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As Pandemic Drags On, Domestic Violence Continues to Rise Feb 16, 2022

Show notes

Two years into the pandemic, domestic violence cases continue to rise as victims are stuck at home with the people who harm them and are isolated from outside communities that may be able to offer help. Earlier this week, Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined advocates to remind domestic violence victims and survivors what resources are available to them. Amanda Pyron is executive director of The Network, which runs the state’s domestic violence hotline, provides training for advocates, and connects victims with resources. We talk to Pyron about the misconceptions around domestic violence and what resources are still needed.

Guest: Amanda Pyron — Executive Director, The Network

Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline:

877-863-6338 (877-TO END DV)

There's also an option to Live Chat for help

OjaExpress Delivers Slice of Home Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

While other kids were bringing turkey or bologna sandwiches to school, Boyede Sobitan was packing jollof rice with goat meat. Sobitan grew up in Uptown and suburban Dolton, and he remembers how difficult it was for his Nigerian mother to get the traditional ingredients she needed. Often it meant spending all day at specialty markets that were far from where they lived. That’s why Sobitan and his business partner Fola Dada created OjaExpress, a delivery app for ethnic foods. Lead producer Carrie Shepherd talks with Sobitan about how it works and why having access to your cultural food is so important.

Guest: Boyede Sobitan—Co-founder, OjaExpress

Some Good News: Funkytown Brewery and Grown Folks Stories at Haymarket Pub and Brewery

Cute Couples, Roller Skating, and Other Chi Love Stories Feb 14, 2022

Show notes

On this Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating love in Chicago. When we hiked with the couple behind the popular TikTok “Black People Outside,” we couldn’t get over how cute they are. Kam Stanton and Chevy Linear tell us how they got together. We also revisit our conversation with Dario Durham and Sara Faddah, who says doing the podcast “77 Flavors of Chicago” is like “tricking people into listening to us on date night.” But it’s not all about romantic love. Host Jacoby Cochran shares a love story about his family’s skating rink. Plus, we hear your Chicago love stories.

Go back and listen to Kam and Chevy talk about raising the visibility of Black people in the outdoors and hear Sara and Dario talk more about their food traditions and visit Mikkey’s Grill in Avalon Park with Jacoby.

Read Jacoby's story about his family's skating rink in "Storytellers' True Stories about Love."

Masks Off, No West Side Groceries, and Roller Skating Love! Feb 11, 2022

Show notes

Governor JB Pritzker has announced that Illinois is on track to remove the statewide mask mandate by February 28. The Chicago Department of Public Health echoed the Gov’s message and said if COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to decrease the city could also drop the mandate at the end of the month. Lead Producer Carrie Shepherd, Producer Simone Alicea, and Host Jacoby Cochran break down the latest in the mask debate and, also discuss the absence of grocery stores in West Garfield Park, warming temperatures, and their moments of joy!

Time to Go Back to the Theater? Feb 10, 2022

Show notes

Live theater is a huge cultural and economic pillar in Chicago. But it’s no surprise that theaters have struggled since the start of the pandemic. With Chicago Theatre Week starting next Thursday, we check in with a critic to see how the industry is doing in its third pandemic season. Chicago Reader’s Kerry Reid tells producer Simone Alicea about how theaters are getting back to live performances, especially as omicron subsides, and she recommends some shows to watch.

Guest: Kerry Reid — Theater and Dance Editor, Chicago Reader

Chicago Theatre Week runs Feb. 17-27.

We want to hear your Chicago love stories for a Valentine’s Day podcast. Leave us a voicemail with your name, neighborhood, and story at (773) 780-0246.

50 Films for 50 Years at Gene Siskel Film Center Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

In 1972, Camille Cook started the Film Center at the School of the Art Institute Chicago to screen auteur, independent, and international films. What started in a room at Tribune Tower, then a basement at the MCA, then an auditorium at the Art Institute is now Gene Siskel Film Center on State Street. In addition to screening films, it features director Q&As and lecture series. For its 50th anniversary, the Gene Siskel Film Center is weekly screening a film from each year it’s been open. We talk to the executive director and director of programming about the history, running a theater during a pandemic, and how to narrow it down to just 50 films.

