🎰 Why River North casino is sticking around

Friday, October 27

Happy Halloweekend, Chicago! We have a little trick-or-treat trivia: In which West Coast city did Frango Mints originate? Hint: You might find the answer here. We’ll reveal the answer Monday!

A display for Frango Mints at Marshall Field's State Street store in 2005. (Tim Boyle / Getty)

What Chicago's Talking About

Bally’s River North Casino Can Operate Until 2026

The Illinois Gaming Board converted Bally’s temporary operating permit into a full casino license, which means its River North casino is cleared to operate for three more years. The license is also valid for the company’s permanent River West casino. [Crain’s 🔒]

We stopped by Medinah Temple to see what all the hubbub was about. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Ford, United Auto Workers Reach Tentative Deal

Production is expected to resume at a South Side plant after Ford and the auto workers union reached a deal that included a 25% wage bump and better pension benefits. Chicago workers walked off the job Sept. 29. [FOX32]

Education Takes Center Stage in Springfield

After wrapping up the first half of the veto session, lawmakers are set to meet again Nov. 7. Will they make any progress on the elected school board map, and will future Chicago board members be paid? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

New Park District HQ in Brighton Park

Chicago Park District moved from a Streeterville high-rise to a new 17-acre site in Brighton Park, bringing more green space to a nieghborhood that had been lacking it. [WBEZ]

This Week’s Must-Read

Why do so many people identify with the Midwest? That’s the question one expert is asking after a new poll had people from Pennsylvania to Idaho saying they considered themselves in the region. [Chicago magazine]

What To Do

The Chicago Athletic Association is hosting a “'Romeo + Juliet” Halloween party inspired by the 1996 film. (20th Century-Fox / Getty)

🔺 = Sid’s picks

Oktoberfest in McKinley Park 🔥 Friday | 6 p.m.

Head to the McKinley Community Play Garden to hang with neighbors, eat food, and sip on beer and wine. [$25]

🔺

Bronzeville Fall Fest 🍁 Saturday | 1–4 p.m.

Bring kids to get free haircuts, coats, and candy at Absolutely Anything Essential. They could win the costume contest! [Free]

🔺

Day of the Dead Xicágo in Pilsen 💀 Saturday | 3 p.m.

Head to the National Museum of Mexican Art to enjoy ofrendas, live performances, and more. [Free]

Grandma’s Book Club in Lincoln Square 📚 Saturday | 4 p.m.

Head to Welles Park for the club’s first reading meetup. Bring a cozy book and connect with other bookworms. [Free]

🔺

Little Village Pet Portraits 🐾 Sunday | Noon to 3 p.m.

Dress up your pets for some scary headshots at the Malinalli Garden. [Free]

Near West Side Día de los Muertos 🌺 Sunday | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kick off holiday festivities at Maxwell Street Market with face painting, pumpkin decorating, family photos, and a community ofrenda. Plus, the Chicago Vintage Festival is setting up shop. [Free entry]

🔺

‘Romeo + Juliet’ Ball Downtown 🪩 Sunday | 8 p.m.

Inspired by the Halloween scene in Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 film, dance the night away at the Chicago Athletic Association. [$15+]

312 Comedy Fest Across Chicagoland 😆 All Week | Varies

See comedians Michael Che, Craig Robinson, Nicole Byer, and others at venues in the city and suburbs through Nov. 5. [$25+]

More Chicago Events

Today on City Cast Chicago

The Illinois State Capitol in 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Tribune / Getty)

Illinois General Assembly Veto Session Part 1

Chalkbeat's Samantha Smylie and Crain’s Corli Jay recap the first half of the Illinois General Assembly’s veto session, CPS’ struggles to help new migrant students, the latest suburb to pitch a Bears’ stadium, and the Sky’s newest head coach.

🎧 Plus, the Semicolon Lit Fest

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