City Cast Chicago

Chicago roller skaters have long been called the smoothest roller skaters for their intricate footwork, elaborate routines, and signature swagger. We visit MLK Roller Skating and Bowling Center in Auburn Gresham with Chicago legend Theresa “Sweet T” Ferrell, aka host Jacoby Cochran’s mother. She shares her 50 years of skating history, answers why James Brown is the godfather of Chi rolling, and even gives lead producer Simone Alicea a quick lesson on the hardwood. 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 

Tired of the same old burgers and dogs on Fourth of July? Looking for something unique — and truly Chicago — to feed your out-of-town guests? Food writers Monica Eng and David Hammond have a whole book to help you out. “Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites” goes beyond deep-dish and hot dogs to provide origin stories, recipes, and recommendations for other mouth-watering local dishes. Monica and David talked with host Jacoby Cochran in March about some of their favorites.Some news:Sounds of the South Music Fest in PilsenFourth of July activitiesWant 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 had some of the worst air quality in the world due to wildfire smoke from Canada. Officials have recommended masking and limiting outdoor exposure. But should Chicagoans be prepared for smoke to happen more often as the impacts of climate change hit closer and closer to home? Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with environment reporter Brett Chase with the Chicago Sun-Times and Manny Ramos with the Illinois Answers Project. The group also discuss a worrisome highway expansion project, NASCAR in the streets, and efforts to secure housing protections in South Shore.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 

After weeks of road closures and a healthy amount of skepticism from city residents, NASCAR weekend is upon us. We hear from a few City Cast listeners and Hey Chicago readers, some of whom want to avoid the area and others excited for the race. Plus, host Jacoby Cochran talks with Don Ingle, a DePaul University sports communication professor about why Chicago and NASCAR pushed for their first ever street race.Check out Hey Chicago for a helpful guide with all NASCAR event details, plus more on road closures and other events happening outside of downtown this weekend.Some good news: Antojito’s, Chicago’s two day Latin American Comedy Fest, starts Friday.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 City Council’s committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights is slated to meet this morning — the same committee that failed to meet for over a year even as the city scrambled to house thousands of arriving migrants and asylum-seekers. Now, it has a new chair: Ald. Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward. Vasquez sits down with host Jacoby Cochran to talk about how the crisis has affected his North Side ward, what’s on the agenda for today’s meeting, and how Chicago can actually become a “welcoming city” for immigrants.Chicago had the worst air quality in the world yesterday, and the city is still expecting to see haziness today. Hey Chicago has everything you need to know about what’s going on and how to stay safe.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

Five weeks into Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first term, and supporters as well as critics are watching closely to see if he’ll keep his campaign promises. Recent moves to continue to allow local school councils to keep police officers in schools and a payment for the controversial ShotSpotter technology garnered quick criticism, but is it still too early for the new mayor? Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Simone Alicea talk about the critiques. Plus, we’re filling you in on some weird local laws and discussing whether Chicagoans really know how to drive and can live here without a car.Got strong feelings about this weekend's NASCAR race? Tell us about them at (773) 780-0246.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 

Chicago doesn’t end at 95th Street — but its busiest train line does. For 54 years, Far South Siders have been pushing for the Red Line to be extended, and for decades promises have failed to materialize. Now, with some funding secured, key City Council approvals, and construction finalists announced, Chicago is closer than ever to bringing this key transit lifeline to the Far South Side. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with the CTA’s TaNesheha Marshall and Andrea Reed with the Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce about what the extension would mean, why Chicago is finally seeing movement on the project, and what roadblocks are still ahead.Some Good News: Hear My Story: An Evening With Chicago Drag PerformersWant 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 

Chicago’s 52nd annual Pride Parade is Sunday starting in Uptown and ending in Lincoln Park. The Chicago Reader’s editor in chief Salem Collo-Julin talks about need-to-know information and the Reader’s latest Pride Issue. We are also joined by Chicago Magazine contributing editor Ted McClelland as we discuss efforts to increase minimum wage for tipped workers, a push for transparency in Harvey, and sharing love for Svengoolie, the Cubs, and House Music. 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 

All this month, we’ve been bringing you our Summer Entertainment guide to help you tackle Summertime Chi with a plan. And when it comes to navigating the plethora of outdoor dining options in the city, you’re going to need one. For our final installment in the guide, we talked with Dario Durham, who co-hosts the “77 Flavors of Chicago” podcast. He gives host Jacoby Cochran the ultimate guide to breakfast, lunch, and dinner outside and a couple indoor spots that just feel like summer. Plus, Dario has some tips for how to prioritize your summer culinary adventures. How are you feeling about the NASCAR street race next weekend? Fill out our poll or text us at (773) 780-0246 with your thoughts.Restaurants to check out this summer:Homeslice Pizza and Patio (Lincoln Park)S&G Restaurant (Lakeview)Peaches Restaurant (Bronzeville)Chicago Home of Chicken and Waffles (Bronzeville)Cleo’s Southern Cuisine (Bronzeville)Richard’s Super Premium Ice Cream (Pullman)Mario’s Italian Lemonade (Little Italy)Navy Pier Night Market (Navy Pier)Burger Fest (Roscoe Village): 7/7-7/9Tacos y Tamales (Pilsen): 7/21-7/23Eeeeeats Con (Salt Shed): 8/19-8/20Recess (West Town)Kindling (Loop) 90 Mile Cuban Cafe (Logan Square)Archie’s Cafe (Rogers Park)Bronzeville Winery (Bronzeville)Kingston Mines (Lincoln Park)Parson’s Chicken & Fish (Multiple Locations) Some news: Check out the first look of the temporary casino slated to open later this summer at Medinah TempleWant 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 

For eight years, Chicago has been dubbed the “rattiest” city in the country by pest control company Orkin. The city sees some 40,000-50,000 311 calls for rats each year, and they peak in the summer, says Josie Cruz, head of rodent control at the city’s Streets and Sanitation Department. Cruz joins host Jacoby Cochran to talk about why there are so many rats in Chicago and what you can do to keep them at bay.Some news:Apply to join the Mayor’s Youth CommissionChicago Public Schools has started serving free breakfast and lunches for Chicagoans 18 and underWant 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