City Cast Chicago

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

The city’s contract with gunshot detection tech SoundThinking (aka ShotSpotter) is up at the end of the week. Will Mayor Brandon Johnson keep his campaign promise to end the contract or will he renew it? Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down the mayor’s options and why it’s such a big decision. They also talk about the referenda on your ballot and Chicago’s most (and least) romantic spots ahead of Valentine’s Day.Good news: Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration and Lunar New Year Celebration Chinatown ParadeWant 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

The Chicago Sun-Times recently launched their new Money Desk to help Chicagoans stay on the lookout for junk fees, sketchy utility offerings, and other bad deals. Sun-Times consumer affairs reporter Stephanie Zimmermann walks host Jacoby Cochran through some key ways to protect our pockets in 2024 including how best to complain to get our money back.Good News: Spring Flower Shows Start WednesdayGarfield Park Conservatory, “What’s In A Name?” Lincoln Park Conservatory, “Sweet Gnome Chicago” 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: Catch “Notes From the Field” at TimeLine Theatre through March 24.Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

For over a week, Lurie Children’s Hospital has been without critical phone, email, and other communications networks as they deal with a cyberattack. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and WCIU TV host Brandon Pope are here with the latest details. Plus, we discuss an investigation into Chicago dollar stores, mockups of a South Loop Sox stadium, and the next tenant in Wicker Park’s landmark Noel State Bank. Good News: Jacoby is hosting The Moth Monday in Lincoln Park and Grown Folks Stories Thursday in Hyde ParkWant 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

Let’s be honest: Super Bowl Sunday is only partly about football. A lot of us are watching it just for the commercials. In the advertising world, it’s the biggest and most expensive opportunity to create a legendary commercial that will have the whole country’s attention. Chicago knows a thing or two about creating a classic commercial. From local jingles to iconic characters, host Jacoby Cochran and Axios reporter Justin Kaufmann remember some of Chicago’s greatest ads.Good News: Axios Chicago team tonight at the HideoutWant 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

Mardi Gras is on Tuesday, but many Chicagoans know the holiday as Paczki Day. That’s because Chicago once had the largest Polish population outside of Warsaw, and their Fat Tuesday (and Thursday) pastry of choice was this cross between a classic donut and brioche bun with a cream or fruit filling. Host Jacoby Cochran and journalist Joanna Marszałek decided to avoid the Paczki Day lines and met up in Logan Square for a paczki taste test.Where We Went:  Bennison’s Bakery in Evanston Laramie Bakery and Deli in Belmont Cragin Polish Paczki Cafe in Norwood Park Other Suggestions: Racine Bakery in Garfield Ridge Weber’s Bakery in Garfield Ridge Delightful Pastries in Jefferson Park  Baranowski in Franklin Park Hanna's Bakery in Bloomingdale KD Market (several suburban locations) Good News: Lunar New Year CelebrationsWant 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 Ventra app ran into some issues due to updates and changes to Metra’s fare structure, including reducing the number of fare zones and the end of the 10-ride ticket. Host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro talk about how riders are affected and run through important election dates. Plus, we listen to dating advice from Chicago matchmaker and dating coach Kara Laricks at Three Day Rule. Connect with Kara Laricks and join their free pool of singles Check out Nobody’s Darling“Please Date My Friend: A Night of Powerpoints” February 15 at the Color Club Some good news: Blue Door Neighborhood Center Black History Month celebrationWant 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 

Learn about the importance of local school councils in Chicago, their responsibilities, power dynamics, and the transition to an elected school board. Explore the decision-making power of councils, their involvement in recent news events, and the disparities in representation. Discover the value of getting involved with local school councils and how schools benefit neighborhoods as community hubs.

After weeks of back and forth in City Council and months of street protests, Chicago became the largest city in the country to pass a resolution calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza. Chalkbeat Chicago’s Samantha Smylie and The Triibe’s Tonia Hill are here to discuss the tense scene at City Hall this week and the dozens of student walkouts in support of the resolution. We are also discussing the Illinois Board of Education’s $11 billion budget proposal, the future of free pre-k in Chicago Public Schools, and the abrupt closure of Chatham’s movie theater. Plus, we’ve got some coupon tips and birthday wishes!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 

Discover exciting events happening in Chicago during February including Black History Month activities at Chicago Public Libraries, a furniture exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry, and a Valentine's Day Dungeons and Dragons adventure at a local bar. Also, explore unique Valentine's Day activities like cockroach naming at the Brookfield Zoo and a love-themed film series at the Salt Shed. Learn about leap day trivia and upcoming episodes and events in the city.