City Cast Chicago

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Nerding Out at the ‘Marvel’ Exhibit Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

Since City Cast Chicago started, host Jacoby Cochran has wanted to go to the "Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes" exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. Jacoby and producer Simone Alicea tour the exhibit that includes costumes from blockbusters like "Iron Man" and "Black Panther," but also toys and photos that hardcore Marvel fans lent to the the Museum for the exhibit.

Guest: Warren Stokes, Communications Coordinator, Museum of Science and Industry (@msichicago)

Photos of the exhibit are on the City Cast Chicago Twitter feed.

The Maps That Will Change Illinois Politics May 28, 2021

Show notes

It’s that time. Every ten years, the Illinois legislature has to redraw the boundaries that make up legislative districts. And we got a peek this week of what they could look like. These are the maps lawmakers draw up to essentially determine who voters vote for. And the process is not so transparent. It’s literally done behind closed doors, which creates some tension between Republicans and Democrats. WTTW Channel 11 correspondent Amanda Vinicky is at the State Capitol in Springfield, and she tells Jacoby how the re-mapping process is going and what other issues need to get done by the end of the session Monday.

Guest: Amanda Vinicky, Correspondent, WTTW Channel 11 (@AmandaVinicky)

See the draft House map: https://bit.ly/2R0f99a

And the draft Senate map: https://bit.ly/2SDieMY

Chicago Photographer Captures ‘Joyful Revolution’ May 27, 2021

Show notes

The murder of George Floyd last May sparked unrest across the world, including in Chicago. There were a lot of images on the news last summer of looting, damage, and neighborhoods trying to recover. Photographer Vashon Jordan, Jr. captured those moments. But he also found ways to highlight moments of celebration: people sharing food with one another, listening to music and dancing. Jordan's images spread through his thousands of Twitter followers, and he’s collected more than 100 of those photos in his book, “Chicago Protests: A Joyful Revolution.”

Guest: Vashon Jordan, Jr., Photographer, “Chicago Protests: A Joyful Revolution” (@vashonjordanjr)

The Restaurant’s Short-Staffed (So Be Nice) May 26, 2021

Show notes

Restaurants in Chicago are operating again at full capacity, and after losing hundreds of thousands of hospitality workers during the pandemic, they need workers back. But, many are deciding not to return to the industry. Jacoby talks to a manager at popular downtown restaurant who says he’s operating with half the staff he needs. He also talks to a longtime food industry worker who used the pandemic to pursue her own catering business.

‘Racial Battle Fatigue,” A Year After George Floyd May 25, 2021

Show notes

It’s been a year since George Floyd died at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, yet some activists are understandably hesitant about calling today an “anniversary.” Jacoby speaks with Northwestern lecturer and journalist Arionne Nettles about how the last year since Floyd’s murder has affected the BLM movement, and what it means to find “relief” as a Black person in America.

Guest: Arionne Nettles: Writer, “George Floyd’s Murder, ‘Racial Battle Fatigue,’ and 365 Days of Trauma”; Professor, Northwestern University

The TikTok Couple Getting ‘Black People Outside’ May 24, 2021

Show notes

Chevon Linear and Kameron Stanton are the couple behind the popular TikTok @black.people.outside. They make videos about their travels and local excursions to connect with other Black adventurers. Linear and Stanton 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!

Cook County public hearing on Indigenous Peoples’ Day: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/watch-live-board-proceedings

Meet the Raptivist Shaking Up Chicago May 21, 2021

Show notes

When Bella BAHHS speaks, host Jacoby Cochran listens. The multi-disciplinary artist and activist is one of the main subjects in the new documentary “Unapologetic,” which follows young Black organizers in Chicago following the police killing of Rekia Boyd. She also recently released “Acres of Ancestry,” a deeply personal virtual performance.

Guest: Bella BAHHS (@bellabahhs)

How to Clear Old Pot Convictions May 20, 2021

Show notes

Recreational cannabis was legalized in Illinois two years ago. But equity is still a big problem. Gov. Pritzker promised licenses for — and revenue from — recreational pot would go to Black and brown neighborhoods disproportionately affected by drug-related offenses and convictions. But the majority of licenses are currently held by white men. Meanwhile, legal groups like New Leaf Illinois work with people with pot convictions to expunge their records. We talk through the expungement process Beth Johnson from New Leaf Illinois.

Guest: Beth Johnson, New Leaf Illinois; Illinois Equal Justice Foundation

If you have more questions about expungement: newleafillinois.org

Chi Festivals Are Back. Is That a Good Thing? May 19, 2021

Show notes

With the announcement that Lollapalooza is coming back at full capacity, Chicago’s summer festival season seems to be coming back in full swing. This may be welcome news for some artists and festivalgoers who missed out last year because of the pandemic. But at least two local music writers are nervous about these large crowds.

Guests: Leor Galil, Music Writer, Chicago Reader (@imLeor)

Jessi Roti, Chicago Columnist, Audiofemme (@JessitaylorRO)

Little Museums That Show Off Chicago’s Many Cultures May 18, 2021

Show notes

The International Council of Museums has dubbed Tuesday “International Museum Day.” Chicago is home to all kinds of museums big and small, and they showcase the cultural diversity of the city. Host Jacoby Cochran recently visited several of these cultural centers, including the Haitian American Museum of Chicago on the North Side, the Ukrainian National Museum on the West Side, and the Chinese American Museum on the South Side.

Links:

Haitian American Museum of Chicago

Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago

Chinese American Museum of Chicago

Chicago Cultural Alliance

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