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
After weeks of road closures and a healthy amount of skepticism from city residents, NASCAR weekend is upon us. We hear from a few City Cast listeners and Hey Chicago readers, some of whom want to avoid the area and others excited for the race. Plus, host Jacoby Cochran talks with Don Ingle, a DePaul University sports communication professor about why Chicago and NASCAR pushed for their first ever street race.
Check out Hey Chicago for a helpful guide with all NASCAR event details, plus more on road closures and other events happening outsideof downtown this weekend.
Some good news: Antojito’s, Chicago’s two day Latin American Comedy Fest, starts Friday.
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The City Council’s committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights is slated to meet this morning — the same committee that failed to meet for over a year even as the city scrambled to house thousands of arriving migrants and asylum-seekers. Now, it has a new chair: Ald. Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward. Vasquez sits down with host Jacoby Cochran to talk about how the crisis has affected his North Side ward, what’s on the agenda for today’s meeting, and how Chicago can actually become a “welcoming city” for immigrants.
Chicago had the worst air quality in the world yesterday, and the city is still expecting to see haziness today. Hey Chicago has everything you need to know about what’s going on and how to stay safe.
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Five weeks into Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first term, and supporters as well as critics are watching closely to see if he’ll keep his campaign promises. Recent moves to continue to allow local school councils to keep police officers in schools and a payment for the controversial ShotSpotter technology garnered quick criticism, but is it still too early for the new mayor? Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Simone Alicea talk about the critiques. Plus, we’re filling you in on some weird local laws and discussing whether Chicagoans really know how to drive and can live here without a car.
Got strong feelings about this weekend's NASCAR race? Tell us about them at (773) 780-0246.
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Chicago doesn’t end at 95th Street — but its busiest train line does. For 54 years, Far South Siders have been pushing for the Red Line to be extended, and for decades promises have failed to materialize. Now, with some funding secured, key City Council approvals, and construction finalists announced, Chicago is closer than ever to bringing this key transit lifeline to the Far South Side. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with the CTA’s TaNesheha Marshall and Andrea Reed with the Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce about what the extension would mean, why Chicago is finally seeing movement on the project, and what roadblocks are still ahead.
Some Good News:
Hear My Story: An Evening With Chicago Drag Performers
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Chicago’s 52nd annual Pride Parade is Sunday starting in Uptown and ending in Lincoln Park. The Chicago Reader’s editor in chief Salem Collo-Julin talks about need-to-know information and the Reader’s latest Pride Issue. We are also joined by Chicago Magazine contributing editor Ted McClelland as we discuss efforts to increase minimum wage for tipped workers, a push for transparency in Harvey, and sharing love for Svengoolie, the Cubs, and House Music.
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All this month, we’ve been bringing you our Summer Entertainment guide to help you tackle Summertime Chi with a plan. And when it comes to navigating the plethora of outdoor dining options in the city, you’re going to need one. For our final installment in the guide, we talked with Dario Durham, who co-hosts the “77 Flavors of Chicago” podcast. He gives host Jacoby Cochran the ultimate guide to breakfast, lunch, and dinner outside and a couple indoor spots that just feel like summer. Plus, Dario has some tips for how to prioritize your summer culinary adventures.
How are you feeling about the NASCAR street race next weekend? Fill out our poll or text us at (773) 780-0246 with your thoughts.
Restaurants to check out this summer:
Homeslice Pizza and Patio (Lincoln Park)
S&G Restaurant (Lakeview)
Peaches Restaurant (Bronzeville)
Chicago Home of Chicken and Waffles (Bronzeville)
Cleo’s Southern Cuisine (Bronzeville)
Richard’s Super Premium Ice Cream (Pullman)
Mario’s Italian Lemonade (Little Italy)
Navy Pier Night Market (Navy Pier)
Burger Fest (Roscoe Village): 7/7-7/9
Tacos y Tamales (Pilsen): 7/21-7/23
Eeeeeats Con (Salt Shed): 8/19-8/20
Recess (West Town)
Kindling (Loop)
90 Mile Cuban Cafe (Logan Square)
Archie’s Cafe (Rogers Park)
Bronzeville Winery (Bronzeville)
Kingston Mines (Lincoln Park)
Parson’s Chicken & Fish (Multiple Locations)
Some news: Check out the first look of the temporary casino slated to open later this summer at Medinah Temple
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For eight years, Chicago has been dubbed the “rattiest” city in the country by pest control company Orkin. The city sees some 40,000-50,000 311 calls for rats each year, and they peak in the summer, says Josie Cruz, head of rodent control at the city’s Streets and Sanitation Department. Cruz joins host Jacoby Cochran to talk about why there are so many rats in Chicago and what you can do to keep them at bay.
Some news:
Apply to join the Mayor’s Youth Commission
Chicago Public Schools has started serving free breakfast and lunches for Chicagoans 18 and under
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One of Chicago’s most slept-on contributions is poetry. From groundbreaking publications and institutions to acclaimed poets, Chicago is arguably the poetry capital of America. And yet there’s never been a Chicago poet laureate…until now. The city selected avery r. young as Chicago’s first-ever poet laureate this spring. Young was raised in the Austin neighborhood and has built a career as a writer, educator, activist, and visual artist. Host Jacoby Cochran sat down with the new poet laureate to learn about Chicago’s poetry scene. Plus, we get some tips for crafting our own poems!
Some news:
The Network is reopening its fund to help people who have experienced gender-based violence.
Suggested admission is going up at the Museum of Contemporary Art starting July 1.
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NASCAR’s first-ever street race is two weeks away, and closures near the Grant Park course are picking up. DuSable Lake Shore Drive lane closures will increase in the coming weeks, and Chicagoans still have plenty of questions about the economic benefits of the event and access to the lakefront. Host Jacoby Cochran asks the host of WBEZ’s Nerdette Greta Johnsen and WBEZ reporter Araceli Gomez-Aldana, "Is it worth it?" The group also discusses Illinois’ ban on book bans, counseling programs in CPS, and summer books they’re excited to read!
Juneteenth Weekend Events:
Juneteenth Family Festival in Morgan Park (Saturday)
Juneteenth Jubilee and Resource Fair in Uptown (Saturday)
Juneteenth Village Fest in North Lawndale (Sunday)
Juneteenth Love and Liberation Fest in Auburn-Gresham (Monday)
We are continuing our Summer Entertainment Guide, where every week this month we give you recommendations for how to live your best summertime Chi life. This week, it’s time to pack your water bottle, sunscreen, and glitter because we’re talking all things music festivals. No matter what kind of music you love, there is definitely a festival for it here in Chicago. Joining host Jacoby Cochran are two of City Cast’s biggest music lovers, marketing director, Caroline Patton and marketing coordinator, Jermaine Thomas. We are talking favorite lineups and tips to make the days as comfortable as possible!
Some upcoming fests:
Grant Park Music Festival (Grant Park) 6/14-8/19
Taste of Randolph (West Loop); 6/16-6/18
Chicago Pride Festival (Northalsted): 6/17-6/18
Hyde Park Summer Fest: 6/17-6/18
Summer Smash (Bridgeview): 6/23-6/25
Chosen Few (Jackson Park): 7/8
Windy City Smokeout (United Center): 7/13-7/16
Pitchfork (Union Park): 7/21-7/23
Silverroom Block Party (Oakwood Beach): 7/29-7/30
Lollapalooza (Grant Park): 8/3-8/6
Ruido (Little Village): 8/19-8/20
Cultivate (Fulton Market): 8/25-8/27
Northcoast (Bridgeview): 9/1-9/3
Arc (Union Park): 9/1-9/3
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