City Cast Chicago

Recreational cannabis was legalized in Illinois two years ago. But equity is still a big problem. Gov. Pritzker promised licenses for — and revenue from — recreational pot would go to Black and brown neighborhoods disproportionately affected by drug-related offenses and convictions. But the majority of licenses are currently held by white men. Meanwhile, legal groups like New Leaf Illinois work wi...

With the announcement that Lollapalooza is coming back at full capacity, Chicago’s summer festival season seems to be coming back in full swing. This may be welcome news for some artists and festivalgoers who missed out last year because of the pandemic. But at least two local music writers are nervous about these large crowds. Guests: Leor Galil, Music Writer, Chicago Reader (@imLeor)  Jessi Roti...

The International Council of Museums has dubbed Tuesday “International Museum Day.” Chicago is home to all kinds of museums big and small, and they showcase the cultural diversity of the city. Host Jacoby Cochran recently visited several of these cultural centers, including the Haitian American Museum of Chicago on the North Side, the Ukrainian National Museum on the West Side, and the Chinese Ame...

Host Jacoby Cochran heads to the commercial center of Hyde Park to talk to diners, shoppers, and Sunday strollers about how they’re feeling after the CDC’s new finding that masks are no longer required indoors or outdoors for fully vaccinated people. And while that was welcome news for some, others decided to stick with the plan from the last year and stay masked up. 

On Saturday, the Chicago News Guild is hosting a rally to “Save Local News,” particularly the Chicago Tribune. The paper’s parent company is facing a takeover by Alden Global Capital, which has a reputation for gutting the newspapers it buys. Guild President and Sun-Times reporter Andy Grimm explains why he thinks the deal is bad for Chicago. And we hear from Tribune reporter and guild organizer L...

Episode Description: Teachers have had to adapt in so many ways during the pandemic. Remote learning created new challenges for students’ academic success, but it’s also meant a new level of anxiety and isolation. Teachers-- really all adults-- have to be plugged into kids’ mental health in addition to their other needs. Communities in Schools works with 175 Chicago Public Schools to train teacher...

Black women in Illinois are three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related conditions, according to a recent report from the state health department. This disparity has persisted for decades. It’s one reason a mother-daughter team founded the Chicago Birthworks Collective. The doulas focus on making giving birth safer and healthier for Black people. Jacoby talks with Birthw...

The pandemic has forced us to get creative in how we can socialize. That means: go outside. The Chicago Park District has more than 600 parks across the city with playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis courts, soccer fields and indoor activities at field houses. Even though playgrounds and pools were closed during the pandemic, Chicagoans used the green space to throw down chairs, play some music and...

Less than one week after Gov. JB Pritzker announced the James R. Thompson Center was for sale, its architect was tragically killed in a biking accident. Helmut Jahn’s most famous building in Chicago has also been a source of controversy. It’s been derided for its retro colors, its inefficient heating and cooling system, and its spaceship-like facade among neo-classical architecture. But Jahn’s des...

We’ve been hearing all week from our guests about their favorite teachers. Today, host Jacoby Cochran introduces us to Dr. Denise Spells, principal at St. Ethelreda in Auburn Gresham, whom Jacoby calls “a second mom.” Plus, a tour of the Pill Hill neighborhood with Theresa Ferrell, who is Jacoby’s actual mom. “Mama T” takes Jacoby to the block where she grew up and where she still lives.  Follow u...

Being a new teacher is already a tough job. It gets even tougher when you’re starting out during a pandemic. That’s one reason the Illinois State Board of Education teamed up with state teachers unions in the fall to create a mentorship program for first-year teachers. As we approach the end of the school year, we check in with one of the program coordinators to hear how it’s going. Then we hear f...

The Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History (TEAACH) Act would require public schools to include lessons about Asian American history, including the wrongful incarceration of Japanese Americans and the heroic service of Asian American military during World War II. The curriculum is based around the PBS series “Asian Americans.” Guest: Grace Pai, Director of Organizing, Asian Americans...

Janice Jackson is resigning as CEO of Chicago Public Schools, effective June 30. She's been in the job nearly four years. Jackson joins other top CPS officials in leaving after a tumultuous year for the school district. WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp breaks down Jackson’s legacy and what these moves mean for schools, students and families. Guest: Sarah Karp, Education Reporter, WBEZ (@SSKedrep...

