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| Tuesday, January 20 | |  | 25° F | / |  | 23° F |
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So ... it's over. In case you didn't hear the city's collective sobs, the Bears lost to the Rams Sunday in a nail-biter of a game. Our boys went hard in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime and keeping fans locked in till the last moment. It wasn't enough in the end, but man, it was a wild ride. |
| Meanwhile, I took a ride on the river in a hot tub boat! More on that adventure below, plus your daily headlines and a Chicago slang debate 👇 |
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| What Chicago's Talking About | | Another Homeless Encampment Fire Prompts Call to Mayor | After a fire at the homeless encampment in Eugene Field Park, Ald. Samantha Nugent (39th) is calling on the mayor to secure housing for those living there. The Eugene Field encampment formed recently, following the removal of tents in nearby Legion Park where other fires broke out. [Block Club] |
| Is a ‘Cult’-Like Group Expanding in Chicagoland? | The World Mission Society Church of God rejects the “cult” label, but experts are warning the public about its financial motives and pressure on members. The Christian group started in South Korea but has found a foothold in Chicago suburbs over the years. [Sun-Times] |
| Got Questions For Primary Candidates? | Don’t forget: The Illinois primary election is coming up March 17. This cycle, several high-profile retirements have paved the way for crowded races. If you have questions for candidates, WBEZ is open for input! [WBEZ] | | | Do Real Chicagoans Say These Words? | On today’s podcast, the City Cast Chicago team debates whether the term “slashie” — aka a bar/liquor store — is a real thing, plus the perceived popularity of other local slang terms. [City Cast Chicago 🎧] | |
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| So, I Tried One of Those Floating Hot Tubs |  | Happy for any excuse to whip out these hats. (Emmi Mack / Hey Chicago) |
| I awoke the morning of my scheduled hot tub boat giddy — then looked out the window. Snow had blanketed the ground overnight. It was still falling. I checked my phone: 22 degrees Fahrenheit with gale force winds approaching. |
| This mission would require my furriest hat. |
| Chicago Boat Company’s hot tub boats run rain (or snow) or shine as long as temps stay above 20 degrees. Though our forecast was right on the edge, my group of six set sail on the Chicago River just after sundown. |
| The steaming tub kept us warm as we drifted out from the dock at Marina City. We were nervous at first — there’s no real captain. One of us had to use the tiller to slowly steer the boat. Luckily my buddy (and fashion entrepreneur) Kone handled that. I was too busy drinking Daisy Cutters. |
|  | Captain Kone Ranger. (Emmi Mack / Hey Chicago) |
| Yes, the boat rides are BYOB. That night, birthday girl Cori was grinning ear to ear as we passed under some of Chicago’s iconic bridges. |
| We didn’t travel far — the bridges at State and LaSalle were our official boundaries, plus the boat travels at one mile per hour. But we saw plenty. The Reid Murdoch Building was lit up in blue and orange. (We queued “Bear Down” on the bluetooth speaker.) Joggers on the Riverwalk waved. The city reflected against the water. |
| Eventually, our point person back at the dock, Devonte, radioed in to tell us it was time to come home. That was probably for the best. I could barely feel my hands. Our friend Austin said it was the most fun he ever had with cold shoulders. |
| Cori agreed: “No better place to spend a birthday on the river in January." |
| Afterward, as we walked to Monk’s Pub, my damp hair began to freeze. I didn’t care. I shoved the blond icicles back into my hat and ordered a platter of onion rings. Those were five stars. Meanwhile, I’d give the hot tub four — down one only because I definitely caught a cold. |
| TLDR: For about $50 per person on a weeknight, this is a really unique way to soak in Chicago. (Get it? Get it?) |
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| See you out on the river in a hot tub? |
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