Guests: Jean de St. Aubin — Executive Director, Gene Siskel Film Center

Rebecca Fons — Director of Programming, Gene Siskel Film Center

We are collecting your Chicago love stories! Leave us a message with your name, neighborhood, and story at (773) 780-0246.

Operation Silver Shovel and a Six-Story Dump Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

The city announced last week a $38 million redevelopment of a vacant 21-acre industrial lot in North Lawndale. As a part of the INVEST South/West initiative, the project would feature freight operations, a job training center, and even public park space. But about 30 years ago, this vacant land was home to an illegal dumping site. It was also the key location in “Operation Silver Shovel,” a federal anti-corruption investigation into dozens of city and state officials. Robin Amer investigated this shady past in the USA Today podcast “The City.” Robin reminds us this dump was located in the middle of a residential neighborhood across from a school, church, and in a neglected community.

Guest: Robin Amer — Senior podcast producer, Washington Post

Some Good News:

"Women of Soul" at the Mercury Theater

Share your Chicago love stories! Leave a message with your name, neighborhood and story at: (773) 780-0246

Meet Harvey's One-Person Newsroom Feb 07, 2022

Show notes

Over the last several decades, the south suburban Harvey has gone from a model town, home to thousands of manufacturing jobs and Dixie Square Mall, to a community with a dwindling population and increased poverty. To make things worse, the primarily Black city hasn’t had its own newspaper for decades, so most of the coverage of these issues comes from outside the city and it’s not really for Harvey residents. That’s where the Harvey World Herald comes in. The online publication went live Jan. 31st with a one-person newsroom dedicated to bringing local news back to the community. That one person is Amethyst Davis. Davis is part of the Tiny News Collective. With the help of big names like Google and Reuters, the collective helps bankroll news operations in places that have been underserved by media. Davis joins host Jacoby Cochran to talk about growing up in Harvey and the challenges of reviving news in the city.

Guest: Amethyst Davis — Founder, Harvey World Herald

We are collecting Chicago love stories. Tell us about how you fell in love IN or WITH Chicago, and we might feature your story on the podcast or in our newsletter. Call or text us at (773) 780-0246 or send us an email at chicago@citycast.fm.

Sexism in Family Court, Van Dyke's Early Release, & Kenwood's Hoop Dreams Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

For six months, Chicago Reader and Injustice Watch have been investigating allegations of sexism, inappropriate behavior, and bias by Judge Raul Vega, the formerly highest ranking judge in the domestic violence division at Cook County Circuit Court. Now, under a growing trail of complaints, Vega is retiring. Not only will formal inquiries into his behavior end, but the judge will be allowed to keep his $14,000 a month pension. Chicago Reader reporter Kelly Garcia led the investigation and breaks down that story and more news of the week. We're also joined by Chicago Reader’s social justice reporter Adam Rhodes. They discuss the early release of Jason Van Dyke, the former Chicago police officer who murdered Laquan McDonald in 2014, and Kelly shares her birthday love for Saba’s new album, “Few Good Things.”

Guests:

Kelly Garcia—Reporter, Chicago Reader

Adam Rhodes—Reporter, Chicago Reader

Pritzker's Spending Plans and Why Budgets Matter Feb 03, 2022

Show notes

Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday outlined his 2022 state budget proposal. The Democrat painted a picture of a healthier and more fiscally sound Illinois. Host Jacoby Cochran breaks down what you need to know about this year’s budget, and we take a look back at a less rosy period in Illinois budget history — the two years we didn’t have one. The budget impasse from 2015-2017 led to cuts in social services. New research from Northwestern University links the deadlock to a spike in youth homicides around the same time. Producer Simone Alicea talks with one of the authors of the study.

Guest: Maryann Mason — Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine

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