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 city’s House Music Festival and Conference is back, which means it’s time for a dance break. We’re revisiting a conversation we had in 2022 with the co-hosts of WNUR’s Vintage House Show, DJ Lori Branch and archivist Lauren Lowery, about the roots of house music, the legacy of the now-landmarked Warehouse, and modern reinterpretations of the genre.
If you enjoyed today's interview with 2025 President of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, Erika Villegas, learn more here.
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Steve Dolinsky made his name as ABC7’s “Hungry Hound” before retiring as NBC5’s “The Food Guy” earlier this year. This weekend, he’s bringing Pizza City Fest back to Chicago after a disastrous run two years ago. Dolinsky tells host Jacoby Cochran what’s new this year and hesitates to say if Chicago is still the country’s greatest pizza town. Plus, we get his takes on some other iconic Chicago foods.
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Heavy rain over the weekend left thousands without power while streets, highways and basements continued to deal with flooding. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss an effort to install new flood detection systems across the city. Plus, we’re covering the latest stadium news for the Fire and Bears, and exploring Chicago's coolest car collection.
Good News: Chicago Sky and Chicago Stars
We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Chicago swag.
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Our city, our schools, and our transit system are all in a budget crisis. University of Chicago professor and director of the Center for Municipal Finance, Justin Marlowe, tells host Jacoby Cochran why Chicago’s public institutions are all feeling financial pressure and where these structural deficits come from.
We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Chicago swag.
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After growing concern and anxiety about how Chicago Public Schools would close a $700 million deficit before the end of August, we finally got our first look at the district’s 2026 budget proposal. We are breaking down the key points with author and professor Arionne Nettles and Block Club Chicago’s Atavia Reed. Plus, will the Uptown Theatre ever get new life? Why is Illinois lowering standardized testing requirements? And, where can you get some of the city’s best watermelon?
We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Chicago swag.
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We’re midway through August. School’s starting next week. Maybe you feel like summertime Chi is winding down. But not so fast, our host Jacoby Cochran and Hey Chicago newsletter editor Emmi Mack are describing their most Chicago day.
Wanna see these spots on a map? Check out our list on Overlook.
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Local Style Chips is a homegrown snack that pays homage to classic Chicago foods, such as Italian beef, deep-dish pizza, and the Chicago hot dog. Earlier this year, host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro tested the potato chips when they started to hit Chicago shelves to find out if they’re any good. They talked to Local Style founder Laura Gardner to learn why she thinks Chicago should take over the snack aisle.
Good News: Chicago Humanities Festival Fall Tickets and Chicago Mural Fest
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Dozens of democratic legislators from Texas have been in Illinois protesting a GOP-led attempt to redistrict Texas’ Congressional map. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran discuss the latest. Plus, we’re reviewing the updated Chicago public pools calendar and the “Man in the Bean” viral campaign.
Good News: XL Fest 25
We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Chicago swag.
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Whether you realize it or not, the office of the City Clerk is the most visited in the Chicago government. But what does the City Clerk and the office of the clerk do? The answer is a whole lot, including keeping city records, issuing vehicle stickers, and managing dog registrations. City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran sits down with City Clerk of Chicago Anna Valencia to learn more about the office, discuss the City Key and Mobile City Hall initiatives, and ask about what 8 years as clerk have taught her about Chicago.
We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Chicago swag.
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
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You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246
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The clock is running out for Chicago Public Schools to solve its $734 million problem, as the district has until Aug. 13 to release a public budget proposal. Axios Chicago’s Carrie Shepherd and The Triibe’s Corli Jay are here discussing the available, yet not so popular, finance options CPS is mulling over. Plus, investment in the Pullman community is seeing real returns, Uptown’s Weiss Memorial Hospital could shut down this weekend, and the Bears preseason kicks off Sunday.
Good News: Chicago Palestine Film Festival’s “Art Under Occupation”, Dorian Sylvain’s “Raised In It”, Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s “Billie Jean”
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