City Cast Chicago

💰 Chicago’s meters sold. Again.

September 17, 2026 · — Emmi Mack

Hey Chicago! What happens when a trapeze artist falls? "The Attic," on now at Goodman Theatre, answers that question literally, metaphorically, and metaphysically.

Actors fly through the air, whizzing headfirst. They contort and sing. At one point, they assemble an MRI machine out of hula hoops. I was rapt. Which surprised me, as someone who recently fell asleep during Cirque du Soleil.

Four people on stage, there are two on the left that look to be throwing someone through the air to the person on the right. The stage looks to have a bed and a closet behind it — One of many airborne moments in “The Attic.” *(Emmi Mack / CIty Cast Chicago)*

… If that’s still not enough circus for ya, the Flotsam River Circus is floating around Chicago all week long.

What's CITY Talking About

Deal Reached to Sell Parking Meters

Despite initial pushback from alders, Chicago’s parking meters will be sold to a New York investment firm. It’ll cost $2.53 billion to buy out the next 57 years of the meters’ lease. As part of the deal, Stonepeak Partners will sell a charter airline that does deportation flights, pay the city $75 million when the sale closes, and make additional annual payments. [WTTW]

Relocation Payments Dropped From Renters Rights Ordinance

Yesterday, City Council considered the mayor’s renter protection ordinance — without the requirement that landlords help tenants with relocation costs if they are forced out. The plan now more closely resembles a competing proposal by Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), which is gaining steam. [Block Club]

Makeover Plan For Thompson Center Unveiled

A post-modern effort once known as the “People’s Palace,” the Thompson Center fell into disrepair long before Google purchased it in 2022. Now, the company has shared renderings of its renovation plan, which include a cascading staircase and large outdoor sculpture. [Axios]

Chicago’s Divviest Summer Yet. Also Microcinemas and the Battle Over “Dope”

On today’s podcast, we’re talking about a local historian’s fascinating copyright battle, the rise of microcinemas and film clubs, and the “Divvyfication” of Chicago. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

A black and white photo of 5 people on stage. There is one person singing in the front, on the left there is someone playing an assortment of percussion, in the back there is a person on a drumset, on the right there's someone with a bass guitar, off stage there is someone standing — Chaka Khan at last year’s 79th Street Renaissance Festival. *(Jacoby Cochran / City Cast Chicago)*

New Chaka Khan Album: ‘Chakzilla’

At age 73, Chicago legend Chaka Khan is having a big year. In addition to performing regularly, her new album “Chakzilla” drops Friday. It includes collaborations with Sia and Snoop Dogg. [Sun-Times]

Here’s why “Chakzilla” rocks. [Vulture]

Come Celebrate Downtown Oak Park's 34th Oaktoberfest

This year marks the 34th anniversary of Downtown Oak Park’s Oaktoberfest. The two-day festival celebrates the fall season with great music, craft beer, and food. The event will be held on Friday, September 25, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 26, from noon to 10:00 p.m. The festival is located in Downtown Oak Park, south of Lake Street on Marion Street and North Boulevard. Admission is free.

Where to Watch College Football

Three men in football attire and helmets talking with each other on a football field — Northwestern Wildcats during a game against the Purdue Boilermakers last year. *(Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)*

As the city gears up for the Bears’ first home game of the season, don’t sleep on college football games playing across the city.

This year marks the first for Chicago State University’s Division 1 football team — that technically makes them Chicago’s only Division 1 team. (Sorry, Wildcats.) And CSU’s come out swinging!

But if you’re cheering for another Midwest alma mater, here are some sports bars to watch from. (Perhaps unsurprisingly, most are around Lincoln Park.)