🍅 A $22 tomato?!

Chicago Faces $882M Budget Gap — Good News for Johnson?

Chicago faces a projected $882.4 million budget shortfall for 2027, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced. That’s a smaller-than-expected hole. Now comes the annual budget battle, all while election season approaches … we’ll ask Johnson about that and more in our upcoming interview. [WTTW]

• Stay tuned: Our talk with the mayor drops Tuesday!

Former Loretto Exec Finally in Court. Also, All About City Council

Former Loretto Hospital CFO Anosh Ahmed finally appeared in federal court this week, pleading not guilty to defrauding the safety net hospital and the government. Also discussed on today’s podcast: a digital series exploring Chicago’s 50 alders. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Does Chicago Really Support the Arts?

Out of the largest five U.S. cities, Chicago was the only one to cut arts funding in its last budget. However, Chicago’s $62 million allotment far outpaces Los Angeles’. Both, though, are dwarfed by New York City. [WBEZ]

Why Nurses Were on Strike Yesterday

Nurses from Nazareth Hospital in West Town and suburban Olympia Fields Hospital went on strike yesterday in opposition of shared owner Prime Healthcare. Prime recently announced plans to cut obstetrics at three Illinois hospitals, including Resurrection Medical Center in Norwood Park. [CBS]

Two More Belugas Die at Shedd

Last week, the Shedd Aquarium lost one of its recently rescued belugas, Peekachu. Now, two more are dead: 20-year-old Rain, another of the rescues, and 34-year-old Beethoven, a large male who’d been in Chicago for over three decades. As of now, it’s unclear whether the deaths are related. [Tribune 🔒]

Extreme Heat is Tough on Chicago’s Iconic Bridges

The DuSable Lake Shore Drive bridge was stuck “up” for hours Wednesday, stemming from what the Chicago Department of Transportation called a heat-related issue. Crews doused the bridge with water to cool it down. [WGN]

It was a hot week in Chicago — luckily, we were inside with air conditioning, summarizing all the news for you. Were you paying attention?

Neighborhood Shoutout time! Every week, City Cast Chicago Neighbors plug their favorite organizations, businesses, and more — it’s one of our extra-special membership perks.

Today, Peter M. is shouting out an upcoming event in West Loop: “The Associate Board of Haymarket Center invites you to our annual community yoga class at Mary Bartelme Park, 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 27. All proceeds will support vital programs and services that help individuals on their journey to healing and hope.”