Then be my Neighbor ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
Friday, August 21 

Your Daily Guide

Hey friends! At this point, I really do consider all you readers friends. But I want you to be my Neighbor. If you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor today — today only! — you can choose a special welcome gift from our leftover trove of totes, mugs, and pennants.

Our summer clear-out sale’s coming to a close.

Get a mug! Or a tote! Or a pennant!

What Chicago's Talking About

PODCAST

ShotSpotter Replacement, Tollways Price Hike, and Crosstown Delivers Classic

45-Cent Tollway Increase Coming

Illinois toll roads are increasing prices for the first time in 15 years. We discuss the move on today’s podcast. Plus: a potential app-based ShotSpotter replacement, BTS headed to Soldier Field, and the recent Crosstown Classic. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Cameras Monitoring Albany Park Encampment

The Chicago Park District installed a security trailer with cameras in Ronan Park to watch the homeless encampment there. The move came following another fire at the park. One resident shared mixed feelings; another said it feels like “having a stalker.” [Block Club]

Chicago Will Not Host Next DNC

Chicago, which hosted the 2024 Democratic National Convention, is no longer in the running for the 2028 event. The party did not specify why they bumped us along with Atlanta. Boston, Denver, and Philadelphia remain in the running. [NBC 5]

Chi Parents Shell Out For School Supplies

If you’ve procrastinated buying supplies till this weekend, buckle up. According to a new survey, Chicago parents planned to spend $794 per child on back-to-school items this year — a 7% bump year over year. [Sun-Times]

A woman looking at a poster that says "Clash of the Titans"

An exhibition of hand-drawn blockbuster posters in Accra, Ghana, in 2014. (Chris Stein/AFP via Getty Images)

Long Read: A Chicago-Based Ghanaian Movie Poster Gallery

John Oliver recently commissioned a Ghanaian painter, C.A. Wisely, here in Chicago for his “For Your Consideration” billboard. Its wildly exaggerated look is characteristic of Ghanaian movie poster history. Chicago’s own Deadly Press gallery cranks out many in this style. [Reader]

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Your Chicago News Quiz

A man in a cubs uniform bracing for a man in a white sox stealing a base

White Sox player Sam Antonacci safely stole second during Tuesday’s game. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Another rainy, sweaty week in Chicago. No surprise there. But the news never stops! Test your knowledge.

We’ll start easy: Who won the recent Crosstown Classic?

🫵 Think YOU know 5/5?

Neighborhood Shoutouts

On the final day of this membership campaign, I’m extra excited to highlight a Neighborhood Shoutout. All these wonderful shoutouts come from City Cast Chicago Neighbors — it’s one of many membership perks.

Today, Chris S. is shouting out the Chicago Area Runners Association: “CARA volunteers at the water stations along the Lakefront trail. They're serving everyone (training for a marathon or getting in shape).”

Share your own shoutout! And get a gift!

What To Do

Friday, Aug. 21

Saturday, Aug. 22

Sunday, Aug. 23

More Chicago Events
A woman in sunglasses with a tote bag that says "neighbors make Chicago" also holding a mug

Perfect for a Chicagoan on the go. (Emmi Mack / City Cast Chicago)

Ok, come on, look how cute that tote and mug are!!! (Cute pennant not pictured.) To claim your own, become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor TODAY. It’s your last chance!

— Emmi Mack

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