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
July 15, 2025 • 39 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 • 21 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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July 11, 2025 • 41 mins
How will the federal spending bill impact SNAP recipients in Illinois? Why are some Chicago firefighters resisting a new policy change about when individuals can enter a burning building? Why are legislators tackling who can and can’t wear a mask in public? Have you noticed more lightning bugs this summer? We are answering all of these questions and more with the Chicago Reader’s Micco Caporale and Block Club Chicago’s Mack Liederm...
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July 10, 2025 • 18 mins
The Cubs are having a good season. They’ve got three all-stars, one of the best offenses in baseball, and are leading their division. While Cubs fans are rejoicing, host and lifelong Sox fan Jacoby Cochran has done his best to ignore the hype. But he just can’t any more. Jacoby and social media manager Rick Homuth head to Wrigley Field to hear directly from fans about why it’s worth making the trip.
Good News: White Sox ‘05 Reunio...
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July 9, 2025 • 32 mins
Chicago is known for classic food staples like a beef sandwich or the Chicago dog, but we also have access to a wide variety of international cuisines, sometimes just a neighborhood over. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to the Chicago Tribune’s Ahmed Ali Akbar and Louisa Chu about their favorite restaurants where the food and the ambiance make them feel like they are on vacation without leaving the city.
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July 8, 2025 • 41 mins
After four people were killed and 14 others were wounded late Wednesday outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge, the local alder is pushing to revoke the River North spot’s business license. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss what happened and the pressure the venue is facing. They also discuss Chicago Public Schools’ ongoing financial trouble and they review “Ironheart” and “The Bear.”
Some good news: Th...
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July 7, 2025 • 28 mins
Perhaps you’ve seen them while driving on I-55, riding the Orange Line, or even watching that one Transformers movie – the Damen Silos have been an iconic southwest side structure for over a century. Despite being abandoned for the last 50 years, the once revolutionary grain elevators have been a key site for urban explorers, graffiti artists, and McKinley Park neighbors alike. Now the city has issued a demolition permit, and owner...
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July 3, 2025 • 47 mins
Jacoby Cochran and all 12 other City Cast podcast hosts (from Austin, Boise, DC, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, and Salt Lake City) compete head-to-head in a high-stakes showdown to answer the question that’s been burning up our company-wide Slack for weeks: which city is the best for a summer weekend trip? From naked bike rides to ‘the country’s best farmers market,’ pickle festivals...
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July 2, 2025 • 28 mins
Between Fourth of July weekend, Windy City Smokeout, and the number of cookouts we’re seeing at the park, it’s prime barbeque season in Chicago. Host Jacoby Cochran and Chicago magazine dining critic John Kessler talk about some of the city’s best spots to pick up BBQ, what makes Chicago’s style unique, and some tips for home pitmasters.
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July 1, 2025 • 32 mins
Once the fireworks and NASCAR engines die down, there’s still going to be plenty to do in July in Chicago. That’s why host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and digital creator Paige Serena are here with their best monthly tips, including summer pop-ups to check out and new laws going into effect.
If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to th...
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June 30, 2025 • 22 mins
Gov. JB Pritzker announced he’s running for a third term as governor. But that hasn’t exactly put a stop to presidential speculation. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea explain why and discuss how the 2026 election landscape is shaping up in Illinois. Plus, they cover a comprehensive ice cream map and offer some additional neighbor shoutouts.
Good news: Winnemac Park Fourth for All
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June 27, 2025 • 35 mins
Last weekend’s Black Yacht Weekend brought thousands of visitors to the city and Lake Michigan for dozens of events in and out of the water. Unfortunately, between tragic accidents, oversold events, and mixed reviews, it’s hard to know if the weekend was a real success. WCIU TV host Brandon Pope and Block Club Chicago’s Maxwell Evans are here to recap. Plus, we’re discussing the future of two of the city’s largest shelters, excitin...
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June 26, 2025 • 29 mins
Summer is here, which means we’re outside — not just on the beach, but in the club, too. That’s why we’re revisiting our conversation from the fall with CaSera Heining, aka DJ Ca$h Era. As one of the busiest DJs in Chicago, Ca$h Era gives us the scoop on some of the best parties and spots, tips for building a set list, and when it’s okay to request a song from the booth.
Spots mentioned:
D.S. Tequila Co.
Chop Shop
Everyd...
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June 25, 2025 • 31 mins
The fourth season of “The Bear” drops today on Hulu. Not only has the show about an Italian-beef stand-turned-fancy restaurant garnered awards year after year, but it has also become a fixture of Chicago discourse. But be honest … are we kind of over it? Newsletter editor Emmi Mack and social media manager Rick Homuth are certainly skeptical, but host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea are still fans. They offer th...
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June 24, 2025 • 25 mins
Chicago’s extreme heat warning has finally ended after record temperatures for June. The City Cast Chicago team recaps the weekend and also discusses the 30-year anniversary of Chicago’s deadliest heat wave. Plus, Mayor Johnson vetoes snap curfew ordinance, and Montrose Beach welcomes newest piping plovers!
Good News: Respect the Mic
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June 23, 2025 • 19 mins
Summer in Chicago means more street festivals, more time by the water, and the return of 16-inch softball leagues across the city. Host Jacoby Cochran recently joined the KUP Media Softball League at Mozart Park. The City Cast team recently caught a game and learned more about this nearly 140-year-old Chicago pastime from Axios reporter and league member Justin Kaufmann.
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June 20, 2025 • 61 mins
City Cast hosts are on the pulse of what’s happening in our communities. So Jacoby Cochran and all 12 other hosts sat down with City Cast CEO David Plotz to talk about creative local problem solving that might work in your hometown too and to commiserate about stressors affecting most of our cities, from unaffordable housing to bike lanes.
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 20th episode:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babb...
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June 18, 2025 • 26 mins
Chicago has invented or popularized so many iconic foods that we can’t cover them all in one episode. So let’s just focus on the sandwiches. Axios reporter Monica Eng and host Jacoby Cochran are ranking eight iconic sandwiches. But from the sweetsteak to the jibarito to Italian beef, which one is no. 1?
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June 17, 2025 • 30 mins
The City Clerk suspended the online CityKey application on Friday night after ICE subpoenaed three years of records for the ID program often used by immigrants. We discuss how the city responded and other ways the Trump administration is pressuring the city. Plus, we look at Choose Chicago’s newest slogan and hear from some City Cast Chicago Neighbors.
Heads up! We're having our next members-only event June 25. Become a Neighbor ...
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June 16, 2025 • 23 mins
After a weekend of protests, you might be wondering about other ways to organize and get involved in your community. That’s why we’re revisiting our conversation from the fall with Maira Khwaja, a writer, reporter, and co-founder of Market Box Chicago. She talks with host Jacoby Cochran about the basics of mutual aid, where to find networks in Chicago, and why it can help you feel more connected to your neighbors.
Groups mentioned...
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