City Cast Chicago

A new investigation from WBEZ and the Sun-Times found almost 30 Chicago police officers — including nine still in the department — have been on rosters for anti-government extremist group Oath Keepers. Now the department is reopening a new investigation as city leaders call for extremists to be “rooted out.” Reporters Tom Schuba and Dan Mihalopoulos join host Jacoby Cochran to break down what they found.Nominate City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter under the "City Life" category in the Reader's Best of 2023.Some Good News: DuHaunted & Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade 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 first half of the General Assembly's veto session wrapped up Thursday, and there are three days left beginning Nov. 7. Will lawmakers make any progress on Chicago's elected school board map, and will future board members be paid? We are joined by Chalkbeat Chicago’s Samantha Smylie and Crain’s Corli Jay with the latest. Plus, we are discussing CPS’ struggles to help new migrant students, the latest suburb to pitch for a Bears’ stadium, student-led neighborhood audio tours, and the Chicago Sky’s newest head coach, hall-of-famer Teresa Weatherspoon.Some Good News: Semicolon Fall LitfestWant 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

Haunted hotels, disappearing hitch hikers, and headless horsemen: These are just a few of Chicago’s spookiest ghost stories. But what’s the difference between a scary story and a historical tragedy? Mysterious Chicago’s Adam Selzer tells host Jacoby Cochran that it’s all about how you tell the story.Some Good News: 312 Comedy 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: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Illinois is the country’s largest producer of pumpkins and home to the canned pumpkin brand that made pumpkin pie a household staple. Does that make pumpkin spice more than just a trend in Chicago? Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Simone Alicea review some pumpkin spice offerings and learn some pumpkin facts.Check out some local fall flavors and pumpkin spice offerings.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

 Budget season continues at City Hall with three days of hearings set to talk about public safety and police this week. Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Simone Alicea review some of the proposed changes to CPD’s nearly $2 billion budget. Plus, we are discussing Chicago’s classic candies and your favorite City Cast episodes.Chicago Halloweek 2023 Schedule!Chicago Reader’s “Best of 2023” Nominations Open Now: Nominate City Cast 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 @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsor(s) of this show:Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

The General Assembly’s six-day veto session kicks off Tuesday in Springfield. This is the time when lawmakers will discuss laws vetoed by the governor and other pressing issues that need to be addressed before January. Despite calls from Chicago leaders and residents, additional funding to help migrants is likely not on the agenda. But WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky tells host Jacoby Cochran that issues around guns, unionization, and the state’s biometric privacy law could come up.Some good news: 2023 Triibe GuideWant 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 

As the city decides on the locations of proposed “winterized base camps” for newly-arrived migrants, communities continue to protest plans in their neighborhoods. One St. Louis organization is suggesting bringing asylum-seekers there. To break down the details, we are joined by freelance journalist Crystal Paul and Northwestern professor and author Arionne Nettles. We are also looking at Cook County jail’s dropping population, the Chicago Department of Public Health’s decreased budget, and the disappearance of public basketball courts. Hyde Park HBCU Homecoming Tap Take-Over at Daisy’sNominate City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter in the Chicago Reader's Best of 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

Halloween is less than two weeks away, and Chicago has plenty of opportunities to celebrate. From pumpkin carvings, to costume parties, to the classic trick-or-treating, you’d have to try hard not to find something to do on All Hallows' Eve. Host Jacoby Cochran breaks down the best activities this year with Jenny LeFlore, aka Mama Fresh. They discuss what makes the perfect spooky itinerary and the events they’re most excited to go to. Plus, the best Chicago-themed costumes you can try.Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade on State street - October 21The Rink - October 30 for local daycaresJack’s Pumpkin Pop Up - September 21 - November 5Frankenstein’s Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab 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

Is deep-dish pizza really just for the tourists? That’s what some Chicagoans will tell you, while outsiders may mock the cheesy behemoth as a “casserole.” But real Chicagoans do love deep-dish. Host Jacoby Cochran talked with deep-dish fans and foes earlier this spring and got some recommendations of spots to check out.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 

A southwest suburban man has been charged with a hate crime in a stabbing that left a 6-year-old boy dead and his mother seriously injured. Police and relatives said they were targeted because they’re Muslim and because of the Israel-Hamas war. Lead Producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran are breaking down the latest details. Plus, the team discusses a recent trip to Bally’s temporary River North casino and welcomes our newest member, audio producer Michelle Navarro.Some good news: Budget Happy HourWant 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