It’s been over a month since Chicago Police shot and killed 13-year-old Adam Toledo. And Chicagoans are contending with yet another video of police shooting 22-year-old Anthony Alverez. The recent shootings are prompting journalists to re-think how they cover these stories. To help with that, City Bureau’s Ellie Mejía is helping to gather input from the public through the organization’s “Public Ne...

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Thursday that Chicago is easing more pandemic restrictions and increasing capacity for indoor venues. Chicago’s restaurants have been in Phase 4, which means indoor tables up to six people and outdoor seating up to 10 people. The return of indoor dining should be welcome news to hospitality workers who were hit hard during the pandemic, but some restaurants are havin...

Illinois is losing a seat in the U.S. House as a result of the 2020 Census. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to redistricting and political power. In addition to Congressional districts, officials are also redrawing state legislative districts and Chicago’s wards this year. Advocates like Syamala Krishnamsetty are pushing for redistricting reform, so people have more say in red...

Fans are hoping this is the year for a Chicago Sky championship. The team’s roster is stacked with veterans like two-time MVP forward Candace Parker and rookies like point guard Shyla Heal from Australia’s professional basketball league. Sportswriter Chris Pennant covers the WNBA. He gives us a preview of the Sky’s season in the context of the league’s 25th anniversary. Guest: Chris Pennant, Contr...

Chicago is a theater town, but live stage productions have been virtually wiped out for more than a year. Theater critic Kerry Reid breaks down the ways artists have adapted, how theaters are emerging from the pandemic, and how the city’s theater scene may be permanently affected. Guest: Kerry Reid, Theater and Dance Editor, Chicago Reader (@kerryreid) Here are some of the projects and theaters Ke...

Chicago has more lead water service lines than any other American city. Lori Lightfoot is the first mayor to promise to remove the pipes, but seven months after announcing a plan, WBEZ’s Monica Eng reports no progress has been made. Eng has been following problems with lead in the city’s water for years. She breaks down how Chicago got to this point. Guest: Monica Eng, Curious City Reporter, WBEZ...

This week, the city announced $60 million in grant funding to reignite Chicago’s arts scene after the pandemic. Chicago Tribune critic Chris Jones says it’s one of the largest infusions of cash from the city that he’s seen. Jones also broke the news this week that many laid-off staff at The Second City may not get their jobs back when the iconic comedy theater opens back up. Jones tells us why the...

The 12th season of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema is underway. The fest is online and outdoors at the Lincoln Yards Drive-in. Unfortunately, the screenings of Oscar-nominee “Minari” are sold out. But there’s plenty left to see. We talk with founder Sophia Wong Boccio about which films she’s looking forward to and why the festival is important to her. Guest: Sophia Wong Boccio, Founder/Executive Dir...

Jacoby heads to Chicago’s Loop after the jury in the Derek Chauvin murder trial delivers the guilty verdict. Local activists talk about what the verdict means and how significant this decision was. We also hear from Frank Chapman, who has spent decades fighting for police accountability; and Arionne Nettles, a journalism professor at Northwestern University who recently wrote about police killings...

There’s more to cannabis-infused food than just gummy bears and brownies. Manny Mendoza is a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef who runs Herbal Notes, a company that creates pop-up dining experiences in Chicago and California. His infused dishes run the gamut from brunch to tapas to a very special frozen chocolate milk. Mendoza explains how he’s created a business and lifestyle that combin...

David Axelrod may have been born in New York, but he very much identifies as a Chicagoan. After arriving at the University of Chicago as a student nearly 50 years ago, the long-time political strategist and one-time chief adviser to Barack Obama advisor is still here. Axelrod and Jacoby talk politics, idealism, and what makes Chicago great.  Plus, we hear some of your “Weak-Ass Takes.” Read on for...

The teachers union has reached a deal with Chicago Public Schools for high schoolers to return to class Monday. It comes after tense negotiations this week. Meanwhile, the debate over creating an elected Chicago school board is heating up in Springfield, with competing proposals emerging. Jacoby breaks down the politics with two education reporters. Guests: Sarah Karp, Education Reporter, WBEZ (@S...