City Cast Chicago

On this day 99 years ago, Route 66 was assigned its iconic number. The so-called Mother Road takes you all the way to California, but it begins in Chicago. So let’s take a little road trip. Host Jacoby Cochran gets in the car with Dario Durham and Sara Faddah, hosts of 77 Flavors of Chicago, to drive the Chicago leg of old Route 66. Along the way, they point out their favorite attractions, spots to eat, and see the city from a new perspective. Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this April 30 episode: Aura Frames — Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Last week, Sen. Dick Durbin announced that he will not seek reelection in 2026, after more than four decades in Congress. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran discuss Durbin’s reasons for ending his long political career and which names are likely to emerge as successors. Plus, we break down upcoming changes to Chicago’s library cards and hear from new City Cast Chicago neighbors. Good News: The Portal in Woodlawn and CatJam in Avondale. Want

Anna Lee Ackerman is trying to ride every CTA train line and hit every “L” stop in record time, documenting her journey on TikTok. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with her about how she’s planning her trip, why it’s worth doing, and her definitive (and possibly spicy) ranking of the city’s train lines. Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events, and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this April 28 episode: Aura Frames — Get $ 35 off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

On the heels of a tough budget season, and with looming federal funding cuts, Mayor Branndon Johnson is hoping to get ahead of what is shaping up to be yet another grueling budget fight. On Monday, he signed an executive order launching a budget working group and a review of city spending. Alex Nitkin from the Illinois Answers Project explains how this could set the stage for difficult budget considerations like staffing and service cuts. Plus, we discuss high “bonuses” for ward aides, the city’s reparations task force, and this weekend’s Cherry Blossom festival.Good News: Off Beat TourGet more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You'll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fmWant 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 sponsors of this April 25 episode: Babbel – Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames – Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Moats Entertainment – Save $5 with code CityCast Paramount Theatre – Save $5 off each ticket with Code CityCast. Offer is good for up to 4 tickets  Cozy Earth – Use code COZYCHICAGO for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The Kehrein Center for the Arts is hosting a soldout “The Listening Field” this Sunday, dedicated to sound healing, meditation, and rest on Chicago’s West Side. We are joined by event producers Kori Coleman, the founder and executive director of D-Composed, and poet, songwriter, and musician Jamila Woods. We discuss what sound healing looks like for them, ways to get started at home, and how they blend Chicago poetry and classical music for a one-of-a-kind experience.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 sponsors of this April 24 episode:Babbel – Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTAura Frames – Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCASTMoats Entertainment – Save $5 with code CityCastParamount Theatre – Save $5 off each ticket with Code CityCast. Offer is good for up to 4 tickets Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Word on social media is Chicago’s funniest food duo is filming a second season of their show. We’re of course talking about “Poochie & Pang (eat Chicago),” starring Poochie from The Wiener’s Circle and longtime food critic Kevin Pang. While we wait to see what they’re eating this season, we’re revisiting a conversation host Jacoby Cochran had with the pair last fall about their Chicago food hot takes and the burgers they ate in season one.Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fmWant 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 sponsors of this April 23 episode: Babbel – Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames – Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Moats Entertainment – Save $5 with code CityCast Paramount Theatre – Save $5 off each ticket with Code CityCast. Offer is good for up to 4 tickets Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

As street festival organizers struggle with rising costs, a coalition is urging Chicagoans to donate at the gate this summer. Host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro discuss the hurdles facing the city’s (mostly) free street fests and the future of summertime Chi. Plus, new restaurant openings and how to get our new City Cast Chicago Neighbors mug. Good news: The Moth in Chicago: GrandSLAMWant 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 sponsors of this April 22 episode:Babbel – Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTCozy Earth – Use code COZYCHICAGO for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more.Aura Frames – Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCASTMoats Entertainment – Save $5 with code CityCastParamount Theatre – Save $5 off each ticket with Code CityCast. Offer is good for up to 4 tickets Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Kat Abughazaleh has garnered national attention for announcing her campaign challenging U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. But how does a 26-year-old who’s lived in Chicago less than a year win over voters in a district that’s been represented by the same person for nearly three decades? Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with Abughazaleh to learn more about her vision for the district covering Chicago’s Far North Side and north suburbs.Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fmWant 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 sponsors of this April 21 episode: Babbel — Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames — Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Moats Entertainment — Save $5 with cod CityCast Paramount Theatre — Save $5 off each ticket with Code CityCast. Offer is good for up to 4 tickets Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The City Council this week held discussions about the future of hemp regulations, the mayor’s affordable housing plan, updates to the city’s curfew for minors, and whether Jan. 6 insurrectionists should be banned from city work, among other things. We ask The Triibe’s Corli Jay and the Chicago Tribune’s Jake Sheridan what came of these City Council meetings.Good News: Expo Chicago 2025Want 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 sponsors of this April 18th episode: Prolonlife.com/city – Use this link for 15% offBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Losing a loved one to gun violence can be extremely isolating. But in Chicago, there are many ways communities come together to remember those who have been lost. Producer Michelle Navarro visited a healing vigil for survivors last weekend organized by Corniki Bornds, founder of the Help Understand Grief (HUG) support group. She talked with Bornds about why groups and events like this are important ahead of an upcoming memorial basketball game for her son, who was shot and killed eight years ago.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 sponsors of this April 17 episode: Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% offBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE