City Cast Chicago

Latest Episodes:

Here We Go Again — Should CPS Students Return to Classrooms? Jan 03, 2022

Show notes

More than 300,000 public school kids in Chicago are expected back in the classroom today after winter break. Their return comes as the city averages nearly 4,000 COVID cases a day. Before the break, CPS sent testing kits home with about half of the district’s students. But the Chicago Teachers Union and some parents questioned the efficacy of that plan when this image was on the front page of the Chicago Tribune. The union held a virtual town hall Sunday night so members could share their concerns about teaching in person, but CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said last week he’s confident about students returning. Chicago Tribune education reporter Tracy Swartz has the latest on what the next week could look like in the country’s third largest school district.

Guest: Tracy Swartz—Reporter, Chicago Tribune

News:

New Illinois laws enacted in 2022

ICYMI: Chicago’s Former Watchdog Looks Back on Corruption He Tried to Stop Dec 30, 2021

Show notes

We wrap up our look back on some the team's favorite stories from this year with a conversation about one of Chicago's most persistent issues: corruption. Lead producer Carrie Shepherd loved that former Inspector General Joe Ferguson held nothing back about how he thinks the city can be better. Ferguson led the office for 12 years, through three different mayors, a federal investigation into the Chicago Police Department, and numerous scandals that have revealed racism, sexism, and political patronage, as well as resulting in indictments of sitting alderpeople. He retired in October. Ferguson tells host Jacoby Cochran how his office kept pushing for more transparency and better government (even when it seemed like nothing would change). He also answers the question: Is Chicago really more corrupt than other cities?

This segment was originally published on Oct. 26, 2021.

Guest: Joe Ferguson — Former Inspector General, City of Chicago

See you in 2022!

ICYMI: 'Black People Outside' Want to Get People Out in Nature Dec 29, 2021

Show notes

We're decidedly city people at City Cast Chicago. But sometimes it's great to hang out in nature with people who know it well. That's why newsletter writer Sidney Madden chose this conversation with Chevon Linear and Kameron Stanton as one of her favorites of 2021. Linear and Stanton are behind the popular TikTok @black.people.outside. They make videos about their travels and local excursions to connect with other Black adventurers. The couple guided host Jacoby Cochran on a hike at the Captain Daniel Wright Forest Preserve to talk about why they make their videos and the challenges they've faced in raising the visibility of Black people in the outdoors. Plus, they show how fun it is to be outside.

This segment was originally published on May 24, 2021.

ICYMI: We're Going to the Rodeo...In the City! Dec 28, 2021

Show notes

Let's go back to summertime Chi, when the sun was out and it was warm. And there were even horses. This story was a favorite of City Cast producer Simone Alicea. She and host Jacoby Cochran visited the South Shore Cultural center, where every year, the Broken Arrow riding Club hosts a rodeo. Yes, right there, next to a golf course, beach, and landmark event space where the Obamas hosted their wedding reception. The club has been around for more than 30 years with a mission to bring horseback riding and rodeos to people of all ethnic backgrounds and physical abilities in Chicago. As a native Chicagoan, Jacoby had never even heard of the rodeo in his backyard, so he went to talk to the man who started it all.

This segment was originally published on July 1, 2021.

ICYMI: Big Weed Has a Problem. It's Big White. Dec 27, 2021

Show notes

All this week, we're replaying some of the team's favorite stories from 2021. Host Jacoby Cochran picked this story about Illinois' nascent cannabis industry. When state lawmakers legalized weed in 2019, they promised licenses and revenues would go to Black and brown communities hit hardest by the war on drugs. But cannabis remains dominated by white growers and sellers. And confusion remains, despite new legislation and additional rounds of dispensary license lotteries this summer. Chicago Sun-Times reporter Tom Schuba covers the marijuana industry. He explains the state of Illinois' cannabis social equity program. Jacoby also talks to a social equity applicant who was awarded licenses for cultivation and infusion.

This segment was originally published on Sept. 9, 2021.

Guests:

Tom Schuba — Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times

Willie "JR" Fleming — Founder, Hemp for Hoods

Eat, Shop, and Give in Our Neighborhoods Dec 23, 2021

Show notes

On City Cast Chicago, we often focus our stories around neighborhoods. That’s partly because of the old Chicago adage that we’re a "city of neighborhoods.” But it’s also because when you say the name of a neighborhood in our city, it conjures up images of the area: the racial makeup of it, how affluent it is, if disinvestment has plagued it, if it has single-family homes with yards, or is dense with three-flats or high rises. The City Cast team is taking you through each of OUR neighborhoods with some recommendations on where to eat, where to shop, and where you can donate time or money.

Uptown: Demera, Qideas, Chinese Mutual Aid Association

Lakeview: D’Agostino’s, Bonus Round Cafe, Center on Halsted

Ukrainian Village/Humboldt Park: Jeff & Judes, Komoda, CAWC

Hyde Park/South Shore: Majani, The Silver Room, Brave Space Alliance

Here are Lightfoot's End-of-Year Promises on Biggest Problems Dec 22, 2021

Show notes

While many of us are just trying to get through the rest of 2021, Mayor Lori Lightfoot spent the week before the holiday making promises to combat the two most pressing issues facing Chicago: The omicron surge and violent crime. On Monday, she gave a 40-minute speech outlining her public safety plans, spanning everything from suing gangs, cracking down on electronic monitoring, and bringing in more federal help. The next day, the mayor announced the city will require people 5 and older to provide proof of vaccination to dine indoors, work out in gyms, and visit other indoor entertainment venues, starting in the new year. Block Club Chicago’s Kelly Bauer has been following these announcements, and she joins us to break them down.

Guest: Kelly Bauer—Breaking news editor, Block Club Chicago

Baby, It’s Cold Outside. Let’s Enjoy It Dec 21, 2021

Show notes

The City Cast Chicago team are all very vocal cold weather haters. And while we have been spared so far this year from the bone-chilling temps, wind that pierces our souls, and ice that turns our sidewalks into skating rinks, it's sure to come soon. We’ve learned there are people who don’t just tolerate the cold, but LIKE it. Producer Simone Alicea takes a stroll with one of these cold weather lovers.

Guests:

Erin Vickers — City Cast listener

Brian Leatherwood — Meteorologist, National Weather Service Chicago

The Enduring Appeal of Bozo the Clown Dec 20, 2021

Show notes

For more than 40 years, “Bozo’s Circus” was a daily, and later, weekly presence on the televisions of kids and their parents. And in Chicago, we really claimed Bozo, Cookie and his friends as our own because the show taped at WGN studios. But, Bozo didn’t originate here, and other cities even had their OWN Bozos. But, ours was the best. The show has been off the air since 2001, but actor—and native Evanstonian—David Arquette recently purchased the rights to Bozo, and says he wants to bring the clown that brought him so much joy back to Chicago. We talk about the history of Bozo the Clown, and hear what made it so special.

Guest:

Mike Toomey—WGN TV announcer and Bozo fan

**Karaoke Storytellers on Sunday was POSTPONED. We'll keep you posted on the new date.**

Links:

David Arquette talks to WGN about buying rights to Bozo

Cook Co. Dem Picks, Nightlife at Neo, and Your Go-To Karaoke Jam Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

Injustice Watch senior reporter Maya Dukmasova and Chicago Reader culture editor Salem Collo-Julin join host Jacoby Cochran to look back on a few stories from the week, including one judge’s obsession with an alcohol monitoring bracelet called SCRAM, the ongoing fallout after tornadoes tore across the Midwest over the weekend, and, oh, did anyone check out the Cook County Democrats’ endorsements? No, not the big ones, but the down-ballot races. Plus, learn the team’s go-to Karaoke Songs!

Guests:

Maya Dukmasova—Sr. Reporter, Injustice Watch

Salem Collo-Julin—Culture Editor, Chicago Reader

Don't Forget! This Sunday at 7 p.m., City Cast Chicago will be at Schuba's Tavern for Karaoke Storytellers, hosted by Jacoby Cochran. Get your tickets! Vax required!

Stories discussed:

Cook County Judge Vazquez’s heavy use of sobriety monitor highlights oversight gaps

Tornadoes ripped the roof off American capitalism

Democrats endorsed for Cook County judge are diverse, experienced — and loyal

Neo: Where Misfits Fit in

One Degree Hotter: How Megan Thee Stallion Made Good on Her Promise to Graduate College