City Cast Chicago

On Wednesday, alderpeople authorized the city to spend $700,000 to buy a now-vacant Aldi in West Garfield Park. But it’s not yet clear if the city will actually acquire the property, if it will ensure a new grocer takes over, or how long it could take. While WTTW’s Heather Cherone was watching City Hall, she and her colleagues also launched a series looking at the history and present-day effects of segregation in Chicago. She talks about both of these stories with City Cast’s Jacoby Cochran and Simone Alicea. They also talk about the mask mandate ending Monday and share some cute animal stories, including one about otters in the Chicago River.Stories discussed:FIRSTHAND: Segregation — A Year-Long Exploration of Segregation in ChicagoCity Council Approves Plan to Buy Closed West Side Aldi (and check out our Wednesday conversation)Why Rogers Park Hare Krishnas Are Worried About Proposed DevelopmentChicago to Lift Indoor Mask, Vaccine Mandates Monday‘Hank the Tank’ Offers a Vision of a Better LifeRiver Otters Are Back in Chicago“Women of Soul” at Mercury TheaterFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Since 2017, a developer has been pushing for rezoning in Rogers Park so he can turn a 100-year-old vacant building at 1710 W. Lunt Ave. into a modern 20-unit housing complex, including four affordable housing units. Like with most construction projects happening across the city, neighbors have voiced concerns about the preservation of the building and decreased parking. However, on this block, the loudest opponents are the members of the Hare Krishna temple next door. The congregation says they are concerned about how this development would impact their religious practices. As 49th ward Ald. Maria Hadden decides on the future of this development, we sit down with Block Club Chicago reporter Joe Ward and Subal Dasa, one of the managing directors of the temple.Some good news: Black History Month events this week across the city!Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

There are currently no grocery stores operating in the West Garfield Park neighborhood. An Aldi that operated there for three decades suddenly boarded up their doors in October, and now the Save-A-Lot is temporarily closed after failing a health inspection. Losing a grocery store has big consequences for people living in the neighborhood. It means longer commutes, higher prices, and losing access to healthy foods. It means a community where the average life expectancy is 16 years lower than that of neighboring white, affluent communities is left even more vulnerable to malnutrition and illness. The city could step in to buy the vacant property and facilitate a new grocer coming into the neighborhood. Community members are demanding that whoever moves in be held accountable to its neighbors. WBEZ's Linda Lutton and Director of the Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative TJ Crawford join host Jacoby Cochran to discuss what’s next for West Garfield Park.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

The future of the Chicago Reader is in question. After years of money troubles and ownership changes, the 50-year-old paper is set to become a nonprofit to gain financial stability. But the transition has been delayed because of a dispute between the Reader’s current owners over its leadership. The Reader has been an essential part of Chicago’s media landscape — at one point, its classifieds were so coveted that people would steal copies from the printing press before they were distributed — and longtime journalist Mark Jacob argues the Reader’s owners should come to an agreement to save the storied paper. Jacob has written about the dispute and the Reader’s 50th anniversary, and he talks with host Jacoby Cochran about why the Reader is so important in Chicago.Guest: Mark Jacob — Freelance writer and editorFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or text us: (773) 780-0246

After years of being continuously delayed, the Southeast Side recycling permit decision is set to be officially announced in the coming days. Block Club Chicago reporter Maxwell Evans and WBEZ's Adora Namigadde sit down with host Jacoby Cochran to unpack the possible health and environmental effects of this decision. They also discuss vaccination views in the church, a proposed vacancy fraud bill, places they find peace in the Chi, and their moments of joy!  Stories we talked about:What happens when communal worship goes online? For some, it’s a chance to grow in faith.City Will Rule On Controversial Southeast Side Metal Scrapper’s Permit By End Of WeekThese COVID-19 treatments help patients avoid the hospital. Who’s getting them?Moments of Joy:Chicago Theatre Week 2022Pullman House Project Lets Visitors Explore Living Spaces Behind Industrial Powerhouse, From Workers’ Apartments To Pullman’s EstateAll-Star GameFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

In the early 1900s, Chin Foin’s restaurants helped popularize Chinese food among white Americans. Chicago’s King Yen Lo, King Joy Le, and The Mandarin Inn served an upscale version of what you would have found in the city’s chop suey joints along with American fare on white table linens while a performer sang opera in the background. Chin’s restaurants were popular among politicians, gangsters, and other Chicago elite. But in 1924, he fell down an elevator shaft and died. Chin’s death was ruled an accident, but granddaughter Nancy Wang questions that narrative. She tells Jacoby Cochran her grandfather’s story.Guest: Nancy Wang — Co-director, Eth-Noh-Tec TheaterWang’s play “Shadows and Secrets” explores her grandfather’s mysterious death. She’s working to put it up next year in San Francisco.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Two years into the pandemic, domestic violence cases continue to rise as victims are stuck at home with the people who harm them and are isolated from outside communities that may be able to offer help. Earlier this week, Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined advocates to remind domestic violence victims and survivors what resources are available to them. Amanda Pyron is executive director of The Network, which runs the state’s domestic violence hotline, provides training for advocates, and connects victims with resources. We talk to Pyron about the misconceptions around domestic violence and what resources are still needed.Guest: Amanda Pyron — Executive Director, The NetworkIllinois Domestic Violence Hotline: 877-863-6338 (877-TO END DV)There's also an option to Live Chat for help Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

While other kids were bringing turkey or bologna sandwiches to school, Boyede Sobitan was packing jollof rice with goat meat. Sobitan grew up in Uptown and suburban Dolton, and he remembers how difficult it was for his Nigerian mother to get the traditional ingredients she needed. Often it meant spending all day at specialty markets that were far from where they lived. That’s why Sobitan and his business partner Fola Dada created OjaExpress, a delivery app for ethnic foods. Lead producer Carrie Shepherd talks with Sobitan about how it works and why having access to your cultural food is so important.Guest: Boyede Sobitan—Co-founder, OjaExpressSome Good News: Funkytown Brewery and Grown Folks Stories at Haymarket Pub and BreweryFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

On this Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating love in Chicago. When we hiked with the couple behind the popular TikTok “Black People Outside,” we couldn’t get over how cute they are. Kam Stanton and Chevy Linear tell us how they got together. We also revisit our conversation with Dario Durham and Sara Faddah, who says doing the podcast “77 Flavors of Chicago” is like “tricking people into listening to us on date night.” But it’s not all about romantic love. Host Jacoby Cochran shares a love story about his family’s skating rink. Plus, we hear your Chicago love stories.Go back and listen to Kam and Chevy talk about raising the visibility of Black people in the outdoors and hear Sara and Dario talk more about their food traditions and visit Mikkey’s Grill in Avalon Park with Jacoby.Read Jacoby's story about his family's skating rink in "Storytellers' True Stories about Love."Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Governor JB Pritzker has announced that Illinois is on track to remove the statewide mask mandate by February 28. The Chicago Department of Public Health echoed the Gov’s message and said if COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to decrease the city could also drop the mandate at the end of the month. Lead Producer Carrie Shepherd, Producer Simone Alicea, and Host Jacoby Cochran break down the latest in the mask debate and, also discuss the absence of grocery stores in West Garfield Park, warming temperatures, and their moments of joy!Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm