City Cast Chicago

After months of speculation, U.S. Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is officially running for mayor of Chicago. Garcia notably announced his campaign on the 40th anniversary of Harold Washington, the city’s first Black mayor, launching his historic campaign for Chicago’s highest office. Joining host Jacoby Cochran are Block Club Chicago's Jamie Nesbitt Golden and WCIU TV host Brandon Pope. The trio...

Election season can mean commercials and speeches full of fearmongering around crime, stereotypes about the South and West sides, and calling Chicago a hellhole. But it doesn’t just happen when there's an election. Freelance journalist Mark Braboy recently wrote for The Triibe about the growth of online hip-hop and culture blogs, and how Chicago misinformation has become some of their bread and bu...

Voters in Illinois headed to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots for local, state, and federal offices in midterm elections. The City Cast Chicago team recaps some key races including those for governor, Congress, and the state Supreme Court. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

As we await election results tonight, our eyes are likely to get pulled to big congressional, legislative, and gubernatorial races. But you’ll also want to keep an eye on the Illinois Supreme Court, where Democrats’ decades-long majority is at stake, and the attorney general’s race. From public safety to access to abortion, these offices have a lot of influence. WBEZ criminal justice reporter Shan...

Few people probably remember that in 2015, the Supreme Court’s decisions on same sex marriage and the Affordable Care Act, as well as the racist shooting rampage that killed nine African Americans at a Charleston church all happened within 10 days. Cody Keenan remembers. He was former President Barack Obama’s chief speechwriter, which meant he had to craft the right words for Obama to deliver. In...

It’s the last weekend before midterm elections, so of course we’ve got big names making the rounds. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are in Illinois, following visits this week from former president and first lady Barack and Michelle Obama. But it’s not just elections in the news: CTA president Dorval Carter said this week he will appear before the City Council after skipping a...

During a budget hearing last month, Department of Planning and Development Commissioner Maurice D. Cox said the city has 4,000 vacant lots that are clean and ready for sale. He also promised a more streamlined process in purchasing those lots. City Cast Chicago listener Makema Adkins has one of these city-owned lots behind her condo on the Near West Side, where she’s lived for over a decade. In 20...

Last year around this time we asked, “Are these Bulls for real?” That’s because the team had one of its best starts in years, exciting new players, and a newfound intensity on the court. Heading into this season, following a first round exit in the playoffs and a quiet off season, many are wondering what the team’s ceiling is this year. Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with ESPN NBA reporter Jamal Co...

In addition to statewide and congressional races, candidates for Cook County offices are on the ballot this election, including Cook County board president and board commissioners. But voters may not be as familiar with what those elected officials actually do. WBEZ politics reporter Kristen Schorsch explains how one of the largest counties in the U.S. spends its $8 billion budget and which races...

Re-watching a classic film as an adult, after living for decades in the city where it's set, can bring out very different reactions than the first time you watched it. The original "Candyman" came out in 1992, and is about the urban legend of the man with a hook arm, covered in bees who haunted the Cabrini Green public housing buildings. Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Carrie Shepherd rewatc...

TimeOut Chicago editor Emma Krupp’s job is to bring readers events that cater to a range of interests, neighborhoods, and lifestyles. Of course, Halloween weekend is a stacked calendar. Emma tells producer Simone Alicea some of the events she recommends.  Families Arts in the Dark Parade Logan Square Halloween Parade Chicago Park District events Chicago Public Library events Party Procrastinators...

The South Shore neighborhood is home to beautiful beaches, amazing architecture, and an ornate ballroom where the Obamas had their wedding reception. But despite these sights, writer and longtime South Shore resident Evan Moore says the neighborhood doesn’t get the recognition and investment it deserves. He tells host Jacoby Cochran about some of his favorite things to eat, see, and do in South Sh...

The term "cuffing season" refers to single people looking to couple up for cold weather cuddles, holiday parties, and visiting family now that the summer is over. City Cast contributor Leigh Giangreco went to the Logan Square Farmers Market, a popular meeting spot with a reputation for being "horny," to hear from people attending a singles event. Leigh tells host Jacoby Cochran how Chicagoans are...

As we get closer to Election Day, you’ve probably seen memes or posts wrongly decrying criminal justice reforms in Illinois as a “purge law.” Among other changes, the SAFE-T Act passed in 2021 abolishes cash bail. It goes into effect in January. Garien Gatewood with the Illinois Justice Project is here to fact-check the misinformation and explain what abolishing money bond really means. A little b...

Fall is in full swing, but there’s still time to get outside before winter hits. Journalist and naturalist Zack Nauth compiled a list of 20 midwest hiking trails to visit this season all over the prairies, marshes, valleys, and forests near Chicago. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with Nauth about his top picks from that list, what to expect on the trails, and his favorite things about hiking. Places di...

The city earmarked $1.2 billion for social services in the 2022 “Chicago Recovery” Budget. But according to WTTW, just $130 million has been spent this year on violence prevention, affordable housing, youth programs, mental health, and helping unhoused Chicagoans. WTTW politics reporter Heather Cherone tells host Jacoby Cochran why so little money has been spent. Plus, Nadia Hernandez, print manag...

Shortly before the neighborhood was named one of the coolest in the world by TimeOut, City Cast listener Cat Kliegle reached out to say Avondale is “like Logan Square’s slept-on sibling.” Cat takes host Jacoby Cochran right across the river to Clark Park to talk about how the historically Polish neighborhood has changed. Plus, she gives us her recommendations of things to eat, see, and do, includi...

For years, Chicago has grappled with what to do about monuments that fail to recognize the whole truth of the city’s history and memorialize seminal community leaders. The Chicago Monuments Project issued their recommendations this summer for what to do about monuments in the city that feature colonial history and white supremacy. The report included a call for new work. One of the projects receiv...

With Election Day three weeks away, maybe you’re looking for some help making sense of everything that’s on the ballot, especially if you’ve been feeling disillusioned with politics. That’s where the comprehensive Girl, I Guess Progressive Voter Guide may come in. Every election, organizer Stephanie Skora looks at issues through a progressive lens, focusing on candidates and measures that support...

Eve Ewing’s “1919” has been adapted from the page to the stage this month at Steppenwolf Theatre, with upcoming performances at Chicago parks, juvenile detention centers, and other community spaces. The sociologist, professor, poet, and author chats with host Jacoby Cochran about her award-winning work. They talk everything from the history of the Chicago race riots to the release of her upcoming...

Chicago’s new police oversight commission has been slow to hire staff, prompting tough questions from alders and organizers who’ve fought decades for civilian oversight. Host Jacoby Cochran talks about that and other stories from the week with Injustice Watch’s Charles Preston and Chicago Reader’s Kelly Garcia. They discuss Willie Wilson’s efforts to court Latinx voters, alders exploring more inde...

The 58th annual Chicago International Film Festival kicked off this week with screenings in venues all over the city — even virtually, in people’s living rooms. The event spans 12 days and spotlights more than 90 features and 60 shorts, from big budget films to international indies to documentaries to, of course, local filmmakers. Reporter Leigh Giangreco is writing all about the festival this yea...

For years, Illinois’ Black Panther Party worked in neighborhoods across Chicago in places like churches, high schools, and theaters. Leila Wills is the executive director of the Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party, and she’s leading the effort to officially landmark some of the spots across Illinois and Chicago where the party was active. Host Jacoby...

This Saturday, thousands of people will descend on Navy Pier for Slow and Low: Chicago Lowrider Festival. The exhibition will feature hundreds of custom cars, bikes, and other vehicles along with Mexican art and dance displays. Photographer and festival curator Edward “Magic” Calderon tells host Jacoby Cochran how lowrider culture is about more than the cars. A little bit of news: Early voting has...

Fridays are for getting caught up on the week’s news and prepping for the weekend. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ’s City Hall reporter and Brandis Friedman, WTTW anchor extraordinaire, about the mayor’s new budget, WTTW’s Permanent Punishment series, tiny homes, and another cop-involved shooting. Plus, the Chicago Sun-Times loses its paywall, and volunteers archive key burial re...