Time Out Chicago news

In April, Chicagoans will head to the polls (again!) to vote in a special runoff election that will elect Chicago's first black female mayor. Runoff elections are a relatively new development in Chicago politics, so if you're confused about why we're already heading back to the voting booth, take a look at our guide to navigating the special election. When is election day? Chicagoans will head to the polls (again) on Tuesday, April 2. Polls are open from 6am to 7pm. Who's on the ballot? The entire city will vote for the next mayor and the city's treasurer. In the mayoral race, Lori Lightfoot is running against Toni Preckwinkle, while in the treasurer race, Ameya Pawar is facing Melissa Conyears-Ervin. Fifteen wards are also having runoff aldermanic elections. Can I vote early? Yes, early voting for the runoff election opened on Monday, March 18 at all 50 ward sites and the Loop Super Site (175 W Washington). Site hours vary, so check before you head to polls, but most are open from 9am–5pm. Where do I vote if I'm voting on election day? Early voters get to cast their ballot at any polling place, but on election day you are required vote at your assigned ward site. Who is eligible to vote in the runoff election? If you're an U.S. citizen who will be 18 years old by April 2, 2019 and you have lived in your Chicago precinct at least 30 days, you are eligible to vote. Didn't vote in Chicago's February election? It doesn't matter! You can still cast a ballot in April

The list of mega-developments potentially taking shape in Chicago just got bigger. Last night at a community meeting, Wisconsin-based company Landmark Development unveiled renderings for One Central, a multibillion-dollar proposal that could revitalize 34 acres of the South Loop. At the center of the project is a new transit hub that would be located southwest of Soldier Field. The proposed station would be the largest transit hub in Chicago, with access to Metra, Amtrak and CTA trains. A building sitting above the transportation center could house restaurants, shops, hotels and entertainment options for travelers and residents alike. Landmark Development has also proposed the creation of an autonomous tram system, called the Chi-Line, that would offer service between McCormick Place and North Michigan Avenue via a route that runs parallel to the existing Metra tracks. The remainder of the development would be built on a gigantic platform set atop a portion of the Metra rails that run through the South Loop. Renderings for the project depict a series of new high-rises and skyscrapers that are situated between the Field Museum and the northernmost portion of McCormick Place. One Central would extend Chicago's skyline south to 21st Street, where some tall buildings have already sprung up around the Wintrust Arena and McCormick Place. The current plans for One Central also include more than 15 acres of new parks and green space, as well as a Lake Shore Drive walkway that woul

Having access to concerts, movie screenings, dance performances and all of the other free events in Millennium Park is one of the greatest perks of summer in Chicago. Evenings on the lawn are even more attractive when you factor in the park's generous BYOB policy, which allows attendees to bring their own beer and wine to enjoy while taking in a show at the Pritzker Pavilion. While you can cart a bag full of booze to the majority of Millennium Park events, there are a few notable exceptions to the rule. Just like last year, Millennium Park will be prohibiting outside alcohol at Pritzker Pavilion's seven most highly attended events this summer. That includes popular festivals like the Chicago Blues Festival and Chicago Jazz Festival, as well as annual events like the Broadway in Chicago Summer Concert and the always-packed Grant Park Music Festival Fourth of July concert. Of course, it's not as if these events will be dry—guests can grab a drink at bars stationed around park grounds.  Visitors to Millennium Park this summer should also be prepared for bag checks when passing through park's security permitter, which is usually situated around the Great Lawn at Pritzker Pavilion. While you're free to bring beer, wine and food into the park, items like metal cutlery, skateboards and tents are prohibited at events, concerts and festivals (a complete list of prohibited items is available on the Millennium Park website). Take a look at the complete list of Millennium Park events

Britney Spears stans, rejoice! Ahead of a Broadway run, a new musical featuring the Princess of Pop's greatest hits called Once Upon a One More Time will make its world premiere at the James M. Nederlander Theatre this fall. The plot of the jukebox musical doesn't focus on Spears' meteoric rise to fame, so don't expect a time-hopping career retrospective a la The Cher Show (so much for a climactic head-shaving sequence set to "My Prerogative"). Instead, Spears' catalog of hits will be interspersed amid the tale of book club made up of fairy tale princesses like Snow White and Cinderella, who get an education in feminism when a fairy godmother introduces Betty Friedan's classic book, The Feminine Mystique, and challenges their perceptions of "happily ever after." The show's book comes from screenwriter Jon Hartmere, who recently penned the sappy Kevin Hart movie The Upside and used to help Ashton Kutcher pull off pranks on MTV's Punk'd. Tony-nominated director Kristin Hangii (Rock of Ages) will helm the production, which features choreography from YouTube star couple Keone and Mari Madrid. The pre-Broadway engagement of Once Upon a One More Time will replace the previously-planned run of Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, a bio-musical following the life of Michael Jackson. The Jackson musical was set to premiere at the Nederlander in October, but producers claim that a recent Actors' Equity strike threw off its schedule (the release of the shocking Leaving Neverland documenta

Chicago residents will have to hop in a car or board the Metra if they plan to attend Spring Awakening Music Festival this summer. This afternoon, organizers React Presents revealed that the annual EDM fest will take place June 7–9 at the Poplar Creek at 59-90 Entertainment District in Hoffman Estates, a northern suburb of Chicago. While it's unclear what part of the Poplar Creek district Spring Awakening plans to use, a recent memo from Hoffman Estates Village Manager James H. Norris suggests that the event will take over the parking lots and land to the west of the Sears Center. DJ Snake, Zedd, Martin Garrix, Rezz, Griz and DJ Illenium have been confirmed as headlining acts of the electronic-focused fest, which typically books a lineup filled with EDM, dubstep, house, trance and techno performers. Spring Awakening's 2019 lineup will include more than 90 artists, the remainder or which will be revealed on Friday, March 15. While Spring Awakening will offer onsite parking for the first time in the history of the event, attendees will also be able to travel to the festival via Metra. According to a release, Spring Awakening will provide "complimentary shuttles from nearby Metra stations," which presumably includes the Union Pacific Northwest station in Barrington and the Milwaukee District West station in Elgin. Spring Awakening's latest move comes after a failed attempt to relocate the event from its home of three years in Addams/Medill Park, which is unavailable this summ

M Burger is celebrating nine years in Chicago by once again treating its customers to a free single cheeseburger with any purchase on Wednesday, March 20. Yes, that's right: You'll score a gratis patty with the purchase of any menu item, including French fries ($2.49) and ice-cream cones ($1.99). The promotion is valid at all five M Burger locations on March 20: - The Thompson Center at 100 West Randolph Street- River North at 5 West Ontario Street- Water Tower Place at 835 North Michigan Avenue- Streeterville at 161 East Huron Street- Aurora at 1650 Premium Outlet Boulevard Wash down your free burger with the chance to win M Burger shakes for a year. All you have to do is text “Birthday2019” to 70717 between 9am and 9pm from March 15 to 20. Now that's what we call a party favor. Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

Not to be outdone by Pi Day on Thursday, Goose Island Beer Company is celebrating its own numerical holiday today, honoring the area code that many Chicagoans share as well as the beer named after it. But 312 Day isn't just an excuse to drink a few brews; it's also an opportunity to win a sweet new black and yellow bike. Today Goose Island is hiding one bike every hour, on the hour throughout the city—the first bike hit street at midnight. You'll need to follow Goose Island on Twitter to receive (fairly obvious) clues that point to where each bike is hidden. Once you've deciphered the clue, you'll have be the first one to find the bike and unlock it with the code 0-3-1-2-0 before cruising away on your brand new ride. Thus far, 12 bikes have been placed across Chicago near landmarks like Hopleaf, the Riviera Theatre and President Barack Obama's home in Hyde Park. All of the bikes have been snatched up quickly, but with 12 more yet to be hidden, you still have a chance to score one today (as long as you happen to be nearby the bike's location). A bike scavenger hunt isn't the only thing that Goose Island has planned for 312 Day. Tonight, the brewery is sponsoring three sold-out concerts at the Empty Bottle, Thalia Hall and Lincoln Hall, featuring acts like Japanese Breakfast, Twin Peaks and Post Animal. Additionally, from 7–9pm this evening the Goose Island Brewhouse on Clybourn will host a conversation with Julie Snyder, co-creator and producer of the award-winning podcast

Our suspicions have been confirmed: Chicago is the No. 1 city in the world for both eating and drinking, according to the Time Out Index, an exhaustive survey that polled more than 34,000 people in 48 cities around the globe. Chicago beat out every contender in the dining category, with 88 percent of locals reporting that the food scene here is "amazing." (Can't say we're surprised.) When asked about the hottest dining neighborhood in the city, 32 percent of locals pointed to the West Loop; Logan Square landed in second place, and River North followed in third. It makes sense, then, that some of the best new restaurants in Chicago have opened in these happening neighborhoods over the past few years. Of course, Chicagoans aren't just hungry. We love pairing our top-notch eats with an ice-cold beer, a fancy-pants cocktail or a great glass of wine. The city was also voted the No. 1 city for drinking, with a whopping 78 percent of locals rating our bar scene as "amazing." To balance out all of that gluttony, Chicagoans hit the gym in record numbers. Fifty-two percent of participants said they can't get through the week without exercise. Whether it's due to the food or the active lifestyle, we found that Chicagoans are a joyful bunch—85 percent said they felt happy in the last 24 hours, making us the happiest city in the world. Beyond being content and well-fed, the Chicagoans who took part in the Time Out Index had some lovely things to say about our city and what makes it so

When it gets warm enough to spend afternoons and evenings outdoors, Millennium Park instantly becomes one of the city's busiest attractions, hosting a packed lineup of festivals, concerts, workouts and parties throughout the summer months. World-class programming, free admission, a generous BYOB policy and picture-perfect views of the skyline are just a few of the reasons that this section of Chicago's front lawn is regularly swimming with people. This morning, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events revealed Millennium Park's 2019 calendar of events, which means that it's time to get head start on planning your picnics in the Great Field. Here are all of the free happenings you'll be able to enjoy in Millennium Park this summer. Millennium Park Summer Music SeriesThere's no lineup for this popular free concert series yet, but we expect around 10 shows on this year's slate, which should be revealed in April or May.Most Mondays and Thursdays, June 13–August 15 at 6:30pm, Jay Pritzker Pavilion Chicago House Music Festival and ConferenceThis year's celebration of house music begins with a conference for DJs, musicians and industry professionals at the Chicago Cultural Center and continues with two days of free performances in Millennium Park, including a set from London R&B collective Reel People and DJ/producer Tony Humphries.May 23 at Chicago Cultural Center; May 24, 25 at Jay Pritzker Pavilion Chicago Gospel Music FestivalChoirs and singers take the

Pi Day, named for the mathematical constant contained within the date 3/14, has gradually evolved into a holiday centered around food—specifically, pie. Every year, bakeries and pizzerias join in on the fun by offering special deals on slices of pie and pizza. Even if you can only rattle off a few digits of pi (3.1415926535), you can still score a discount on some of the best pie and best pizza in Chicago on Thursday. We've assembled some of the most notable Pi Day bargains below. Baker's Square (all Chicagoland locations)On March 13 and 14 you can get $2 off any full-sized pie when purchased in-store (sadly, cheesecake and carrot cake are excluded from this offer).First Slice Pie Café (all locations)All slices of pie are buy one, get one half off at every Chicagoland First Slice location. Bennison's Bakery (1000 Davis St, Evanston)Offering six-inch pies for $3.14 (in-store only, no pre-orders). Chiya Chai Cafe (2770 N Milwaukee Ave)Offering two specialty pies, Balti Chicken Savory Pie and Kale and Potato Savory Pie, for $3.14 each. Cupitol Coffee + Eatery (455 E Illinois St)Selling miniature Greek pies for $3.14. The Windsor/Remington's Restaurant (160 E Huron St, 20 N Michigan Ave)Both restaurants will sell slices of key lime pie for $5 during lunch and dinner. Jet's Pizza (all Chicagoland locations)Recite the first three digits of pi and get a small one-topping pizza for $3.14. Avli Taverna (1335 W Wrightwood Ave)Selling individual hortopita pies for $3.14 Chicago