😬 It’s exploding sewer season

New Mayoral Candidates

Candidates hoping to get on next February’s ballot can now begin collecting signatures. That includes folks who want to run for police district council, city council, city clerk, city treasurer, and, of course, mayor. On today’s podcast, we discuss the latest. Also: the impact of Chicago’s rainy summer and Mayor Brandon Johnson’s response to recently shuttered grocery stores. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Exploding Geyser Manholes in Chicago

Jets of water burst from manhole covers following Monday’s storm. Chicagoans spotted geyser-like explosions on Randolph Street in the Loop; Jefferson Street in West Loop; and on Blue Island Avenue in Pilsen. The phenomenon is becoming increasingly common in cities following heavy rain — you gotta see it to believe it.

Where Musicians in Town Are Eating

As Lollapalooza rages on, the city is full of musicians — and they shared where they’re eating. Both Will Gorin of Slothrust and Marlon Funaki shouted out Chicago’s Dog House in Lincoln Park. There’s also lots of pizza on the list: Pizz’amici, Pequod’s, Giordano’s, Middlebrow, Pizza Lobo … plus the typical high-end hotspots. [Tribune 🔒]

• Hitting (or avoiding) Lolla? Here’s what you need to know. [City Cast Chicago 💻]
• Hungry? Here’s our favorite pizza. [City Cast Chicago 💻]

City Only Plays Defense Against Rats

The city disseminates rat poison based on where 311 calls are placed, but Chicago can’t poison its way out of the problem. To address the growing rat population, the city needs to play offense by assessing garbage and alley conditions, looking for burrows, and treating areas based on severity, not the order of calls, according to the Inspector General. [WTTW]

• Quiz: Think you know Chicago rats? [City Cast Chicago 💻]

Long Read: Chicago’s Other President

Chicago produced one American president, but did you know it produced a Lithuanian president, too? Ninety-nine-year-old Valdas Adamkus, arguably Lithuania’s most beloved politician, spent half his life in Chicago. Working for the Environmental Protection Agency here, Adamkus helped clean up Lake Michigan — he then led his home country with a certain Chicago spirit. [WBEZ]

Another busy week, another Chicago news quiz! Test your knowledge from the week.