City Cast Chicago

Chicago’s domestic violence cases surged last year, even as overall violent crime dropped. BlockClub Chicago’s Mina Bloom, Borderless Magazine’s Katrina Pham, and host Jacoby Cochran are breaking down the latest numbers. Plus,  Ald. Vazquez and Fuentes want clarity on Welcoming City violations, CPS enrollment declines continue, and Chicago is under an extreme cold watch.  Good News: Femdot's Ramov...

If you’re looking to quit Dry January right when it ends, or if you need a spot to hang out with non-Dry January friends, breweries are the perfect place. Chicagoland has one of the highest concentrations of breweries in the country. Executive producer Simone Alicea talked with Adam Drakulic, a local Brewery tour guide, in 2024 about Chicago’s brewing history and how to truly make the most of the...

Bally’s Chicago casino is seeking an extension on its construction deadline for its permanent site in River West. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss the latest news, including whether the city can buy back the parking meters after the infamous $1 billion deal that left Chicagoans feeling scammed. Plus, a look back at the Bears game and how this storybook season left t...

Our video about “slashies” (bars-slash-packaged goods stores) really got you all debating about what “real” Chicagoans call things. Host Jacoby Cochran, social media manager Rick Homuth, and executive producer Simone Alicea debate whether “slashie” is a real thing and the popularity (or perceived popularity) of other Chicago slang terms. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sig...

Earlier this week, Trump was once again threatening to withhold funding from Chicago and other sanctuary cities with stated commitments to protecting immigrants. We sat down with TV host Brandon Pope and South Side Weekly’s Alma Campos to discuss whether these threats will withstand ongoing legal challenges. Plus, Venezuelans migrants feel left in limbo, Fulton Market's business rents are skyrocke...

Barnes & Noble, the last of the giant chain bookstores, is opening a massive flagship store downtown after the company’s Wicker Park location opened last year. Host Jacoby Cochran and host of “Happy To Be Here”, Greta Johnsen, discuss what this resurgence means for Chicago’s independent bookstores, where they get their books, and Greta’s picks from Chicago authors. Want some more City Cast Chicago...

Just because we are in the midst of Chicago winter doesn't mean you have to stay inside. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive director Simone Alicea, and producer Michelle Navarro talked last fall about all the food, drinks, and activities that cost 10 dollars or less. Some lists and resources: Infatuation’s list of $10 meals Hey Chicago’s lists of cheap eats downtown and free things in Chicago Laura Ke...

Last week, the Chicago Public Schools’ Office of the Inspector General released its annual report, which included investigations into cases of pandemic relief fraud, financial mismanagement, and sexual abuse and misconduct. Producer Michelle Navarro and host Jacoby Cochran discuss the findings. Plus, we’re reliving the Bears' historic playoff comeback and talking about our favorite spots during Ch...

The 2026 Primary Elections are right around the corner. So we’re talking about the biggest races we’re watching, including the contest for U.S. Senate, the county board president’s race, and the future of property tax assessments. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran also break down historic retirements in their congressional districts. Good News: The Moth at The Den Want some...

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability held a meeting this week to hear testimony from Chicagoans about federal immigration enforcement over the past six months. We talk about the latest news with Block Club Chicago’s Francia Garcia Hernandez and The Triibe’s Corli Jay, including a teen curfew advancing in the City Council, an affordable housing initiative in North Lawndale,...

As the federal funding outlook for child care and educational programs looks more and more uncertain, we decided to visit the after-school program at Carole Robertson Center for Learning’s Albany Park site. As the center celebrates its 50th anniversary, host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro ask some of the kids in the program what they think Chicago adults should know, and they talk to...

If your New Year’s goals involve being a better Chicagoan, then we think there are some things about the city you should know. That’s why we’re revisiting these essential Chicago rules from host Jacoby Cochran, Hey Chicago newsletter editor Emmi Mack, and social media manager Rick Homuth. This episode was first published Aug. 7, 2025 — and make sure you go back to part one. Good News: Douglass Par...

We’re back to catch up on some of the biggest stories around the city! The State & Lake CTA station officially closed Monday for a three-year renovation. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss what the $444 million project means for commutes and budgets. We also discuss the Bears’ playoff outlook and recap what happened with the city budget (spoiler: no veto, and no shutd...

Nobody understands a city’s pulse quite like a City Cast host — and that makes them the best predictors for 2026’s biggest local stories. City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran joins CEO David Plotz and the other 12 hosts from across the network to talk about the big changes coming to our cities, from political shifts to data centers. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up...

Happy New Year! We’re getting 2026 started right with a guide to what’s happening in January, from how to celebrate Martin Luther King Day to how to make the most of Restaurant Week. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and social media manager Rick Homuth are here with all the tips you need. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes an...

Holidays are a great time to catch up on movies, from summer blockbusters to nostalgic classics. Earlier this year, the City Cast Chicago team set a lofty goal: To put together a list of the best Chicago movies of all time. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, Hey Chicago newsletter editor Emmi Mack, and social media manager Rick Homuth came up with 12 films deserving of this hon...

As we look back on the year’s milestones, 2025 marks 25 years since Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley unveiled the Plan for Transformation. It was a decade-long initiative that demolished Chicago’s public high-rises, overhauled the city's public housing system, and displaced thousands of Chicagoans. Author Natalie Moore and investigative reporter Mick Dumke have tracked the city’s claims about its ov...

Chicago’s airports are boasting another season of record travel. But what travelers really need to know is what to eat, where to find last-minute gifts, and general tips for navigating the busy travel season. That’s why host Jacoby Cochran is talking with Axios reporter Justin Kaufmann, who’s also been covering the massive renovations at O’Hare. Good News: ChiTown Drive-In Want some more City Cast...

The Bears are making threats again — this time saying they’re considering a move to Northwest Indiana after they hit a wall trying to reduce their property tax burden in Arlington Heights. It’s just another chapter in the ongoing back-and-forth, but with other Chicago teams vying for new stadium projects, we’re wondering: Is there a better way to do this? Host Jacoby Cochran talks with the Chicago...

After leaving Chicago a few weeks ago, Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino has returned with about 200 federal agents and camera equipment. We are joined by the Tribune’s Laura Rodriguez Presa who has been following this terror campaign since the beginning. Plus, Chalkbeat Chicago’s Samantha Smylie is here to discuss forthcoming school board elections, the search for the next CPS CEO, and a South S...

For 10 years, nonprofit Open Television has been supporting Chicago filmmakers as an incubator and with their own streaming app. Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with OTV co-founder Elijah McKinnon to discuss which of the app’s 500+ titles you should start with, how it could have only happened in Chicago, and why intersectional storytelling is so important. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then...

The solstice may be this weekend, but it’s been winter in Chicago for weeks now. Still, there’s plenty of cold ahead, so it’s a good time to revisit last year’s essential winter rules with WBEZ’s Susie An. Vote City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Email Newsletter in the Reader's Best of 2025. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago...

In June, Chicago police officer Krystal Rivera was shot and killed by fellow officer Carlos Baker during a foot chase. The department described the shooting as an accident. Now, Rivera’s family says she broke off a romantic relationship with Baker shortly before the shooting and claims the department failed to protect her. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down the lat...

Back in January, we discussed the most powerful people in Chicago. But a lot has changed since then…or has it? TV host Brandon Pope and the Tribune’s A.D. Quig are back to discuss how political power has shifted across Chicagoland and who might emerge as power players in 2026. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchica...

It has been two months since Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced his $16.6 billion budget plan, which he argues leverages new taxes on Chicago’s largest corporations to avoid layoffs, service cuts, and property tax hikes while funding critical public safety initiatives. This week a group of alderpeople introduced an alternative budget. We ask WTTW’s Heather Cherone and Block Club Chicago’s Jaime Nesb...