City Cast Chicago

We have known all year that regional transit agencies were headed towards a fiscal cliff, so it only makes sense that lawmakers finally passed a transit funding bill in the middle of the night last Friday. As the $1.5 billion package heads to the Governor’s desk, we’re looking at what made it in the final bill. Plus, we’re discussing where to find food support and free events around the city. Good...

And just like that, it’s November. Producer Michelle Navarro is here with ways to help your neighbors. Executive producer Simone Alicea says now’s the time to learn to navigate the pedway. And host Jacoby Cochran is warning you to gear up for Christmas music. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Chicago c...

The loss of federal food assistance due to the government shutdown will affect nearly 2 million Illinoisans. Gov. JB Pritzker is directing $20 million to help close the gap, but Sun-Times reporter Tina Sfondeles explains that’s only a fraction of the need. She talks with executive producer Simone Alicea and Alex Nitkin with the Illinois Answers Project about what’s next. Plus, they discuss the cha...

Since the beginning of  “Operation Midway Blitz,” Chicago neighborhoods have remained on high alert, afraid that immigration officials could arrest community members at any moment. This has made it especially difficult for people who work in public, such as construction workers, day laborers, and street vendors. Producer Michelle Navarro recently attended a street vendor crawl in Back of the Yards...

Halloween is Friday, and for some of us, the best place to find a last-minute costume is one of the city’s vintage or thrift shops. And Chicago’s got no shortage of options, whether you’re looking for designer steals, great bargains, or selling your clothes. For Hey Chicago Newsletter editor Emmi Mack, this isn’t just a hobby but a way of life, as she grew up hanging out at vintage stores with her...

Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino has been ordered to testify in federal court this week as ICE continues to ignore court orders and tear gassed more Chicago neighborhoods over the weekend. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran have the latest. Plus, Chicago’s number of tenant unions is growing as frustrations about renter protections and housing prices mount.   Want some more Cit...

Three years ago, the first buses from Texas carrying migrants and asylum-seekers came to Chicago. More than 51,000 have arrived since then. With immigration agents now roaming the city, we’re checking in on where those new arrivals are now. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with Borderless magazine’s Mauricio Peña, Diane Bou Khalil, and Katrina Pham, along with Block Club Chicago’s Madison Savedra. Want s...

While a ton of attention has been focused on the federal government shutdown and Chicago’s budget battle, south suburban Harvey is currently managing its own budget crisis and partial shutdown including layoffs and furloughs. Harvey World Herald founder Amethyst Davis is here to break down the latest. Plus, WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel joins to discuss the fallout from ICE raids in Little Village and Cic...

At DePaul University, Chicago rapper Femdot is professor Femi Adigun for his course “Chicago Culture Through Hip Hop.” Today, class is in session as the artist sits down with host Jacoby Cochran to explore how Chicago’s history can be traced through rap music. Good News: SUG N JAM Open Mic Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @...

In honor of our 1,000th episode in March, we released a list of 1,000 things we love about Chicago. It includes not just things we at City Cast appreciate, but also things listeners, guests, and Chicagoans love most about the city. With Chicago once again squarely in the national spotlight, it felt like the perfect time to revisit this love letter to our city. Nominate City Cast Chicago as Best Po...

Over 100,000 people marched downtown Saturday during Chicago’s No Kings protest. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran recap the march and discuss ongoing court proceedings regarding the deployment of federal troops in Illinois. Plus, we’re looking at Chicago Magazine’s tongue-in-cheek “budget beaters” and ongoing results from our spookiest thing in Chicago poll. Good News: Dia...

Mayor Brandon Johnson gave his highly anticipated budget address last week. The headline has been the city’s $1.19 billion budget deficit. Now we’ve got our first look at how City Hall wants to balance the budget. WTTW’s Heather Cherone walks us through the biggest proposed tax hikes, spending cuts, and the political climate heading into budget negotiations.   Good News: Bulls Home Opener Want som...

Another week, another violent encounter with ICE in a Chicago neighborhood, as federal agents targeted residents on the city’s Southeast Side earlier this week and unleashed more tear gas on protesters. We are breaking down what we know so far with Block Club Chicago’s Francia Garcia Hernandez and TV host Brandon Pope. Plus, CTA fares are expected to jump next year, Chicago is expanding free compo...

