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
Chicago’s Food Truck Festival is ongoing all summer at Daley Plaza — you can catch the next one Friday. But despite this annual summer fest, Chicago’s food truck culture is severely lacking. Eater Chicago editor Ashok Selvam tells host Jacoby Cochran about why food trucks are so rare here and which ones you should check out if you can find them.
If you enjoyed today's interview with Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Events Program Director of Performing Arts, Mariam Thiam, learn more here.
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Former Ald. Ed Burke was sentenced Monday to serve two years in prison and pay a $2 million fine. Burke was convicted on racketeering and bribery charges in December after he used his longtime power in City Council to enrich his business, intimidate his opponents, and uphold Chicago’s infamous political machine. We break down Burke’s sentence and what it could mean for future corruption trials. Plus, we discuss some new name changes coming to Chicago Public Schools and see what City Cast listeners have to say.
Good news: CHGO Bulls Podcast Live NBA Draft Show in West Loop
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Earlier this month, President Joe Biden signed an executive order severely restricting asylum claims at the U.S.-Mexico border. As Chicago struggles to provide refuge for new arrivals, we ask Block Club Chicago’s Madison Savedra to break down Biden’s latest moves, the impact it could have on Chicago’s over 40,000 asylum seekers, and where the city is two years since buses first started arriving.
Good News: Jean Deaux ‘Nowhere, Fast’ Tour at Lincoln Hall
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Earlier this week, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order establishing a reparations task force to create a Black reparations agenda. The task force will examine Chicago policies that have historically disenfranchised Black Chicagoans and suggest measures to address these systemic inequities. The Triibe’s Tonia Hill spoke with residents about how they believe reparations should look. We are also joined by Injustice Watch’s Carlos Ballesteros whose recent investigation into Cook County jail uncovered its deadliest year in a decade. Plus, we discuss ongoing flood recovery, Chief Keef’s return to Chicagoland, and Woodlawn’s second annual Community Benefits Agreement summit.
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Move over summer fests — we’re talking about summer pests. The longest day of the year is also set to be one of the hottest in Chicago, so host Jacoby Cochran and contributor Greta Johnsen talk about ways to beat the heat this weekend, play a game of “burden or delight,” and give us the definitive ranking of Chicago’s creepiest and crawliest pests from rats, to bedbugs, to mosquitoes. Take our survey and tell us which one is the worst.
Weekend events:
Some good news: Join the waitlist to be in the audience for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart during the Democratic National Convention.
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Chicago is likely to see temperatures in the 90s all week as a heat dome settles over the midwest. We’ve got the resources you need to stay cool. Plus, executive producer Simone Alicea gives producer Michelle Navarro a City Council quote quiz, and we discuss Chicago’s latest cute animal stories.
Stories mentioned:
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We are less than two weeks away from Chicago’s largest LGBTQ+ pride celebration when nearly one million people will make their way to the Northalsted neighborhood for the 53rd annual Pride Parade. However, with a shorter route and fewer participants, we’ve got everything you need to know before the parade kicks off. We are joined by Windy City Times writer and newsletter editor Jake Wittich, who also shares other Pride events to enjoy across the city.
Good News: Chicago Public Pools
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Riot Fest announced Wednesday that it is leaving Douglass Park for SeatGeek Stadium in suburban Bridgeview, blaming the Chicago Park District for the decision. The move comes after years of pushback from the community in North Lawndale despite support from the local alderperson. Riot Fest is Sept. 20-22, which also presents a challenge for the Chicago Red Stars who play at SeatGeek. We are joined by Block Club Chicago’s Jamie Nesbitt Golden and WCIU host Brandon Pope to break down the latest. Plus, we discuss a decline in violent crime statistics, the return of Foxtrot, and play a little summer festival week trivia.
Good News: Soft & Tender Concert at Metro and Janet Jackson at the United Center
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Thanks to the beer-loving folks over at Revolution Brewing we have been talking about neighborhood summer festivals all week long. But Chicago is also home to two of the biggest music festivals in the country: Pitchfork and Lollapalooza with 20,000 and 115,000 daily attendees respectively. With over 200 music acts between the two, we are trying to create the perfect single-day lineup for both festivals. Host Jacoby Cochran faces off against journalist and music festival enthusiast Katrina Pham.
Vote on who you think built the better lineup.
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It wouldn't be summer fest season if we didn't talk about some of Chicago's amazing food festivals. Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by Dario Durham, the co-host of 77 Flavors of Chicago, a podcast that takes you to the city’s neighborhoods to try the best food and drinks they’ve got. They discuss their perfect food fest lineup and favorite festival bites.
Fests Mentioned:
Vendors Mentioned:
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