City Cast Chicago
🍹 Our favorite Chicago patios
May 13, 2026 · — Michelle Navarro
Warmer days are ahead, right? The Buckingham Fountain turned on over the weekend, a sure sign that summertime is around the corner. I just learned ComEd selects a Chicagoan each year to flip the switch and turn the water on. Out of 8,200 entries, Zack Gray in Logan Square won. What a dream! I will definitely apply next year.
On to the news, and spots where you can enjoy Chicago’s warmer weather this weekend.
What's CITY Talking About
Body-Cam Footage Released in Fatal Humboldt Park Police Shooting
“I’ll kill you,” a Chicago police officer appeared to have yelled at fleeing driver Derek Jordan before firing six fatal shots. The shooting made headlines in March after Jordan, who was wanted in connection with another shooting, struck a CTA bus and squad car. The officer fired within 19 seconds of arriving on the scene. [Block Club]
Will the DNC Come Back? Plus, Chicago’s Late-Night Bites
DNC officials are wrapping up a three-day visit as the city is a finalist to host the 2028 and 2032 conventions. On today’s podcast, we discuss the likelihood of it coming back. Plus, the feds are investigating Illinois school districts, and we share our favorite late-night eats in the city. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
What Is ‘Die-80’ in SW Burbs?
More than 146 million square feet of warehouse space has been built since 2000 around Chicago to satisfy the growing demands of online shopping. Along I-80, that means 20,000 trucks per day, spewing out fumes and causing deadly crashes. [Sun-Times]
Chicago’s Native Garden Registry Open for Applications
Approved by the city council in 2021, the registry was created to protect gardeners who faced tickets for violating Chicago’s weed ordinance. Alders also just passed an amendment to the ordinance to allow plants up to 36 inches tall, up from the previous limit of 10 inches. [WTTW]
- Listen: Chicago’s conservation efforts are actually paying off. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
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What To Do
Wednesday, May 13
- ⚾️ Sox v Royals | Rate Field | Bridgeport
- 🪐 Free admission | Adler Planetarium | Museum Campus
- 🍷 AAPINH K-Town Pop Up | Parachute Hifi | Avondale
- 🥳 Ward Night Out | Holiday Club | Uptown | Free
- 🧑🌾 Senior Garden Club | West Pullman Branch | Free
- 🖌️ Paper Show | Cultural Center | Loop
- 😹 Da Funny People | The Bar 10 Doors | Little Italy
Thursday, May 14
- 🎤 Pitch Your Peeps | Nobody’s Darling | Andersonville | Free
- 🌃 Wrigleyville Night Market | Gallagher Way | Free
- 🤘 Skate Night Market | Emporium | Logan Square | Free
- 🌅 Honey Sunset Party | Three Top Lounge | West Town
- 🎸 So Far Sounds | Lakeview
- 📓 Musicality of Poetry | Epiphany Center | Near West Side
- 🪴 Flower Pot Decorating | North Austin Branch | Free
- 🦾 Robotics & Coding Workshop | Whitney Young Branch | Free
Thank you to our newest Neighbors, Chris P., Stacy G., Alexandra J., and Angela H.
I hope you were able to hear our members-only segment on Tuesday’s episode about Chicago bar names we love and hate. Didn’t get a chance to hear it? Sign up to be a member today!
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