City Cast Chicago

Animal shelters have struggled to find enough homes for all the dogs and cats that people got during the pandemic but then had to give up. But what about other pets, like birds, lizards, and snakes? That’s where Jessica Katz comes in. She runs the Chicagoland Exotic Animal Rescue out of her apartment in Andersonville. Producer Simone Alicea got to meet some of the animals Katz is helping find homes for.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

City Cast Chicago is bringing you a preview of another podcast, "Some of My Best Friends Are," from Pushkin Industries. Harvard professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad and journalist Ben Austen are friends, one Black and one white, who grew up together on the South Side of Chicago. On the podcast, Khalil and Ben, along with their guests, have critical conversations that are at once personal, political, and playful, about the absurdities and intricacies of race in America. In this preview, Khalil and Ben revisit the origins of their friendship during a live conversation at the 2022 Chicago Humanities Festival. Ben shares memories of his first job delivering bagels around Chicago, and Khalil speaks to when he first realized he had a Chicago accent. Above all, they connect with a hometown audience and discuss the hard work of studying and admiring a city that can be tough to love at times.

To get their new house in Rogers Park, Joe Bergantino and Ricky Gonzalez wrote the owner a letter promising to retain the house’s funky spirit. It’s known as the “Candyland House” because of its pink, yellow, teal, and white striped exterior and interior. Bergantino and Gonzalez have been renovating the house and documenting it on their Homos with Hammers Instagram. City Cast Chicago’s Carrie Shepherd took a tour this summer with the couple, and nearly a year after they bought it, Bergantino and Gonzalez give us an update on how things are going.Parts of this episode were originally published Aug. 3, 2022. Nominate City Cast Chicago for Best Podcast and Hey Chicago for Best Newsletter in the Reader’s Best of Chicago in the City Life category.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

The story of public housing in Chicago is often a one-sided narrative about deteriorating buildings, crime-ridden corridors, drug trafficking and public aid. But for the last 15 years, former Chicago Housing Authority residents and advocates have sought to shed light on the full stories of these once-vibrant communities by creating the National Public Housing Museum. Leaders recently broke ground, and the museum is slated to open next year at one of the former Jane Addams homes in Little Italy. We talk with Crystal Palmer, a former CHA resident and leader on the museum’s board, and Lisa Lee, the museum’s executive director, about what to expect. Nominate City Cast Chicago for Best Podcast and Hey Chicago for Best Newsletter in the Reader’s Best of Chicago 2022!Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

After months of speculation, U.S. Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is officially running for mayor of Chicago. Garcia notably announced his campaign on the 40th anniversary of Harold Washington, the city’s first Black mayor, launching his historic campaign for Chicago’s highest office. Joining host Jacoby Cochran are Block Club Chicago's Jamie Nesbitt Golden and WCIU TV host Brandon Pope. The trio also break down CPS’ ongoing food shortage, the agenda for CTA president Dorval Carter’s testimony before alders, and a play helping revitalize Pilsen’s APO Cultural Center. Plus, everyone’s going to see the newest entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever!" Are you going? And if so, are you dressing up like Jamie and Brandon? If you’ve got photos tag @CityCastChicago !Nominations are open for the Reader's 2022 Best of Chicago. 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

Election season can mean commercials and speeches full of fearmongering around crime, stereotypes about the South and West sides, and calling Chicago a hellhole. But it doesn’t just happen when there's an election. Freelance journalist Mark Braboy recently wrote for The Triibe about the growth of online hip-hop and culture blogs, and how Chicago misinformation has become some of their bread and butter.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Voters in Illinois headed to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots for local, state, and federal offices in midterm elections. The City Cast Chicago team recaps some key races including those for governor, Congress, and the state Supreme Court.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

As we await election results tonight, our eyes are likely to get pulled to big congressional, legislative, and gubernatorial races. But you’ll also want to keep an eye on the Illinois Supreme Court, where Democrats’ decades-long majority is at stake, and the attorney general’s race. From public safety to access to abortion, these offices have a lot of influence. WBEZ criminal justice reporter Shannon Heffernan breaks down the AG’s race, while Injustice Watch editor Jonah Newman explains how two suburban Supreme Court races could affect the state.Polls close tonight at 7 p.m. Check for your polling place.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Few people probably remember that in 2015, the Supreme Court’s decisions on same sex marriage and the Affordable Care Act, as well as the racist shooting rampage that killed nine African Americans at a Charleston church all happened within 10 days. Cody Keenan remembers. He was former President Barack Obama’s chief speechwriter, which meant he had to craft the right words for Obama to deliver. In his new book, “Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America,” Keenan details his struggle to write speeches about those events and outlines how he collaborated with the country’s first Black president. Remember, Election Day is tomorrow. Find your polling place or nearest drop box.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

It’s the last weekend before midterm elections, so of course we’ve got big names making the rounds. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are in Illinois, following visits this week from former president and first lady Barack and Michelle Obama. But it’s not just elections in the news: CTA president Dorval Carter said this week he will appear before the City Council after skipping a hearing in September. The City Cast Chicago podcast team talks about accountability at the transit agency, the latest on grocery mergers, and big changes for the Bears. Plus, host Jacoby Cochran, lead producer Carrie Shepherd, and producer Simone Alicea offer some advice for people new to Chicago.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246