City Cast Chicago
Chicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday at 6 a.m. 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—all in 15 minutes a day. It’s a smart and delightful new way to connect with the city we share. Learn more and subscribe to our morning newsletter at citycast.fm/chicago.
Episodes
August 8, 2025 • 37 mins
The clock is running out for Chicago Public Schools to solve its $734 million problem, as the district has until Aug. 13 to release a public budget proposal. Axios Chicago’s Carrie Shepherd and The Triibe’s Corli Jay are here discussing the available, yet not so popular, finance options CPS is mulling over. Plus, investment in the Pullman community is seeing real returns, Uptown’s Weiss Memorial Hospital could shut down this weeken...
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August 7, 2025 • 30 mins
There are certain things you must know if you live in a city like Chicago. Hey Chicago newsletter editor Emmi Mack and social media manager Rick Homuth tell host Jacoby Cochran what their essential rules to living in Chicago are and why.
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August 6, 2025 • 27 mins
During the summer, farmers markets are all over the city, home gardens are in full swing, and local chefs lean into promoting seasonal ingredients. All this got us thinking about Chicago’s farm-to-table restaurants. Decades after the term took off, we sat down with The Infatuation’s Adrian Kane and John Ringor to discuss how the movement has evolved and some of Chicago’s best farm-to-table restaurants.
Check out our map of the re...
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August 5, 2025 • 33 mins
Rep. Danny Davis of the 7th Congressional District is retiring after 29 years in office. Host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro discuss Davis joining a growing list of retiring Illinois lawmakers and his choice to replace him. Plus, the MLB All-Star game is coming back to Wrigley in 2027, and the Chicago Park District recently unveiled renderings that could extend Grant Park to the Lakefront.
Good News: Botanic Gardens...
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August 4, 2025 • 21 mins
Budget season is upon us, and Chicago is facing a $1.2 billion budget gap. Last year's contentious budget battle led to an agency downgrading Chicago’s credit rating. Earlier this year, host Jacoby Cochran talked with DePaul University professor Amanda Kass about how municipal credit ratings work, why Chicago is close to “junk” status, and what it says about the city’s financial health.
Good news: The Bridge: A Benefit Concert for...
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August 1, 2025 • 31 mins
Following increased rain, families across the southwest side are dealing with neighborhood and basement flooding. However, this comes at an increasingly precarious time for FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency tasked with helping states, impacted individuals, and first responders prepare for, respond to, and recover from weather-related disasters. Block Club Chicago’s Jamie Nesbitt Golden and Borderless Magazine’s Aydali C...
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July 31, 2025 • 36 mins
Summer is far from over. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and producer Michelle Navarro discuss the festivals and restaurants they are looking forward to checking out. Plus, they discuss stories they are following throughout the month, including Chicago Public Schools’ looming budget and community organizers asking ICE to stay out of Chicago summer festivals.
If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together ...
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July 30, 2025 • 30 mins
Grocery prices across the country rose 28% between 2019 and 2024. And they haven’t exactly gotten better. Sun-Times investigative reporter Stephanie Zimmermann has been tracking prices across Chicago grocery stores since December. She tells host Jacoby Cochran about what she found and why everything is so expensive right now.
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July 29, 2025 • 37 mins
The City Council is on summer break until September, when they’ll return for an increasingly difficult budget season. We’re discussing a few pieces of legislation waiting on their return, including expanding accessory dwelling units, creating a senior bill of rights, and a lifejacket requirement. Plus, we’re taking the Hey Chicago City Council Nepo Baby Quiz and prepping for Lollapalooza weekend.
Good News: Illinois’ Black Panthe...
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July 28, 2025 • 28 mins
So far, at least five of the city’s major hospital systems have stopped providing gender-affirming care to minors in response to pressure from the Trump administration. Writer, organizer, and urban planner Mare Ralph recently wrote about this and other challenges facing young trans Chicagoans. They discuss with host Jacoby Cochran how already difficult processes for obtaining housing and employment assistance, as well as changes to...
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July 25, 2025 • 37 mins
This week, Cook County announced $25 million in new investments for violence prevention programs, welcome news for organizations that had relied on COVID-19 relief funds. We break it down with freelance writer Jasmine Barnes and Tribune music critic Britt Julious. Plus, Chicago’s forthcoming quantum campus adds more companies, Chicago record-label Numero Group celebrates 22 years, and Diana Ross’s classic Chicago film “Mahognay” tu...
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July 24, 2025 • 22 mins
Host Jacoby Cochran and Chicago Show Calendar creator Caroline Patton come together to create their Summer 2025 Chicago Playlist, featuring some of their favorite albums, songs, and performances by Chicago artists this summer.
Good News: I Breathe Real Music
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July 23, 2025 • 26 mins
Temperatures are rising, so it might be the perfect time to get yourself something sweet and cold. Host Jacoby Cochran and the City Cast Chicago team pulled up to Mario’s Italian Lemonade in Little Italy last summer to try the iconic frozen dessert. From ice cream to snow-cones, they discuss the best (and most overrated) frozen treats in Chicago.
Spots mentioned:
Fannie May
Lickity Split
Shawn Michlle’s Homemade Ice Crea...
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July 22, 2025 • 29 mins
Shortly after City Council passed legislation strengthening her office, Inspector General Deborah Witzburg announced she would not seek reappointment to a second term. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea talk about the sometimes contentious history of the Chicago inspector general’s office. They also discuss extreme heat heading our way and some Chicago movies you'd like to add to our list.
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July 21, 2025 • 30 mins
NASCAR has announced it will not hold a street race in Chicago next year, but wants to keep the option open for 2027. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea have the latest. And since we’re a bunch of NASCAR skeptics, we’re also talking with NASCAR converts Dario Durham and Sara Faddah, co-hosts of 77 Flavors of Chicago and NASCAR converts. They explain why they think the race is worth keeping around.
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July 18, 2025 • 36 mins
City Council has been debating whether to broadly expand accessory dwelling units, such as attic and basement units, granny flats, and coach houses. Supporters argue it can increase the affordable housing stock, while opponents believe it could reshape neighborhoods. Alders were unable to compromise and the ordinance stalled this week. We are discussing the ongoing debate with the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan and Chalkbeat Chicago’s Ree...
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July 17, 2025 • 43 mins
We are smack dab in the middle of summer blockbuster season. That got the City Cast Chicago team thinking about some of the best Chicago movies of all time. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, Hey Chicago newsletter editor Emmi Mack, and social media manger Rick Homuth attempt to come up with the ultimate list of Chicago movies.
The List:
Medium Cool (1969)
Cooley High (1975)
Blues Brothers (1980)
...
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July 16, 2025 • 30 mins
Summertime Chi means dining al fresco. While we love our rooftops and patios, it’s also prime picnic season, and Chicago has takeout for that. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and producer and picnic expert Michelle Navarro offer their tips for picnic spots and what to pick up on the way there.
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
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July 15, 2025 • 37 mins
The city’s longest tenured alder, Walter Burnett Jr., is stepping down at the end of the month after 30 years leading the 27th ward. While the Mayor will choose the replacement alder, Burnett Jr. is hopeful the seat will stay in his family. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran discuss Burnett Jr.’s legacy in the ward, his potential successor Walter Burnett III, and reports that the alder is on a shortlist to lea...
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July 14, 2025 • 20 mins
The sun is out and temps are rising again, which means crowded beaches, boat parties, and other water activities. That makes a good time to revisit some conversations about water safety. First, our 2023 chat with Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project co-founder Dave Benjamin on life-saving tips for Lake Michigan swimmers. Then we look back on our 2022 conversation with the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee’s Mike McElroy about rules for bo...
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