City Cast Chicago

Former 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke was found guilty Thursday of racketeering, bribery, and attempted extortion. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and producer Michelle Navarro break down the city’s latest corruption trial. They also discuss conditions at the city’s largest migrant shelter in Pilsen, after a 5-year-old child who was living there died this week. Plus, the team shares some of our favorite good news stories from 2023. Did you hear? You can now become a member of City Cast Chicago — Join now to support your favorite Chicago podcast and ensure we can keep bringing you the conversations that matter!Vote City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter in The Chicago Reader's Best of Chicago 2023. Find us 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 @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

With the holidays right around the corner and family and friends coming in to visit, we want to ensure that we are the perfect hosts and guides to showcase everything the city has to offer. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Mike McMains, owner of his own tour company Tours With Mike to learn how to craft the perfect itinerary for your out-of-town visitors from must-see architecture to rooftop views. Good News: Check out The Not That Late Show, a monthly variety show at the Newport Theater in Lakeview on Thursday December 28. You can also see a live performance from Chicago pop trio Gosh Diggity.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 

Whether it was a new hot spot, an iconic tasting menu, or a neighborhood gem, host Jacoby Cochran ate a lot of good food in Chicago this year. He talks with The Infatuation Chicago’s Adrian Kane and John Ringor about 2023’s best new restaurants, favorite dishes, and what to look forward to next year.You have just three days to become a founding member of City Cast Chicago to support your favorite podcast. Will you join today?Good News: Links Hall is home to the 33rd Annual Winter Solstice Concert Series, with three consecutive sunrise shows on Dec 21, 22 & 23, 2023 at 6AM.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

There is a lot of pressure this time of year to find the perfect gift for all of your loved ones — from parents, to friends, to romantic partners, to the kids in your life. And on top of that, Chicago has so many local shops to choose from. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, producer Michelle Navarro, and newsletter editor Sidney Madden shared their favorite shops around the city and tips for finding the perfect gift no matter who you’re shopping for.Nomadic AntMidwest NiceAndersonville GalleriaLost Girls VintageHumboldt HouseRR #1 ChicagoCarver 47Raw ComicsFirst Aid ComicsColores MexicanosExile in BookvillePlayMM GiftlandAJ Housewares and GiftsDid you hear? You can now become a member of City Cast Chicago — Join now to support your favorite Chicago podcast and ensure we can keep bringing you the conversations that matter!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

From housing new arrivals to electing a new mayor to some extreme weather events, it was a big year in Chicago news. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran recap what happened and what we expect in 2024. Plus, we discuss some of our favorite episodes of the year.Good News: What Makes Chicago Roller Skaters The Best and Benny the Bull Shows Us Why He’s the GOATDid you hear? You can now become a member of City Cast Chicago — Join now to support your favorite Chicago podcast and ensure we can keep bringing you the conversations that matter!Vote City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter in The Chicago Reader's Best of Chicago 2023 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 @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Earlier this week, Chicago public school leaders announced intentions to deprioritize the city’s system of school choice and refocus on investments in neighborhood schools. According to Chalkbeat Chicago, “this marks the first time the board has formally stated it wants to move away from selective admissions and enrollment policies.” We are joined by professor and author Arionne Nettles and Axios reporter Carrie Shepherd to discuss the Chicago Board of Education's resolution. Plus, we discuss City Council’s sanctuary city vote, Columbia College’s ongoing faculty strike, and lighting Humboldt Park’s landmark Paseo Boricua flags. Did you hear? You can now become a member of City Cast Chicago — Join now to support your favorite Chicago podcast and ensure we can keep bringing you the conversations that matter!Vote City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter in The Chicago Reader's Best of Chicago 2023 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 @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

From global tours to local albums to buzz-worthy TV and fashion, 2023 has been a great year for pop culture in Chicago. City Cast marketing director Caroline Patton and marketing coordinator Jermaine Thomas talk with host Jacoby Cochran about some favorite moments of the year.Did you hear? You can now become a member of City Cast Chicago — Join now to support your favorite Chicago podcast and ensure we can keep bringing you the conversations that matter!Vote City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter in The Chicago Reader's Best of Chicago 2023 under the City Life category.Good News: Chicago Public Library Event Calendar & Joe Freshgoods RaffleWant 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

From big brands like Nabisco, Kraft, and Kellogg to local ones like Garrett Popcorn and Jays Chips, Chicago is home to a lot of popular snacks. Host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro talk about snacks the city has to offer, what their favorites were growing up, and if the new Vitner’s “original recipe” Hot Crunchy Kurls really taste like the original.Did you hear? You can now become a member of City Cast Chicago — Join now to support your favorite Chicago podcast and ensure we can keep bringing you the conversations that matter!Good News: The Chicago Reader's Best of Chicago 2023 ballot is open. Vote City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter 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 @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The Bears’ search for a new home is making headlines once again just before the end of the year as reports surface that the team is looking into whether they could build a new stadium in the south parking lot of Soldier Field. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran are running through the Bears’ current options on the table and discuss potential pushback to a new lakefront stadium. Plus, we’ve got unique memberships to give for the holidays and our Christkindlmarket mug final four.  Did you hear? You can now become a member of City Cast Chicago — Join now to support your favorite Chicago podcast and ensure we can keep bringing you the conversations that matter!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 

Every year on the evening of Dec. 11, hundreds of thousands of Catholics and other pilgrims walk to Des Plaines to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12. People from all over travel by car, horseback or foot to visit the shrine, which holds the only authorized replica of the painting from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Father Esequiel Sanchez to learn more about the significance of the shrine and to Cynthia Alanis, whose family has led a pilgrimage to the northwest suburb from Ravenswood for over 20 years. Did you hear? You can now become a member of City Cast Chicago — Join now to support your favorite Chicago podcast and ensure we can keep bringing you the conversations that matter!Good News: 3Peat Comedy at IO TheaterWant 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