City Cast Chicago

It’s the last day of class for Chicago Public Schools. But while most students and faculty are excited for summer break, the school board and district officials will be hammering out the budget, working with a new interim CEO, and lobbying the city for more funding. City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran sits down with Chalkbeat Chicago’s bureau chief Becky Vevea and reporter Samantha Smylie to discuss the biggest CPS stories heading into the summer. Good News: Open Stage Festival Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Summer is here, which means it’s a good time to make sure to carry a little cash. Whether you’re grabbing a paleta at the beach or ducking into an old dive bar, many Chicago spots remain cash-only, despite the trend toward cashless. Back in February, City Cast contributor Leigh Giangreco spoke with restaurant owners to learn why, and she told host Jacoby Cochran what she found. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Protests across the country opposing federal immigration operations are picking up nationally. In Chicago, a mass arrest Wednesday in the South Loop drew outrage from advocates, alders, and the mayor. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down some of the details. Plus, we discuss the Chicago Fire’s $650 million plan to move to The 78, and a ranking of the best “feel good summer cities.”  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

We’ve spent the past few weeks talking about getting on the water this summer, from kayaking in the river to yacht parties to cruise ships at Navy Pier. But as we also think about water safety, it’s a good time to look at Chicago’s storied history of shipwrecks. Chicago Maritime Museum curator Madeline Crispell tells host Jacoby Cochran about some of the most infamous local wrecks and why the Great Lakes had so many. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

A joint investigation into sexual assault within Chicago Police Department reviewed over 300 complaints accusing Chicago officers of sexual assault and misconduct and has created a first-of-its-kind analysis from those allegations. We talked with Maria Inés Zamudio and Dana Brozost-Kelleher, who led the investigation. Plus, a 51st case tied to disgraced CPD detective Reynaldo Guevara has been overturned, Chicago is sinking faster than most major cities, and our friends at The Triibe are celebrating their new West Side studio!  Good News: The Rink’s 50th Anniversary  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Larry Hoover, the infamous co-founder of the Black Gangster Disciples Nation, had his federal life sentence commuted last week. At 74, Hoover has remained incarcerated for the last 52 years. Lance Williams is a professor of urban community studies and author of “King David and Boss Daley: The Black Disciples, Mayor Daley and Chicago on the Edge.” He joins host Jacoby Cochran to discuss the life and legacy of Larry Hoover and what the commutation means. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Every Chicagoan knows that the best parties are summer house parties, especially if you have a home bar like Theresa “Mama T” Ferrell. Earlier this year, Mama T’s impressive home cocktail skills made rounds on TikTok thanks to her son, City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran. That’s why we have Mama T’s best basement cocktail tips. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The spring legislative session officially ended at midnight on Saturday. Did lawmakers pass a state budget? Did they address the pending public transit fiscal cliff? Are they planning any money for a new Bears’ stadium? Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down some of the last minute moves out of Springfield. Plus, should we brace for more Canadian wildfire smoke, and have you spotted Chonkosaurus on the Chicago River? Good News: shapesFEST at Navy Pier Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The city announced late last year it would combine its shelter systems for newly arrived migrants and people experiencing homelessness. In Hyde Park, the process of turning a temporary shelter into a permanent one has sparked debate. Hyde Park Herald’s Zoe Pharo and South Side Weekly’s Jackie Serrato have been following the pushback and talking to shelter residents. They talk with host Jacoby Cochran about what they observed and how the city is handling new arrivals nearly three years after buses began showing up. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

State lawmakers have finally unveiled two reform bills for regional transit agencies to address a $700 million budget shortfall and create a new regional oversight board, which could change how transit decisions are made across the CTA, Metra, and Pace. We dive into the details with WTTW host and correspondent Nick Blumberg and South Side Weekly’s investigations editor Jim Daley. Plus, we discuss gun violence interruption and prevention efforts on the West Side, the difficulties of navigating the state’s post-conviction petition process, and we’ve got even more June events. Good News: ​Chicago International Film Festival's Free Summer Screenings, She Who Dared at Chicago Opera Theater, Bird Photography at Northerly Island, Karaoke Storytellers at Park West, and Chicago Gospel Music Event Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this May 30 episode: Williamstown Theatre Festival Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE