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 23, 2025 • 29 mins
At DePaul University, Chicago rapper femdot is professor Femi Adigun for his course “Chicago Culture Through Hip Hop.” Today, class is in session as the artist sits down with host Jacoby Cochran to explore how Chicago’s history can be traced through rap music.
Good News: SUG N JAM Open Mic
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October 22, 2025 • 28 mins
In honor of our 1,000th episode in March, we released a list of 1,000 things we love about Chicago. It includes not just things we at City Cast appreciate, but also things listeners, guests, and Chicagoans love most about the city. With Chicago once again squarely in the national spotlight, it felt like the perfect time to revisit this love letter to our city.
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October 21, 2025 • 33 mins
Over 100,000 people marched downtown Saturday during Chicago’s No Kings protest. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran recap the march and discuss ongoing court proceedings regarding the deployment of federal troops in Illinois. Plus, we’re looking at Chicago Magazine’s tongue-in-cheek “budget beaters” and ongoing results from our spookiest thing in Chicago poll.
Good News: Dia de los Muertos Xicago
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October 20, 2025 • 37 mins
Mayor Brandon Johnson gave his highly anticipated budget address last week. The headline has been the city’s $1.19 billion budget deficit. Now we’ve got our first look at how City Hall wants to balance the budget. WTTW’s Heather Cherone walks us through the biggest proposed tax hikes, spending cuts, and the political climate heading into budget negotiations.
Good News: Bulls Home Opener
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October 17, 2025 • 36 mins
Another week, another violent encounter with ICE in a Chicago neighborhood, as federal agents targeted residents on the city’s Southeast Side earlier this week and unleashed more tear gas on protesters. We are breaking down what we know so far with Block Club Chicago’s Francia Garcia Hernandez and TV host Brandon Pope. Plus, CTA fares are expected to jump next year, Chicago is expanding free composting, and we’ve got our favorite p...
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October 16, 2025 • 26 mins
A few weeks ago, we did an episode about how to make friends in Chicago. But in addition to the many free or low-cost clubs and activities you can find around the city, private social clubs also seem to be gaining popularity. So host Jacoby Cochran is talking with Payton Turner, a creator who follows arts and culture and has been making videos about Chicago’s social clubs. She explains why she joined Soho House, what it took to get...
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October 15, 2025 • 27 mins
Despite President Donald Trump calling the city a “hellhole,” Chicago was named Best Big City in the country by Condé Nast Traveler for the ninth year in a row. Host Jacoby Cochran sat down with Choose Chicago’s CEO and president, Kristen Reynolds, to discuss what it’s like to market our city to tourists, particularly in a time when Chicago is constantly in the national spotlight.
Good News: Destinos Chicago International Latino ...
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October 14, 2025 • 30 mins
Lawsuits against the Trump administration are coming down left and right in Chicago, leading to blocks against National Guard deployment and orders that ICE can’t tear-gas journalists and peaceful protesters. But the president has shown he’s looking to get around the law in any way he can, which has us wondering: Do these lawsuits even matter? Host Jacoby Cochran talks with ACLU-Illinois’ Ed Yohnka about the efficacy of legal chall...
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October 10, 2025 • 42 mins
A judge has temporarily blocked National Guard deployment in Chicago. This comes as a federal judge ruled against ICE’s arrest tactics. We’re breaking down the latest updates with executive producer Simone Alicea and The Triibe’s Corli Jay. Plus, state lawmakers are back for the fall veto session next week, Bears seek Hail Mary redemption in DC, and Chatham welcomes a new wine bar to 75th street.
Good News: Slow and Low Lowrider ...
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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
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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.
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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
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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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