City Cast Chicago

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

With June nearly here, Summertime Chi is upon us. The City Cast Chicago team has your guide to enjoying June in Chicago, from summer fests to road construction to pool openings. Plus, we’re talking about what we’re most looking forward to eating this month. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Chicago community. For even more tips on how to make the most of June in Chicago, check out Hey Chicago’s take on what to do this month. City Cast Chicago’s guide to May is made possible by our awesome sponsor, Williamstown Theatre Festival. City Cast Chicago is also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more about how to become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE  Reach us at chicago@citycast.fm

Over 20 farmers markets opened across the city this past month, and even more will open in June. Last year, the team shared some of the mistakes they made, but can they do better this season? Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and social media manager Rick Homuth discuss their favorite Chicago farmers markets and share tips on how to make the most of them.  Good news: Karaoke Storytellers 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 28 episode: Williamstown Theatre Festival Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The City Council has been debating enacting “snap curfews” that would give police the power to declare a curfew to disperse large gatherings of young people anywhere in the city. The Triibe and South Side Weekly released a series explaining the proposal, curfews' effectiveness, and digging into these “teen trends.” Triibe reporters Tonia Hill and Corli Jay join us to discuss what they hear from city leaders, parents, and young people. Good News: Chicago’s 2025 Youth Poet Laureate & Apply to be Chicago’s next Poet Laureate 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 27 episode: Williamstown Theatre Festival Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

City officials have been celebrating drops in homicides, assaults, and armed robberies. However, one place that has gotten far less attention is the continuing rise of domestic violence across Chicago, where homicides and assaults are up this year. We break down an investigation into Chicago’s domestic violence crisis with Block Club Chicago’s Mina Bloom and WTTW’s Brandis Friedman. Plus, we talk about the five years since police murders sparked protests across the country, and our extended Memorial Day weekend.  Good News: Parachute Hifi, The Beer Temple 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 23 episode: Williamstown Theatre Festival Paramount Theatre – Use the code CityCast for $5 off/ticket. Valid for up to 4 tickets Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The Sun-Times is under fire this week after the paper printed a “summer reading list” of mostly fake books that turned out to be generated by AI. The list appeared in a supplemental insert that was produced by a third party. The paper says it’s updating its policies, but the whole thing reminded us of a conversation host Jacoby Cochran had with author Eve L. Ewing earlier this year about some real Chicago books to add to your reading list. 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 22 episode: Williamstown Theatre Festival Paramount Theatre – Use the code CityCast for $5 off/ticket. Valid for up to 4 tickets Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE