City Cast Chicago

Frances Glessner Lee was from one of early Chicago’s most prominent families, living on one of the cities wealthiest blocks — Prairie Avenue, now a historic neighborhood in the South Loop. She also basically created forensic science. Lee created miniature death scenes that would help police better investigate crimes by considering all the different scenarios that could happen. And to say these recreations were detailed is an understatement. Lee would dress the corpses. The doorknobs and the keys for the doors actually worked. There was a tiny little mouse trap, and if a tiny little mouse had stepped on it, it would have actually gone off. In an unusual move for the time, Lee's parents educated her and her brother in the same way, preparing her to work in a male-dominated field. City Cast’s Simone Alicea learns more about Frances Glessner Lee from Glessner House executive director Bill Tyre ahead of a celebration of the mother of forensic science.Friday's celebration is sold out. But you can book tours at the Glessner House, where a recreation of one of Lee's models will now be available to see.Some Good News:Jurassic Park Concert at CSOTake our newsletter audience surveyFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

By 2030, Illinois could be home to 55,000 people over the age of 65 living without citizenship, according to a 2020 Rush University survey. Despite living in the country for decades and paying taxes, many undocumented seniors (two thirds of which are Mexican immigrants) lack access to federal social safety nets, public housing, and secure employment. According to the Chicago Tribune’s Laura Rodriguez Presa and Injustice Watch’s Carlos Ballesteros, “this generation of immigrants faces the prospect of having lived and died in the shadows.” We sit down with both journalists to understand the uphill battle for thousands of vulnerable older adults.Take our newsletter survey! (You could win $100)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or text us: (773) 780-0246

Chicago attorney Jay Edelson filed a lawsuit against Facebook in 2015, claiming the social media giant violated his client’s privacy, specifically Illinois’ biometric privacy law, considered one of the strictest in the country. Facebook settled the class-action lawsuit in February 2021 for $650 million, and that settlement was upheld in a federal court of appeals late last week. That means eligible Illinois residents could get a $397 check from Facebook in the next 60 days. Edelson explains the lawsuit, and how privacy laws continue to change.Wonder if you're an eligible claimant? Check here.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Gov. JB Pritzker’s stay-home order went into effect two years ago today. It’s been two years of change, uncertainty, and loss. Since City Cast Chicago launched last year, we’ve talked to public health leaders, teachers and parents, and business owners about how they’ve managed during the pandemic. We look back on some of those conversations, and we hear your stories about the early days of the pandemic.Thanks to all of our listeners who shared their stories. You can also go back and revisit our conversations with Dr. Allison Arwady, Chicago’s top public health official, a CPS teacher and a parent, and a restaurant manager.Here's where you can find the COVID-19 vaccine around the city.A little bit of news: The city is hosting a community meeting on public safety Wednesday at Chicago State University. There will be other meetings around the city over the next two weeks.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

We're doing a pod swap this week with our good friends at Block Club Chicago.In this episode, "It's All Good" host Jon Hansen and Block Club reporter Mack Liederman talk about the Grazianos, a family-run, generations-old wholesale business that sells sandwiches, beef kits, giardiniera and designer T-shirts. Now, the shop is enjoying its most profitable years ever.Take a listen then subscribe to "It's All Good."

As we celebrate one year of the City Cast Chicago podcast and newsletter, we are so excited to look back on another week in our favorite city. Block Club Chicago’s Atavia Reed and WBEZ’s Natalie Moore are showing Englewood some love today as we talk Natalie’s new play “The Billboard: A Play About Abortion” which is set at a “fictional Black women’s health clinic” in the neighborhood. And we recount Atavia’s visit to the Go Green Community Fresh Market, a new grocer finally serving the community after years of hard work. With spring around the corner, we are also dreaming about festival season. The trio hops around the city as we discuss some of our favorite music, literary and “green” festivals. Stories This Week:"The Billboard: A Play About Abortion"Newly Opened Go Green Community Fresh Market In Englewood Hailed As A ‘Milestone’ After Years Of WorkVersa reversal: ‘Women-powered’ Chicago festival canceledMajor traffic jams caused by Willie Wilson’s $200K gas giveawayChicago Festival and Event Guide

Last week, Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown, and CTA President Dorval Carter to announce a $71 million plan to increase security on trains and buses. That's the city’s response to increased reports of violence, unsanitary conditions, and smoking on the CTA. Reporter John Greenfield from Streetsblog Chicago rode the Red and Blue lines last weekend for 12 hours straight to document whether the CTA really did feel dirtier and less safe. He tells us what he saw.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

If you need snow shoveled in your neighborhood, a pothole filled, or rats cleared in your alley, you call 311. Since 1999, Chicagoans have been able to call 311 for non-emergency complaints and requests, and they’ve been calling. Chicagoans dial 311 more often per capita than any other major city. While some of the reasons people call aren’t surprising, Axios Chicago’s Monica Eng says 311 operators can be like residents’ own Google — you can call about anything from how to track a flight to how to buy a home. Monica crunched the numbers and she shares what Chicagoans complain about most.More about Chicago's 311Axios Chicago's story about 311There’s still time to tell us about the last normal thing you did in 2020 before COVID shutdowns. Leave us a voicemail at (773) 780-0246. Remember to tell us your name and neighborhood!Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

The Chicago Academy for the Arts is not like all schools. Students are immersed in their art, whether it’s theater, dance, or visual arts. It gives them a special connection with their teachers because they spend three hours each day with the teacher in their chosen discipline. And because the fields are so interactive, it made remote learning extra difficult. We talk to 15-year-old Lea Gassner and her teacher, Margy Stover, about the challenges of practicing art during the pandemic. We still want to hear your stories about what you were doing two years ago, as COVID shutdowns hit Chicago. Leave us a voicemail at (773) 780-0246. Remember to leave your name and neighborhood!Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Since the start of the pandemic, public health leaders have told us they’re following the data to make policy decisions, and that we should do the same. These decisions include everything from whether kids can do in-person learning, if we can eat indoors, and when or where we could travel. But for the average person, data can be confusing, or even misleading. Meet three Chicagoans who used their free time and skills to make public health data more accessible and understandable. Guests:Jakob Ondrey—CPS Covid TrackerCait Guerra — Businesses with Vax and Mask MandatesAnthony Moser—Better Data PortalSome Good News:Chicago Pi DayFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm