City Cast Chicago

Food halls with multiple vendors have proliferated around Chicago the past several years. But to be honest, no one on the City Cast Chicago team had given them much thought. Then, a listener texted about a new food hall on the North Side, so we decided to make a food hall guide. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and newsletter editor Sidney Madden visited six spots and they talk about what to eat, what to know before you go, and if they’ll come back.Spots mentioned Revival Food Hall  Urbanspace 88 Marketplace Chicago French Market X Market Gangnam Market Some good news: Chicago Tea 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: 773 780-0246Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is hoping to keep the expansion of O’Hare Airport on track. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea talk about what’s happening at the country’s fourth-busiest airport, how we got here, and what’s next. We’re also watching for a massive emergence of cicadas this month and we discuss your parking complaints.Good news: Chicago Latino Film 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: 773 780-0246Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Last month, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit against gun manufacturer Glock, arguing that the company has done nothing to prevent individuals from modifying their popular semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons. ProPublica’s Midwest reporter Vernal Coleman tells host Jacoby Cochran about a similar lawsuit in Gary, Indiana, where the city has been trying to hold gunmakers accountable for the illegal sale of guns for 25 years. We look at how this ongoing case could set a precedent in Chicago and what to expect. Good news: The Other Art FairWant 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 sponsor:“Purpose” at SteppenwolfBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Chicago’s first school board elections take place this November. But now that we have a district map, election plan, and potential candidates are gathering signatures, one big question remains: Will school board members eventually be paid for their service? Currently, state law prohibits paying board members, but host Jacoby Cochran asks professor Arionne Nettles and Tribune’s Gregory Royal Pratt if Illinois should reconsider this in order to create a more diverse and inclusive candidate pool. Plus, we are looking ahead at NASCAR’s July street race, Mayor Johnson’s plan to convert downtown offices into apartments, initiatives to make Ramadan more eco-friendly, and two new Chicago books to read this spring!Books you should check out:  The City is Up for Grabs: How Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Led and Lost a City in Crisis is available now.  We Are The Culture: Black Chicago’s Influence on Everything is available for pre-order, out April 16. Our episode where we attended iftar at the Muslim Community Center. 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 sponsor:“Purpose” at SteppenwolfBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

We see them everywhere, and Chicagoans may think of them as “rats with wings,” but do pigeons get a bad rap? Host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro visit a Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue foster home to learn more about our feathery friends and why they deserve love and care. Good news: The Big Kid Show at Dorian’s tonight at 8 p.m.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 sponsor:“Purpose” at SteppenwolfBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Fine dining can be intimidating and expensive, but Chicago is home to many award-winning restaurants that stand out. Last year, we talked to lifestyle journalist Ari Bendersky, writer of Something Glorious newsletter, to learn more about Chicago’s creative and expansive fine dining scene. He tells host Jacoby Cochran about his favorite spots and shares tips for those who are looking to have their first fine dining experience. Good News: The Sound of Silent Film 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 our sponsors:“Purpose” at SteppenwolfBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

It's April, which means it’s street sweeping season. Producer Michelle Navarro joins host Jacoby Cochran to talk about what you need to know to avoid getting a ticket. Plus, we’re digging into a new report analyzing data from 911 calls made in 2022, which indicates that most of the calls weren’t related to urgent safety needs. Also, water taxis have returned to daily service for the first time since the pandemic.We mentioned this interview we did with Inspector General Deborah Witzburg, “Why Do Chicagoans Have to Complain to Get Things Done?”What's the worst part of parking in Chicago? Let Us Know Your Thoughts!Good News: Latine Theatre Artist WeekWant 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 sponsor:“Purpose” at SteppenwolfBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

From the art that’s moving us to the events we’re watching to the bites we’re dreaming about, host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and producer Michelle Navarro have your guide to what’s going on this month in Chicago. Plus, Simone and Michelle play a little April Fools’ joke on Jacoby.Events mentioned: Chicago Latino Film Fest Sweet Gnome Chicago Solar Eclipse  C2E2 Expo Chicago The Art of our Storytellers: Selections from the Johnson Publishing Company Collection at The DuSable Museum White Sox Game Cubs Opening Day Sticky Kiss Cinnamon Rolls Brasero  Howard Street Carnaval  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:“Purpose” at SteppenwolfBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

It has been over a week since the polls closed in the Illinois primary, but there’s still no official winner in the Democratic primary for Cook County State’s Attorney. The race between Eileen O’Neill Burke and Clayton Harris III is separated by less than 1700 votes. Election officials have until April 2 to finish counting mail-in ballots. WTTW’s Heather Cherone and Chalkbeat Chicago’s Becky Vevea tell host Jacoby Cochran why this race highlights a new election normal. Plus, we are talking about the elected school board, tensions between police chief and COPA, and Uncle Julio’s sudden closure in Lincoln Park. Spots we never want to see go: Spinning J, The Bagel, and Dan’s Hot Dogs.Good news: BreadHead Bakery and Shedd’s New Otter PupWant 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

Spring is here which means biking in the city is looking a lot more enjoyable. Whether you are a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, shopping for a bike can be stressful with all the choices the city has to offer. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Liam Ouweleen from The Recyclery, a bike repair co-op in Rogers Park to learn the ins and outs of bike shopping, tips on where to go, and the basics on how to care for it. A few places to get a bike: Working Bikes West Town Bikes Uptown Bikes Blackstone Bicycle Works Good news: Spring Trans Health and Wellness SummitWant 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