City Cast Chicago

After the entire board resigned, Mayor Brandon Johnson quickly announced a new slate of school board members. All seven were sworn in on Thursday. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea talk about what happened during their first meeting, plus we've got a Congressional quiz and messages from our listeners. Nominate City Cast Chicago for Best podcast and Hey Chicago for Best email newsletter. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 29 episode: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners BetterHelp – get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Mayor Brandon Johnson is set to give his budget address this week as the city stares down a nearly $1 billion gap for next year. One word we can almost guarantee you’ll hear is: pensions. Chicago currently owes over $37 billion to its four employee pension funds representing police officers, firefighters, municipal employees and laborers. Chicago’s pensions have been underfunded and in crisis for years now, but what does that really mean? We’re revisiting our conversation from last year with DePaul University’s Dr. Amanda Kass, who studies city pensions. She breaks down how the debt got so high and why the “crisis” narrative may be doing more harm than good.Good news: Chi-Soul Workshops Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 28 episode: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners BetterHelp – get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

This week both the deputy mayor for education Jen Johnson and mayoral communications chief Ronnie Reese separately resigned, sparking concerns that ongoing turnover in the mayor's office may be cause for worry at City Hall. We ask Block Club Chicago's Atavia Reed and Jamie Nesbitt Golden if recent turnover is unique to this administration and about the message it may be sending to voters. Plus, Chicagoans weigh in on a potential CTA, Metra, and Pace merger, St. Sabina reopens a South Side community resource center, and Stevie Wonder is coming to Chicago.Good News: Ruth on the Rocks at The Storyfront and Black Girl Book FairOur fall campaign is happening now! It takes a lot to keep City Cast Chicago and Hey Chicago running strong. Your membership helps us cover the cost of bringing you the local stories you care about. If you believe in what we do, become a member of City Cast Chicago today.Every member makes a difference!Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 25 episode: Paramount Theatre – use code CITYCAST for $5 off Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago Board of Election Commissioners Mubi Beer & Ballots Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

When you live in a city like Chicago, there are just some things you need to know. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and producer Michelle Navarro talk about their most important rules, Chicago-specific topics you need opinions on, and biggest pet peeves. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 24 episode: Paramount Theatre – use code CITYCAST for $5 off Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago Board of Election Commissioners Mubi Beer & Ballots Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Whether you’re giving out candy for Halloween or you just have a sweet tooth, Chicago has plenty of candy stores for your needs. Host Jacoby Cochran reminisces about the candy lady with influencer, community builder, and Halloween lover Jenny LeFlore aka MamaFresh. They also talk best local candy shops, a little Chicago candy history, and tips for the holiday. Ichiban  Dulcelandia  Kilwins Candyality B&B Ice Cream and Candy L&P Foods  Our fall campaign is happening now! It takes a lot to keep City Cast Chicago and Hey Chicago running strong. Your membership helps us cover the cost of bringing you the local stories you care about. If you believe in what we do, become a member of City Cast Chicago today.Every member makes a difference!Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 23 episode: Paramount Theatre – use code CITYCAST for $5 off Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago Board of Election Commissioners Mubi Beer & Ballots Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago is one step closer to lowering the speed limit to 25 miles per hour, after a City Council committee approved an ordinance Monday. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss what the change could mean for Chicago drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Plus, they’ve got everything you need to know about state and local ballot questions ahead of Election Day, and their favorite Best of Chicago entries from the Reader. (Remember to nominate City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Email Newsletter!)Our fall campaign is happening now! It takes a lot to keep City Cast Chicago and Hey Chicago running strong. Your membership helps us cover the cost of bringing you the local stories you care about. If you believe in what we do, become a member of City Cast Chicago today.Every member makes a difference!Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 22 episode: Paramount Theatre – use code CITYCAST for $5 off Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago Board of Election Commissioners Mubi Beer & Ballots Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago is about to vote for the first time in school board elections. Chalkbeat Chicago editor Becky Vevea tells host Jacoby Cochran which districts have the most candidates running, the issues that divide them, and what you need to know before heading to the polls. Our fall campaign is happening now! It takes a lot to keep City Cast Chicago and Hey Chicago running strong. Your membership helps us cover the cost of bringing you the local stories you care about. If you believe in what we do, become a member of City Cast Chicago today.Every member makes a difference!Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 21 episode: Paramount Theatre – use code CITYCAST for $5 off Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago Board of Election Commissioners Mubi Beer & Ballots Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

We are weeks away from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s second budget address. And with a nearly $1 billion budget gap looming, department heads are being asked to locate potential cuts wherever they can while advocates push the mayor to double down on key investments. The Triibe’s Tonia Hill and Block Club Chicago’s Melody Mercado are here with what we need to know ahead of Johnson’s proposal. Plus, we discuss Bally’s performance at Medinah Temple, a Logan Square standoff, and Ravyn Lenae’s Chicago tour stop.   Good News: 80 Minutes Around The World and Lo-Fi FestivalWant some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 18 episode: Lincoln Park Zoo Mubi Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

This weekend the Chicago Architecture Center is hosting Open House Chicago, a free two-day festival celebrating nearly 200 of Chicago’s most culturally and historically significant museums, churches, theaters, skyscrapers, and more. All you need is an itinerary. Of course learning a few of Chicago’s most common architecture terms couldn’t hurt either. So we’re revisiting our conversation from earlier this year with Sun-Times architecture critic Lee Bey to help us speak the language of Chicago's steel, brick, and limestone.Good News: Nominate City Cast Chicago for Best Podcast and Hey Chicago for Best Email NewsletterWant some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 17 episode: Lincoln Park Zoo Mubi Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago is now home to the most expensive martini in the country. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea talk about the $13,000 cocktail, recent restaurant openings in the city, updates to the menu at the United Center, and other food headlines. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 16 episode: Lincoln Park Zoo Mubi Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE