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| What Chicago's Talking About |
| | Glimmer of Hope in Our Parking Deal Nightmare | City Council could vote this week to approve a sale of the city’s parking meter rights, this time with a twist: the new contract would give the city a 5% cut of future “calculated net income.” It’s a far cry from regaining control, but it’s better than nothing (which is what we currently get). [Block Club] | | | Mayoral Candidate Lawsuit. Plus, Ford City Going Industrial | Mayoral candidate Bill Quinlan’s lawsuit aims to block Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas from seeking reelection in their offices while running for mayor. On today’s podcast, we break down the details. Plus, City Council approves plans for the future of the Ford City Mall site. [City Cast Chicago 🎧] | | Chicago’s Asylum Seekers Face Stiff Odds | Approval rates for immigrants seeking asylum in Chicago have plunged to 3.3% this year, as the Trump administration has imposed strict new rules and fired or replaced several career judges. A former assistant chief of immigration court calls it “a mass catastrophe against due process.” [Sun-Times] | | CPS Enrollment Continues Freefall | In line with national trends, Chicago Public Schools enrollment is down yet again. About 304,000 students are currently enrolled, which amounts to 11,500 fewer than last year and roughly 76,000 less than a decade ago. Declines are hitting the city’s South and West Side schools the hardest. The Chicago Teachers Union is calling for an extension of the moratorium on school closures, which is set to expire at the end of this school year. [Chalkbeat] | |
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| | | This fall, Chicago’s architecture takes center stage as Open House Chicago®️ returns October 17-18, 2026. | Explore more than 200 sites across 30+ neighborhoods, including iconic landmarks, hidden gems and buildings rarely open to the public — all free to explore. | Whether you’re a longtime architecture fan or simply curious about your city, OHC is your chance to step inside, discover something new and see Chicago from a different perspective. | Join us October 17-18 and discover what makes Chicago’s neighborhoods unique. | Learn more at openhousechicago.org |
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| | Now it's time for a neighborhood shoutout where our City Cast Chicago Neighbors share their recs for places to try and things to do across the city! | | Today’s shoutout comes from Neighbor Jenn A. in Woodlawn: | | “Yassa African Restaurant in Bronzeville is so delicious! It is in the path of my daily commute, but I had never stopped until this week. It will be a part of my regular rotation.” | | |
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The changing weather makes me want to bust out some card games. I’m intrigued by this new creation from a Chicago high schooler, which is designed to spark constructive, thought-provoking, and sometimes ridiculous debates around the kitchen table. (Though I could imagine it being an excellent, if somewhat dangerous, bar game, too.) |
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