City Cast Chicago

In 2000, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley unveiled the “Plan for Transformation,” a decade-long initiative that demolished Chicago’s public highrises, overhauled the city's public housing system, and displaced thousands of Chicagoans. Author Natalie Moore and investigative reporter Mick Dumke have both covered the legacy of the Plan for Transformation and tracked the city’s claims about its overall success. We ask them both, how successful was the ‘Plan for Transformation, and how many of its lofty promises have gone unrealized to this day.   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 Aug. 25 episode: Overlook Maps Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation North Shore Center for the Performing Arts  Paramount Theatre Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

As Chicago Public Schools return for the 2025-2026 school year, major questions remain, like the future of the CPS budget gap, protections for immigrant students, and the relationship between the governor and district leaders. WBEZ Education reporter Sarah Karp and freelance journalist Brandon Pope are here to break down the pressing challenges facing CPS. Plus, the US attorney general increases threats towards Chicago, Chance drops his latest album Star Line, and we’ve got more pizza love to share. Good News: Bulls Fest, Creative Mornings Chicago 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 Aug. 22 episode: Overlook Maps Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation Broadway in Chicago Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The city’s House Music Festival and Conference is back, which means it’s time for a dance break. We’re revisiting a conversation we had in 2022 with the co-hosts of WNUR’s Vintage House Show, DJ Lori Branch and archivist Lauren Lowery, about the roots of house music, the legacy of the now-landmarked Warehouse, and modern reinterpretations of the genre. If you enjoyed today's interview with 2025 President of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, Erika Villegas, learn more here. 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 Aug. 21 episode: Overlook Maps Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation Broadway in Chicago Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Steve Dolinsky made his name as ABC7’s “Hungry Hound” before retiring as NBC5’s “The Food Guy” earlier this year. This weekend, he’s bringing Pizza City Fest back to Chicago after a disastrous run two years ago. Dolinsky tells host Jacoby Cochran what’s new this year and hesitates to say if Chicago is still the country’s greatest pizza town. Plus, we get his takes on some other iconic Chicago foods. 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 Aug. 20 episode: Overlook Maps Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation Broadway in Chicago Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Heavy rain over the weekend left thousands without power while streets, highways and basements continued to deal with flooding. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss an effort to install new flood detection systems across the city. Plus, we’re covering the latest stadium news for the Fire and Bears, and exploring Chicago's coolest car collection.  Good News: Chicago Sky and Chicago Stars  We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Chicago swag. 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 Aug. 19 episode: Overlook Maps Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation Broadway in Chicago Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Our city, our schools, and our transit system are all in a budget crisis. University of Chicago professor and director of the Center for Municipal Finance, Justin Marlowe, tells host Jacoby Cochran why Chicago’s public institutions are all feeling financial pressure and where these structural deficits come from. We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Chicago swag. 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 Aug. 18 episode: Overlook Maps Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

After growing concern and anxiety about how Chicago Public Schools would close a $700 million deficit before the end of August, we finally got our first look at the district’s 2026 budget proposal. We are breaking down the key points with author and professor Arionne Nettles and Block Club Chicago’s Atavia Reed. Plus, will the Uptown Theatre ever get new life? Why is Illinois lowering standardized testing requirements? And, where can you get some of the city’s best watermelon?  We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Chicago swag. 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 Aug. 15 episode: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Babbel — Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Window Nation Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

We’re midway through August. School’s starting next week. Maybe you feel like summertime Chi is winding down. But not so fast, our host Jacoby Cochran and Hey Chicago newsletter editor Emmi Mack are describing their most Chicago day. Wanna see these spots on a map? Check out our list on Overlook. 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 Aug. 14 episode: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Babbel — Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Window Nation Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Local Style Chips is a homegrown snack that pays homage to classic Chicago foods, such as Italian beef, deep-dish pizza, and the Chicago hot dog. Earlier this year, host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro tested the potato chips when they started to hit Chicago shelves to find out if they’re any good. They talked to Local Style founder Laura Gardner to learn why she thinks Chicago should take over the snack aisle. Good News: Chicago Humanities Festival Fall Tickets and Chicago Mural Fest 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 Aug.13 episode: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Babbel – Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Window Nation Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Dozens of democratic legislators from Texas have been in Illinois protesting a GOP-led attempt to redistrict Texas’ Congressional map. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran discuss the latest. Plus, we’re reviewing the updated Chicago public pools calendar and the “Man in the Bean” viral campaign. Good News: XL Fest 25 We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Chicago swag. 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 Aug. 12 episode: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Babbel — Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Window Nation Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE