City Cast Chicago

Chicago has more breweries than any other city in the country. So as we continue our series of summer beverage guides, we’re giving you the best places to start and what to order when you get there. Executive producer Simone Alicea talks with Adam Drakulic, founder of Chicago Walking Brewery Tours, about Chicago’s brewing history and how to truly make the most of the craft beer scene.Spots mentioned: Dovetail Begyle Forbidden Root Off Color  Revolution BiXi Corridor  Hopewell Marz District Brew Yards  Moody Tongue Turner Haus Solemn Oath Brewery Some Good News: Look up to see meteor showers or the Northern Lights this week. And check out our guide to stargazing.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 July 31 episode: West Town Chicago — Dancing in the Streets (8/2 - 8/4) Ravinia Wastenot — use code citycastcompost to test the service with a free month. Bike the Drive — Use code Streets5 for $5 off. Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Episode Description: The new Damen Green Line stop is set to open Monday, just in time for the Democratic National Convention. Executive producer Simone Alicea and producer Michelle Navarro discuss what it took to get here and what the new station means for the area. Plus, heat and storms are here for Lollapalooza weekend, and is that an alligator in Lincoln Park … or is it just a turtle on a log?Some good news: Hey Chicago Olympics guideWant 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 July 30 episode: West Town Chicago — Dancing in the Streets (8/2 - 8/4) Ravinia Wastenot — use code citycastcompost to test the service with a free month. Bike the Drive — Use code Streets5 for $5 off. Revolution Brewing Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

On Thursday, Chicago’s board of education approved a $9.9 billion budget. But some of the cuts made to fill a $505 million deficit were opposed by Mayor Brandon Johnson. And the budget doesn’t account for what might come out of ongoing contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union. WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp tells host Jacoby Cochran how the district ended up in this financial mess, what could happen between now and the start of school, and about the politics driving it all. Plus, what to expect at a public bargaining session on Tuesday.Good news: Chicago State of Mind by AchillezWant 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 July 29 episode: West Town Chicago — Dancing in the Streets (8/2 - 8/4) Ravinia Wastenot — Use code citycastcompost to test the service with a free month. Bike the Drive — Use code Streets5 for $5 off. Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

City officials and service providers say they are preparing for as many as 25,000 asylum-seekers to be sent to Chicago from Republican-led states ahead of next month’s Democratic National Convention. Professor Arionne Nettles and Block Club Chicago’s Atavia Reed join host Jacoby Cochran to discuss the latest including Gov. Pritzker’s potential new role at the convention. Plus, the South Side is welcoming a new health care facility in Englewood, a tech hub and training center in Greater Grand Crossing, and a state-of-the-art Chicago Sky practice facility in Bedford Park. Restaurants we enjoyed in July:  Hing Kee  Cindy’s Rooftop  Daisies 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 July 26 episode: Ravinia Babbel — Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago Association of Realtors Second City Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

It’s pigeon-racing season. And while the sport is banned in Chicago, pigeons racing through the city can end up exhausted, confused, and possibly injured. Earlier this year, we visited a Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue foster home where we met some former racing birds, learned how to care for the vulnerable animals, and discovered why pigeons are more than “rats with wings.”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 July 25 episode: Ravinia Babbel — Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago Association of Realtors Second City Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

As we enjoy our packed summer social calendars, we’re also enjoying a variety of beverages. That’s why over the next few weeks, we’re bringing you some guides on spots to drink, beverages to bring to your next hang, and how to appreciate what Chicago has to offer. First up we’re revisiting our conversation from earlier this spring with wine enthusiast and “Wine Convo Generator” author Chasity Cooper. She teaches us some wine vocabulary to sound a little more like an expert and recommends the best vino spots.Spots mentioned: Easy Does It Deep Red Wine Merchants Beautiful Rind Webster’s Wine Bar Pops for Champagne The Wine Goddess City Winery Chicago Winery Good Funk Figo Wine Bar Uvae  J9 Wine Bar Middle Brow Love Cork Screw Illinois Sparkling Company Plus, more in Cooper’s wine guide 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 July 24 episode: Ravinia Babbel — Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago Association of Realtors Second City Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

President Joe Biden has dropped out of the election and announced his support for Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place as the Democratic Party's nominee. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea are here to discuss what happens next and what that could mean for Chicago’s DNC next month. Plus, we discuss some restaurant openings we’re excited for and check in on the festival schedule this weekend.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 July 23 episode: Ravinia Babbel — Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago Association of Realtors Second City Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Lawmakers are considering merging Chicagoland transit agencies — CTA, Metra, and Pace — to address declines in ridership and a looming $730 million budget crisis. Chicago Tribune transportation reporter Sarah Freishtat tells host Jacoby Cochran what we know so far about how the plan would work, why advocates think it’s a good idea, and if it would actually make the trains come on time. A public hearing is slated to take place Wednesday in the south suburbs.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 July 22 episode: Ravinia Babbel — Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago Association of Realtors Second City Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

After securing construction funding, prepping demolition, and releasing yet another set of mockups, Bally’s Casino officials say plans for Chicago’s first ever permanent casino are on track for 2026. However, lower than projected attendance and revenue at the River North temporary site paired with criticism from city leaders continue to mar the project in skepticism. Axios Chicago’s Carrie Shepherd and Block Club Chicago’s Kelly Bauer are here with the latest. Plus, we discuss an alleged $15 million fraud scheme at Loretto Hospital, an ongoing investigation into Chicago’s abandoned public housing units, crappy cake art and a graffiti battle in Back of the Yards!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 July 19 episode: Ravinia Incogni — Use code CityCast for 55% off the annual plan. Wastenot — use code citycastcompost to test the service with a free month. Lincoln Park Zoo Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

This week Millennium Park celebrated 20 years since its opening in 2004. The city is hosting a weekend full of free events to celebrate its anniversary. Sun-Times architecture critic Lee Bey tells host Jacoby Cochran how Millennium Park came to be and how it transformed Chicago’s iconic downtown. 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 July 18 episode: Ravinia Incogni — Use code CityCast for 55% off the annual plan. Wastenot — Use code citycastcompost to test the service with a free month. Lincoln Park Zoo Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE