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BEST DATE NEWS
April 3, 2025: Best Date News Volume #120
Welcome to Best Date News, your favorite Chicago weekly newsletter! In this week’s newsletter you will read about new speed cameras being installed, rat birth control, James Beard Award finalists, the removal of the Hard Rock Cafe guitar sign and more!
April 3: National Holidays
National Burrito Day
National Chocolate Mousse Day
National Independent Artist Day
National Find a Rainbow Day
World Party Day
Via Getty Images
Chicago News
Speed Cameras: The city activated 16 new speed cameras this week in Chicago. In an effort to help raise money for the city, balance the budget and make streets safer, Chicago is planning to install 50 new speed cameras throughout the city. Anyone going six miles per hour or more over the speed limit will be issued a ticket, with fines starting at $35 and going up to $100. April will serve as a test period ,with people receiving warnings for the first 30 days.
Rat Birth Control: In what we assumed was an April Fool’s Day prank this week, the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods will be implementing “rat birth control” in an effort to help combat the city’s rat problem. You may recall that Chicago has been named the “rattiest” city in the country for 10 straight years. The birth control is cottonseed oil, which causes rat infertility, and will be set up in bait boxes. It serves as an alternative to rat poison.
James Beard Finalists: The 2025 James Beard Award finalists were announced yesterday, and Chicago had a handful of nominations. From the 22 Chicago semifinalists announced in January, five have been named as finalists for this year’s prestigious awards. Chicago is represented in the following categories: Outstanding Restaurant, Outstanding Bar and Best Chef: Great Lakes.
Chicago Closings: The Alinea Group’s St. Clair Supper Club has closed. The Fulton Market restaurant opened in 2019 and was located in the basement of the former Roister space. Just eight months after opening, River North’s Welcome to the Farm has already closed down. It was the country bar backed by Jimmy Butler, Roquan Smith and Chase Rice among others. Bar Louie has closed its South Loop restaurant as well.
Guitar Sign: On the top of restaurant closings, Chicago’s River North is losing another iconic landmark. The Hard Rock Cafe’s famous guitar sign (and the restaurant itself) is being removed from the Clark and Ontario intersection. This once-beloved fixture now joins the Rock ‘N Roll McDonald’s and Rainforest Cafe as part of the city’s history.
Just For Fun
Things To Do: Looking for something to do in Chicago this weekend? Chicago’s annual Greek Heritage Parade in Greektown on Sunday is one of 21 Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend. While you are in Greektown, pay a visit to Greek Islands. We think it’s one of Chicago’s best Greek restaurants.
Taste of the L: In case you missed it, we played a fun April Fool’s Day prank this week of announcing the debut of “Taste of the L” for this summer in Chicago. It was set to be the first ever moving food festival, with it taking place aboard the CTA. Did we trick you?!
Giant Jelly Beans: Did you see the giant, floating jelly beans that appeared on the Chicago River underneath the Michigan Avenue Bridge this week?! They were a part of an April Fool’s Day promotion from the Harry Potter Shop that will be opening in Chicago one week from today.
Penn & Teller: The iconic magic and comedy duo of Penn & Teller will be visiting the Chicago Theatre this fall for their 50th Anniversary Tour. Tickets go on sale to the general public tomorrow at 10 a.m., but if you use the special code SOCIAL, you can access presale tickets right now.
Free Museum Days: Looking to visit a museum this month? We shared the April free museum days here in Chicago. There is even a rare weekend day at the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry.
Poll Question of the Week
With April Fool's Day having taken place this week, do you think it's a fun holiday?What was your favorite April Fool's joke?! |
Poll Results: Last newsletter we asked which MLB team you are rooting for this season and you said:
65%: Cubs
15%: White Sox
20%: Other
Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago
Here is today’s outlook in Chicago (compared to last week):
Sunrise: 6:29 a.m. (12 minutes earlier)
Sunset: 7:18 p.m. (8 minutes later)
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