City Cast Chicago
Chicago’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 iss 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
Episodes
October 9, 2025 • 33 mins
Think you already know the best restaurants in Chicago? What about the ones that operate inside other establishments? Chicago’s pop-up scene is legendary, but hard to track if you’re not in the know. That’s why host Jacoby Cochran is talking with Infatuation Chicago’s John Ringor, who’s been tracking pop-ups all summer.
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October 8, 2025 • 27 mins
With all the focus on what the feds are doing in Chicago, let’s remember there are still local stories unfolding. Neighbors have been pushing for more information about what will happen to Ford City Mall on the Southwest Side. Bridge Industrial is seeking to buy the property to turn it into an industrial corridor. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with the Sun-Times Lee Bey and Block Club’s Atavia Reed about the plans for the mall, the bus...
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October 7, 2025 • 24 mins
The Trump administration has announced it’s withholding $2.1 billion in federal funds for Chicago transit projects, including the extension of the Red Line. The extension has been decades in the making. While local officials grapple with the future of the project, we’re revisiting a conversation we had in 2023, when it finally seemed like it was really happening. CTA’s TaNesheha Marshall and Andrea Reed with the Greater Roseland Ch...
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October 6, 2025 • 25 mins
The White House confirmed it’s authorizing the deployment of 300 National Guard troops to Illinois against the wishes of Gov. JB Pritzker. The announcement came hours after a woman was shot and injured by immigration agents in Brighton Park. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down what we know so far.
Resources mentioned:
ICIRR Hotline: 855-435-7693
ACLU Illinois
Tips for journalists
Want...
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October 3, 2025 • 48 mins
The federal government’s rhetoric and tactics have only intensified around Chicago since border patrol agents marched along Michigan Avenue over the weekend. The president again threatened to send the military to Chicago, and protesters in Broadview are facing charges. Executive producer Simone Alicea is going through it with Axios Chicago’s Justin Kaufmann and Block Club’s Melody Mercado. They also discuss a plan for the future of...
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October 2, 2025 • 42 mins
With spooky season officially here, we’re getting into the spirit by holding a tournament for the scariest things in Chicago. From haunted hotels to thrilling intersections to Chicago’s underworld (aka lower Wacker), the City Cast Chicago team will crown a winner. Disagree with our picks? Vote in the first round and prove us wrong.
Good News: Beyond the Screen
What’s not scary? Becoming a City Cast Chicago Neighbor! You’ll enjoy ...
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October 1, 2025 • 39 mins
October marks the holiday sprint to the end of the year. Hey Chicago newsletter editor Emmi Mack has everything you need for Halloween. Executive producer Simone Alicea has fall fun for the scaredy cats. And host Jacoby Cochran is reminding you to watch for street sweeping.
Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events an...
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September 30, 2025 • 40 mins
Gov. JB Pritzker is warning federal troops may soon come to Chicago after dozens of federal immigration agents marched Sunday through downtown Chicago making arrests. The display followed another round of protests and tear gas at the Broadview ICE facility and what appeared to be a Border Patrol photo op on boats near Navy Pier. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea go over the latest. Plus, they’re talking about...
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September 29, 2025 • 32 mins
While property tax bills have been delayed, we do have a sense of who’s likely to see the biggest tax hikes in Chicago. Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with the Tribune’s A.D. Quig and Alex Nitkin with the Illinois Answers Project to talk about skyrocketing assessments on the South and West sides.
Good News: Filpinx
Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listeni...
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September 26, 2025 • 38 mins
Fences have gone up around the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview despite local officials’ opposition. Meanwhile, conflicting narratives are emerging about the fatal ICE shooting of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez. Host Jacoby Cochran discusses the latest with Borderless magazine’s Katrina Pham and the Sun-Times’ Nader Issa. They also discuss the possibility of allowing dogs into restaurants, the rap...
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September 25, 2025 • 38 mins
It can be hard to make new friends as an adult in a big city. That’s why City Cast Chicago executive producer (and resident transplant) Simone Alicea has created a step-by-step guide to making friends in Chicago. She discusses her tips with host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro to see if the Chicago natives agree.
Good news: 7323 Chicago Fish Fry
One possible way to make more friends in Chicago? Become a City Cast Chi...
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September 24, 2025 • 34 mins
We’re all hunting for bargains right now. That’s why today we’re talking about the best food, activities, and gifts in the city for $10 or less.
Some lists and resources:
Infatuation’s list of $10 meals
Hey Chicago’s lists of cheap eats downtown and free things in Chicago
Laura Keene’s spreadsheet of $8 cocktails
What else can you get for $10 (a month)? The perks of being a City Cast Chicago Neighbor! When you becom...
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September 23, 2025 • 35 mins
Protests continue at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in suburban Broadview after agents have deployed tear gas and pepper bullets over the last few days. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss the latest, including a report that ICE considered closing the facility, which federal officials denied. They also talk about a computer-generated mural on the Kennedy (and where to see some rea...
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September 22, 2025 • 32 mins
Buying a home is one of the most effective ways of putting down roots in a neighborhood. But the cost of homeownership is prohibitively high for many Chicagoans, especially in gentrifying areas. Community land trusts like Here to Stay seek to shift that narrative on the Northwest Side. Here to Stay’s Lucy Gomez-Feliciano explains how this alternative to traditional homeownership allows people to stay in their neighborhoods. We also...
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September 19, 2025 • 39 mins
Chicago is staring down a $1.15 billion budget gap. This week, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget task force released its official report, which includes nearly 90 policy suggestions. We are joined by city hall reporters A.D. Quig from the Tribune and Tonia Hill from the Triibe to discuss a city vacancy freeze, raising garbage fees, and a property tax hike. Plus, a city council committee approves a historic police violence settlement, ...
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September 18, 2025 • 33 mins
Chicago takes its tacos very seriously. That’s why the City Cast Chicago team is rounding up their favorite spots. (And by the way, it’s not the first time.)
Taqueria Chingon
Don Pedro Carnitas
Chicago Taco Authority
Carnitas Uruapan
Mother Prepper
La Chaparrita
El Tragon Taqueria
Good news: Chicago Exhibition Weekend, Chicago Architecture Biennial
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September 17, 2025 • 30 mins
Fall theater season is picking up across Chicago and host Jacoby Cochran is sharing a few of the shows he is most excited for. Plus, he is joined by Chicago actor Ronald Conner to get a behind the scenes look at Chicago's thriving theater scene.
Big White Fog at Court Theater
Rabbits in their pockets at Lifeline Theatre
Veal at Red Orchid Theatre
Rome Sweet Rome at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Saving Myself a...
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September 16, 2025 • 29 mins
Local leaders are calling for a full investigation after an immigration enforcement agent fatally shot Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez in Franklin Park. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea have the latest, including resources on ICE activity in Chicago. Plus, they’re wishing luck to the Leo High School boys choir on “America’s Got Talent” and they’re taking a skyscraper quiz ahead of Chicagohenge.
Good News: Día D...
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September 15, 2025 • 28 mins
Chicago landlords are increasingly using LLCs, often concealing individual owners’ identities. WBEZ reporters Amy Qin and Esther Yoon-Ji Kang tell host Jacoby Cochran how these property owners become invisible and why this makes it difficult for tenants to hold their landlords accountable.
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycastchicago
You can also te...
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September 12, 2025 • 30 mins
Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security launched “Operation Midway Blitz,” a surge in immigration raids across Chicago and Illinois. WTTW anchor Joanna Hernandez tells us the timing of this campaign alongside Mexican Independence Day celebrations is purposeful and a repeat of history for Chicago. Injustice Watch reporter Kelly Garcia also joins us with a new investigation into the head of Cook County’s juvenile deten...
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