️ Earth Day Clean Up | 31st Street Beach | Free
- ♻️ Artist Talk | Garfield Park Conservatory | Free
- 🗑️ Garbage Gals Earth Day | California Blue Line | Logan Square | Free
- 👚 Earth Day Clothing Swap | Uptown Rhythms | Ravenswood | Free
- 🍸 Earth Day Happy Hour | Nighthawk | Albany Park
- 🪴 Earth Day Kickoff | Englewood Village Plaza
- 🎺 Charles Pryor Jazz | Daisy’s Po Boy and Tavern | Hyde Park
- 🏀 Teen Basketball Jam | Ellis Park | Bronzeville | Free
Thursday, April 23
- 🎤 New Poetry Reading | Poetry Foundation | River North | Free
- 🎯 Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me | Studebaker Theater | Loop
- 📰 South Side Weekly Alternative Issue Release | New Rose | Pilsen
- 🖌️ Gouache Art Workshop | Morgan Park Sports Center
- 🪩 The Millennium Tour | United Center | Near West Side
- 📽️ Art on the Mart | Merchandise Mart | Loop | Free
- 🏈 Bears Draft Party | Soldier Field | Museum Campus
A hearty welcome to our newest Neighbor, Areanna E. Also, Areanna, thanks for your snarky text about Ann Sather — I couldn’t agree more.
Want to know what we’re talking about? Sign up to become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor and get exclusive access to members-only podcast segments 😉
For real though, we’re nearing the end of this campaign, so if you’ve been thinking about becoming a member … this is your moment.
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