City Cast Chicago

Chicago schools that implemented restorative justice practices a decade ago have seen big reductions in suspensions and student arrests, a recent study from the University of Chicago found. Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Simone Alicea discuss how changes in CPS’ approach to discipline impacts students. They also hear your thoughts on camping versus glamping and dissect the New York Times’ l...

Less than 10% of Chicago’s waste is recycled, according to a recent Tribune report. Meanwhile, other cities boast rates of 70% or more. Axios’ Monica Eng has been covering the city’s waste management struggles for years. She tells host Jacoby Cochran what’s driving Chicago’s abysmal recycling rates and offers some tips for all of us to do better. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make su...

Chicago has paid $178 million to resolve wrongful conviction lawsuits since 2019, according to WTTW. Now the city faces yet another suit from Lee Harris, who spent 30 years in prison for a crime he claims police officers coerced him into confessing to. The Triibe’s Tonia Hill and the new cohost of WBEZ’s The Rundown, Adora Namigadde, are here with the latest. We’re also discussing the need for mor...

It’s the final day of our Fall Getaway Guide. This week we’ve pitched road trips in every direction and autumnal stops off the Metra. But it wouldn’t be a fall trip without some time in nature, so we’re talking camping, glamping, and hitting the hiking trails. We are joined by Chevy Linear and Kam Stanton, the couple behind the popular TikTok account Black People Outside, to get some tips on how t...

We’re back with the second day of our Fall Getaway Guide. Yesterday we gave you all the tips and tricks for the best road trips near Chicagoland, but you don’t need a car to have some fall fun! That’s right, we’re talking about one of Chicago’s most underrated getaway options: day trips on the train! Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by Allison Yates, the founder of Read & Run Chicago and contributor...

It’s officially fall, and the City Cast team is going road tripping! Host Jacoby Cochran, lead producer Simone Alicea, newsletter editor Sidney Madden, and marketing coordinator Jermaine Thomas each picked a direction and gave us their best road trip ideas. Whether you’re in it for the leaf peeping, tasty treats, a little fright, or a cozy vibe, we’ve got getaways for you! This is the first of thr...

Federal student loan payments start back up in October following a pandemic pause. This is a huge deal in Illinois where more than 1.5 million people applied for student loan forgiveness before President Joe Biden’s plan was blocked by the Supreme Court in June. We talked with WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip following the court’s decision, and now she is back as loan interest accrues an...

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is defending the decision to sign a one-year, nearly $30 million contract with controversial private security firm GardaWorld Federal Services for the construction and operation of Chicago’s migrant “base camps.” These are a network of tent encampments expected to house nearly 1,600 asylum seekers-currently living at police stations and airports. We sit down...

Today is Earth, Wind & Fire Day. Founded in Chicago by the late band leader Maurice White in 1969, the legendary group has sold over 100 million records worldwide, won every imaginable award, all while redefining multiple genres of music. In honor of their timeless sound and over 50 years of hits, we are joined by Clark Atlanta University professor Trenton Bailey, the author of “Do You Remember: C...

Matthew Cherry’s short film “Hair Love” won an Oscar and became a New York Times bestselling children’s book. Now the writer, director, and Chicago native is continuing the story in “Young Love,” a Max animated series premiering Thursday that stars Issa Rae and Kid Cudi. Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with Cherry to talk about how this story has resonated so deeply with him and why it needed to be...

Last week, Fifth Ward Ald. Desmon Yancy introduced the South Shore Housing Preservation Ordinance to City Council. The measure would provide increased protections for longterm renters and homeowners who fear displacement as the Obama Presidential Center continues construction in Jackson Park. Lead Producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran look through the ordinance and discuss how the proposa...

Budget season has officially begun! Mayor Brandon Johnson released his first budget forecast last week, kicking off his first budget process with a gap that was larger than previously predicted. WBEZ City Hall reporter Mariah Woelfel tells lead producer Simone Alicea what to watch out for and why it matters. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsl...

Mayor Brandon Johnson has outlined a plan to relocate nearly 1,600 migrants and asylum-seekers from Chicago police stations to what he calls “winterized base camps” with tents similar to temporary shelters in New York City. Block Club Chicago’s Madison Savedra and Jamie Nesbitt Golden are here with the latest from City Hall. We are also talking about potential city-owned grocery stores, Riot Fest...

In a twist on the “alphabet dating” TikTok trend, host Jacoby Cochran and City Cast marketing coordinator Jermaine Thomas faced off last week to see who could come up with the best Chicago date ideas based on the letters in their first names. Now lead producer Simone Alicea and newsletter editor Sidney Madden are offering their picks whether you’re gearing up for cuffing season, celebrating a long...

Been seeing more monarch butterflies lately? Now is the time when Illinois’ state insect migrates south toward Mexico. Along the way, many will stop in a yard in Pilsen, where Claudia Galeno-Sanchez has created a garden of native plants to help the pollinators. We took a tour of her butterfly sanctuary last year, and she explains how the butterflies’ journey reminds her of her own immigration stor...

Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg reports police failed to accurately track 911 response times nearly half time. The lack of data makes it difficult to quantify disparities that South and West Siders say affect their neighborhoods. Lead producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran take a closer look at the report. We also have updates on WBBM’s Chicagoland Creature Championship and want...

Next week, Chicago Public Schools will kick off election season for local school councils. The councils help drive big decisions across Chicago’s schools like approving how funds are allocated, evaluating and selecting principals, and voting on police in schools. They’re also also one of the main ways students, parents, and neighbors can get involved. Here to explain how they work is Chalkbeat Bur...

Earlier this summer, longtime Blackhawks owner and CEO Rocky Wirtz died at the age of 70. His son Danny Wirtz has been named successor. Coming off years of controversy, losing seasons, and concern about the direction of the hockey team, Wirtz will be tasked with rebuilding trust and hope in the franchise. We break down the transfer of power with Crain’s Corli Jay and the Tribune’s Shakeia Taylor....

Whether you’re gearing up for cuffing season, celebrating a long-term relationship, or you’re just looking for something for you and your friends to do, Chicago is full of great date spots. A recent TikTok trend called “alphabet dating” is helping Chicagoans narrow down the options in a creative and fun way. The goal is to come up with a date idea for each letter of the alphabet. The City Cast tea...

Tomorrow the Poetry Foundation is starting its Fall season with a celebration at the Harold Washington Library featuring Chicago’s first-ever poet laureate avery r. young. young was raised in the Austin neighborhood, and has built a career as a writer, educator, activist, and visual artist. Host Jacoby Cochran sat down with the new poet laureate earlier this summer to learn about Chicago’s poetry...

Regulators with the Illinois Gaming Board are expected to inspect Bally’s temporary casino at Medinah temple today and run practice gaming sessions this week. If all goes according to plan, the doors of Chicago’s first-ever casino could open this month. Lead Producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran discuss the casino’s political timeline and ask just how excited are Chicagoans to gamble in R...

Last week, two White Sox fans were struck by gunfire during a home game at Guaranteed Rate Field. Both individuals are recovering, but White Sox officials and Chicago Police are still investigating what actually happened. Chicago Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba and WTTW’s Joanna Hernandez join host Jacoby Cochran to break down the latest. We also discuss the city’s lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai, a North P...

Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to plan a quick Midwestern Road Trip. Luckily for us, our friends over at City Cast Madison aren’t too far away. So we asked host Bianca Martin to design her ideal Chicago day, while our host Jacoby Cochran comes up with his own Madison trip. And of course we wouldn’t be us if we didn’t make the two hosts compete for “Best Midwestern Daycation!” Want some more...

All summer we’ve been hearing how Chicago is coming back with tourism up, crowds outside, and no shortage of daily events. And the backbone of this resurgence is Chicago’s world class dining scene. But many restaurants are still reeling from the pandemic and inflation, with closures touching neighborhoods across the city. Eater Chicago has been tracking Chicago’s restaurant closures, and editor As...

Last week, we saw the conclusion of yet another corruption trial with ties to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Tim Mapes, Madigan’s former chief of staff, was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice. Lead producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran break down the latest details. We are also listening your tips for making new connections in Chicago and mapping where the lat...