City Cast Chicago

Local and national advocacy organizations are suing ICE for illegal arrests, a coalition of Southeast Side neighbors is pushing back on Chicago’s future Quantum Campus, and we’ve got thoughts on Lolla’s lineup. Joining us to break it all down are Katrina Pham from Borderless Magazine and Maxwell Evans from Block Club Chicago. Plus, we’re dropping our 1000 things we love about Chicago on Monday, and we’ve got some live music to add to your calendars.Good News: JWF Amp’d Up Open Mic SeriesWant 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: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 21 episode: Moats Entertainment Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The White Sox are at home for Opening Day next week. But after last year’s record-breakingly awful performance, are they even worth the ticket price? In fact, watching any of Chicago’s mediocre-to-terrible professional sports teams may feel like an exercise in disappointment. Host Jacoby Cochran and social media manager Rick Homuth argue it’s still worth seeing live sports in Chicago … at least for some of the teams. 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: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 20th episode:Moats EntertainmentBabbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

More than half of Black-owned businesses on the South Side are food businesses, according to the Greater Chatham Initiative. The organization runs FoodLab Chicago, which has helped the likes of Brown Sugar Bakery, Lems BBQ, Majani and other South Side favorites grow. GCI executive director Nedra Fears tells host Jacoby Cochran how they’re creating a soul food district to build up the neighborhoods and get them the recognition they deserve. We’re also talking Tastee Rolls co-owner Angel Williams about her experience in the latest Food Lab cohort.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: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 19 episode: Moats Entertainment Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Bears fans have enjoyed a great start to free agency and are anticipating next month's NFL draft. Optimism is peaking for the 2025 season. However, one story that continues to haunt Bears fans is the future of Soldier Field. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran discuss the various options including a renewed sense of urgency from Arlington Heights leaders and a Bronzeville “hail Mary” location just a few miles south of Soldier Field. Plus, we discuss five years of COVID-19 and what we’d put in our 2025 Chicago time capsule. Good News: Eve L. Ewing and Jesse Hagopian in ConversationWant 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: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 18 episode: Moats Entertainment Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Walgreens recently announced its sale to a private equity firm, ending nearly a century of being a publicly traded company. Between that news and recent store closures: Is Walgreens in trouble? Crain’s health care reporter Katherine Davis is here with host Jacoby Cochran to break down the pharmacy chain’s latest moves and future prospects.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: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 17 episode: Moats Entertainment Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago and Illinois universities are responding to President Donald Trump’s threats of protest- and diversity-related funding cuts. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to WCIU TV host Brandon Pope and The Triibe reporter Tonia Hill to break down the week's top stories. The city council approved over $3 million in Chicago Police Department settlements, including $280,000 to an organizer who was assaulted by a police officer in 2020. Plus, CTA’s new frequent bus network plan launches next week, Woodson Regional Library is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the Bears are the undisputed offseason winners. Good News: Ravinia Summer Concerts Series LineupWant 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: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 14 episode:Paramount TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago was ranked at the top for cities with the worst driving experience. The 2024 report found that Chicagoans spend the most time in traffic and the most money on gas. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and Axios Chicago Carrie Shepherd talk about their biggest driving pet peeves and quiz themselves on the rules of the road. 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: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 13 episode:Paramount TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

We’re about halfway through Ramadan — the Muslim holy month marked by charity, spiritual reflection, and daily fasting. With some 350,000 Muslims estimated to call Chicago and Illinois home, we visited the Muslim Community Center in Old Irving Park for a community iftar. Iftar refers to the evening meal when fasts are broken each day. Last year, host Jacoby Cochran talked with lifelong member Amjad Quadri about what the mosque is serving up and how Ramadan is about more than fasting. Support MCC’s Annual Ramadan Project to help provide Iftar nightly to over 30 newly arrived families. 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: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 12 episode:Paramount TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Hackers stole information for more than 700,000 Chicago Public Schools students late last year, the district said Friday. While officials say sensitive information like social security numbers were not affected, host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss why the hack is so troubling. They also go over the results of Illinois’ new flag poll, and we’re hearing from listeners!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: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 11 episode:Paramount TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

After a near-collision at Midway just a couple weeks ago, and plane crashes in D.C. and Philly earlier this year, we know that anxieties around flying may be on the rise. That’s why we’re talking with DePaul professor Dr. Joe Schwieterman, an aviation expert and the author of “Terminal Town,” to find out if there’s really something going on here or if it’s just a lot of scary headlines.Good News: Celebrate 312 DayWant 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: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsor of this March 10th episode:Paramount TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE