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
The federal government’s rhetoric and tactics have only intensified around Chicago since border patrol agents marched along Michigan Avenue over the weekend. The president again threatened to send the military to Chicago, and protesters in Broadview are facing charges. Executive producer Simone Alicea is going through it with Axios Chicago’s Justin Kaufmann and Block Club’s Melody Mercado. They also discuss a plan for the future of downtown, the Bears seeking taxpayer money for a stadium in Arlington Heights, Bad Bunny in the Super Bowl, and Justin’s sketch comedy troupe.
Here’s the link to send any recordings of federal agents in Chicago to local journalists.
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With spooky season officially here, we’re getting into the spirit by holding a tournament for the scariest things in Chicago. From haunted hotels to thrilling intersections to Chicago’s underworld (aka lower Wacker), the City Cast Chicago team will crown a winner. Disagree with our picks? Vote in the first round and prove us wrong.
Good News: Beyond the Screen
What’s not scary? Becoming a City Cast Chicago Neighbor! You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm/
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October marks the holiday sprint to the end of the year. Hey Chicago newsletter editor Emmi Mack has everything you need for Halloween. Executive producer Simone Alicea has fall fun for the scaredy cats. And host Jacoby Cochran is reminding you to watch for street sweeping.
Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm/
If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Chicago community.
For even more tips on how to make the most of September in Chicago, check out Hey Chicago’s take on what to do this month.
City Cast Chicago’s guide to September is made possible by our sponsors, Chicago Architecture Center, Window Nation, Steppenwolf Theatre, TimeLine, and City Cast Neighbors (Through Oct. 3, when you sign up, you get this awesome tote that says “Neighbors Make Chicago”).
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Gov. JB Pritzker is warning federal troops may soon come to Chicago after dozens of federal immigration agents marched Sunday through downtown Chicago making arrests. The display followed another round of protests and tear gas at the Broadview ICE facility and what appeared to be a Border Patrol photo op on boats near Navy Pier. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea go over the latest. Plus, they’re talking about Chicago’s historic bridges currently under construction and South Side Weekly’s Best of the South Side.
Good news: Pueblo Market
Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm/
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While property tax bills have been delayed, we do have a sense of who’s likely to see the biggest tax hikes in Chicago. Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with the Tribune’s A.D. Quig and Alex Nitkin with the Illinois Answers Project to talk about skyrocketing assessments on the South and West sides.
Good News: Filpinx
Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm/
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Fences have gone up around the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview despite local officials’ opposition. Meanwhile, conflicting narratives are emerging about the fatal ICE shooting of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez. Host Jacoby Cochran discusses the latest with Borderless magazine’s Katrina Pham and the Sun-Times’ Nader Issa. They also discuss the possibility of allowing dogs into restaurants, the rapid momentum of a new Fire Stadium, and the Leo High School boys choir’s appearance in the finals of “America’s Got Talent.”
Good News: How One Dreamer Found Her Voice
Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm/
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It can be hard to make new friends as an adult in a big city. That’s why City Cast Chicago executive producer (and resident transplant) Simone Alicea has created a step-by-step guide to making friends in Chicago. She discusses her tips with host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro to see if the Chicago natives agree.
Good news: 7323 Chicago Fish Fry
One possible way to make more friends in Chicago? Become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor! In addition to perks like ad-free listening, you’ll also get invitations to members-only events to meet fellow Neighbors. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm/
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
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We’re all hunting for bargains right now. That’s why today we’re talking about the best food, activities, and gifts in the city for $10 or less.
Some lists and resources:
What else can you get for $10 (a month)? The perks of being a City Cast Chicago Neighbor! When you become a member, you’ll have access to ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm/
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Protests continue at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in suburban Broadview after agents have deployed tear gas and pepper bullets over the last few days. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss the latest, including a report that ICE considered closing the facility, which federal officials denied. They also talk about a computer-generated mural on the Kennedy (and where to see some real ones), and Jacoby suggests it’s a good day for Chicago sports fans.
Good news: Future Folk Festival, Uptown Rhythm Festival, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Musika SamaSama Filipino Festival
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Buying a home is one of the most effective ways of putting down roots in a neighborhood. But the cost of homeownership is prohibitively high for many Chicagoans, especially in gentrifying areas. Community land trusts like Here to Stay seek to shift that narrative on the Northwest Side. Here to Stay’s Lucy Gomez-Feliciano explains how this alternative to traditional homeownership allows people to stay in their neighborhoods. We also hear from recent homebuyer Jadid Hernandez.
Good News: Free museum days
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