Kennedy Expressway Construction Updates

All lanes of the inbound Kennedy will reopen beginning Tuesday as the Illinois Department of Transportation wraps up the first phase of its three-year project. Closures will return on express lanes in the spring. [WBBM]

• Stuck in traffic? We have a playlist for that. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Will White Sox Move to Nashville?

Owner Jerry Reinsdorf met with Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell this week, fueling rumors that the South Siders might relocate to Music City when their lease is up in a few years. [NBC Chicago]

• Can shopping around help the Sox negotiate with Chicago city leaders? CHGO Sports’ Herb Lawrence thought so. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Chicago Hot Tub Time Machine

Turn back the clock to Summertime Chi, and float down the Chicago River in a hot tub cruise with the Chicago Electric Boat Company. [FOX32]

This Week’s Reads

This week, I found myself bookmarking dozens of stories to share with you. Here are two that stood out:

• CPS aides are the unsung heroes of Chicago classrooms. Shoutout to Mr. Celio and Ms. Mora from my elementary school! [WBEZ]
• “Good Times” creator Norman Lear died this week at age 101. His legacy is complicated. [Tribune 🔒]

The people — aka all of you — have spoken, and newer Christkindlmarket mugs beat older ones in the first round of our bracket. (The City Cast Chicago team agrees with you.) Here’s what is facing off next.

• 2023 vs. 2011: How will the newest mug fare against a classic boot?
• 2010 vs. 2014: And do you prefer a short mug or a tall one?

We have the secret to instant compliments … introducing Wildgrain. Wildgrain delivers artisan sourdough (and pasta … and pastries) that bakes from frozen in 25 minutes, no thawing required. Just pop in the oven, and enjoy! And if 15,000 5-star reviews aren’t enough, Wildgrain is offering free croissants for life. Order now.

• Music Box Sing-A-Long, Double Feature Opens 🎞️ Lakeview | 6:30 p.m. | $14+
• 4 Writing Pilsen & Mexican Chicago 📖 Pilsen | 7–8 p.m. | Free
• “The Nutcracker” 💂 Hyde Park | 7–8 p.m. | Varies
• Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Show 🎤 The Loop | 8 p.m. | $34+
• “The Sandra Delgado Experience” 🎶 West Loop | 8 p.m. | $30+

• Special Olympics Volunteer 🥇 Norwood Park | 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Free
• Holiday Make ‘N Take Market ♻️ Auburn Gresham | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Free
• Chicago Plant Crawl 🪴 West Town | 11 a.m. | $20
• Pull Up ‘N Sip ☕ North Lawndale | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Free
• Cookies With Santa 🎅 Galewood | Noon to 3 p.m. | Free
• Chicago Tap All Stars: Winter Wonderland 🕺 Bronzeville | 1–3 p.m. | $25+
• Chicago Cultural Center Open House 🎄 The Loop | 1–6 p.m. | Free
• Winterfest ⛄ Englewood | 2–6 p.m. | Free

• Pet Pics With Santa Paws 🐾 Logan Square | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free
• The Plant Holiday Market 🛍️ Back of the Yards | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Varies
• Immersive Yoga 🧘 Roscoe Village | Noon | Free
• Hanukkah Candle Lighting & Drag Queen Storytime 🕎 Andersonville | 4 p.m. | Free
• Holiday Concert 🎁 South Shore | 4:30 p.m. | Free
• Long Hair Don’t Care Show 🎄 Pilsen | 7 p.m. | $30

South Side Weekly’s Chima “Naira” Ikoro and the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan discuss tension between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker, mental health clinics, and an upcoming pilgrimage to Des Plaines.

Don’t miss City Cast Chicago executive producer Simone Alicea on WBEZ’s “Reset” today at noon!

—Sidney Madden

Thanks to editor Simone Alicea!