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 the success of “The Bear,” Chicago’s Italian beef sandwich is having a moment. 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 the latest episode of his podcast “Proof” from America’s Test Kitchen and he shares what he found.
Some good news: Celebrate the five-year anniversary of Sleeping Village in Avondale.
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Dry January is a time of year to help us explore our relationships with alcohol. But Adriana Gaspar and Héctor Díaz, founders of In Good Spirits, facilitate sober experiences in Chicago year-round. They tell lead producer Carrie Shepherd about the community they’ve created and how to get involved.
Some news: The Doomsday Clock has been set at 90 seconds until midnight. To learn what that means, check out our ep on the Doomsday Clock and its Chicago roots.
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The Chicago Tribune reported Friday that Congressman and mayoral candidate Jesús “Chuy” García is referenced in court filings in former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s corruption case. Incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot has been going after García’s ties to Madigan in an ad, but the City Cast Chicago team says the attack seems thin. Host Jacoby Cochran, lead producer Carrie Shepherd, and producer Simone Alicea catch you up on the latest election news, including a recap of Thursday’s mayoral debate and an overview of wards likely to see new alders.
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Chicago’s Latinx population makes up the city’s second largest demographic, with the largest groups being of Mexican and Puerto Rican origin. And from City Council to Congress, we continue to see more Latinos represented in politics. With Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia in the race for mayor, there is a chance we will see the first Latino elected to the city’s top job. Dr. Wilfredo Cruz has tracked the rise of Latino power in politics in his new book “Latinos in Chicago: Quest for a Political Voice.” He joins host Jacoby Cochran to discuss this history.
Some news: Public comment is open through 5 p.m. Wednesday on Chicago Public Schools’ 2023-24 schedule. And on Thursday, City Council candidates in four Southwest Side wards will be at a public forum at Curie High School
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The Regional Transit Authority, which coordinates financing for CTA, Metra, and Pace, is predicting a $730 million budget gap beginning in 2026. The agency is looking for solutions, especially as ridership remains low. Host Jacoby Cochran, Block Club’s Jamie Nesbitt Golden, and WCIU’s Brandon Pope talk about the problems facing public transit, as well as big moves from the Bears, a proposed high school on the Near South Side, and the mayor’s race. Plus, we’ve got good news about lion cubs and Taylor Swift parties and attractions.
Vote City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Best Newsletter in the Reader's Best of Chicago 2022, under the City Life category.
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Some people go to Lakeview for the bars, others go for the Cubs — everyone's got a different take on the North Side neighborhood. City Cast listener Joel Simon has lived in Lakeview for over 20 years and says there’s actually something for everyone. He gives us his list of things to eat, see, and do in the neighborhood.
Joel’s Recs:
The Annoyance
Schubas Tavern
Sidetrack
Berlin
Center on Halsted
AIDS Garden Chicago
Cody’s Public House
Lincoln Tap
Theater Wit
Music Box
Steingold’s of Chicago
S&G Restaurant
Golden Apple
The Gundis
Koval Distillery
Paulina Meat Market
Some news: Do you know who's running for alder in your ward? Check the Chicago Board of Elections list of candidates. Plus, Chicago Restaurant Week kicks off tonight!
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All nine candidates for mayor are scheduled to meet Thursday for their first televised debate on ABC 7. Voters and reporters got a taste over the weekend at two forums where they tried to “out-progressive” each other, taking a few shots at their competitors. Chicago Tribune politics reporter A.D. Quig tells us what candidates are saying six weeks from election day, what she’s still watching for, and what we mean by “progressive.”
Check out Quig’s Twitter list for accounts related to the mayoral race.
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Today is Muhammad Ali Day in Illinois. Chicago author Jonathan Eig wrote the 2017 biography “Ali: A Life” and prompted Ken Burns to make a documentary about the legendary boxer. Eig tells host Jacoby Cochran that Chicago was integral to Ali’s story as the place he was introduced to the Nation of Islam and where he met his second wife and had children. Eig says Ali’s story is as relevant today as ever.
This conversation was originally published Sep. 16, 2021.
Some Good News:
The Moth StorySLAM at Fitzgeralds Nightclub
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Mayor Lori Lightfoot's reelection team may have violated Chicago’s ethics ordinance and federal law when her campaign sent emails to CPS staff asking them to encourage students to volunteer with the campaign. Plus, there was a lot of action in Springfield this week as new legislators were inaugurated following an eventful lame duck session that saw the passage of new labor protections and an assault weapons ban. WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky and Illinois Answers Project reporter Alex Nitkin talk about those stories as well as ongoing railroad expansion in Englewood, Lunar New Year events, and bald eagles wintering in Illinois.
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In City Cast Chicago’s occasional series, “Re: VIEWS” we invite guests to re-watch a Chicago film and dissect elements like “Best line” or “Best shot of the city.” Host Jacoby Cochran talks about the classic 1993 movie “The Fugitive” with one of its super fans — journalist and author Natalie Moore — about why she watches it any time it’s on TV and how it creates a full picture of the city.
Some good news: Check out the CSO's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in Concert"
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