City Cast Chicago

Today we’re talking about the rise of Flock automatic license plate reading cameras on college campuses, including at the University of Illinois Chicago. Contributors Liegh Giangreco and Al Scorch walk us through the growing controversy. Plus, we’ve got a floating riverboat circus unlike anything you’ve ever seen, and our favorite Chicago documentaries.  Good News: Bronzeville Trail Framework...

This year, Chicagoans have seen more grocery stores close on the South and West Sides, SNAP benefits stripped from tens of thousands of households, and food prices continue to rise. Sun-Times health reporter Elvia Malagon joins us to discuss how this is all contributing to an increasingly food-insecure Chicago. Plus, WBEZ’s arts and culture reporter Mike Davis is in the building with the must-see...

Today we’re talking about a local historian’s fascinating copyright battle, the rise of microcinemas and film clubs, and the ‘Divvyfication’ of Chicago. We are joined by contributors Jill Hopkins and PJ Walker.  Shows: Pop Quiz Hot Show, I Said What I Said, Storyfest Good News: Build Coffee Writing Workshop, The Kick Off Open Mic, Proud and Loud:  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? T...

A neighborhood group is building bus benches in Ukrainian Village. But will the city remove the unauthorized infrastructure? Executive producer Simone Alicea and contributors Yareni Murillo and Anna DeShawn discuss the need for benches and shelters. Plus, it’s Bisexual Visibility Week, and autumn is nearly here. Good News: Rooted in Recovery Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to...

Mayor Brandon Johnson has officially announced his campaign for a second term in office. He enters alongside more than a dozen challengers, including a Cook County board commissioner, secretary of state, county treasurer, and a congressperson. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran are running through the full list of candidates. Plus, we hear from City Cast Chicago readers and l...

Chicago’s Department of Public Health has worked diligently in recent years to expand access to free Naloxone/Narcan, the opioid overdose drug. You can find it at Chicago Public Library locations, in vending machines at various train stops, and recently in retrofitted newsboxes. We talk with contributors Jill Hopkins and Adora Namigadde about the city’s latest initiative to save lives. Plus, what...

Over the weekend, White Sox minority owner Justin Ishbia released stadium renderings that confirmed the team is considering a move to the South Loop and also assisting Amtrak’s proposed facility relocation and expansion to Bridgeport. Neighborhood groups, local officials, and some fans have weighed in, calling it a double dose of devastating news for the community economically and environmentally....

As Big Marsh Park prepares to officially celebrate ten years on the South East side, the park has cut the ribbon on new bike features on the nearly 300-acre site. We are joined by contributors Al Scorch and PJ Walker to discuss the history and growing legacy of BMP. Plus, it's Self Care Awareness Month, and we’re recognizing over 40 years of The Oprah Winfrey Show.    Learn more abo...

A 2026 study has ranked Chicago as the ‘World’s Most Climate Resilient’ major city. After a summer of torrential storms, tornado warnings, and wildfire smoke, we ask contributors Anna DeShawn and Leigh Giangreco how much they are buying that headline. Plus, after years of pandemic recovery efforts, Loop restaurants seem to be bouncing back, and we’ve got even more recommendations for this weekend’...

As Mayor Brandon Johnson prepares to make a big announcement about his “political future” on Sunday, Sept. 13, we visited City Hall for a one-on-one interview. Thanks to the City Cast Chicago audience, we had plenty of questions to ask spanning budget season, data centers, and more.  By the way, did you know we’re on YouTube? Just saying, you might want to check out the video for this one. Go...

Former Loretto Hospital COO Anosh Ahmed was finally in federal court this week, where he pleaded not guilty to defrauding the safety-net hospital and federal government. Block Club Chicago’s Manny Ramos is here with the latest. Plus, Tatyana Najee joins the podcast to discuss her digital series exploring Chicago’s 50 alders.  Good News: Midnight Circus Want some more City Cast Chicago news? T...

Today we are joined by contributors Jill Hopkins and Leigh Giangreco to discuss the tragic mass shooting in Washington Park over the weekend, both Ye and North West performing in Chicago, and the upcoming Printers Row Lit Fest. Good News: Fact Checking Training Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also t...

