City Cast Chicago

Latest Episodes:

StreetWise Celebrates 30 Years of Lending a ‘Hand Up’ Sep 28, 2022

Show notes

StreetWise is celebrating its 30th anniversary, which is no small feat when you factor in the pandemic and inflation. The weekly magazine’s vendors are fixtures in our communities, and some of them have been doing it since the beginning. We hear from a few of them, and lead producer Carrie Shepherd talks with StreetWise Executive Director Julie Youngquist about the origins of the magazine and how it works to help people in need.

StreetWise’s 30th anniversary celebration is at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Galleria Marchetti.

This episode was originally published July 6, 2022.

Join us Thursday from 6–7:30 p.m. at Midwest Coast Brewing for a City Cast Chicago happy hour! Drinks on us!

Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Here's Why Chicago is a Wrestling Town Sep 27, 2022

Show notes

From the park, to neighborhood theaters, to giant arenas, you can catch professional wrestling matches in Chicago just about every weekend. Local independent wrestling star Colt Cabana and former referee and wrestling historian Phil Wills tell us about Chicago’s role in wrestling history, what they love about it, and what it takes to become a pro wrestler.

Some good news: Andersonville Arts Weekend

Join us Thursday from 6–7:30 p.m. at Midwest Coast Brewing for a City Cast Chicago happy hour! Meet the team and fellow City Cast listeners while enjoying free drinks!

Why Is There (Still) So Much Lead In the City's Water? Sep 26, 2022

Show notes

Between 2016 and 2021, Chicago tested 24,000 homes for lead levels in the water. According to a recent Guardian report, 1 in 20 homes exceeded federal limits. However, the city has never done a full analysis of the data and fewer than 200 of Chicago’s 400,000 lead pipes have been removed under Mayor Lori Lightfoot. So we have to ask: Are officials taking this problem seriously? Host Jacoby Cochran talks with freelance journalist Taylor Moore, who co-reported the story.

Profiting from poison: how the US lead industry knowingly created a water crisis

Revealed: the ‘shocking’ levels of toxic lead in Chicago tap water

This Thursday, Sept 29th we are hosting a happy hour from 6-7:30 p.m. at Midwest Coast Brewing. You can meet the team, grab some swag, and have drinks on us!

Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

What Does ‘Progressive’ Mean? Plus, Lightfoot's BET Interview and the Best Day of Summer! Sep 23, 2022

Show notes

Municipal elections are around the corner and over a dozen alders are not seeking reelection, have already left office, or are running for Mayor. City Council will look very different soon and The Triibe explores what that means for City Council’s Black Caucus and the future of progressive politics at City Hall. Speaking of progressive, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s reelection campaign hit BET this week, and the mayor argued her first term has largely been a progressive success. We asked Triibe’s cofounders Tiffany Walden and Morgan Elise Johnson about the Mayor’s record and if they believe her claims hold up. Plus, you don’t want to miss this week’s good news, Morgan and Tiffany share their Best Day of Summer. (Spoiler: it involves Beyonce and Diana Ross!)

Other Stories Discussed:

What’s going on with the Invest South/West Program

What’s Next for Austin’s Iconic Pink House

Good News: Chicago Gourmet Festival

Congrats to the winner of our Summer Bucket List Challenge, Annie A., who completed all 21 items! To celebrate, we'll be hosting a happy hour from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sep. 29, at Midwest Coast Brewery. You can meet the team, grab some swag, and have a beer on us!

Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Let's Peel Back the Layers of Lincoln Park Sep 22, 2022

Show notes

Listener Andie Linker grew up in Lincoln Park and loves the expansive green spaces throughout the area. Her parents have been residents for decades and are known for throwing one of the best neighborhood block parties. Andie reached out to City Cast Chicago because she says while she loves her community, she believes it’s important to acknowledge and repair the long history of gentrification, displacement, and erasure. Host Jacoby Cochran visits Oz Park in Lincoln Park with Andie to learn more about her personal history, love for the neighborhood, and her favorite things to see, do, and eat in Lincoln Park and Old Town.

Spots Andie recommends:

Annette’s Italian Ice

Lincoln Park Conservatory

A little bit of news: Catch up on what City Council did on Wednesday.

Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Fight Back Against Book Bans Sep 21, 2022

Show notes

With organized groups around Chicagoland pushing to remove books like “Gender Queer” and others from schools, this year’s Banned Books Week feels more pressing than ever. Now in its 40th year, Banned Books Week is a time to celebrate the freedom to read and fight against censorship. Kelly Jensen is an editor at Book Riot, and she tracks book bans. She tells host Jacoby Cochran about efforts to ban books here and explains what we can do about it.

PEN America’s report on the rise of book challenges in schools

Guide to fighting censorship

Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

How to See Chi through Ferris Bueller’s Eyes Sep 20, 2022

Show notes

When the conversation about Chicago classic movies begins, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” will most likely be on the list. Writer Leigh Giangreco grew up in Buffalo loving the film, and now living in Chicago, Giangreco wondered if you could recreate Ferris, Cameron, and Sloane’s day off and get it all done before the parents get home. Leigh documented her day for the Washington Post, and tells host Jacoby Cochran the details of how it all went down.

Some good news: Latin Restaurant week

Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Chicago Jingles That Still Smack! Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

Anyone who grew up around Chicago, or outside Chicago and watched WGN or listened to WGCI, knows we have some classic and catchy commercials and jingles for local businesses. Think about it: the sultry sound of Adriana Furs, the enthusiasm of Moo and Oink, and the memorable phone numbers from our favorite carpet sellers. Even if you haven’t seen or heard them in years, you know them. Writer Chasity Cooper compiled some of her favorites recently for The Triibe and she joins host Jacoby Cochran to talk about those jingles and some stories behind them.

Some Good News:

Reeling: The 40th Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival

Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

A Fact Check on SAFE-T, What’s Up at CTA, and ‘Best Evening Ever’ Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

Between a political ad featuring a video of an attack in Chicago and misleading social media posts circulating about Illinois’ SAFE-T act, there have been a lot of misinformation and misrepresentations to fight this week. Luckily, we have Jill Hopkins and Pat Whalen to help host Jacoby Cochran break it down. The trio also talk about problems at CTA, a longtime exhibit leaving the Museum of Science and Industry, and some gooooood newwwws.

Good News:

Pat Whalen's "Best Evening Ever"

The Rink is back!

Michael "Chef Mike" Airhart feeds migrants

Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

'This is My Home Base': A Visit to Pullman and Roseland Sep 15, 2022

Show notes

For author, professor, and South Side connoisseur Arionne Nettles, Pullman and Roseland are her home base. Host Jacoby Cochran meets Arionne at the Pullman National Monument to reminisce on childhood memories, talk neighborhood history, and she shares some of her favorite things to do, see, and eat on the Far South Side.

Spots Arionne recommends:

Palmer Park

Pullman National Monument

A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum

Lexington Betty Smokehouse

Old Fashioned Donuts

Original A.P. Deli

Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246