City Cast Chicago

It can feel like it’s all mayor’s race all the time as we head into the April 4 runoff election, but there’s plenty of other Chicago news to keep an eye on. Oral arguments begin today in the Illinois Supreme Court over the fate of cashless bail. Also in court today are the “ComEd Four,” as the state’s biggest corruption trial in a decade gets underway. And as we dream of warmer days, details are emerging about how downtown will look different this summer because of the NASCAR races set for July. Host Jacoby Cochran, lead producer Carrie Shepherd, and producer Simone Alicea break down what you need to know this week.Binge all episodes and subscribe You Didn’t See Nothin' on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.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 

Ahead of the April 4th runoff, mayoral candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson have made education a major part of their platforms. Johnson is a former public school teacher and organizer with the Chicago Teachers Union. Vallas is a former head of Chicago Public Schools. So it makes sense they’re dipping into those roles as they make the pitch to lead the 4th largest school district in the U.S. at a time when enrollments are dropping and achievement gaps are widening. Longtime education reporters Sarah Karp from WBEZ and Becky Vevea from Chalkbeat join host Jacoby Cochran to break down the candidates’ records on the most pressing issues.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 

Mayoral Candidates Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas had their first televised debate this week ahead of the April 4th runoff. CEO of Justice Informed Xavier Ramey and Crain’s reporter Corli Jay tell host Jacoby Cochran their reactions to the candidates’ performances and different visions for Chicago. We also breaking down the ongoing protest of the Chicago Fire’s proposed $80 million dollar soccer facility on CHA land, the importance of supporting women in trades, and Chicago fashion designer Joe Freshgoods has opened a new store on the West Side—in a high school.More Info: First debate in the runoff election. Housing Advocates demand meeting with mayoral candidates to stop Chicago Fire leasing public housing land. Fleshing out the numbers behind the rise of Black and Latinè homeownership rates since 2020. Carhartt "For the Love of Labor" program grants organization $255,000 to invest in women in skilled trades. FOIA Fest is this Saturday, the Chicago Headline Club signature training event. Joe Freshgoods opens store inside Michele Clark High School to reward good grades and doing community service work. 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 

Most people around the world are familiar with Chicago’s classic foods—Chicago-style hot dogs, deep dish or tavern style pizzas, and Italian beefs. But fewer people are familiar with sweet steaks, Jibaritos, and Akutagawa. Food writers Monica Eng and David Hammond want to change that with their new book “Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites.” They join host Jacoby Cochran to to share a little history, recipes, and places to grab some of the best Chicago foods!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 

For the last 20 years, Simeon Career Academy High School basketball has been one of the city’s most dominant sports programs. The team has produced dozens of high school, college, and NBA standouts, including Derrick Rose and Jabari Parker. Coach Robert Smith has led the Simeon Wolverines to eight city league titles and six IHSA state championships, including four in a row from 2009-2013. Chicago Tribune reporter Colleen Kane covered Simeon’s 2013 “like a pro team.” She went back recently and talked to some of those players now—10 years later—as this year’s Simeon squad heads back downstate to compete for another championship this weekend.Vote By Mail Application!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 

Geoffrey Baer has been showing off Chicago’s architecture and natural beauty for decades. First as a docent for the Chicago Architecture Center, and then as the host at WTTW. Baer is out with a new special premiering tonight called “The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago” He tells host Jacoby Cochran what makes a place beautiful to him, and which spots he learned about making this special."The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago" premieres Tuesday, March 7, on WTTW, Channel 11.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 

Next week, City Council is set to consider ordinances that would crack down on drivers parked in bus and bike lanes downtown and that would require the city to make safety improvements when it resurfaces roads. Making our streets safer and more accessible is going to be a huge task for the next mayor. CDOT Commissioner Gia Biagi tells host Jacoby Cochran what the city is doing now and what she hopes to see in the 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 

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown announced Wednesday he’s resigning effective March 16. Both mayoral runoff contenders Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson said on the campaign trail they would have replaced Brown if elected. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with lead producer Carrie Shepherd and producer Simone Alicea about other city agencies with vulnerable leaders, as well as how Tuesday’s election broke down by ward, local referenda with overwhelming support, and more people living in the Loop. Plus, the team shares some good news about beautiful places in Chicago and a local show to look forward to.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 

Starting Saturday, the Ukrainian National Museum will host workshops on how to write pysanky, also known as Ukrainian Easter eggs. The centuries old practice involves using beeswax, dyes, and real eggs to create elaborate works of art with deep meaning. Host Jacoby Cochran spoke with master pysanky writer Anna Chychula last year about the history of the art form and its cultural significance. This conversation was originally published April 13, 2022.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

City Cast Chicago is in you feed a little later this morning, so we could bring you the most up-to-date results of the 2023 municipal election. No mayoral candidate passed the 50% threshold needed to secure the seat, so we’re headed to a runoff in April. Some aldermanic races will also be decided then, but we have more on the two mayoral candidates who are moving forward and results from ward races that have been decided. For more results, check out 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