Whether it’s dancing all night, sipping on elaborate cocktails with a side of live music, or playing some board games before hitting the diner, Chicago offers plenty of late night options. WBEZ audience engagement manager Taylor Faye Nazon joins host Jacoby Cochran to talk about some of their favorite ways to enjoy Chicago’s nightlife! Some good news: Best of luck to Senn High School music teacher Trevor Nicholas, who's been nominated for a Grammy Music Educator award for the second year in a ro...
Feb 02, 2023•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast In 1961, Abraham Bolden became the first Black Secret Service agent to serve on a presidential detail. Bolden says when he left Chicago for D.C., it was like going from “heaven to hell,” and he faced constant racism from other agents. He says he also heard other agents say they wouldn’t protect President John F. Kennedy if there was an attempt on his life because they despised Kennedy’s work on integration. Bolden spoke up about the agents, but ended up setting off a 50-year fight for justice. C...
Feb 01, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Each week leading up to the municipal election on Feb. 28, City Cast Chicago is digging into where mayoral and aldermanic candidates stand on the city’s most pressing issues. This week, we look at their plans (or lack thereof) for education in the country’s fourth largest school district. Chalkbeat Chicago recently posed questions to the nine mayoral candidates about declining enrollment, the district’s problems running special education, the city’s relationship with the teachers’ union, and mor...
Jan 31, 2023•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Fraternal Order of Police has been endorsing candidates and spending money in February’s municipal elections. But the union is also hosting its own election next week. The FOP president represents about 10,000 officers, making the union leader one of Chicago’s most prominent public voice. WBEZ criminal justice reporter Chip Mitchell tells host Jacoby Cochran about the two men vying for the job, the FOP’s relationship with city leaders, and how the union is positioning itself this election. C...
Jan 30, 2023•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we're bringing you a podcast by our friends over at America’s Test Kitchen called "Proof." Each episode, host Kevin Pang tags along with a reporter as they unearth stories about the history, humanity, and unexpected moments about the foods we love. In this episode of "Proof," host Kevin Pang is the reporter, and he takes on the challenge of creating the world’s greatest Italian beef sandwich, inspired by the hit TV show, "The Bear." You can listen to Proof wherever you get your podcasts. ...
Jan 28, 2023•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Mayor Lori Lightfoot cut the ribbon on a controversial police and firefighter training facility on the West Side. Officials say the 34-acre, $170 million site is needed to modernize the city’s first response service, while opponents have called it a poor investment of city resources in an already under-resourced community. Freelancer Siri Chilukuri, producer Simone Alicea, and host Jacoby Cochran are breaking down this story and more including an ethics probe into the mayor’s reelecti...
Jan 27, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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. Want some more City Cast Chicago ne...
Jan 26, 2023•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? T...
Jan 25, 2023•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 de...
Jan 24, 2023•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Vo...
Jan 23, 2023•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Ta...
Jan 20, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jan 19, 2023•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jan 18, 2023•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Jan 17, 2023•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 t...
Jan 13, 2023•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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" Follow us on Twitter...
Jan 12, 2023•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Some educators in Illinois are challenging the way reading is traditionally taught in schools. They say a more evidence-based approach would get more kids reading at grade level. Cassie Walker Burke is an editor at WBEZ and recently reported on how Illinois, including Chicago Public schools, could change the way they teach reading. She talks with host Jacoby Cochran about how reading is taught in Illinois and why some students might be falling behind. Some good news: Catch a week of storytelling...
Jan 11, 2023•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast In addition to cough drops, toilet paper, and pantyhose, your future Walgreens shopping list could include a checkup with a doctor. The Deerfield-based drugstore chain has invested billions of dollars over the past few years to add primary care clinics to some of its stores, with a goal of reaching 1,000 by 2027. Crain’s reporter Katherine Davis has been covering Walgreens’ health care transformation, and she tells host Jacoby Cochran about some of the hurdles the company faces. Some news: Check...
Jan 10, 2023•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chicago’s restaurant industry is still bouncing back after the pandemic forced closures, supply chain issues, and worker shortages. Eater Chicago follows the closings, openings, and all issues happening on the food scene. Editor Ashok Selvam and host Jacoby Cochran share trends to watch in 2023 for dining. Some good news: Jacoby is hosting his first solo storytelling show on Sunday. Get tickets here. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or T...
Jan 09, 2023•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast As city officials try to provide for the nearly 4,000 migrants that have arrived in Chicago since August, some Woodlawn residents are opposing a planned shelter in their neighborhood. Host Jacoby Cochran, lead producer Carrie Shepherd, and producer Simone Alicea talk about that story as well as CPS losing track of some students, potential hikes to gas bills, and record opioid deaths in Cook County. And of course, the team shares some gooood newwwws to get you through, including the search for Ch...
Jan 06, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
