City Cast Chicago

‘Tis the season for patios, rooftops, and other outdoor dining opportunities in Chicago. The Infatuation’s Adrian Kane and John Ringor give host Jacoby a rundown of the city’s best alfresco dining spots from romantic patios to rooftops where you can actually avoid getting sunburned.Spots mentioned: Mott St Enoteca Roma Hopleaf Bar Soul and Smoke (Avondale) Kimski Rica Arepa Reggie’s Afro Joe’s Tetto Gene’s Sausage Shop Lonesome Rose (Logan Square) Bar Avec  Taxim  Open Outcry Brewing The Woodlawn Aba Ema  Milky Milky Ice Cream Chiu Quon Bakery Sugar Shack Lilac Tiger Red Hot Ranch Dan’s Hot Dogs 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 our sponsors:“Black Sunday” at TimeLine TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Last Thursday, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that the Roseland Mental Health Clinic will reopen after 35 years. The city will also add mental health services to a Chicago Department of Public Health clinic in Pilsen in August and inside the Legler Regional Library in West Garfield Park. The City Cast Chicago team breaks down how this announcement delivers on the mayor’s campaign promises and some of the major challenges ahead. Plus we discuss a new initiative to increase remote work downtown and the Chicago Reader’s return to weekly publishing.  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 our sponsors: “Black Sunday” at TimeLine Theatre The City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) celebrates Millennium Park’s 20th anniversary Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

As Summertime Chi heats up, some neighborhoods will be hotter than others. And with those higher temps come bigger risks from extreme heat. Last year we talked with Tribune reporter Sarah Macaraeg, who investigated and mapped these disparities. She told us what she found and explained what the city could do to protect all Chi neighborhoods. Good News: Crosstown Classic at Wrigley 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 our sponsors:“Black Sunday” at TimeLine TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago Public Schools’ new funding formula moves away from enrollment-based funding to a needs-based approach that they say prioritizes the most vulnerable schools and students. But Chicago Sun-Times education reporter Nader Issa tells host Jacoby Cochran how individual school budgets are a mixed bag, with hundreds of schools expected to see staff and after-school program cuts next school year. We’re also joined by Injustice Watch’s Kelly Garcia to discuss Cook County’s plan to reduce the size of the juvenile detention center, the governor’s push to rebuild two state prisons, and more things we are looking forward to in June.Good News: Karaoke Storytellers This SundayWant 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: 773 780-0246Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Explore the excitement of June in Chicago with tips on summer activities, festivals, and waterfront safety. Learn essential water safety tips for Lake Michigan visitors and get ready for summer swimming plans. Discover upcoming events like Black Yacht Week and rooftop dining experiences in the city.

Sick of expensive grocery store eggs and dreaming of ways to avoid them? Living in a big city, you might think there are a lot of rules about keeping chickens and other farm animals in your yard. But Chicago actually has some of the most permissive urban livestock laws on the books. Viviana Okakpu from Advocates for Urban Agriculture tells host Jacoby Cochran about what Chicagoans should know about having livestock in their backyard. 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: 773 780-0246Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

We at City Cast Chicago have spent a lot of time covering public housing, from the legacy of demolition, to private development on public housing land, to the Chicago Housing Authority’s decades-long waitlists. Now the head of CHA is under fire following investigations from Block Club Chicago into the agency’s scattered-site program. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with reporters Rachel Hinton and Mick Dumke about two properties that exemplify ongoing problems at the CHA.Good news: Peace Fest EnglewoodWe’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast Chicago swag.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: 773 780-0246Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Earlier this week, City Council voted 34-14 on an ordinance aimed at keeping ShotSpotter, an attempt to reverse Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to end the city’s use of the highly controversial gunshot detection system in November. WTTW’s Brandis Friedman and freelance writer Reema Saleh tell Jacoby Cochran about the latest news, including why Illinois wants you to eat this invasive species, updates on cicadas, and how a group of West Siders are launching community gardens throughout their neighborhoods. Good News: Chicago Sky Home OpenerWe’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag.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 our sponsors: Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection TimeLine Theatre Company Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

While National Mental Health Awareness Month is coming to an end, the Chicago Department of Public Health will be continuing its Healing Arts programming, which combines art and wellness. One program is the Audio Pharmacology Sound Spa, and it happens Mondays at the Englewood Mental Health Clinic. Creator Shannon Harris talks with host Jacoby Cochran about what audio pharmacology is, how the spa works, and why it’s worth giving a try.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 our sponsors: Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection TimeLine Theatre Company Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The days are getting warmer, making this the perfect time to get yourself something sweet and cold. Host Jacoby Cochran and the City Cast Chicago team pull up to Mario’s Italian Lemonade in Little Italy to try the iconic frozen dessert. From ice cream to snow cones, they discuss the best (and most overrated) frozen treats in Chicago.Spots mentioned: Fannie May Lickity Split Shawn Michlle’s Homemade Ice Cream Richard’s Super Premium Ice Cream Two Shades Cafe Amorino The Original Rainbow Cone JoJo’s Shake Bar Margie’s Candies Jeni’s Ice Creams Kilwins Baba’s Famous Steak and Lemonade We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Chicago swag.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 our sponsors: Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection TimeLine Theatre Company Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE