City Cast Chicago

In honor of our 1,000th episode in March, we released a list of 1,000 things we love about Chicago. It includes not just things we at City Cast appreciate, but also things listeners, guests, and Chicagoans love most about the city. With Chicago once again squarely in the national spotlight, it felt like the perfect time to revisit this love letter to our city. Nominate City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Email Newsletter in the Reader’s Best of 2025 under the City Life category. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 22 episode:  The Other Art Fair Broadway in Chicago Deborah's Place Window Nation Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Over 100,000 people marched downtown Saturday during Chicago’s No Kings protest. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran recap the march and discuss ongoing court proceedings regarding the deployment of federal troops in Illinois. Plus, we’re looking at Chicago Magazine’s tongue-in-cheek “budget beaters” and ongoing results from our spookiest thing in Chicago poll. Good News: Dia de los Muertos Xicago Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 21 episode:  The Other Art Fair Broadway in Chicago Deborah's Place Window Nation MUBI Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Mayor Brandon Johnson gave his highly anticipated budget address last week. The headline has been the city’s $1.19 billion budget deficit. Now we’ve got our first look at how City Hall wants to balance the budget. WTTW’s Heather Cherone walks us through the biggest proposed tax hikes, spending cuts, and the political climate heading into budget negotiations.   Good News: Bulls Home Opener Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 20 episode:  The Other Art Fair Broadway in Chicago Window Nation Deborah's Place Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Another week, another violent encounter with ICE in a Chicago neighborhood, as federal agents targeted residents on the city’s Southeast Side earlier this week and unleashed more tear gas on protesters. We are breaking down what we know so far with Block Club Chicago’s Francia Garcia Hernandez and TV host Brandon Pope. Plus, CTA fares are expected to jump next year, Chicago is expanding free composting, and we’ve got our favorite picks at the Chicago International Film Festival.  Nominate City Cast Chicago as best podcast and Hey Chicago as best email newsletter in the Reader’s Best of 2025.  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us on social media @CityCastChicago You can also text us or leave us a voicemail at  773-780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 17 episode:  Chicago Board of Election Commissioners  The Other Art Fair Window Nation MUBI Babbel — Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

A few weeks ago, we did an episode about how to make friends in Chicago. But in addition to the many free or low-cost clubs and activities you can find around the city, private social clubs also seem to be gaining popularity. So host Jacoby Cochran is talking with Payton Turner, a creator who follows arts and culture and has been making videos about Chicago’s social clubs. She explains why she joined Soho House, what it took to get in, and what to know about some of the other clubs. Nominate City Cast Chicago as best podcast and Hey Chicago as best email newsletter in the Reader’s Best of 2025. Good News: Ear Taxi Festival and Chicago Fridge Opera Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct.16 episode:  Chicago Board of Election Commissioners  The Other Art Fair Window Nation Babbel – Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Despite President Donald Trump calling the city a “hellhole,” Chicago was named Best Big City in the country by Condé Nast Traveler for the ninth year in a row. Host Jacoby Cochran sat down with Choose Chicago’s CEO and president, Kristen Reynolds, to discuss what it’s like to market our city to tourists, particularly in a time when Chicago is constantly in the national spotlight.  Good News: Destinos Chicago International Latino Theater Festival Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  FOLLOW US @CITYCASTCHICAGO YOU CAN ALSO TEXT US OR LEAVE A VOICEMAIL AT: 773-780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct.15 episode:  Chicago Board of Election Commissioners  The Other Art Fair Window Nation Babbel – Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Lawsuits against the Trump administration are coming down left and right in Chicago, leading to blocks against National Guard deployment and orders that ICE can’t tear-gas journalists and peaceful protesters. But the president has shown he’s looking to get around the law in any way he can, which has us wondering: Do these lawsuits even matter? Host Jacoby Cochran talks with ACLU-Illinois’ Ed Yohnka about the efficacy of legal challenges and how to put their know-your-rights guides into practice. Good News: Chicago International Film Festival Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  FOLLOW US @CITYCASTCHICAGO YOU CAN ALSO TEXT US OR LEAVE A VOICEMAIL AT: 773-780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 14 episode:  Chicago Board of Election Commissioners  The Other Art Fair Window Nation MUBI Babbel – Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

A judge has temporarily blocked National Guard deployment in Chicago. This comes as a federal judge ruled against ICE’s arrest tactics. We’re breaking down the latest updates with executive producer Simone Alicea and The Triibe’s Corli Jay. Plus, state lawmakers are back for the fall veto session next week, Bears seek Hail Mary redemption in DC, and Chatham welcomes a new wine bar to 75th street.  Good News: Slow and Low Lowrider Festival Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us on social @citycastchicago You can also text or leave us a voicemail at 773-780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 7 episode:  MUBI Window Nation TimeLine First Ascent Climbing — City Cast listeners can buy one Day Pass and get one free Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Think you already know the best restaurants in Chicago? What about the ones that operate inside other establishments? Chicago’s pop-up scene is legendary, but hard to track if you’re not in the know. That’s why host Jacoby Cochran is talking with Infatuation Chicago’s John Ringor, who’s been tracking pop-ups all summer. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 9 episode:  Window Nation TimeLine First Ascent Climbing – City Cast listeners can buy one Day Pass and get one free Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

With all the focus on what the feds are doing in Chicago, let’s remember there are still local stories unfolding. Neighbors have been pushing for more information about what will happen to Ford City Mall on the Southwest Side. Bridge Industrial is seeking to buy the property to turn it into an industrial corridor. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with the Sun-Times Lee Bey and Block Club’s Atavia Reed about the plans for the mall, the businesses that are still there, and what they’ll miss about this legendary third space. Nominate us for the Reader’s “Best of Chicago” for “Best Podcast” and Hey Chicago for “Best Email Newsletter” Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 8 episode:  Window Nation TimeLine First Ascent Climbing – City Cast listeners can buy one Day Pass and get one free Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE