City Cast Chicago

We all know pizza and hot dogs are iconic Chicago foods. But the city’s culinary contributions don’t stop there. Some foods everyone knows have origin stories here, like the legendary Palmer House brownie. And there are some foods that just scream Chicago, like a well constructed pizza puff. And then there are some Chicago foods you may not even recognize depending on which side of the city you live on. We taste some of these lesser-known Chicago foods and talk about their origins with Chicago Tribune food critic Louisa Chu.Guest: Louisa Chu — Food Critic, Chicago TribuneFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmSome of the restaurants mentioned:Column: Dave’s Red Hots, Chicago’s oldest hot dog stand, is even older than we thoughtThe Palmer House Brownie recipeHome of the HoagyItalian Fiesta Pizza

Last year, the Northalsted Business Alliance surveyed residents and business owners in “Boystown” about whether the name should change. Although “Boystown” is not an official neighborhood name, it’s what the area in Lakeview has been called for decades to signify it as a safe and welcoming area for LGBTQ Chicagoans and tourists. But not everybody felt included there, including lesbians, transgender individuals, and young people of color. So the Northalsted Business Alliance declared the area would now be advertised as “Northalsted,” saying a name nodding to the geographic area would be more inclusive. We talk with Block Club Chicago’s Jake Wittich about the fight to change the name, why some people wanted to keep “Boystown,” and whether the change has really caught on.Guest: Jake Wittich — Lakeview, Old Town, Lincoln Park Reporter, Block Club ChicagoPride Fest 2021 kicks off Friday in Northalsted, and Pride South Side takes place Saturday at the DuSable Museum of African American HistoryFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Factories and manufacturers, abroad and in the U.S., have had trouble shipping orders on time because of pandemic-related closures and staffing shortages. These backups in the supply chain are trickling down to customers who have been left waiting long periods of time for their online purchases. The delays have led to a boom for local businesses that sell antique and vintage items. We talk to Ally Marotti from Crain’s Chicago Business about this trend, and to Meredith Schipferling from Roscoe Woodstock Antique Mall, a 44,000-square-foot mall that sells everything from pinball machines to costume jewelry.Guests:Ally Marotti — Reporter, Crain's Chicago BusinessMeredith Schipferling — Manager, Roscoe Woodstock Antique MallJacoby's Good News:Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theater FestivalFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Two Simeon High School students — Jamari Williams and Kentrell McNeal, both 15 — were killed in separate shootings Tuesday. The tragedies hit hard for host Jacoby Cochran and our guests, WBEZ’s Araceli Gómez-Aldana and WTTW’s Joanna Hernandez. They reflect on the loss and look at other stories in the city this week, like threats to the Discount Mall in Little Village and to the indoor Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier. And of course, they send us off with moments of joy, including a lot of love for the autumn season. Move over Summertime Chi — Fall is here, and we are here for it.Guests: Araceli Gómez-Aldana, Reporter/Host, WBEZJoanna Hernandez, Reporter, WTTWFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

The Chicago Sky make their third consecutive appearance tonight in the WNBA playoffs against the Dallas Wings at Wintrust Arena. There was a lot of hope for the Sky this season after the team signed superstar forward Candace Parker. But the season turned out to be a little lackluster, and now the team faces the stress of a single-elimination game. Despite the drama, three consecutive playoff appearances should be exciting for any Chicago sports fan. Yet the Sky don’t get the same coverage or attention as their counterparts in male leagues. Host Jacoby Cochran discusses those disparities with the Sun-Times’ Annie Costabile and Chris Pennant of The Skyhook Podcast, who also give their takes on the Sky’s season and the one-and-done playoff structure.Guests: Annie Costabile — Sky and Red Stars reporter, Chicago Sun-TimesChris Pennant — Host, The Skyhook PodcastJacoby's Good News:Andersonville Homecoming Festival Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

In the past few weeks, Ald. Jim Gardiner of the 45th Ward on the Northwest Side has had to apologize for crude text messages about colleagues, allegations of withholding services from constituents who oppose him, and reports that he used taxpayer money to pay a campaign worker. You know all this; we’ve told you here and here. But what kind of response has the news garnered from residents, who can be affected by Gardiner's behavior, and has it made some people who weren’t politically engaged pay a little more attention?Guest: Ariel Parrella-Aureli — Northwest Side Reporter, Block Club ChicagoFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Every ten years, the city has to redraw the boundaries of the city’s 50 wards. Alderpeople are supposed to use census data of who lives in the community areas, but there’s also self-interest seeped into the process. After all, the ward boundaries help determine if they’ll get re-elected. Alders tend to create these maps behind closed doors in a way that serves them. But a good government group is trying to change the process. CHANGE Illinois is behind the Chicago Advisory Redistricting Commission, made up of 13 members who represent Chicago’s diversity. The commission hosted community meetings all summer, livestreamed their boundary-drawing sessions, and now they have a map. Commissioner Chris Kanich explains why these aren’t just arbitrary lines on a map and why it’s critical to ensure your alderperson is representing your community’s needs.Guest: Chris Kanich — Commissioner, Chicago Advisory Redistricting CommissionAt 1 p.m. Wednesday, the City Council his hosting a public hearing on redistricting. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Everyone’s got a “best of” list in Chicago — Best Hot Dog, Best Happy Hour, Best Free Activities. But these lists often neglect South Side neighborhoods. That’s why South Side Weekly puts out its “Best of the South Side” issue each year, highlighting the best food, activities, and people in the area. Editor Chima Ikoro shares some of her favorite picks from this year’s issue with host Jacoby Cochran. Jacoby, born and raised on the South Side himself, also shares some of his personal bests. Guest: Chima Ikoro — Community Organizing Editor, South Side WeeklyRead South Side Weekly’s “Best of the South Side 2021”Check out this season of the Asian Pop-Up Cinema, running through October 12Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Ald. Jim Gardiner apologized to his City Council colleagues this week after weeks of garnering headlines for the worst reasons—misogynistic texts, revelations that he could be withholding services from constituents and various ethics violation investigations. The apology was pretty, “Meh.” Host Jacoby Cochran talks about that story with the hosts of the new Chicago Reader podcast, “Chicago: Queer and Now,” who also share some stories that highlight queer joy in the city. Guests:Adam Rhodes—Co-host, Chicago: Queer and NowTaryn Allen—Co-host, Chicago: Queer and Now**Fundraiser for Chicago Off Duty Fire Fighter Who Was Shot**Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Muhammad Ali is known around the world. But it was a biographer from Chicago who prompted Ken Burns to make a documentary about the activist and boxing champion. Part one of the four-part series “Muhammad Ali” premieres Sunday on PBS. Chicago author Jonathan Eig wrote the 2017 biography “Ali: A Life,” and collaborated on the new series. Eig tells host Jacoby Cochran that Chicago was integral to Ali’s story as the place he was introduced to the Nation of Islam and where he met his second wife and had children. Eig says Ali’s story is as relevant today as ever.Guest: Jonathan Eig — Author, “Ali: A Life”Ken Burns' "Muhammad Ali"