City Cast Chicago

As Chicago Public Schools let out for summer around this time a decade ago, 50 schools were closed for good. It was the largest mass school closure in the nation’s history, which sent shockwaves through the city’s Black and brown neighborhoods. Eve Ewing is a former CPS teacher and the author of “Ghosts in the Schoolyard: Racism and School Closings on Chicago’s South Side.” She talks with host Jacoby Cochran about why it’s so important to remember how this happened.Some news: Riot Fest organizers will host an online community meeting this Wednesday at 6pm.We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast [City] an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 5 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card.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 

Alders on Wednesday approved $51 million in funding to help asylum-seekers in Chicago, but the City Council vote was contentious. Meanwhile, negotiations between Chicago and DuPage County over drinking water supply are also heating up as the west suburban county considers building its own pipeline to Lake Michigan. Chicago Tribune’s A.D. Quig and WCIU’s Brandon Pope join lead producer Simone Alicea to talk about those stories as well as a watchdog report on police officers who lied on the job and a new brewery coming to Bronzeville.We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Chicago an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey —it’s only 5 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card.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 

No list of classic Chicago movies is complete without “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” But is Ferris’ itinerary even possible to complete in a school day? Writer Leigh Giangreco decided to find out and recreate his day for the Washington Post. Ahead of June 5, the day some say Ferris took off, we are revisiting a conversation with Leigh from September, where host Jacoby Cochran got all details of how it all went down.Some good news: Nominate an accomplished Illinoisan 65 years or older for the state’s Senior Hall of Fame.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 

Pickleball is growing so fast in Chicago the city is set to build 50 new pickleball courts by 2025. But are Chicago parks big enough for all racket sport enthusiasts? Chris Clark, a former college tennis player and a pickleball enthusiast, says yes! Clark founded Toss and Spin in August 2020 to introduce more people to racket sports. Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Simone Alicea met Clark at Maggie Daley Park to learn more about Chicago’s pickleball surge and to get a lesson!We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Chicago an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 5 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card.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 

It’s almost June 1, so you know what that means: It’s time to pay the rent. But from maintenance problems, to rent increases, to sneaky clauses in your lease, do you know your rights as a renter? Lead producer Simone Alicea talked with John Bartlett, executive director of the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, and she shares what she found with host Jacoby Cochran and newsletter editor Sidney Madden.Need help? Call MTO’s hotline: 773 292-4988Want 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 

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: Construction in Chicago sucks. This year’s road and highway projects are a major headache, with traffic up over last year and drivers complaining about outrageous commute times. We’re discussing particular pain points around the city with Melody Mercado of Block Club Chicago and Charles Preston with Injustice Watch. Alongside host Jacoby Cochran, the group also discusses ongoing efforts to help arriving asylum-seekers, appealing your property tax bills, and summer plans you need to add to your calendars:The Black Ensemble Theater’s “The Real Housewives of Motown” opens this weekend!Imagine Englewood’s Peace Fest: One Love Edition will be Saturday, June 3!The Hoodosie, Chicago’s block optic and radical news podcast, returns Saturday, June 3!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 

Memorial Day is the perfect excuse to take a trip, whether it be for the whole weekend or just the day. That’s why we are revisiting our conversation with Thrillist’s Meredith Heil from last summer breaking down the best spots around the Midwest within driving distance. Plus, we hear some suggestions form City Cast readers.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 

Though the legislative session was supposed to end last week, lawmakers are still in Springfield working on a state budget and a few other outstanding issues. One of those lawmakers is Rep. Nabeela Syed, a Democrat from northwest suburban Palatine. At 24 years old, Syed is the youngest Democrat in the state House. She joins host Jacoby Cochran to recap her first session, which has left her surprisingly optimistic about the state’s future.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 

While the scheduled end of the spring legislative session has come and gone, Illinois lawmakers have until July 1 to approve a district map for Chicago’s new elected school board, which will be on the November 2024 ballot. This process has drawn a lot of criticism from parents and advocates who argue the proposed maps don’t accurately reflect CPS demographics. Lead producer and map enthusiast Simone Alicea joins host Jacoby Cochran to break down the latest coming out of Springfield. Plus, we are listening to some of your “Chicago Icks” and debating which are better: Rooftops or patios? (Take Our Hey Chicago Survey!)Make sure you check out our Best Alfresco Dining Spots at our Hey Chicago newsletter. Subscribe now for the latest in news and events!Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Ahead of the summer travel season, the Biden administration announced it would propose new rules requiring compensation for air passengers if they end up stranded, and it’s the airline’s fault. That’s in addition to a push in Congress for a “passengers’ bill of rights.” Given that nearly 8 million people traveled through O’Hare and Midway airports in May alone last year, Scott Keyes the potential new rules should be welcome news for Chicago travelers. Keyes helps people find inexpensive flights through his site Going, and he tells host Jacoby Cochran about passenger compensation, being stranded at O’Hare, and his top tip for finding a cheap flight.Some news: Check out an open House on street improvements in Englewood tomorrow from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Kennedy King College.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