City Cast Chicago

Last week, White Sox fans experienced every emotion imaginable. As the team struggles through a disappointing season marred by injuries, suspensions, and below .500 baseball, White Sox owners fired two longtime executives and are now weighing their options for when the team’s stadium lease ends, including leaving the South Side or even a potential sale to Nashville. So what the hell is going on wi...

Chicago Public Schools are back in session. Chalkbeat Chicago's Samantha Smylie and Northwestern professor and author Arionne Nettles join host Jacoby Cochran to discuss first week of classes, challenges facing the district, and CPS’s restraint and timeout compliance. We are also discussing the White Sox’s wild week and a new West Loop weed fest!  Also check out Pizza City Fest and Taste of Greekt...

Earlier this year, host Jacoby Cochran talked with journalist and author Natalie Moore about one of her favorite movies, the 1993 Chicago classic “The Fugitive.” Natalie is a self-proclaimed super fan and believes it ranks above all other movies based in Chicago. As the film celebrates 30 years, Natalie reminisces on why she watches it any time it’s on TV and how it creates a full picture of the c...

The number of elders being scammed out of their life savings is increasing while Illinois’ system to protect seniors from financial exploitation is failing. We ask Injustice Watch’s David Jackson what’s driving this rise in cases, which demographics are most likely to be conned, and what must be done to protect Chicago’s aging population.  Some news: Celebrate International Dog Day this weekend wi...

Tuesday is Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 100th day in office. While we have realistic expectations about what can be accomplished in three months, it remains a much discussed political benchmark. So what were Mayor Johnson’s campaign promises for his first 100 days and has he delivered? Lead Producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran dig into it. Plus, we asked about your favorite places to cry, and...

Chicago Public Schools students are back in class today, including probably thousands newly-arrived migrant children. We say probably because CPS hasn’t been able to provide specific data on how many migrant students have enrolled in schools. We’re talking with Chalkbeat Chicago's Max Lubbers and Gabriel Paez, a bilingual elementary school teacher, to learn how the district has prepared — or is st...

Chief Larry Snelling has been selected as the next police superintendent, and Dr. Allison Arwady is out as public health commissioner. What did we learn about Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administrative priorities with these moves? And will these decisions have any real impact on everyday Chicagoans? We ask WTTW’s Heather Cherone and Block Club Chicago’s Maxwell Evans. Plus, water safety at Promontory...

There is just too much to do in Chicago every weekend. That’s why host Jacoby Cochran is talking with Hey Chicago editor Sidney Madden and City Cast marketing coordinator Jermaine Thomas, who are always on top of the latest events to check out in the city. Jermaine and Sidney compete to see who has the dopest weekend itinerary. Whose weekend would you rather have? Any events we missed? Let us know...

From construction to public transit gaps to the sheer size of the city, getting around Chicago is really hard. While it’s easy to rely on apps, Chicagoans love to brag about knowing the best shortcuts and side streets. So host Jacoby Cochran brought on Axios writer Carrie Shepherd to see who knows the city streets better: Google Maps or us. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to...

Friday afternoon, Mayor Brandon Johnson fired Dr. Allison Arwady after four years leading the Chicago Department of Public Health. Then Sunday, the mayor named counterterrorism bureau Chief Larry Snelling as the new police superintendent. Snelling has been with the department for 31 years and awaits confirmation from the City Council. These are two of Mayor Johnson’s most critical decisions to dat...

This summer, Chicago has increased spending on temporary shelters, resource centers, and services for the nearly 13,000 migrants and asylum seekers that have arrived since last August. Still, many City Council members feel left out of the process and are calling for more financial transparency. Lead producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran have the latest. We are also looking back on some of...

While federal agencies track flood risk across the country, FEMA maps may paint an incomplete picture of the risk in Cook County. Heat risks are also rising for Chicagoans, and community groups are trying to fill a gap in resources. Block Club Chicago’s Mina Bloom and WBEZ’s Patrick Smith are with lead producer Simone Alicea to break down those stories, plus catching up on a fatal shooting of a 9-...

The first day of school is coming up, but there is still plenty to do for kids in Chicago. Jenny LeFlore aka Mama Fresh says the August gap between the end of summer camps and the start of classes can be especially difficult for parents. As a mother and influencer, Jenny helps connect families with activities and resources. She joins us to share her own personal events list. Garfield Park Conserva...

For the last 94 years, the Bud Billiken Parade has been Chicago’s ultimate back to school bat signal. It’s the largest Black parade in the country and every year features notable politicians, local celebrities, and dozens of community organizations. Last year, host Jacoby Cochran talked to Shermann “Dilla” Thomas about the history of the Bud and Shkunna Stewart about her family’s history dancing i...

Chicago’s Department of Public Health warns that COVID cases and hospitalizations have been going up in recent weeks. Lead producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran break down the numbers and look ahead to forthcoming vaccines. Plus, we asked Hey Chicago readers if other City Cast cities have a Midwestern feel, and we debate which Chicagoland animal stole our hearts this summer. Why Chicago F...

Local TV and film actors held another rally downtown last week as they strike along with writers, shutting down production in Chicago. Freelance TV and film critic and The Spool editor-in-chief Clint Worthington has been talking with actors, writers, and tradespeople about how the strike is unfolding here. He tells lead producer Simone Alicea what’s happening in Chicago’s film industry and what vi...

Northwestern University has struggled to manage the fallout from the hazing scandal rocking its athletic department as lawsuits continue to emerge. Meanwhile, what can Chicago leaders learn from other cities and states that have enacted tax hikes on high-end real estate sales like the one under consideration in City Council? Crain’s reporter Leigh Giangreco and Alex Nitkin with Illinois Answers pr...

The vast majority of Chicago’s dog parks are on the North Side. But among all of the city’s equity issues, why should we pay attention to this one? To find out, lead producer Simone Alicea talked with 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn about the push to open two dog parks this summer in Garfield Ridge and West Lawn. She also visits the new Wentwoof Dog Park hear what dog owners think. Want some more City...

The rent is due, new college students are setting out into the world, and now is a great time to get your finances in order before the reality of fall kicks in. That’s why we’re revisiting some budgeting tips we got in April from NerdWallet writer Kimberly Palmer. Host Jacoby Cochran, lead producer Simone Alicea, and former City Caster and Axios Chicago writer Carrie Shepherd examine their own fin...

Mayor Brandon Johnson and his allies in City Council want to put the Bring Chicago Home ordinance on the March 2024 ballot. The measure would increase Chicago’s real estate transfer tax, a one-time tax paid when a property is sold, on properties over $1 million to fund efforts to fight homelessness. Lead producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran break down the yearslong push to get Bring Chic...

Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to create an exploratory committee on reparations for descendants of Black formerly enslaved people who have resided in Chicago. His predecessor also convened a reparations subcommittee, but the group rarely met. Meanwhile, Evanston managed to pass a reparations ordinance nearly four years ago. We’re talking with Robin Rue Simmons, the former alderperson who led the cha...

As more temporary housing facilities open for migrants and asylum-seekers, neighborhood resistance grows to the city’s rollout. During this week’s Immigrant and Refugee Rights Committee meeting, some alders demanded a more comprehensive plan. Block Club Chicago’s Melody Mercado and host and educator Lawrence ‘Binkey’ Tolefree catch us up on the latest. We are also celebrating Chicago’s steakhouse...

Chicago’s weather has been unpredictable this month. Canadian wildfire smoke has blanketed the sky for days, torrential rain has already affected major events like NASCAR and Pitchfork, and we could see a high of 98 degrees Friday. So with one of the summer’s busiest weekends upon us, we are designing the perfect schedule to keep you safe from the weather without sacrificing your fun!  Festivals t...

Summertime Chi is filled with plenty of opportunities to dance the night away, including at the city’s SummerDance series next week. You’ll catch Chicagoans Footworking, doing the Polka Hop, the Cha-Cha Slide, and, of course, Stepping. City Cast lead producer Simone Alicea, a former dancer herself, wondered when and how Stepping entered the dance vernacular. Last year, we talked to Kiana Moore who...

Chicago’s always been a union town, but labor is having a moment right now. Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Simone Alicea discuss recent labor updates from workers at Howard Brown Health, El Milagro, and striking actors and writers. Plus, we are hearing your library love and imagining Chicago horcruxes. Some news: Get Free Tickets to Bears’ Training Camp at Halas Hall Fiesta Del Sol begins T...