🎨 Good news for creatives?!

CHA's Matthew Brewer, a Johnson Foe, Joins Mayoral Race

Chicago Housing Authority board member Matthew Brewer is throwing his hat in the mayoral ring — and accusing Mayor Brandon Johnson of “alienating and demonizing” Chicago’s business community. Previously, Johnson tried and failed to install former Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) as CHA CEO, after which the board defied him to hire Keith Pettigrew. In turn, Johnson attempted to remove Brewer as board chair. [Sun-Times]

Is Illinois Balancing the Books on Compulsive Gambling?

The state made more than $2.6 billion in gambling tax revenue last year. Less than 0.1% of that goes toward treating gambling addiction, even as sports betting, casinos, and video slots have exploded. [Illinois Answers Project]

• In Chicago: Video gambling is still on hold as alders negotiate how to regulate the booming business. [Block Club]

Independents vs. ‘Chuy’ Machine

As U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (4th) retires, multiple independent candidates are vying for the seat over Chuy’s handpicked successor, Patty Garcia. However, two candidates could get knocked off the November ballot over challenges to their petition signatures. Those candidates, Mayra Macias and Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), are scrambling to verify them. Fast. [Block Club]

• A Chicago tradition: Chuy’s retirement timing was nothing short of shady. [City Cast Chicago 💻]

Will Quantum Be A Good Neighbor?

As progress continues on both Quantum Shore Campus and the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, massive changes are coming to the Southeast Side. The new multimedia series “Quantum Entanglements” investigates how this speculative technology is already transforming the community. All that, and more, on today’s podcast. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Finally, Some Good News For Creatives

Even as creative fields face funding cuts, the sector is a boon in Chicago. The creative sector is the city’s third largest, according to an Arts Alliance Illinois report. (Healthcare is No. 1.) It accounts for nearly 213,000 jobs and generates $50 billion in economic output. [WBEZ]

• Beyond ‘The Bear’: Chicago’s film industry is booming. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

The Music Box Unveils New Screen

Coinciding with its 95th anniversary, the Music Box Theatre is unveiling a new, 98-seat theater today, bringing the total number of screens at the venue to three. (A second screen, closed for renovations since April, also reopens today.) The addition also includes two loveseats, which I hear the staff expects they’ll regret. [Music Box, Block Club]

The weekend was long, but say it with me: THE NEWS NEVER STOPS. Were you paying attention to this week’s headlines?

Ahhh, yes … time to bask in the love of a Neighborhood Shoutout. With this special perk, City Cast Chicago Neighbors get to share their favorite spots and orgs in the city.

Today, Sten T. is shouting out Starting Strength Chicago in Roscoe Village: “Starting Strength Chicago took me from barbell novice to 1,000‑lb total lifts. The coaching and community keep me coming back.”

Want to share your own shoutout? Join our Neighborhood.