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
As more temporary housing facilities open for migrants and asylum-seekers, neighborhood resistance grows to the city’s rollout. During this week’s Immigrant and Refugee Rights Committee meeting, some alders demanded a more comprehensive plan. Block Club Chicago’s Melody Mercado and host and educator Lawrence ‘Binkey’ Tolefree catch us up on the latest. We are also celebrating Chicago’s steakhouse revival and a fest-filled weekend!
Hey Chicago Poll of the Week: Who would you brave Chicago traffic for to pick up at the airport?
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycastchicago
You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
Chicago’s weather has been unpredictable this month. Canadian wildfire smoke has blanketed the sky for days, torrential rain has already affected major events like NASCAR and Pitchfork, and we could see a high of 98 degrees Friday. So with one of the summer’s busiest weekends upon us, we are designing the perfect schedule to keep you safe from the weather without sacrificing your fun!
Festivals this weekend:
Silver Room Block Party at Oakwood Beach
Tonight the Harold Washington Library is celebrating the launch of the "Help This Garden Grow" podcast. It is a series dedicated to life and labor of Chicago’s own Hazel Johnson aka the “mother of environmental justice.” Tickets are free.
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycastchicago
You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
Summertime Chi is filled with plenty of opportunities to dance the night away, including at the city’s SummerDance series next week. You’ll catch Chicagoans Footworking, doing the Polka Hop, the Cha-Cha Slide, and, of course, Stepping. City Cast lead producer Simone Alicea, a former dancer herself, wondered when and how Stepping entered the dance vernacular. Last year, we talked to Kiana Moore who comes from a family of Stepping legends, and she gives Simone a lesson.
Some news: Check out the city’s cooling resources as temps surge this week.
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycastchicago
You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
Chicago’s always been a union town, but labor is having a moment right now. Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Simone Alicea discuss recent labor updates from workers at Howard Brown Health, El Milagro, and striking actors and writers. Plus, we are hearing your library love and imagining Chicago horcruxes.
Some news:
Get Free Tickets to Bears’ Training Camp at Halas Hall
Fiesta Del Sol begins Thursday in Pilsen
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycastchicago
You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
This Wednesday, the Chicago Board of Education will hold their first official meeting since Mayor Brandon Johnson replaced all but one member of the board earlier this month. While Johnson’s move is typical of new administrations, it holds extra significance since this will be the last fully appointed school board before Chicagoans begin electing members next year. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with WBEZ Education Reporter Sarah Karp about the challenges this board will face and if they'll be more than a “lame duck” school board.
Find out more about the June 26 Board of Education meeting and how to access it here.
Check out the free dance concerts in neighborhood parks this week.
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycastchicago
You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
Earlier this week the Illinois Supreme Court ruled 5-2 to uphold the state’s elimination of cash bail, making Illinois the first state to officially end the practice. The law will go into effect September 18. Host Jacoby Cochran, Politico Playbook Reporter Shia Kapos and Tribune Music Critic Britt Julious recap the long road to abolish cash bail and what this means for individuals facing pretrial detention. We also talk Chicago’s American Legion social hubs, recap this week’s City Council meeting, and celebrate a music-packed weekend including Pitchfork & Beyoncé!
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycastchicago
You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
Organizers of the Silver Room Sound System Block Party recently announced that this would be their final year. Although it started as a more traditional block party in 2002, the event has grown to be one of Chi’s most highly-anticipated summertime fests, especially for Black Chicago. The Triibe Contributor Danielle Sanders talks with Jacoby about the legacy of the Silver Room Block Party and the viability of these cultural fests. We also hear from the Silver Room’s founder, Eric Williams.
The last Silver Room Block Party is next weekend, July 29-30. Find out more and snag your tickets here.
Last year, we recorded our very first live episode at the Silver Room on the eve of their 2022 block party. You can check it out here.
We mentioned Tacos y Tamales in Pilsen this weekend.
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycastchicago
You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
While music and street fests get most of the Summertime Chi hype, neighborhood block parties are probably the real unsung heroes. Already, hundreds have taken place, bringing BBQs, bounce houses, and casper slides to neighborhoods across the city. So what goes into putting on a block party? Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with Newsletter Editor Sidney Madden to find out. Sidney recently interviewed Ashley Rayner and Joel Simon, who have both coordinated block parties in their neighborhoods. And if those names sound familiar, it's because they gave us neighborhood guides in Beverly and Lakeview!
You can find out more about block party permits and how to submit a request here.
Illinoisans who used Instagram in the last 8 years could be eligible for $$. Submit a claim now!
Check out the full schedule for dance performances in parks across Chicago.
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycastchicago
You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
For a century, Chicago has had an enduring, complicated, and nostalgic relationship with block clubs — small, volunteer-based community groups. They began to assist Black people moving to Chicago from the South, but they’ve also been used to foster white solidarity in support of segregation. And block clubs have led beautification efforts, organized community members, and thrown block parties across Chicago. We revisit our conversation with Dr. Amanda Seligman, author of “Chicago’s Block Clubs: How Neighbors Shape The City,” about the history of these clubs.
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycastchicago
You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
Mayor Brandon Johnson is now on the clock to make one of the most important hires of his term: Police Superintendent. On Thursday, the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability handed Johnson a list of three finalists, and the mayor has 30 days to choose CPD Deputy Chief Larry Snelling, Cmdr. Angel Novalez, or Madison, Wisconsin, Police Chief Shon Barnes. Chicago Tribune reporter Sam Charles has been covering the search, and he breaks down the finalists and how the search has played out so far.
City Cast Madison talked about Police Chief Shon Barnes in their June 30 episode.
Community Colleges of Chicago are hosting Three Community Budget Meetings this week
PAWS Chicago opened its first and only South Side Mobile Vet Clinic
The Rogers Park Taco Crawl starts Thursday!
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycastchicago
You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
