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 t...
Jul 24, 2023•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 meetin...
Jul 21, 2023•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 la...
Jul 20, 2023•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Jul 19, 2023•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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: ...
Jul 18, 2023•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 pla...
Jul 17, 2023•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast An investigation into Northwestern’s football program revealed a history of hazing, including alleged coerced sexual acts, and allegations of racism. Longtime football head coach Pat Fitzgerald has been fired, and a planned $800 million dollar stadium renovation faces even more scrutiny. WCIU TV host Brandon Pope catches us up on the fallout and efforts to secure protections for student athletes. We are also joined by Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Mila Koumpilova who is following Chicago’s efforts ...
Jul 14, 2023•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast We all know you can get books at the library. But your library card can get you way more than you think, from passes to city attractions to seeds for starting a garden. Patrick Molloy is government and public affairs director director for the Chicago Public Library, and Alejandra Santana manages the Manning branch on the Near West Side. They’re here to help us make the most of this free resource. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Fol...
Jul 13, 2023•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Summertime Chi would be incomplete without spending some time on Lake Michigan. But its easy to underestimate the dangers of the lake, even if you’re a strong swimmer. Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with Dave Benjamin, co-founder of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project which tracks drownings and promotes water safety. Dave shares his key tips for enjoying the Lake safely this summer. Heading out on a boat this summer? Listen to the episode we did last year with the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee....
Jul 12, 2023•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Mayor Brandon Johnson’s transition committee released its 223-page report outlining goals for the new administration. While many align with Johnson’s campaign promises, questions remain about how the city will pay for these efforts. Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Simone Alicea talk about the report, plus we hear your Malört opinions and get ready for summer blockbuster season. Windy City Smokeout: July 13-16 @ United Center Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up ...
Jul 11, 2023•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chicago is home plenty of new developments from high-rises to a presidential museum to a casino. But there are only a handful of so-called “mega developments.” These are decades long, multi-billion dollar projects that will transform parts of the city. Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by Kyle Schulz, head of business development at World Business Chicago, which is the city’s economic development agency. We learn about the behemoth projects currently underway, their timelines, and their benefits and...
Jul 10, 2023•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast What impact will the US Supreme Court’s recent decisions on affirmative action and student debt relief have on the future of higher education? We discuss it with WBEZ Higher Ed Reporter Lisa Philip and Lead Producer Simone Alicea. We also look at Chicago’s near record rainfall, the tenure of Chicago State University’s president, and various weekend arts events. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicago You can also...
Jul 07, 2023•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chicago has its share of inside jokes, but none maybe more painful than goading newcomers into taking a shot of Malört. Whether you actually like the bitter liquor or you just want to see your friends make a weird face, it’s become a Chicago rite of passage. Host Jacoby Cochran has never tried it…until today. Joining us in the taste test and a round of Malört trivia is lead producer Simone Alicea, marketing director Caroline Patton, and marketing coordinator Jermaine Thomas. Want to take a swim?...
Jul 06, 2023•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chicago roller skaters have long been called the smoothest roller skaters for their intricate footwork, elaborate routines, and signature swagger. We visit MLK Roller Skating and Bowling Center in Auburn Gresham with Chicago legend Theresa “Sweet T” Ferrell, aka host Jacoby Cochran’s mother. She shares her 50 years of skating history, answers why James Brown is the godfather of Chi rolling, and even gives lead producer Simone Alicea a quick lesson on the hardwood. Want some more City Cast Chicag...
Jul 05, 2023•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tired of the same old burgers and dogs on Fourth of July? Looking for something unique — and truly Chicago — to feed your out-of-town guests? Food writers Monica Eng and David Hammond have a whole book to help you out. “Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites” goes beyond deep-dish and hot dogs to provide origin stories, recipes, and recommendations for other mouth-watering local dishes. Monica and David talked with host Jacoby Cochran in March about some of their favorites. Some...
Jul 03, 2023•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Earlier this week, Chicago had some of the worst air quality in the world due to wildfire smoke from Canada. Officials have recommended masking and limiting outdoor exposure. But should Chicagoans be prepared for smoke to happen more often as the impacts of climate change hit closer and closer to home? Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with environment reporter Brett Chase with the Chicago Sun-Times and Manny Ramos with the Illinois Answers Project. The group also discuss a worrisome highway expansi...
Jun 30, 2023•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jun 29, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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”...
Jun 28, 2023•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 law...
Jun 27, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Chambe...
Jun 26, 2023•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then...
Jun 23, 2023•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Jun 22, 2023•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Jun 21, 2023•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Jun 20, 2023•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 CP...
Jun 16, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 coordinat...
Jun 15, 2023•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, neighbors gathered in Douglass Park to protest Riot Fest ahead of today’s Park District meeting considering permit approvals for the September music festival. We asked you what you thought about Riot Fest in our newsletter Hey Chicago. Lead Producer Simone Alicea and Host Jacoby Cochran catch you up on the conflict and read through some of your responses. Plus, we’re revisiting Chicago’s 75-year parking meter deal and discussing why Chicago and Illinois were ranked high for naked bike...
Jun 14, 2023•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Better weather means more Chicagoans outside and more bikes on city streets. Unfortunately, infrastructure to keep cyclists safe is inconsistent across neighborhoods. We’re revisiting our conversation from December with Kyle Lucas and Michael Podgers from Better Streets Chicago to learn what city and state officials can do to keep cyclists safe and get some tips for the road. Plus, Kyle gives us an update on some ongoing bike projects. The city’s Learn to Bike programs for kids and adults are un...
Jun 13, 2023•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast One of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first announcements when he took office was to create a task force to solve Chicago’s so-called “pension crisis.” You’ve probably seen pensions come up in headlines a lot. It’s why the city says it’s building a new casino, and it comes up every time we talk about the city budget. But be honest with us, do you have any idea what’s going on with Chicago’s pensions? Well, host Jacoby Cochran definitely needed an explainer so we brought in Amanda Kass, a DePaul Univers...
Jun 12, 2023•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ten years ago, Chicago closed 50 schools in largely Black and brown neighborhoods. But what happened to those buildings after the doors were boarded up? A new WBEZ and Sun-Times report tracked the fate of each school and found more than half remain vacant. Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by freelance journalists Natalie Frazier and Maia McDonald to talk about that along with the cottonwood seeds blanketing neighborhoods, the importance of animal rescues, and a legendary roller skating reunion! Hyd...
Jun 09, 2023•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