A few weeks ago, we did an episode about how to make friends in Chicago. But in addition to the many free or low-cost clubs and activities you can find around the city, private social clubs also seem to be gaining popularity. So host Jacoby Cochran is talking with Payton Turner, a creator who follows arts and culture and has been making videos about Chicago’s social clubs. She explains why she joi...

Despite President Donald Trump calling the city a “hellhole,” Chicago was named Best Big City in the country by Condé Nast Traveler for the ninth year in a row. Host Jacoby Cochran sat down with Choose Chicago’s CEO and president, Kristen Reynolds, to discuss what it’s like to market our city to tourists, particularly in a time when Chicago is constantly in the national spotlight.  Good News: Dest...

Lawsuits against the Trump administration are coming down left and right in Chicago, leading to blocks against National Guard deployment and orders that ICE can’t tear-gas journalists and peaceful protesters. But the president has shown he’s looking to get around the law in any way he can, which has us wondering: Do these lawsuits even matter? Host Jacoby Cochran talks with ACLU-Illinois’ Ed Yohnk...

A judge has temporarily blocked National Guard deployment in Chicago. This comes as a federal judge ruled against ICE’s arrest tactics. We’re breaking down the latest updates with executive producer Simone Alicea and The Triibe’s Corli Jay. Plus, state lawmakers are back for the fall veto session next week, Bears seek Hail Mary redemption in DC, and Chatham welcomes a new wine bar to 75th street. ...

Think you already know the best restaurants in Chicago? What about the ones that operate inside other establishments? Chicago’s pop-up scene is legendary, but hard to track if you’re not in the know. That’s why host Jacoby Cochran is talking with Infatuation Chicago’s John Ringor, who’s been tracking pop-ups all summer. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey C...

With all the focus on what the feds are doing in Chicago, let’s remember there are still local stories unfolding. Neighbors have been pushing for more information about what will happen to Ford City Mall on the Southwest Side. Bridge Industrial is seeking to buy the property to turn it into an industrial corridor. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with the Sun-Times Lee Bey and Block Club’s Atavia Reed ab...

The Trump administration has announced it’s withholding $2.1 billion in federal funds for Chicago transit projects, including the extension of the Red Line. The extension has been decades in the making. While local officials grapple with the future of the project, we’re revisiting a conversation we had in 2023, when it finally seemed like it was really happening. CTA’s TaNesheha Marshall and Andre...

The White House confirmed it’s authorizing the deployment of 300 National Guard troops to Illinois against the wishes of Gov. JB Pritzker. The announcement came hours after a woman was shot and injured by immigration agents in Brighton Park. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down what we know so far. Resources mentioned: ICIRR Hotline: 855-435-7693 ACLU Illinois Tips f...

The federal government’s rhetoric and tactics have only intensified around Chicago since border patrol agents marched along Michigan Avenue over the weekend. The president again threatened to send the military to Chicago, and protesters in Broadview are facing charges. Executive producer Simone Alicea is going through it with Axios Chicago’s Justin Kaufmann and Block Club’s Melody Mercado. They al...

With spooky season officially here, we’re getting into the spirit by holding a tournament for the scariest things in Chicago. From haunted hotels to thrilling intersections to Chicago’s underworld (aka lower Wacker), the City Cast Chicago team will crown a winner. Disagree with our picks? Vote in the first round and prove us wrong. Good News: Beyond the Screen What’s not scary? Becoming a City Cas...

October marks the holiday sprint to the end of the year. Hey Chicago newsletter editor Emmi Mack has everything you need for Halloween. Executive producer Simone Alicea has fall fun for the scaredy cats. And host Jacoby Cochran is reminding you to watch for street sweeping.  Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, inv...

Gov. JB Pritzker is warning federal troops may soon come to Chicago after dozens of federal immigration agents marched Sunday through downtown Chicago making arrests. The display followed another round of protests and tear gas at the Broadview ICE facility and what appeared to be a Border Patrol photo op on boats near Navy Pier. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea go over the...