Chicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday at 6 a.m. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers;... more
The Supreme Court is back in the headlines thanks to another recent decision, this time limiting the ability to enforce... more
Some will say House music is having a “moment,” thanks to the release of Beyoncé’s new single, “Break My Soul,”... more
Voters in Illinois headed to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots for Democratic and Republican nominees for local, state,... more
In case you couldn’t tell from the heat, summertime Chi is here. That means along with the tourists descending on... more
We knew it was coming. But on Friday, the country officially entered a post-Roe v. Wade world, where abortion is... more
This episode was originally published on June 7, 2022. The reversal of Roe v. Wade won’t end abortion — it will... more
Summer officially started this week, and the City Cast Chicago team has put together a little summer bucket list to... more
In her new play “The Billboard,” journalist, author, and playwright Natalie Moore tells the story of a fictional abortion clinic... more
Are you familiar with The Fly Honeys? What was once a multi-weekend, sold-out production for a decade is being tailored... more
The political lore in Chicago used to be that if you didn’t know which judges to vote for, you should... more
Trans activist "Mama Gloria" Allen died this week at the age of 76. To honor her memory, we're resharing our... more
On Sunday, hundreds gathered to march from Lincoln Square to Uptown to memorialize two young children, 2 year old Raphael... more
Harold’s is more than a chicken spot — It’s a Chicago institution. There are stories of NBA MVP Derrick Rose... more
When the former ABLA Homes on the Near West Side were torn down in the 2000s, the city promised to... more
Early voting is underway for the June 28 primary. But sometimes you’re looking at a list of names, and you... more
In honor of the Chicago Tribune’s 175th anniversary, the paper recently put out a Chicago history quiz. (Happy birthday, Trib... more
Happy Pride month! Host Jacoby Cochran is looking back at some key stories from the week with Chicago Reader co-publisher... more
Anyone who has ever walked by the Puerto Rican flag at Division and Western in Humboldt Park knows that Puerto... more
Whether you’re for or against, a casino is coming to Chicago. The mayor and City Council have both approved a... more
The reversal of Roe v. Wade won’t end abortion — it will make access to safe abortion much more difficult.... more
A tweet by 20th Ward Ald. Jeanette Taylor went viral last week. Taylor tweeted: “I first applied for an affordable... more
Every song has a story — that’s the idea behind Karaoke Storytellers. Performers get up, tell a story, and then... more
Yesterday, we explored the history of disinvestment and displacement at Cabrini-Green, Chicago’s infamous public housing complex on the Near North... more
Last week, City Council approved the plans for a Bally’s Casino at the old Tribune publishing site in River West.... more
After 30 years, residents in the 1st Congressional District are preparing to elect a new Representative. Bobby Rush —co-founder of... more
Earlier this week, after 19 children and 2 adults were gunned down at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas Gov.... more
The El Milagro tortilla brand is strong in Chicago. You can find it in almost every grocery store, and you... more
In 1961, Abraham Bolden became the first Black Secret Service agent to serve on a presidential detail. Bolden says when... more
City Cast host Jacoby Cochran recently joined the podcast Album ReBrews to drink beers from Funkytown Brewery and talk about... more
Early voting in the June primary begins Thursday in Chicago, and is already underway elsewhere in the state. There are six... more
This week, Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill requiring all firearms, gun kits, and 3D-printed guns to have a visible... more
Whether your summer plans include sitting on the beach, taking a road trip, flying, or just staying home — you... more
This week, Mayor Lori Lightfoot signed an executive order authorizing police to immediately enforce a 10 p.m. curfew for Chicago... more
After nearly 30 years at the helm, Joyce Kenner is retiring as principal of Whitney Young high school. The CPS... more
Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson most recently made headlines as the giver of free gas, but have you wondered where he... more
The 2022 Bears schedule is now official, which means plenty of fans will be booking their flights across the country.... more
City Cast producer Simone Alicea is in the host chair this week to dig into some top stories around Chicago.... more
Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District was redrawn last year to include more of Chicago’s Northwest Side, including gentrifying neighborhoods like Logan... more
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has tapped Bally’s to be the first and only casino operator in Chicago. The decision still needs... more
The reigning WNBA Champion Chicago Sky began the 2022 season last Friday at home against the LA Sparks. Like most... more
Chicago Public Schools’ enrollment has dropped by more than 100,000 students in the last twenty years. And in Chicago, fewer... more
Earlier this week, a leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court’s conservative majority signaled the end of Roe v. Wade.... more
Gospel music has roots in southern spirituals during slavery and migrated north during the Great Migration in the early 1900s.... more
Reproductive rights activists in Chicago are kicking into high gear after a draft majority opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court... more
Lucy Westlake isn’t walking at graduation this spring with her class at Naperville North High School. That’s because the 18... more
Early voting in Illinois’ primaries begins in just a few weeks. After getting a new voter registration card in the... more
This week, the Chicago Reader and its former co-owner ended a month-long stalemate that threatened the future of the beloved... more
This week, five of Chicago’s selective enrollment high schools ranked among the county’s top 100 high schools, according to U.S.... more
When you live in a big city like Chicago, it can be really easy to forget just how much nature... more
**UPDATE** The Graduate Employees' Organization tweeted late Monday night that the strike was suspended. The podcast is updated to include that... more
A month ago, Nicole Lee was appointed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to finish the term of former 11th Ward Ald.... more
After a judge struck down the federal mask mandate on planes and public transit, Gov. Pritzker revoked the state’s mask policy... more
“Unplugging” opens in theaters this weekend in Chicago and suburbs. Eva Longoria and Matt Walsh star as a married couple... more
The Illinois Lottery as we know it today with Pick 3, Pick 4, and Mega Millions games has its roots... more
Oprah Winfrey—aka “The Queen of Talk”—covered everything from veganism to the L.A. Riots to Dr. Phil (yeah, she had some... more
Friday, April 15, would have been Harold Washington’s 100th birthday, and centennial celebrations continue this week. More than 30 years... more
Earlier this week a man opened fire on a New York City subway train shooting 10 people and injuring 13... more
City Council members have a lot of meetings. But how many of the full council, committee, and subcommittee meetings do... more
In Ukrainian culture, “pysanky” is a centuries-old form of decorating eggs. In fact, it predates Easter itself. Using eggs, beeswax,... more
The temperatures are rising, spring is here and baseball is back! The White Sox (2-1) have their home opener today... more
Chicago and Las Vegas have emerged as top candidates to potentially host the Democratic National Convention in 2024. Chicago most... more
The city announced that nearly 4000 E-Scooters are returning to streets next month. Divvy, Lime, Superpedestrian and Spin are the... more
For ten years, Evanston writer Peter Baker had been working on his first novel, and he was eager to get... more
The Obama Presidential Center isn’t the only major development hoping to call Jackson Park home. For years, Tiger Woods’ design... more
During a public safety press conference Monday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced efforts to invest in the development and expansion of... more
In 2018, three guards brutally beat Larry Earvin at Western Illinois Correctional Center, where Earvin was incarcerated. He died weeks... more
This week, South Side Weekly’s Chima Ikoro and freelance journalist and professor Arionne Nettles break down the big stories of... more
This week, Mayor Lori Lightfoot asserted the Christopher Columbus statue would eventually return to Grant Park. The city removed the... more
Actor Chris Perfetti wasn’t a big basketball fan growing up. But he was a big Steppenwolf Theatre fan. So when... more
Recreational weed has been available in Illinois since 2020. Meanwhile, in Texas, a Democratic gubernatorial challenger is pushing to legalize... more
Chicago and Las Vegas have emerged as top candidates to potentially host the Democratic National Convention in 2024. Chicago most recently hosted... more