City Cast Chicago

Lollapalooza is back in Chicago this weekend. Since it landed in the city in 2005, Lollapalooza has gone from a smaller, two-day fest in Grant Park to a full-on, multi-day takeover of the Loop, the CTA, and other neighborhoods. New reporting from the Chicago Tribune shows the festival is not leaving anytime soon because of a contract extension negotiated in secret. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Tribune reporters Tracy Swartz and A.D. Quig.We reached out to the park district to ask if there was any public involvement in the contract extension negotiations. They sent us this statement:"The Chicago Park District’s new leadership is committed to expanding community engagement. We plan to continue our discussions with local elected officials and the neighboring community regarding the future of Lollapalooza. For weeks we have worked with the city, community stakeholders, and Lollapalooza organizers to address issues and concerns raised by the community such as noise levels and site conditions.Celebrating its 18th year in our city, the festival has become a Chicago tradition. The Chicago Park District and C3 Presents, the organizers of Lollapalooza, are engaged in negotiations and we are hopeful that we will have an agreement in the near future that takes Lollapalooza well beyond 2022."Some Good News:Fiesta Del SolFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Since the monkeypox outbreak started this spring, there have been more than 200 cases in Illinois, according to the CDC, and 197 in Chicago, according to the Chicago Dept. of Public Health. Vaccines are being rolled out, but it’s a slow and confusing process for patients — and health professionals worry the city isn’t doing enough. Host Jacoby Cochran speaks to Dr. Daniel Berger, who runs Northstar Medical Center in Lincoln Park, which is focused on Chicago’s gay community. Dr. Berger is seeing scary similarities to the start of the AIDS crisis in terms of lack of information, stigmatization, and access to treatment. He explains. Plus, we from Aaron Gettinger about his experience with monkeypox. Register for CDPH's Get the Fax: MonkeypoxChicago monkeypox update: July 22, 2022Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Yes, everyone has their Chicago critiques about “The Bear,” the FX on Hulu show about a celebrated chef who returns to his hometown to run his family’s Italian beef joint in River North. One thing that stood out was in episode two when the Chicago Health Department awards The Original Beef of Chicagoland a “C” grade for various health violations in the kitchen. Well, that’s not really how it works here. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to longtime health reporter Monica Eng from Axios Chicago about how it does work. Monica has gone on health inspections with sanitarians, investigated some shady behavior by sanitarians, and reported on how even the most well-regarded restaurants in the world break the rules.Today is the last day to enter to win school supplies for an entire school!The Chicago Underground Film Festival is back at Logan Theatre (Wed-Sun) .Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

You can now apply to get a free bicycle next month through the Bike Chicago program, and the city is adding concrete barriers around miles of bike lanes. While bike and pedestrian advocates applaud these moves, the deaths of four children on bikes and scooters this year show more needs to be done. In addition to pushing for more protections, one way to stay safer on a bike could be a lesson to learn the rules of the road. We’re revisiting our bike lesson from last summer with Shameka Turner, who manages Chicago’s SAFE (Streets Are For Everybody) Ambassadors program. Turner tells host Jacoby Cochran about the importance of bike safety, what it means to break down cycling stereotypes, and why she wants everyone to grab a helmet and take a ride.This episode was originally published Aug. 30, 2021.Bike lessons are available again this summer through mid-September.Need something to try this weekend? Check out our Summertime Chi Bucket List.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

The Art Institute of Chicago lions went away recently to get a cleaning, but they’re back this week at their usual perch in front of the museum. The lions, plus the summer heat, had City Cast Chicago thinking about some ways to stay cool and enjoy some art. Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Carrie Shepherd have some recommendations in the city and the suburbs.Jacoby’s Picks: Remaking the Exceptional: Tea, Torture, and Reparations | Chicago to Guantánamo at DePaul Museum of Art through Aug. 7 The Art of the Brick  at the Museum of Science and Industry through Sep. 22 Roman Villareal: South Chicago Legacies at Intuit: The Center of Intuitive and Outsider Art through Jan. 8 Carrie’s Picks: Rirkrit Tiravanija: (who’s afraid of red, yellow, and green) at Wrightwood 659 through July 30 Raul Ortiz: More is More at Elmhurst Art Museum through Aug. 14 Beyond the Frame at the Museum of Contemporary Photography through Oct. 30 Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

The Chicago Red Stars are ranked third in the NWSL, and the team’s been rebuilding after some players and the coach left last season following allegations of abuse across the league. It’s a young team and Claire Watkins says this season’s success is a “pleasant surprise” and that they're looking to the future. Watkins hosts a podcast about the Red Stars and writes for Just Women Sports. She breaks down the Chicago Red Stars with host Jacoby Cochran.Take our Summertime Chi Bucket List ChallengeFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

If you’re not following our professional women’s sports teams here in Chicago, we feel a little sorry for you. The Sky are ranked No. 1 in the WNBA and have won nine of their last ten games. And the Red Stars just came off a nine-match unbeaten streak and are third in the NWSL. Remember, both teams played for their respective championships last season with the Sky bringing home the team’s first ever WNBA title. Now, both are on track for another deep playoff run. Each team has battled hurdles off the field, including fighting for equal pay as the men’s teams and leadership changes after accusations of abuse and harassment. And women players continue to speak out against social injustice. Today, Chicago Sun-Times reporter Annie Costabile takes us inside this season of the Sky, and Wednesday Claire Watkins from CHGO and Just Women Sports talks Red Stars. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Ecologists have been warning about Asian Carp for decades. The invasive species has infiltrated our waterways and threatens the Great Lakes ecosystem. One way to get them out? Eat them. That’s why Illinois officials have renamed the fish “Copi,” which comes from its copious numbers. The goal is to make it more palatable, but does the fish actually taste good? The City Cast team cooks up some Copi burgers, and producer Simone Alicea talks with Lincoln Park fishmonger Dirk Fucik about whether he thinks the name change will make a difference in our ecology.Here are some other places you can find Copi to eat. Did you know eating Copi is on our Summertime Chi Bucket List challenge? If you do it, let us know by filling out the form and tagging us on social media using #CityCastSummer. Plus, if you do the most items this summer, you could win some City Cast swag!Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Chicago’s $31 million dollar basic income pilot will 5,000 families $500 a month for the next year. The first checks started arriving this week. We talk with freelance journalist Natalie Frazier and Xavier Ramey, CEO of social impact consulting firm Justice Informed, about the impact this program will have for participants. We also discuss a report outlining how the public wants the city to make Chicago safer, ongoing problems at the Department of Children and Family Services, Mohawk Johnson’s two years on electronic monitoring, and how Chicago was voted second-best city in the world by Time Out. Stick around for Some Gooood Newwsss to get you through the weekend!It’s a good weekend to get out and try something on our Summertime Chi bucket list. Complete the most items this summer, and you could win City Cast swag! Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

City Cast loves talking about things to do in and around Chicago. I mean have you seen our great Summertime Chi bucket list? But sometimes it’s nice to get out of the city and get a quick change in scenery to rest and reset. Luckily, we have plenty of options for day and weekend trips around the Midwest. So where should you go? Thrillist’s Meredith Heil gives host Jacoby Cochran a few recommendations, and we hear some suggestions from City Cast readers.And remember to keep tagging us on social media in your bucket list adventures #CityCastSummer @CityCastChicago. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246