An immigration judge in Chicago ordered 6 children to be deported. We break down what children are facing in Chicago immigration courtrooms. Plus, how to not get finessed when looking for parking for a Sox Game, and the world record meetups we would like to see in the city.    Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us...

September in Chicago is going to see us outside, come storms or heatwaves. Between Mexican Independence Day celebrations, Fall Theater Season, and the Bears’ home opener, we’ve got plenty to look forward to. Here’s your guide to getting the most out of the month.  The Brown Line newsletter and events calendar are free at thebrownlinechi.com, and listeners can follow @thebrownlinechi on Instag...

Last week, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order barring companies with a recent history of workplace discrimination from receiving city contracts. It also requires city contractors to disclose past work done for other governments and law enforcement agencies, and creates a new procurement task force. We dive into the details with contributors Leigh Giangreco and Al Scorch. Plus, we’ve g...

Today we brought in the Tribune’s A.D. Quig and Illinois Answers Project’s Alex Nitkin to talk about all things property taxes. We discuss continued delays at the treasurer’s office and the growing tax burden on homeowners, the impact of 40 years of TIF districts, and massive tax breaks for Cook County data centers.  Good News: Chicago House Music Festival & Conference Want some more City Cas...

The Field Museum is in the process of repatriating 175 sacred objects to the Pulikla Tribe of Yurok People. Contributor Adora Namigadde digs into the museum’s efforts to return objects and remains to Native American tribes. Plus, contributor PJ Walker is previewing some of Chicago’s fall film fests, and executive producer Simone Alicea celebrates “Just Because” day. Want some more City Cast Chicag...

O’Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. And for most Chicagoans, commute times to and from the airport can be wildly unpredictable. Now, a private company is proposing 15-minute express train rides from O’Hare to the Old Post Office. We discussed the plan and our dream 15-minute commutes with Brandon Pope and Anna DeShawn. Plus, what is the future of gender-affirm...

Today, executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran are talking about two weeks of power outages across Gary and Northwest Indiana; CPS’ biggest questions as kids return to school; and a friendly faceoff between some of Chicago’s most beautiful places of worship. Good News: Final Argyle Night Market,  Walking Mural Tour, Porch Life Tours Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then...

Illinois’ congressional Democrats are calling for an end to “megamaster” hearings at Chicago’s immigration courts, referring to morning calendars where judges are seeing over 100 cases at a time. Creative producer Michelle Navarro tells executive producer Simone Alicea and contributor Al Scorch how the chaos at the court is contributing to a spike in deportation orders. Plus, what happens when a d...

It has been two years since Mayor Brandon Johnson ended the city’s contract with the gunshot detection company Sound Thinking, also known as ShotSpotter, to the chagrin of some alders. City Hall has kept the door open for a replacement, and two alders have begun testing new options. We discussed SplitSec AI with Chicago Public Media’s Arionne Nettles and Block Club Chicago’s Melody Mercado. Plus,...

NASCAR announced it will not hold a race in Chicago next year. Contributors PJ Walker and Yareni Murillo tell executive producer Simone Alicea what they think should replace it. Plus, ABC is suing over early review of broadcast licenses for stations like Chicago’s own Channel 7. We also submit our picks for the best Mexican food in the city. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to...

The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park is a forthcoming multi-billion-dollar development on the former U.S. Steel South Works site on the Southeast Side of Chicago. Over the weekend, Mayor Brandon Johnson attended a community town hall meeting in the neighborhood. We are joined by contributors Brandon Pope and Anna DeShawn to discuss how the meeting went, what neighbors are asking for, and...

Last week, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order aiming to modernize regulations and oversight for Chicago’s data centers. He also called on the City Council to put a pause on new data center approvals and expansions. Host Jacoby Cochran and creative producer Michelle Navarro break down the details. Plus, alders debate the “ICE Out” pledge and creative producer Emmi Mack drops by to talk...

The Illinois Department of Transportation has released the most recent traffic stop data from police departments across the state. While overall traffic stops in Chicago are down, Black and Latino drivers are still three to six times more likely to be pulled over than white drivers. We dive into the numbers with contributors Adora Namigadde and Jill Hopkins. Plus, Chicago is on high-risk alert for...