City Cast Chicago

Chicago City Council gave the Bally’s Casino its official stamp of approval, but will they do the same with a plan to bring NASCAR to Chicago? Plus, bigger fines for blocking bike lanes, and check if your Starbucks is open this morning. Several stores in the area are planning to strike starting Friday. And of course we’ve good news like a WWE show, a South Side art exhibit, and some holiday traditions to celebrate.What’s your New Year’s resolution? Leave us a voicemail at (773) 780-0246.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

In a joint statement published this week, Chicago’s daily newspapers, TV news stations, and online outlets pushed back on a city policy that blocks real-time access to police scanners. The Office of Emergency Management said encrypting transmissions on a 30-minute delay will “enhance officer safety and prevent suspects from gaining a tactical advantage by listening to live incidents and investigations.” Journalists say the delay interferes with their ability to warn the public about safety threats and blocks transparency and accountability of police. Chicago Sun-Times breaking news reporter Sophie Sherry tells host Jacoby Cochran how the encryption affects how efficiently and effectively she can inform the public.What’s your New Year’s resolution? Leave us a voicemail at (773) 780-0246 and we’ll include it in a future episode!Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

If your holiday travels take you through O’Hare International Airport, consider this list for places to eat and drink. Writer Matt Kirouac recently compiled the list of best restaurants at the airport for Thrillist. Lead producer Carrie Shepherd and Kirouac talk about how to stay fed and happy while you’re traveling. For a list of best places to eat at Chicago’s other airport, Midway, check out this issue of our Hey Chicago newsletter. Getting active? Relaxing more? What’s your New Year’s resolution? Leave us a voicemail at (773) 780-0246 and we’ll feature it in an upcoming episode. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

This time of year, publications are releasing their “Best Of” lists, and in Chicago, that often means: “Best Restaurants.” One place that may not be on the list is a sort of hidden gem that offers a fancy, affordable meal with excellent service and views of Millennium Park. The Dining Room is the teaching restaurant for students at Kendall College. City Cast Chicago talks to students and instructors at The Dining Room and tries the food.We're collecting YOUR New Year's resolutions to share on an upcoming episode! Leave a message at (773) 780-0246!Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Chicago’s tourism arm, Choose Chicago, has a goal of about 54 million visitors for 2023. That means leisure and business travelers pumping money into the economy. Choose Chicago President and CEO Lynn Osmond says the agency's goal is not just about driving tourism to the Loop, but the city is also focusing marketing efforts on getting tourists to the neighborhoods. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Osmond about those efforts.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

November’s general election saw the fourth-lowest midterm voter turnout in Illinois in 40 years. So what can we expect in Chicago’s municipal elections? Hooligan Magazine founder Rivka Yeker and Chicago Tribune reporter A.D. Quig talk with host Jacoby Cochran about that story and more, including upcoming sticker shock for COVID treatments and vaccines, potential job cuts at Howard Brown Health, and protections for gender-affirming healthcare. Plus, President Biden signs the Speak Out Act, and Rivka tells us about Hooligan Hangout.You have until noon today to nominate City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as best newsletter in the Chicago Reader's 2022 Best of Chicago. Find us under the City Life category.​​​​Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago​​Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm​​Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

We met up with Lincoln Square neighbor Gretchen Eng to discuss her favorite things to do, see, and eat in the North Side neighborhood.Gretchen's Recs:Spoon ThaiCafe SelmarieLuella’s Southern KitchenMiku SushiTaqueria el AsaderoJimmy’s PizzaGatherBistro CampagneGene’s Sausage Shop & DelicatessenMerz Apothecary Vom FassTimeless ToysNeighborlyOld Town School of Folk Music Banjo after Dark Jam at Borelli’s PizzaSquare Roots FestivalOktoberfestMaifestApple FestivalDANK HausA little bit of news: Today. the United Center is hosting Juice WRLD Day in honor of the late rapper. Check out our episode about Juice WRLD from earlier this year.Nominations for the Chicago Reader's Best of Chicago 2022 are due by noon tomorrow. Nominate City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter under the City Life category.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Dario Durham and Sara Faddah come from very different food traditions. Faddah is originally from Jordan, and cooks the Arab foods her grandmother made. Durham is a born and bred Chicagoan, and grew up on soul food. So when they started dating in 2019, they started exploring each other’s food cultures and building their own list of favorite dishes and restaurants as a couple. They then decided to eat at a restaurant in every community area for their podcast, 77 Flavors of Chicago. Dario and Sara have now been to all 77 community areas, and they update us on some of their favorite spots. 77 Flavors is having a live taping tomorrow night in North Lawndale to celebrate reaching all 77 community areas.This conversation was originally published July 15, 2021.Some good news: The 4th annual Love and Nappyness hair care drive is almost over. This is the last week to donate natural hair care, skin care, and hygiene products at one of their six drop-off locations.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Across Chicago, cars have crashed into cyclists in the bike lane more than 400 times between 2020-22, according to an investigation by the Illinois Answers Project and Block Club Chicago. So what can city and state officials do to make Chicago streets safer for cyclists? Kyle Lucas and Michael Podgers with Better Streets Chicago tell us four things that have to happen.A spokesperson from Mayor Lori Lightfoot's office told City Cast that Chicago is building nearly 40 miles of new bikeways per year, nearly twice as much as the previous mayoral administration. Safe cycling is part of CDOT's strategic plan, with a focus on protected bike lanes and other low-stress routes.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season three of “South Side” premieres Thursday on HBOMax. The comedy follows various characters — from workers at a rent-to-own store to wannabe rappers to cops — as they make their hustle on Chicago’s South Side. Creators Diallo Riddle (who plays Allen Gayle), Sultan Salahuddin (Simon), and Bashir Salahuddin (Officer Goodnight) tell host Jacoby Cochran about what inspired the show and how they stay true to the city to get the biggest laughs.You can see an advanced screening of the season three premiere of “South Side” tomorrow at DuSable Museum. Plus, Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle will be talking to WBEZ’s Sasha Ann-Simons.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246