City Cast Chicago

In 2017, a Department of Justice investigation into Chicago Police called out foot chases as a precursor to excessive force saying they “too often end with officers unreasonably shooting someone.” But until now, the department hasn’t had a policy to guide officers on when they can chase people and when they can’t. CPD enacted an interim policy earlier this month that’s undergoing public comment. But critics say it doesn’t go far enough. Nusrat Choudhury with the ACLU of Illinois explains how we got here and where the policy goes next. Guest: Nusrat Choudhury, Legal Director, ACLU of Illinois (@ACLUofIL)Read about the interim foot-pursuit policy and submit a public comment through July 15: https://home.chicagopolice.org/reform/policy-review/Read the 2017 DOJ report: https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/925846/downloadFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Only a handful of cities know what it’s like to have two professional sports teams in the same league. In Chicago, the crosstown rivalry between the White Sox and the Cubs is about more than baseball. It can be a cultural divide that makes Chicagoans feel like they have to choose a side publicly. That’s why Len Kasper turned heads this season when he became the radio voice of the White Sox after 16 seasons broadcasting for the Cubs. Kasper offers his perspective on the rivalry and his predictions for this year’s Crosstown Classic in August…and maybe even the World Series.Guest: Len Kasper, Co-host, Sox Degrees; White Sox radio play-by-play announcerFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Host Jacoby Cochran and Lead Producer Carrie Shepherd break down some “news you can use,” something they each learned from City Cast Chicago this week, and a “moment of joy” that made them happy. And, they sing. Of course.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Chicago is known for its public art. Almost every neighborhood is painted with murals showing the people who live there, the politics that shaped the place, and activists who have fought to retain its character. Even though murals and street art are born from graffiti, some say tagging the art breaks an unwritten rule and disrespects the artist. One of those people is Chicago Sun-Times editorial board member Ismael Perez, who wrote the recent editorial, “Chicago should take such pride in its wealth of murals, and yet, they are being defaced." Host Jacoby Cochran tours two of those defaced murals in Pilsen with Perez and talks to him about how the neighborhood felt like a "hug" when Perez arrived from Texas.Guest: Ismael Perez, Editorial Board Member, Chicago Sun-Times (@_ismaperez)Chicago should take such pride in its wealth of murals, and yet, they are being defacedMurals and Mosaics: Chicago Sun-Times mural series

As the pandemic shut down travel, United Airlines-and its employees-took a big hit. The Chicago-based company had to furlough more than 10,000 workers. They brought them back in December, but the airline warned that could be temporary. There’s good news for employees and travelers. United has added 400 flights starting next month so those furloughs aren’t so imminent after all. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with Jay Singh, who covers airlines for the website Simple Flying. Singh also answers the big question for travelers: “How much hand sanitizer can I bring on board?”City Cast Chicago Shoutout Map: https://bit.ly/2TqoFDkFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Tracy Baim has been covering Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community for more than 40 years, but it hasn’t always been easy. Back then, she says you couldn’t be openly gay in Chicago media, which is why so many LGBTQ+ journalists like herself had to create their own queer press. In 1984, fresh out of college, Baim started part-time at Gay Life Newspaper, before co-founding the LGBTQ+ newspaper, Windy City Times. Fast forward to 2018, and she’s the publisher of the Chicago Reader, the iconic alt-weekly. Chicago Reader’s “Pride” issue this week documents the evolution of gay activism in Chicago. The issue includes an interview with Dr. Fauci about the AIDS epidemic, and a profile of a '80’s zine that explored Chicago’s House music scene, among other stories. Baim spoke with host Jacoby Cochran about her decades-long career in the gay press and about what it’s like seeing Chicago media’s journey from sidelining the queer community to finally embracing it.Guest: Tracy Baim, Publisher, Chicago Reader (@TracyBaimWCMG)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Chicago has a long history of Black and brown communities coming together to advance equal education, immigrant rights, and affordable housing. But last year, as looting and unrest rocked the city, tensions rose between the communities on the South and West sides, with reports that gang members were trying to protect businesses. Activists Tanya Lozano and Bella BAHHS organized a rally to remind people that Black and brown Chicagoans have similar goals. The event didn’t go as planned, which is why they’re trying again this year with an all-day concert instead. The event hopes to bring Black and brown communities together by offering free resources like COVID and HIV testing, vaccinations, exercise classes, and of course, live music. Guests: Tanya Lozano, Co-founder, Healthy Hood Chicago (@_tanyalozano)Heavy Crownz, artist and rapper, @heavycrownzFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Restaurants, especially after a year of being partially or completely closed, need all the tools in their arsenal to get customers back. Social media is one of those critical tools, but a Facebook page is not going to cut it. Restaurants, cafes and stores across Chicago have tapped into the influence of TikTok to stand out. At Wake ‘n Bacon in Lakeview there’s a “selfie mirror” when you walk in, just one of the opportunities to document your experience under a ceiling of colorful hanging flowers while drinking a Purple Haze iced latte. Host Jacoby Cochran heads to Wake n’ Bacon to see it for himself. But first, the sisters behind the popular Explore Chicago account offer some ideas on how to reach many followers.Guests: Leen and Yasmeen Alqaissi, TikTokers, @explorechicagoGabriel Ayala, Co-Owner, Wake ‘n Bacon (@eatwakenbacon)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Research is woefully lacking on the lives of transgender people, especially when it comes to Chicago’s local trans community. But having that data is extremely important in getting resources and services to trans people. The Chicago Area Trans Survey seeks to reach 30,000 trans people in Cook County to learn about their lives. The project is being led by the Brave Space Alliance, a Black- and trans-led LGBTQ center in Hyde Park, and Northwestern University. Jacoby talks with the survey organizers about how this research can help Chicago’s trans community.Guests:Stephanie Sorka, Associate Executive Director, Brave Space AllianceDylan Felt, Research Coordinator, NU’s Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing

When producer Simone Alicea moved to Chicago this year, she had a burning question: Why is Secretary of State Jesse White, who runs the much reviled DMV office, so popular? White has been non-controversial during his 20 years in the state office, and plus, he founded the Jesse White Tumblers! White is retiring so we break down who is trying to replace him, and what the job actually entails.Guest: Rachel Hinton, Chief Political Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times (@rrhinton)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmThe Jesse White Tumblers