City Cast Chicago

Some classic Chicago foods, from deep-dish to jibaritos to Italian beef to paczki, can be found all over the city — or at least you can find several spots. But there’s one classic sandwich that you can really only find at one spot these days. Morgan Park’s Home of the Hoagy has been serving up sandwiches since 1969, including the sweet steak. The sandwich holds a special place for South Siders. Host Jacoby Cochran takes producer Michelle Navarro to try her first sweet steak and talks about how it was a childhood staple, what makes it “a meal on a bun” and why it's worth the wait. Good news:  The Rooted and Radical Youth Poetry 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 week, the Illinois House passed a Senate bill finalizing a plan for Chicago to elect 10 members of a 21-person school board in November. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran explain what you need to know. We also discuss U.S. Rep. Danny Davis’s tough and crowded primary race in the 7th Congressional District. Plus, who would have to perform at Lollapalooza for us to buy a ticket?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:Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Learn how to navigate the competitive rental market in Chicago with tips from real estate broker Andy Svalesen. Discover insights on rising rental prices, neighborhood variations, and the impact of property taxes. Find out how to choose the ideal Chicago neighborhood and hunt for apartments effectively in a high-demand market.

Votes for the Bring Chicago Home referendum will be counted. Earlier this week, an appellate court judge reversed a lower court ruling on the tax referendum that will increase a one-time tax on property sales over $1 million dollars to fund resources for unhoused Chicagoans. Host Jacoby Cochran, WBEZ’s Adriana Cardona-Maguigad, and Sun Times’ Tom Schuba discuss what the decision means for voters. Plus, complaints at the city’s migrant shelters are mounting, a controversial cop is running to be a judge, and students are growing fresh produce in Altgeld Gardens.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

Chicago celebrated its 187th birthday this week! And City Cast Chicago’s third birthday is coming up too. That got us thinking about great ways to celebrate your birthday in Chicago. Producer Michelle Navarro is here with recommendations. Plus, she takes us to McKinley Park for a Chicago birthday party.Recommended spots: Uncle Julio’s La Catedral Cafe Green Mill Oooh wee! It is! Cleo’s Bath House Chicago Smyth Omakase Yume Ever Chicago Athletic Association Hotel  Le Nocturne  Demera The Giant Penny Whistle Headquaters Beercade Good news: 22nd Chicago Flamenco 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 

Gov. JB Pritzker recently announced $3 million for preservation efforts in seven Chicago neighborhoods, including Paseo Boricua in Humboldt Park. That makes it a great time to revisit our jibarito taste test with Marisol “Pinqy Ring” Velez. Velez is a musician, community organizer, and adopted daughter of Humboldt Park. Last fall, she and host Jacoby Cochran tried three jibaritos and talked about how the plantain sandwich has become a hallmark of Chicago and its Puerto Rican community.Good news: Chaos with Care from visual artist Oscar Joyo at a Very Serious Gallery 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: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Last week, CTA President Dorval Carter went to the City Council’s Transportation and Public Way committee and announced plans to restore pre-pandemic level service for buses and trains. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea talk about how achievable the CTA’s goals are. They also discuss newsletter editor Sidney Madden’s interview with climate-aware Willowbrook therapist Marilee Feldman on how to manage climate anxiety. Plus, if you are planning a bachelorette party soon, you may not need to go anywhere because Chicago was named the best bachelorette destination. Good news: The 19th annual Chicago Food Justice Summit 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

Mayor Brandon Johnson recently announced a plan to borrow $1.25 billion for housing and development investments and pay the debt by letting TIF districts expire. TIF, or tax increment financing, allows cities to use property taxes in designated areas to fund development in those areas. The number of Chicago’s TIF districts has grown dramatically since first used in the 1980s, and at one point, about a third of the city’s area was covered by one. So we asked University of Illinois Chicago urban planning professor and TIF expert Rachel Weber how exactly do TIFs work, has Chicago over relied on them, and can Mayor Johnson’s plan produce more equitable investments?Good News: Chicago Public Library Maker-in-ResidenceWant 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 week, the Chicago Board of Education voted to end Chicago Public Schools’ $10.3 million school resource officer program. High schools have been directed to remove uniformed police officers before the 2024-25 school year begins. Freelancer Crystal Paul and the Tribune’s Shakeia Taylor join host Jacoby Cochran to break down this unanimous decision. We also discuss a new production at TimeLine Theatre, “Notes From the Field” that shines a light on the history of the school-to-prison pipeline. Plus, the Bears are still weighing their NFL draft options, a Beverly teen is fighting for new basketball courts, and Chicago waves goodbye to WGN meteorologist Tom Skilling.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

While you’re enjoying your extra day of February, we are looking forward to all of the things on our March calendar including the Illinois primary election, CPS spring break, and Women’s History Month. The City Cast Chicago team has your guide to March. Plus, we debate which March photo is really more Chicago: the green St. Patrick’s Day river or Chicagohenge?Good News: First Draft: new works by Chicago dancemakers at Links HallWant 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