City Cast Chicago

Next Monday, Chicago celebrates its 187th birthday, and we’re celebrating with onions instead of cake. That’s because the city’s name comes from Indigenous words describing a type of wild, fragrant onion that used to be abundant in the area. Chicago’s birthday is a perfect time to revisit our conversation with Tribune food critic Louisa Chu about some of the best onion dishes you can find in the city.Some Good News: Rich Paul’s Lucky Me, Melissa Albert’s The Bad Ones, and Jenn Jackson’s Black Women Taught UsWant 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

On Friday, a Cook County judge invalidated the Bring Chicago Home referendum, which asks Chicagoans if the city should create a tiered real estate transfer tax to use as a dedicated funding source for efforts to fight homelessness. While voters will likely see the ordinance on their March primary ballots, the votes will not be counted for now, but an appeal could change things. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down the latest. Plus, we’re listening to Djo's “End of Beginning” and revisiting our venn diagram of best places to cry and most romantic spots.  Good News: Greektown Restaurant Week starts soon!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

Discover the excitement in lesser-known races like the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk and Board of Review. Learn about the candidates and tensions in local politics. Stay informed for upcoming free museum days and engage in civic participation!

Governor JB Pritzker delivered his $53 billion budget proposal this week. Host Jacoby Cochran, freelance journalist Britt Julious, and Axios Chicago’s social host Moyo Adeolu dive into some of the governor’s spending plans for the state’s growing migrant population, early childhood education, reproductive health, and more. Plus, we look at new regulations on the Field Museum’s indigenous artifacts, the Black Girlhood Altar at the Chicago Cultural Center, and a City Cast Best of Chicago three-peat!   Some good news: Best of the Rust Belt, Black History Folk Futures SymposiumWant 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

The Cook County State’s Attorney is the county’s top prosecutor, and the office has become one of the most scrutinized over the last decade. That’s why when Kim Foxx announced last spring she wouldn’t seek a third term, host Jacoby Cochran and Tribune reporter A.D. Quig expected more fanfare heading into the March 19 primary. But only two Democrats have emerged to replace Foxx, and they haven’t come out swinging as hard as you might expect. Quig breaks down who the candidates are and why the race is still important to watch.Some good news: The Chicago Independent Venue League’s CIVL FestWant 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 talk a lot about Chicago’s world-renowned restaurant scene, but now it’s time to go underground. Adrian Kane and John Ringor from The Infatuation Chicago are here with tips to find and get into the city’s speakeasies, private supper clubs, and hidden restaurants. And they talk with host Jacoby Cochran about which spots are worth the hype and if a speakeasy is really a speakeasy if everyone knows about it.Places discussed Punch House The Library Blind Barber Dorian’s Prive Nine Bar Drifter The Alderman The Office Bodega Dorothy Wazwan Connie’s Underground Txa Txa Club Herbal Notes Saint Emeric Taqueria Chingon Tacomakase Asian Cuisine Express Tak Korean Bistro Boeufhaus Some good news: “Magic of Motown” at Auditorium TheatreWant 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 

One tangible thing the city could do for Black Chicagoans during Black History Month? Make progress on reparations. Mayor Brandon Johnson set aside money in this year’s budget for a new reparations subcommittee, but it hasn’t yet met. Meanwhile, nearby Evanston’s reparations program has been running the past couple years. First Repair director and former Evanston Ald. Robin Rue Simmons will be in the Austin neighborhood this weekend talking about reparations, so we’re revisiting our conversation with her from this summer to see what Chicago can learn.Some Good News: 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

This week Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that Chicago will not renew a long-term contract with SoundThinking, the company behind Shot Spotter, a highly controversial gunshot detection technology. Host Jacoby Cochran discusses what’s next with author and professor Arionne Nettles and Crain’s reporter Corli Jay. We also break down the million dollar Bring Chicago Home media battle, the sudden closure of three south side KFCs, and the return of Bridgeport’s Ramova Theatre. Good News: Friday Night Events!Black By Popular Demand: A Black Excellence Revue Blanc Gallery James Baldwin exhibitRamova Theatre Chance Concert 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:TimeLine Theatre Company's "Notes From the Field"Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago musician and icon Common has been making the rounds talking about his new book “And Then We Rise: A Guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self.” It’s all about prioritizing mental and physical health.. Unfortunately for many, the phrase “self-care” often means expensive, time consuming, and impractical for noncelebrities. But everyone deserves access to rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. So Host Jacoby Cochran, producer Michelle Navarro, and marketing coordinator Jermaine Thomas found some great self-care options in the city for any Chicago budget. Nature: Tortugas Hiking Club Shedd Aquarium Action Days American Club Resort in Kohler, WI Physical: Chingonas Run Chicago Read and Run Chicago Kohler Water Spa Community: Chicago Park District community gardens Scratch Goods Black Luxe Candle Co. Machine Txa Txa Club Art/Creativity: Brighton Park Poets Maker Lab at Harold Washington Library Neighborhood art centers (including Beverly, Bridgeport, Old Town, Hyde Park) Alma Art and Interiors  Recycled Modern 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:TimeLine Theatre Company’s “Notes From the Field”Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

As the city celebrates Lunar New Year with parades in Uptown and Chinatown this weekend, you’re likely to see a smattering of dumpling options in both neighborhoods during the celebrations. That’s because dumplings bring families together and represent good fortune in the new year, says “A Very Chinese Cookbook” author Kevin Pang. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with Pang about where to find the best dumplings around Chicagoland.Good News: Asian Pop Up Cinema free Lunar New Year screeningsWant 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:Catch TimeLine Theatre Company’s “Notes From the Field”Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE