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
Homicides this year in Chicago are on track to be similar to last year, one of the deadliest years in... more
This week the City Cast Chicago team is together in person bringing you the best podcast and newsletter in Chicago.... more
Frances Glessner Lee was from one of early Chicago’s most prominent families, living on one of the cities wealthiest blocks... more
By 2030, Illinois could be home to 55,000 people over the age of 65 living without citizenship, according to a... more
Chicago attorney Jay Edelson filed a lawsuit against Facebook in 2015, claiming the social media giant violated his client’s privacy,... more
Gov. JB Pritzker’s stay-home order went into effect two years ago today. It’s been two years of change, uncertainty, and... more
We're doing a pod swap this week with our good friends at Block Club Chicago. In this episode, "It's All Good"... more
As we celebrate one year of the City Cast Chicago podcast and newsletter, we are so excited to look back... more
Last week, Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown, and CTA President Dorval Carter to announce a $71... more
If you need snow shoveled in your neighborhood, a pothole filled, or rats cleared in your alley, you call 311.... more
The Chicago Academy for the Arts is not like all schools. Students are immersed in their art, whether it’s theater,... more
Since the start of the pandemic, public health leaders have told us they’re following the data to make policy decisions,... more
Two first-time guests join us to look back on the week. Chicago Sun-Times reporter Cheyanne Daniels joins us from a... more
Jackowo used to be the heart of Chicago’s Polish community, in a city that once had the second highest population... more
Construction is underway on the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park. But since the project launched, residents in nearby neighborhoods... more
Netflix’s reality dating show “Love Is Blind” has captivated global audiences. The show follows 30 strangers on a series of... more
This past weekend was the first since the city and state lifted indoor mask mandates. Businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues... more
It was another busy week across the city of Chicago. WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel and Axios Chicago’s Justin Kaufmann stopped by... more
Whether it’s a public feud with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, impromptu speeches during a problematic, and confusing, presidential run, or a... more
Ten years ago, Vivonell Brown was a teacher at Woodson Elementary in Bronzeville, on track to become a principal, when... more
If you thought Ken Griffin was running for governor in Illinois, we wouldn’t blame you. Whenever there’s news about Republican... more
The Chicago area is home to nearly 54,000 people of Ukrainian ancestry, the second-largest in the U.S. Many Ukrainians here... more
On Wednesday, alderpeople authorized the city to spend $700,000 to buy a now-vacant Aldi in West Garfield Park. But it’s... more
Since 2017, a developer has been pushing for rezoning in Rogers Park so he can turn a 100-year-old vacant building... more
There are currently no grocery stores operating in the West Garfield Park neighborhood. An Aldi that operated there for three... more
The future of the Chicago Reader is in question. After years of money troubles and ownership changes, the 50-year-old paper... more
After years of being continuously delayed, the Southeast Side recycling permit decision is set to be officially announced in the... more
In the early 1900s, Chin Foin’s restaurants helped popularize Chinese food among white Americans. Chicago’s King Yen Lo, King Joy... more
Two years into the pandemic, domestic violence cases continue to rise as victims are stuck at home with the people... more
While other kids were bringing turkey or bologna sandwiches to school, Boyede Sobitan was packing jollof rice with goat meat.... more
On this Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating love in Chicago. When we hiked with the couple behind the popular TikTok “Black... more
Governor JB Pritzker has announced that Illinois is on track to remove the statewide mask mandate by February 28. The... more
Live theater is a huge cultural and economic pillar in Chicago. But it’s no surprise that theaters have struggled since... more
In 1972, Camille Cook started the Film Center at the School of the Art Institute Chicago to screen auteur, independent,... more
The city announced last week a $38 million redevelopment of a vacant 21-acre industrial lot in North Lawndale. As a... more
Over the last several decades, the south suburban Harvey has gone from a model town, home to thousands of manufacturing... more
For six months, Chicago Reader and Injustice Watch have been investigating allegations of sexism, inappropriate behavior, and bias by Judge... more
Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday outlined his 2022 state budget proposal. The Democrat painted a picture of a healthier and... more
You’ve been feeling it, right? That existential dread about everything that’s wrong in the world. The feeling that the world... more
Last week, we explored the history of disinvestment and displacement at Cabrini-Green, Chicago’s infamous public housing complex on the Near... more
In Chicago, the city is supposed to clear the streets after it snows. But the sidewalks? That falls on property... more
Throughout the school year, Chicago Public Schools have claimed their COVID dashboards provide accurate data for COVID-19 cases district-wide and... more
For nearly 50 years, thousands of Black Chicagoans called the 23 high-rise towers and adjacent row houses of Cabrini-Green home.... more
Bulls small forward DeMar DeRozan was a four-time all-star when he was with the Toronto Raptors. But when he came... more
When Ariana Alejandra Gibson was growing up, she didn’t have an outlet for talking about her father who had schizophrenia.... more
Chicago is the birthplace of many dance styles, like the polka hop, the cha-cha slide, and, of course, stepping. For... more
We got a lot of COVID news this week. Some good, like maybe Chicago has passed its Omicron peak. Some... more
The A.V. Club was founded as a sister publication of The Onion in 1993 for “people immersed in pop culture... more
Irving Naxon invented the Crock-Pot, originally called the Naxon Beanery, in the 1930s. He got the idea from his Orthodox... more
Chicago’s proof of vaccine requirement at bars, restaurants, and live music venues has been in effect for two weeks. It’s... more
Chicago is the birthplace of many dance styles, like the polka hop, the cha-cha slide, and, of course, stepping. For Black Chicagoans,... more