City Cast Chicago

Latest Episodes:

Trying to Make Cannabis Business Fair in Illinois Sep 09, 2021

Show notes

Equity issues continue to plague 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 a new round 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. Host Jacoby Cochran also talks to a social equity applicant who was recently awarded licenses for cultivation and infusion.

Guests:

Tom Schuba — Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times (@TomSchuba)

Willie “JR” Fleming — Founder, Hemp for Hoods (@iamjrfleming)

Officials Blame Violence on Gangs but CPD Numbers Don’t Add Up Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

City leaders are quick to blame guns and gangs for shootings, but a new report shows CPD numbers don’t back up that narrative. The Trace, a digital publication covering guns and gun violence, found out of nearly 34,000 shootings in the last decade, only three in 10 were labeled “gang-related.” Reporter Lakeidra Chavis wrote "The Problems With Chicago’s Gang-Centric Narrative of Gun Violence" and she explains why this contradiction makes it hard to combat violence and how even defining what a gang is can be squishy.

Guest: Lakeidra Chavis — Reporter, The Marshall Project

Members of Chicago's City Council will vote next week whether to take the largest raise in 15 years. Look up what your alderperson makes.

Pullman Is Story of Labor Strikes, Urban Planning and Plush Train Carpets Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

The Pullman neighborhood is named after George Pullman, a giant in the railroad industry who built a company town where his employees could live, work, and shop. But the neighborhood’s history is about more than the man. It was the site of a strike that led to the creation of Labor Day and it was home to the country’s first African American union. This history is memorialized at the Pullman National Monument, which opened to the public last weekend. Host Jacoby Cochran got a look with superintendent Teri Gage and local historian Mike Shymanski.

Guests: Teri Gage, Superintendent, Pullman National Monument

Mike Shymanski, President, Historic Pullman Foundation

Blaming Gangs, Still Talkin' About Donda and Soccer on the South Side Sep 03, 2021

Show notes

We’re breaking down the week’s news with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Evan Moore and Chicago’s favorite historian, Shermann “Dilla” Thomas. They talk with City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran about the city’s complicated history with gang and neighborhood divides, and how public officials continue to use it as a scapegoat for violence. Plus, Kanye’s mixed messages at the Donda listening event last week, and, of course, some good news to get us all through.

Guests:

Evan Moore-Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times

Shermann "Dilla" Thomas-Chicago historian

Chicago Children's Choir Back on Stage Sep 02, 2021

Show notes

The Chicago Children’s Choir started in 1956 in Hyde Park by a local Unitarian minister who wanted to give kids something to do, and teach them about serious music history. In its 65 years, more than 50,000 young people have performed with the choir, which has recorded with Chance the Rapper and performed for the Dalai Lama. After a year off the stage, these young singers are coming back to perform in person. We talk to artistic director Josephine Lee and alumna Sydni Hatley, who performs on the choir’s recent studio album.

Guests:

Josephine Lee, President and Artistic Director, Chicago Children's Choir (@childrenschoir)

Sydni Hatley, Alumna, Chicago Children's Choir

ICYMI: Jacoby's Mom and A Favorite Teacher Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

Host Jacoby Cochran’s mom lives in the same house his grandparents bought in in 1966. Back then, they were one of the first Black families on the block. Jacoby learns more about the history of the block where he spent so much of his childhood, including why it’s called “Pill Hill.” Plus, in celebration of the first week of school for Chicago Public Schools, Jacoby connects with his favorite teacher from elementary school.

**A version of these interviews was first published on City Cast Chicago May 7, 2021**

How Was the First Day of School? Aug 31, 2021

Show notes

Monday was the first day of school for Chicago Public Schools, marking the third school year during the COVID-19 pandemic. While some things have changed, like vaccinations for teachers and students older than 12, there are still many lingering questions: What’s the process if multiple students contract COVID? And how will the more than 2,000 students who rely on district buses get to school after dozens of drivers resigned last week? WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp has some answers to those questions, and we talk about first day jitters and excitements with 6th grade math teacher Norma Noriega.

Guests: Norma Noriega, 6th Grade Math Teacher, Stevenson Elementary

Sarah Karp, Education Reporter, WBEZ (@SSKedreporter)

Why Bike Lessons Might Make You a Better Chicagoan Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

Chicago has been gaining a reputation for being a fairly good place for cyclists as the city adds new bike lanes, expands the Divvy bike share program, and offers free bike lessons. Chicago’s SAFE (Streets Are For Everybody) Ambassadors program held dozens of free lessons across the city throughout the summer. Host Jacoby Cochran headed to West Town for one of the final classes and spoke with program manager Shameka Turner. She tells us 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!

Guest: Shameka Turner, Program Manager, Chicago SAFE Ambassadors (@chicagosafe)

Find more cycling resources: https://chicagocompletestreets.org/

***In an earlier version of the podcast, we included the incorrect date for Bike the Drive. It is on Sunday, Sept. 5.***

Yeezy's in Town, Amazon Lowballs City, and Brown Sugar Bakery Love Aug 27, 2021

Show notes

Episode Description: Kanye was at Soldier Field on Thursday in front of more than 30,000 people for a “listening party” that didn’t require proof of vaccination. That had Block Club Chicago’s Jamie Nesbitt Golden asking, “Why, Yeezy, why?” Jamie and her Block Club colleague Mina Bloom join City Cast Chicago to talk about that news, as well as Mina’s continued coverage of those Amazon lockers in Chicago parks, police officers in school, and more evidence of why ShotSpotter doesn’t really work. Plus, Jacoby, Jamie and Mina share their “Moments of Joy” from the week.

Guests:

Jamie Nesbitt Golden-Block Club Chicago Bronzeville reporter

Mina Bloom-Block Club Chicago Logan Square, Humboldt Park and Avondale reporter

Watch the Black Women Leading a Movement Aug 26, 2021

Show notes

Filmmaker Ashley O’Shay spent more than four years following Janae Bonsu and Bella BAHHS as they led protests and organized demonstrations following the police killings of Rekia Boyd and Laquan McDonald. Her new documentary “Unapologetic” explores these two women’s activism and the movement for Black lives they helped organize here in Chicago. But it wasn’t just moments behind the megaphone that O’Shay was able to document. She also captured birthday parties, family visits, recording sessions, and academic seminars — Intimate moments that helped shape these women and their activism.

Guest: Ashley O’Shay; filmmaker @ashley_oshay

Where to watch "Unapologetic"

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected