City Cast Chicago

After securing construction funding, prepping demolition, and releasing yet another set of mockups, Bally’s Casino officials say plans for Chicago’s first ever permanent casino are on track for 2026. However, lower than projected attendance and revenue at the River North temporary site paired with criticism from city leaders continue to mar the project in skepticism. Axios Chicago’s Carrie Shepher...

This week Millennium Park celebrated 20 years since its opening in 2004. The city is hosting a weekend full of free events to celebrate its anniversary. Sun-Times architecture critic Lee Bey tells host Jacoby Cochran how Millennium Park came to be and how it transformed Chicago’s iconic downtown.  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Fol...

Pizza Hut recently launched a square-cut, thin-crust pizza that it’s marketing as “Chicago’s best kept secret.” And since the chain’s take on tavern-style pizza has been panned in local reviews, we’re telling you about our favorite spots to find this Chicago classic. Host Jacoby Cochran, producer Michelle Navarro, and City Cast marketing director Caroline Patton give their picks and engage in the...

The Republican National Convention is underway in Milwaukee, just a few days after a suspected assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss how this is playing out in Illinois and Chicago. Plus, they’re catching you up on the weekend’s summer storms, the indictment of a former Loretto Hospital executive, and what to see at...

It’s prime moving season, and Chicago’s rental market remains competitive with median rent hovering around $2,000. Earlier this spring, we talked with local real estate broker Andy Svalesen to get some apartment hunting tips. Some good news: Karaoke Storytellers on Shoreline Sightseeing If you enjoyed today's interview with Revolution Brewing's Founder, Josh Deth, learn more here. Want some more C...

As Chicago mourns following Fourth of July weekend shootings, WTTW’s Joanna Hernandez and Block Club’s Maxwell Evans tell us about the latest. We also discuss two major festivals leaving the South Side, a housing ordinance asking developers to invest in more affordable housing, and what happened at the Community Benefits Agreement summit in Hyde Park. Plus, fun things to look forward to like kayak...

We often have people in our inbox who want to get involved in the city’s vibrant arts scene. They’ve got this creative urge, but they just don’t know where to start. Our host Jacoby Cochran will be the first to tell you that Chicago’s open mic scene can be a great jumping off point. Whether you’re interested in sharing your poetry, original stories, music, or comedy there is definitely an open mic...

The Vienna Beef warehouse made a cameo in “The Bear,” next Wednesday is National Hot Dog Day, and we are entering peak cookout season. So we guess it’s time to finally talk about the Chicago-style hot dog. The City Cast Chicago team breaks down the Chicago dog’s origins, their favorite places to grab one, and if it deserves all the hype. Spots mentioned: Jim’s Original The Wieners Circle Maxwell S...

NASCAR’s street race was held over the weekend in Grant Park. Between small music crowds, Sunday rain delays, and road reopenings, was this a successful NASCAR weekend? Plus, executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran talk about festivals this weekend and events for Chicago singles to find love — or at least one date — this summer.  Events mentioned: Love Isn’t Blind Speed Dating at...

Mayor Brandon Johnson recently expanded financial assistance for families impacted by gun violence, including for funeral expenses. Meanwhile, a state program that aims to help families pay for burial costs when a child is killed by gun violence is off to a slow start, helping only two families in its first year. We talk with The Trace reporter Rita Oceguera who explains what families go through w...

City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from all 13 City Cast daily local podcast hubs to talk about what stories they’re watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Listen in for how Jacoby Cochran's story stacks up against the rest. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also...

Chicago might be the snack capital from big brands like Nabisco and Kellogg to local ones like Garrett Popcorn and Jays Chips. But which Chi snacks are worth packing for your July 4th road trip or cookout? We’re bringing back a conversation from the winter between host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro, where they break down the best snacks the city has to offer and the snacks unworthy...

NASCAR returns to Chicago this weekend. Last year’s race was marked by fierce debate, torrential rainstorms, and mixed economic returns. So how will this year’s event fare? Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea lay out their predictions. Plus, they rank their favorite Metra stops and discuss festival lessons from June. Good news: Pride South Side Want some more City Cast Chicago...

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Chicago community.  The holiday week will keep us busy in Chicago, but what else is happening this month besides Fourth of July? We got you covered with fireworks tips, summer eats, and a festival calendar. For even more tips on how to make the most of July in Chicago,...

In November, Chicagoans will go to the polls to elect members of the Chicago School Board for the first time. Filing week is over, and now we know a total of 47 candidates will be on the ballot across 10 districts. Chalkbeat Chicago’s Becky Vevea and WTTW’s Heather Cherone are in the building with everything we need to know before voting. Plus, we discuss former Ald. Ed Burke’s two-year prison sen...

The third season of the Emmy award-winning show “The Bear” returned this week, and Chicago is ready for it. Host Jacoby Cochran and correspondent Greta Johnsen are breaking down the storylines they’re most excited for this season as the rain and dental work keep them inside this weekend. Plus, we’re talking about interesting Sundance films in Chicago this weekend and books we’re reading.  Want som...

Chicago’s Food Truck Festival is ongoing all summer at Daley Plaza — you can catch the next one Friday. But despite this annual summer fest, Chicago’s food truck culture is severely lacking. Eater Chicago editor Ashok Selvam tells host Jacoby Cochran about why food trucks are so rare here and which ones you should check out if you can find them. If you enjoyed today's interview with Chicago Depart...

Former Ald. Ed Burke was sentenced Monday to serve two years in prison and pay a $2 million fine. Burke was convicted on racketeering and bribery charges in December after he used his longtime power in City Council to enrich his business, intimidate his opponents, and uphold Chicago’s infamous political machine. We break down Burke’s sentence and what it could mean for future corruption trials. Pl...

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden signed an executive order severely restricting asylum claims at the U.S.-Mexico border. As Chicago struggles to provide refuge for new arrivals, we ask Block Club Chicago’s Madison Savedra to break down Biden’s latest moves, the impact it could have on Chicago’s over 40,000 asylum seekers, and where the city is two years since buses first started arriving. G...

Earlier this week, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order establishing a reparations task force to create a Black reparations agenda. The task force will examine Chicago policies that have historically disenfranchised Black Chicagoans and suggest measures to address these systemic inequities. The Triibe’s Tonia Hill spoke with residents about how they believe reparations should look. We a...

Move over summer fests — we’re talking about summer pests. The longest day of the year is also set to be one of the hottest in Chicago, so host Jacoby Cochran and contributor Greta Johnsen talk about ways to beat the heat this weekend, play a game of “burden or delight,” and give us the definitive ranking of Chicago’s creepiest and crawliest pests from rats, to bedbugs, to mosquitoes. Take our sur...

Chicago is likely to see temperatures in the 90s all week as a heat dome settles over the midwest. We’ve got the resources you need to stay cool. Plus, executive producer Simone Alicea gives producer Michelle Navarro a City Council quote quiz, and we discuss Chicago’s latest cute animal stories. Stories mentioned: “Resolution calling for Carter’s ouster from CTA gets sidetracked” “Alderman after r...

We are less than two weeks away from Chicago’s largest LGBTQ+ pride celebration when nearly one million people will make their way to the Northalsted neighborhood for the 53rd annual Pride Parade. However, with a shorter route and fewer participants, we’ve got everything you need to know before the parade kicks off. We are joined by Windy City Times writer and newsletter editor Jake Wittich, who a...

Riot Fest announced Wednesday that it is leaving Douglass Park for SeatGeek Stadium in suburban Bridgeview, blaming the Chicago Park District for the decision. The move comes after years of pushback from the community in North Lawndale despite support from the local alderperson. Riot Fest is Sept. 20-22, which also presents a challenge for the Chicago Red Stars who play at SeatGeek. We are joined...

Thanks to the beer-loving folks over at Revolution Brewing we have been talking about neighborhood summer festivals all week long. But Chicago is also home to two of the biggest music festivals in the country: Pitchfork and Lollapalooza with 20,000 and 115,000 daily attendees respectively. With over 200 music acts between the two, we are trying to create the perfect single-day lineup for both fest...