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
Pickleball is growing so fast in Chicago the city is set to build 50 new pickleball courts by 2025. But are Chicago parks big enough for all racket sport enthusiasts? Chris Clark, a former college tennis player and a pickleball enthusiast, says yes! Clark founded Toss and Spin in August 2020 to introduce more people to racket sports. Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Simone Alicea met Clark at Maggie Daley Park to learn more about Chicago’s pickleball surge and to get a lesson!
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It’s almost June 1, so you know what that means: It’s time to pay the rent. But from maintenance problems, to rent increases, to sneaky clauses in your lease, do you know your rights as a renter? Lead producer Simone Alicea talked with John Bartlett, executive director of the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, and she shares what she found with host Jacoby Cochran and newsletter editor Sidney Madden.
Need help? Call MTO’s hotline: 773 292-4988
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If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: Construction in Chicago sucks. This year’s road and highway projects are a major headache, with traffic up over last year and drivers complaining about outrageous commute times. We’re discussing particular pain points around the city with Melody Mercado of Block Club Chicago and Charles Preston with Injustice Watch. Alongside host Jacoby Cochran, the group also discusses ongoing efforts to help arriving asylum-seekers, appealing your property tax bills, and summer plans you need to add to your calendars:
The Black Ensemble Theater’s “The Real Housewives of Motown” opens this weekend!
Imagine Englewood’s Peace Fest: One Love Edition will be Saturday, June 3!
The Hoodosie, Chicago’s block optic and radical news podcast, returns Saturday, June 3!
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Memorial Day is the perfect excuse to take a trip, whether it be for the whole weekend or just the day. That’s why we are revisiting our conversation with Thrillist’s Meredith Heil from last summer breaking down the best spots around the Midwest within driving distance. Plus, we hear some suggestions form City Cast readers.
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Though the legislative session was supposed to end last week, lawmakers are still in Springfield working on a state budget and a few other outstanding issues. One of those lawmakers is Rep. Nabeela Syed, a Democrat from northwest suburban Palatine. At 24 years old, Syed is the youngest Democrat in the state House. She joins host Jacoby Cochran to recap her first session, which has left her surprisingly optimistic about the state’s future.
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While the scheduled end of the spring legislative session has come and gone, Illinois lawmakers have until July 1 to approve a district map for Chicago’s new elected school board, which will be on the November 2024 ballot. This process has drawn a lot of criticism from parents and advocates who argue the proposed maps don’t accurately reflect CPS demographics. Lead producer and map enthusiast Simone Alicea joins host Jacoby Cochran to break down the latest coming out of Springfield. Plus, we are listening to some of your “Chicago Icks” and debating which are better: Rooftops or patios? (Take Our Hey Chicago Survey!)
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Ahead of the summer travel season, the Biden administration announced it would propose new rules requiring compensation for air passengers if they end up stranded, and it’s the airline’s fault. That’s in addition to a push in Congress for a “passengers’ bill of rights.” Given that nearly 8 million people traveled through O’Hare and Midway airports in May alone last year, Scott Keyes the potential new rules should be welcome news for Chicago travelers. Keyes helps people find inexpensive flights through his site Going, and he tells host Jacoby Cochran about passenger compensation, being stranded at O’Hare, and his top tip for finding a cheap flight.
Some news: Check out an open House on street improvements in Englewood tomorrow from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Kennedy King College.
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Mayor Brandon Johnson was sworn in earlier this week with a memorable inauguration ceremony. Now the 57th mayor of Chicago gets busy on pushing his progressive agenda through a City Council with a lot of new faces. To help break down some of those key campaign promises, we are joined by Alex Nitkin from the Illinois Answers Project and poet and South Side Weekly editor Chima “Naira” Ikoro. Alongside host Jacoby Cochran, the trio also look at the Bears' Arlington Heights move, this week’s National Ride of Silence, and the neighborhood festivals we are excited for!
Plus, have you seen Naira’s latest TikTok series about her “Chicago Icks?” If not, watch it now and tell us YOUR Chicago "icks” or Chicago red flags. Send a text or voicemail at: 773 780-0246
City Cast Chicago is looking for our next lead producer. Learn more here.
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The hit show “The Bear” dropped a new trailer this week ahead of its highly anticipated return for season 2 next month, and it’s got us hungry for a good old-fashioned Chicago Italian beef sandwich. Longtime food critic Kevin Pang has eaten his share of juicy sandwiches, but he wanted to know how to turn a good Italian beef into the best Italian beef. Pang sets out to answer this question in his podcast “Proof” from America’s Test Kitchen and he told us in January what he found.
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Zayd Dohrn was born underground and on the run from the FBI. His parents, Bernadine Dohrn and Bill Ayers, were leaders of the Weather Underground — a radical leftist group born in the 70s that declared war on the United States and fought alongside anti-war activists and Black Panthers. Zayd Dohrn‘s podcast Mother Country Radicals asks his parents hard questions about their storied and revolutionary past, including their role in the bombing at the Pentagon on May 19th, 1972. Dohrn tells host Jacoby Cochran while he was familiar with the chronology of his parent’s history, the podcast opened his eyes to a side of his parents and the movement he never knew.
Some news:
The 2023 Riot Fest Lineup is out.
Registration is open for the city’s learn to bike series.
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