City Cast Chicago

Chicago has paid $178 million to resolve wrongful conviction lawsuits since 2019, according to WTTW. Now the city faces yet another suit from Lee Harris, who spent 30 years in prison for a crime he claims police officers coerced him into confessing to. The Triibe’s Tonia Hill and the new cohost of WBEZ’s The Rundown, Adora Namigadde, are here with the latest. We’re also discussing the need for more midwives at area hospitals, improved reading scores in Chicago Public Schools, and we’re celebrating hip-hop’s 50th anniversary and Chicago’s place in the genre.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 the final day of our Fall Getaway Guide. This week we’ve pitched road trips in every direction and autumnal stops off the Metra. But it wouldn’t be a fall trip without some time in nature, so we’re talking camping, glamping, and hitting the hiking trails. We are joined by Chevy Linear and Kam Stanton, the couple behind the popular TikTok account Black People Outside, to get some tips on how to prepare and where to go.Are you more of a camper or a glamper? Take our poll, and we’ll talk about it on the show.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

We’re back with the second day of our Fall Getaway Guide. Yesterday we gave you all the tips and tricks for the best road trips near Chicagoland, but you don’t need a car to have some fall fun! That’s right, we’re talking about one of Chicago’s most underrated getaway options: day trips on the train! Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by Allison Yates, the founder of Read & Run Chicago and contributor to a TimeOut article on the best day trips by Metra!Allison also mentioned the book Chicago Transit Hikes by Lindsay Welbers.For more car-free trips including treks on the Amtrak, South Shore Line, and the Greyhound, head to our website: chicago.citycast.fm.This is the second of three parts of our Fall Getaway Guide. Tomorrow, we’re talking camping, glamping, and getting outdoors.Some good news: Chicago’s Inaugural Exhibition Weekend starts Friday!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 officially fall, and the City Cast team is going road tripping! Host Jacoby Cochran, lead producer Simone Alicea, newsletter editor Sidney Madden, and marketing coordinator Jermaine Thomas each picked a direction and gave us their best road trip ideas. Whether you’re in it for the leaf peeping, tasty treats, a little fright, or a cozy vibe, we’ve got getaways for you!This is the first of three parts of our Fall Getaway Guide. Tomorrow, we find the best trips you can take without a car. And on Thursday we’ll tell you everything you need to know about camping and getting outdoors.Some Good News: Destroy Your Art at Music Box TheatreWant 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 

Federal student loan payments start back up in October following a pandemic pause. This is a huge deal in Illinois where more than 1.5 million people applied for student loan forgiveness before President Joe Biden’s plan was blocked by the Supreme Court in June. We talked with WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip following the court’s decision, and now she is back as loan interest accrues and payment due dates approach. Lisa tells us what we need to know, outlines the latest loan assistance and forgiveness options, and explains the broader economic impacts of student loan debt. Some good news: The 6th Annual Destinos Theater Festival begins this week at theaters across the city.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 

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is defending the decision to sign a one-year, nearly $30 million contract with controversial private security firm GardaWorld Federal Services for the construction and operation of Chicago’s migrant “base camps.” These are a network of tent encampments expected to house nearly 1,600 asylum seekers-currently living at police stations and airports. We sit down with South Side Weekly’s Alma Campos and Block Club Chicago’s Manny Ramos to break down some of the contract details and the firm’s past controversies. We are also discussing the push to end the subminimum wage for tipped workers, a sit down with three environmental justice organizers, and a soccer-packed weekend at Soldier Field.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 

Today is Earth, Wind & Fire Day. Founded in Chicago by the late band leader Maurice White in 1969, the legendary group has sold over 100 million records worldwide, won every imaginable award, all while redefining multiple genres of music. In honor of their timeless sound and over 50 years of hits, we are joined by Clark Atlanta University professor Trenton Bailey, the author of “Do You Remember: Celebrating 50 Years of Earth Wind and Fire.” 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 

Matthew Cherry’s short film “Hair Love” won an Oscar and became a New York Times bestselling children’s book. Now the writer, director, and Chicago native is continuing the story in “Young Love,” a Max animated series premiering Thursday that stars Issa Rae and Kid Cudi. Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with Cherry to talk about how this story has resonated so deeply with him and why it needed to be set on the West Side.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 

Last week, Fifth Ward Ald. Desmon Yancy introduced the South Shore Housing Preservation Ordinance to City Council. The measure would provide increased protections for longterm renters and homeowners who fear displacement as the Obama Presidential Center continues construction in Jackson Park. Lead Producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran look through the ordinance and discuss how the proposal could affect renters citywide . We are also going through some of your responses to our "alphabet dating" picks and preparing to say goodbye to summer.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 has officially begun! Mayor Brandon Johnson released his first budget forecast last week, kicking off his first budget process with a gap that was larger than previously predicted. WBEZ City Hall reporter Mariah Woelfel tells lead producer Simone Alicea what to watch out for and why it matters.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