City Cast Chicago

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 

As you head to the polls today, we want to offer a little respite from all the political coverage. And what better way to chill out than with a little Chi music? The latest “Sense of Place” series from NPR’s “World Cafe” is all about Chicago. Over the 13-part series, hosts Raina Douris and Stephen Kallao talk about the city’s historic role in genres like gospel and industrial, and interview emerging local artists. They talk with producer Simone Alicea about how community and a DIY attitude make Chicago different from other big music cities.Save Chicago's Free Museum Days in Your Calendar!Jacoby's story "Rich City Skater" will play on the Moth Radio Hour on WBEZ 91.5 Thursday at 9pm and multiple times Saturday. Find out when it plays on your local radio station here!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: 773 780-0246Looking to advertise on City Cast Chicago? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at chicago.citycast.fm/advertise

Tomorrow, voters will choose who will run the city as they cast ballots for mayor and City Council. But aside from candidates’ plans and positions, we wanted to know why Chicago’s government has looked the same for the last century, with 50 alders representing 50 wards. William Howell is director of the Center for Effective Government at University of Chicago. He talks with host Jacoby Cochran about the trade-offs in our current system and why Chicagoans should care.Check out the center’s series with Crain’s about Chicago’s government “One City, 50 Wards.”Some news: The city treasurer’s office is hosting a virtual tax prep conversation at noon today.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've got something special for you this weekend. We're sharing the Weekly News Recap from our friends over at WBEZ's daily talk show "Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons." Every Friday, Sasha breaks down the biggest local stories with a panel of journalists, and this week, that panel included City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran. The WBEZ Recap is a great way to stay up to speed on the news that matters here in Chicago and the burbs. Take a listen!You can check out Reset six days a week wherever you get your podcasts, or tune in live between 11-1 every weekday on 91.5 FM, wbez.org or the WBEZ app. 

After months of campaigning, commercials, and forums, election day is Tuesday. But we’re wondering: Does the mayoral race have a true front-runner? We brought in two of WBEZ’s best hosts to tackle this question and more. Nerdette’s Greta Johnsen and Reset’s Sasha-Ann Simons are in the building to discuss election season, paid leave for Illinoisans, Black joy, and some more gooooood newwwws!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 

In a blow to Chicago comedy fans, HBO Max announced Tuesday that it would not pick up “South Side” for a fourth season. The show follows various characters — from workers at a rent-to-own store to wannabe rappers to cops — hustling on Chicago’s South Side. As we grieve the loss of this TV gem, we’re revisiting a conversation host Jacoby Cochran had with creators Diallo Riddle (who plays Allen Gayle), Sultan Salahuddin (Simon James), and Bashir Salahuddin (Officer Sandy Goodnight). They tell us how the show stays true to Chicago.This conversation was originally published Dec. 5, 2022.#SaveSouthSide PetitionSome good news: Don’t miss the last weekend of Black Restaurant Week and Chicago Theatre Week.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 

Police district councils are new on the ballot in next week’s municipal election. Voters in each of the city’s 22 police districts will select three councilors, who will work with communities on policing issues and nominate members to a citywide police oversight commission. The Triibe’s Jim Daley has been covering the councils and police oversight extensively. He spoke with host Jacoby Cochran about how the councils are supposed to work. Plus, we hear from an interim member of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability.Check out this voting guide to police district councils.This conversation was originally published Nov. 22, 2022.Tomorrow is the last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot. Check the Chicago Board of Elections site for info on that and any other voting questions. 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: 773 780-0246

Chicago’s municipal election is one week from today. So how are voters feeling about the biggest issues facing the city? Lead producer Carrie Shepherd and producer Simone Alicea headed to the Triibe’s ballot party on the Near West Side to talk to voters about their questions and concerns.Learn more about Chicago Votes and check out the Triibe’s voting guide.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: 773 780-0246

As the Chicago Bears closed on a $197 million property deal in Arlington Heights, Gov. JB Pritzker promised nearly $1 billion for students in his budget address Wednesday. Sun-Times education reporter Nader Issa joins City Cast Chicago’s Carrie Shepherd and Simone Alicea to talk about those stories plus: How communities are responding to a spike in after-school shootings, a study showing why Arab Americans should not be classified as “white” on the census, and how early early voting returns indicate good news for Chi’s voter turnout.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: 773 780-0246

When you ask about East Side, many Chicagoans will look at you quizzically and say, “What, like Lake Michigan?” But it’s so much more than that. Once a bustling industrial corridor, East Side and surrounding communities near the Indiana border have become a hub for environmental restoration and the city’s Mexican community. Maya Rodriguez’s family has been in the area for at least three generations. She and host Jacoby Cochran meet at Big Marsh Park to talk about things to eat, see, and do around the Southeast Side.Maya’s recs:Big Marsh Park (Check out Winter Fest on Saturday)Rowan ParkIndian Ridge MarshEdgars Grove/Wolf LakeCalumet BeachSoutheast Chicago Historical SocietySkyARTTacos El ReyLa CienegaChi BurgerbabiGina’s ChickenHienie’s Shrimp HouseWant 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 773 780-0246