Stay ConnectedChicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday morning. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers; activists and artists; bus drivers and students; those who love and hate this place. City Cast Chicago is a smart and delightful new way to connect with the city we share. Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter at chicago.citycast.fm.
Named Best Podcast by Chicago Reader 2022
With gas prices off the charts lately, some people are considering making the switch to electric vehicles. But for many, buying an electric vehicle isn’t exactly affordable — with the average price hitting $66,000 last month. So how can the EV market become more accessible to the average person? In Illinois, EV buyers can get a rebate up to $4,000 for their purchase. Host Jacoby Cochran speaks to Megha Lakhchaura, Electric Vehicle Coordinator of Illinois, about that, plus the role of EVs in addressing the climate crisis.
If you want to get an EV rebate, submit an application within 90 days of purchasing an electric vehicle through through the state's EV Rebate Program.
August line-up of performances at the Salt Shed
Some Good News:
"The Best Summer of My Life" film screening at Kilbourn Park
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If you have a vacant lot on your block, then you know what it’s like to constantly pass by the overgrown weeds and the trash. The city owns more than 10,000 of these lots alone. City Cast 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. Two years ago she started the process of buying the lot to build a bigger home for her growing family. And she’s still trying to buy it. Makema walks us through the process and explains why she thinks the city should make it easier for residents like her to build on these lots.
Makema texted us with her story idea, and you can too! Reach out or leave a voicemail at (773) 780-0246
Some Good News:
Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo
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Google’s coming to the Thompson Center, two Chicago Public School teachers keep their jobs after allegedly being fired for encouraging students’ activism, and some Lake Michigan love! Lead Producer Carrie Shepherd talks about all that and more with WBEZ reporter Susie An and Block Club Chicago reporter Mina Bloom as part of City Cast Chicago’s weekly roundup.
Don't forget...it's still summer! Take our Summertime Chi Bucket List Challenge!
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On Wednesday, officials announced Google will be moving into the Thompson Center in The Loop. The state closed on its sale of the famed building to JRTC Holdings, LLC for $105 million, and Google will move in. The company will “entirely redevelop” the building into an office suite for Google employees. The Thompson Center, designed by the late architect Helmut Jahn and opened in 1985, has long been a source of controversy. Some praise the post-modern building while others deride its retro colors and its spaceship-like facade among neo-classical architecture. All agree that it needed major renovations to fix its inefficient heating and cooling system and years of disrepair. But Jahn’s designs were integral in ushering a new era of design known as post-modernism. Jacoby Cochran speaks to Lee Bey, photographer, Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic, and author of “Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago's South Side,” about the Thompson Center’s legacy.
This interview was originally published May 10, 2021, after the sudden death of Helmut Jahn.
Some Good News: While you can now get texts from the likes of former first lady Michelle Obama, we want to know what famous Chicagoans YOU'D want to get texts from. Let us know by texting US (or leaving a voicemail) at (773) 780-0246
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Lollapalooza is back in Chicago this weekend. Since it landed in the city in 2005, Lollapalooza has gone from a smaller, two-day fest in Grant Park to a full-on, multi-day takeover of the Loop, the CTA, and other neighborhoods. New reporting from the Chicago Tribune shows the festival is not leaving anytime soon because of a contract extension negotiated in secret. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Tribune reporters Tracy Swartz and A.D. Quig.
We reached out to the park district to ask if there was any public involvement in the contract extension negotiations. They sent us this statement:
"The Chicago Park District’s new leadership is committed to expanding community engagement. We plan to continue our discussions with local elected officials and the neighboring community regarding the future of Lollapalooza. For weeks we have worked with the city, community stakeholders, and Lollapalooza organizers to address issues and concerns raised by the community such as noise levels and site conditions.
Celebrating its 18th year in our city, the festival has become a Chicago tradition. The Chicago Park District and C3 Presents, the organizers of Lollapalooza, are engaged in negotiations and we are hopeful that we will have an agreement in the near future that takes Lollapalooza well beyond 2022."
Some Good News:
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Since the monkeypox outbreak started this spring, there have been more than 200 cases in Illinois, according to the CDC, and 197 in Chicago, according to the Chicago Dept. of Public Health. Vaccines are being rolled out, but it’s a slow and confusing process for patients — and health professionals worry the city isn’t doing enough. Host Jacoby Cochran speaks to Dr. Daniel Berger, who runs Northstar Medical Center in Lincoln Park, which is focused on Chicago’s gay community. Dr. Berger is seeing scary similarities to the start of the AIDS crisis in terms of lack of information, stigmatization, and access to treatment. He explains. Plus, we from Aaron Gettinger about his experience with monkeypox.
Register for CDPH's Get the Fax: Monkeypox
Chicago monkeypox update: July 22, 2022
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Yes, everyone has their Chicago critiques about “The Bear,” the FX on Hulu show about a celebrated chef who returns to his hometown to run his family’s Italian beef joint in River North. One thing that stood out was in episode two when the Chicago Health Department awards The Original Beef of Chicagoland a “C” grade for various health violations in the kitchen. Well, that’s not really how it works here. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to longtime health reporter Monica Eng from Axios Chicago about how it does work. Monica has gone on health inspections with sanitarians, investigated some shady behavior by sanitarians, and reported on how even the most well-regarded restaurants in the world break the rules.
Today is the last day to enter to win school supplies for an entire school!
The Chicago Underground Film Festival is back at Logan Theatre (Wed-Sun) .
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You can now apply to get a free bicycle next month through the Bike Chicago program, and the city is adding concrete barriers around miles of bike lanes. While bike and pedestrian advocates applaud these moves, the deaths of four children on bikes and scooters this year show more needs to be done. In addition to pushing for more protections, one way to stay safer on a bike could be a lesson to learn the rules of the road. We’re revisiting our bike lesson from last summer with Shameka Turner, who manages Chicago’s SAFE (Streets Are For Everybody) Ambassadors program. Turner tells host Jacoby Cochran about the importance of bike safety, what it means to break down cycling stereotypes, and why she wants everyone to grab a helmet and take a ride.
This episode was originally published Aug. 30, 2021.
Bike lessons are available again this summer through mid-September.
Need something to try this weekend? Check out our Summertime Chi Bucket List.
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The Art Institute of Chicago lions went away recently to get a cleaning, but they’re back this week at their usual perch in front of the museum. The lions, plus the summer heat, had City Cast Chicago thinking about some ways to stay cool and enjoy some art. Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Carrie Shepherd have some recommendations in the city and the suburbs.
Jacoby’s Picks:
Carrie’s Picks:
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The Chicago Red Stars are ranked third in the NWSL, and the team’s been rebuilding after some players and the coach left last season following allegations of abuse across the league. It’s a young team and Claire Watkins says this season’s success is a “pleasant surprise” and that they're looking to the future. Watkins hosts a podcast about the Red Stars and writes for Just Women Sports. She breaks down the Chicago Red Stars with host Jacoby Cochran.
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