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 is 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
September 2, 2026 • 39 mins
An immigration judge in Chicago ordered 6 children to be deported. We break down what children are facing in Chicago immigration courtrooms. Plus, how to not get finessed when looking for parking for a Sox Game, and the world record meetups we would like to see in the city.
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September 1, 2026 • 34 mins
September in Chicago is going to see us outside, come storms or heatwaves. Between Mexican Independence Day celebrations, Fall Theater Season, and the Bears’ home opener, we’ve got plenty to look forward to. Here’s your guide to getting the most out of the month.
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August 31, 2026 • 34 mins
Last week, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order barring companies with a recent history of workplace discrimination from receiving city contracts. It also requires city contractors to disclose past work done for other governments and law enforcement agencies, and creates a new procurement task force. We dive into the details with contributors Leigh Giangreco and Al Scorch. Plus, we’ve got great art exhibitions and ...
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August 28, 2026 • 42 mins
Today we brought in the Tribune’s A.D. Quig and Illinois Answers Project’s Alex Nitkin to talk about all things property taxes. We discuss continued delays at the treasurer’s office and the growing tax burden on homeowners, the impact of 40 years of TIF districts, and massive tax breaks for Cook County data centers.
Good News: Chicago House Music Festival & Conference
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August 27, 2026 • 36 mins
The Field Museum is in the process of repatriating 175 sacred objects to the Pulikla Tribe of Yurok People. Contributor Adora Namigadde digs into the museum’s efforts to return objects and remains to Native American tribes. Plus, contributor PJ Walker is previewing some of Chicago’s fall film fests, and executive producer Simone Alicea celebrates “Just Because” day.
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August 26, 2026 • 29 mins
O’Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. And for most Chicagoans, commute times to and from the airport can be wildly unpredictable. Now, a private company is proposing 15-minute express train rides from O’Hare to the Old Post Office. We discussed the plan and our dream 15-minute commutes with Brandon Pope and Anna DeShawn. Plus, what is the future of gender-affirming care funding, and i...
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August 25, 2026 • 35 mins
Today, executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran are talking about two weeks of power outages across Gary and Northwest Indiana; CPS’ biggest questions as kids return to school; and a friendly faceoff between some of Chicago’s most beautiful places of worship.
Good News: Final Argyle Night Market, Walking Mural Tour, Porch Life Tours
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August 24, 2026 • 42 mins
Illinois’ congressional Democrats are calling for an end to “megamaster” hearings at Chicago’s immigration courts, referring to morning calendars where judges are seeing over 100 cases at a time. Creative producer Michelle Navarro tells executive producer Simone Alicea and contributor Al Scorch how the chaos at the court is contributing to a spike in deportation orders. Plus, what happens when a developer bu...
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August 21, 2026 • 39 mins
It has been two years since Mayor Brandon Johnson ended the city’s contract with the gunshot detection company Sound Thinking, also known as ShotSpotter, to the chagrin of some alders. City Hall has kept the door open for a replacement, and two alders have begun testing new options. We discussed SplitSec AI with Chicago Public Media’s Arionne Nettles and Block Club Chicago’s Melody Mercado. Plus, Illinois toll roa...
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August 20, 2026 • 37 mins
NASCAR announced it will not hold a race in Chicago next year. Contributors PJ Walker and Yareni Murillo tell executive producer Simone Alicea what they think should replace it. Plus, ABC is suing over early review of broadcast licenses for stations like Chicago’s own Channel 7. We also submit our picks for the best Mexican food in the city.
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August 19, 2026 • 33 mins
The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park is a forthcoming multi-billion-dollar development on the former U.S. Steel South Works site on the Southeast Side of Chicago. Over the weekend, Mayor Brandon Johnson attended a community town hall meeting in the neighborhood. We are joined by contributors Brandon Pope and Anna DeShawn to discuss how the meeting went, what neighbors are asking for, and how the Mayor responded. Plus, we ...
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August 18, 2026 • 30 mins
Last week, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order aiming to modernize regulations and oversight for Chicago’s data centers. He also called on the City Council to put a pause on new data center approvals and expansions. Host Jacoby Cochran and creative producer Michelle Navarro break down the details. Plus, alders debate the “ICE Out” pledge and creative producer Emmi Mack drops by to talk singles events.
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August 17, 2026 • 30 mins
The Illinois Department of Transportation has released the most recent traffic stop data from police departments across the state. While overall traffic stops in Chicago are down, Black and Latino drivers are still three to six times more likely to be pulled over than white drivers. We dive into the numbers with contributors Adora Namigadde and Jill Hopkins. Plus, Chicago is on high-risk alert for West Nile virus, and the Shedd wel...
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August 14, 2026 • 33 mins
The owners of multiple South Side funeral homes are under a microscope after state officials discovered they had been mismanaging human remains. Last week, officials and police discovered dozens of decaying bodies at the South Chicago Chapel. We break down the details with Block Club Chicago’s Maxwell Evans and WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos. Plus, the recently shuttered Aspira charter network is trying to sell its publicly fu...
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August 13, 2026 • 40 mins
Earlier this week, a coalition of Chicagoans who allege they were victims of misconduct and violence during Operation Midway Blitz filed nine police reports seeking criminal charges against ICE agents. We break down the details with Yareni Murillo and Leigh Giangreco. Plus, Washington Park is home to a new monuments project, and Mayor Brandon Johnson wants the City Council to enact a moratorium on future data centers.
Good News: S...
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August 12, 2026 • 36 mins
Over the weekend, Bally’s Casino hit the brakes on all non-gaming construction in protest of Chicago’s forthcoming expansion of video gambling terminals. We ask contributors Brandon Pope and Anna DeShawn what impact this could have on the $1.7 billion River West development scheduled to open in 2027. Plus, we discuss the rise of transphobia at WNBA games and how we’d spend our last 24 hours in Chicago. ...
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August 11, 2026 • 35 mins
Back in June, we played a Chicago-themed game of Scattergories during our live taping at Switchyards Chicago. Host Jacoby Cochran competes with Dario Durham and Sara Faddah of 77 Flavors and with some audience volunteers. Plus, in today’s members-only segment, the team discusses some of the worst things about moving in Chicago. Want access to the extra content, an invite to the next event, and some exclusive City Cast Chicago...
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August 10, 2026 • 39 mins
Today we’re talking about the impact SNAP cuts are having on grocers across Chicago, the relationship between the mayor and alders heading into City Council elections, and where we go for a little summertime peace and quiet. We are joined by contributors Leigh Giangreco and Jill Hopkins.
Good News: Quantum Campus Town Hall
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As much as you love Chicago, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today’s very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it’s acceptable to intervene on a bike path to wha...
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August 6, 2026 • 38 mins
While cleanup at Grant Park is ongoing following a massive, rain-soaked Lollapalooza, Mayor Johnson called this year’s festival “the prelude of what’s to come… the top destination for college graduates is Chicago.” We are joined by contributors Yareni Murillo and Pj Walker to dive into why more young people are moving to Chicago. Plus, a west side nonprofit is making it easier to recycle old electroni...
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