City Cast Chicago

Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson most recently made headlines as the giver of free gas, but have you wondered where he gets his giveaway money? The story starts with a global, but Chicago-based company: McDonald’s. Wilson started as a custodian at a McDonald’s in 1970, moving up to manager, and eventually franchise owner, setting the stage for him to make his fortune. Even though not every McDonald’s franchise owner had the same success as Wilson, the company did try to entrench itself in Black America beginning in the late ’60s by offering franchise ownership. But those opportunities had strings attached and allowed the company to create a narrative about its involvement in civil rights that veers from the truth, according to historian Marcia Chatelain. Chatelain is a Chicago native and author of “Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America,” which won a 2021 Pulitzer Prize in History. She tells Jacoby how McDonald’s did it.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

The 2022 Bears schedule is now official, which means plenty of fans will be booking their flights across the country. But what's the best trip for every Chicago sports team? Jacoby Cochran was invited on CHGO Sports' latest episode of THE Chicago Sports Podcast to share his dream destinations. Subscribe to THE Chicago Sports Podcast at CHGO

City Cast producer Simone Alicea is in the host chair this week to dig into some top stories around Chicago. She’s joined by two of the hosts of one of her favorite podcasts, “Hello from the Magic Tavern,” an improvised comedy chat show set in a fantasy world. Arnie Niekamp plays a fictional version of himself who fell through a magical portal in Chicago, and Matt Young plays his wizard co-host. Some of the stories they get into this week are the big names on the new advisory board at The Second City and the return of iO after it was previously announced it was permanently closing. Also, new fish at the Shedd, COVID numbers back on the rise, and Simone, Arnie, and Matt’s moments of joy.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District was redrawn last year to include more of Chicago’s Northwest Side, including gentrifying neighborhoods like Logan Square and Avondale and longtime Latinx areas like Hermosa and Belmont Cragin, to western suburbs including Wheaton and Glen Ellyn. Two Democratic candidates have some name recognition as current office holders: Gilbert Villegas is 36th Ward alderman, and Delia Ramirez is the 4th District state representative. We talk to WBEZ politics reporter Mariah Woelfel about the issues each candidate is focusing on and what she’s hearing from voters ahead of the June 28 primary.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has tapped Bally’s to be the first and only casino operator in Chicago. The decision still needs full City Council approval. The Bally brand actually started here in Chicago 90 years ago as part of a company called Lion Manufacturing, and they created an early pinball game called Ballyhoo. The company expanded to slot machines, arcade games, and eventually even amusement parks and gyms (remember Bally’s Total Fitness?) Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Tommy Henry from the Chicago History Podcast about Bally’s start here, and its significant role in gaming. There's a community town hall at 7 p.m. Thursday at the UIC Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum. It will also be livestreamed,Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

The reigning WNBA Champion Chicago Sky began the 2022 season last Friday at home against the LA Sparks. Like most of the WNBA, the Sky are not yet at full strength with last season’s Finals MVP Kahleah Copper still playing overseas. The Sky were in a position to win the game but lost 98-91 in overtime. Don’t worry though it’s just one game with a long road ahead. Host Jacoby Cochran sat down with CHGO Sky Podcast co-host Janice Scurio to review the offseason and preview the 2022 season. And of course we ask Janice, can the Sky become the first back-to-back WNBA Champs in twenty years?Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Chicago Public Schools’ enrollment has dropped by more than 100,000 students in the last twenty years. And in Chicago, fewer students mean less money for a school. While the median school will see an increase of about $80,000 dollars next year, the 2022-2023 budget proposal has 40% of schools losing an average of $220,000 dollars, mostly in Black and brown neighborhoods. Despite cuts, district CEO Pedro Martinez calls this budget, “CPS’s most equitable ever,” claiming many schools will see investments in new teachers, smaller class sizes, and more support staff. As some parents, principals, and teachers say these cuts continue a vicious cycle of disinvestment in neighborhood schools, we sit down with Pedro Martinez to address ongoing concerns.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Earlier this week, a leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court’s conservative majority signaled the end of Roe v. Wade. Even as Illinois has strengthened its access to abortion care, Chicago’s reproductive justice activists are scared of what the impending decision will mean for women here and across the country. Block Club Chicago reporter covering Logan Square, Humboldt Park and Avondale Mina Bloom, and WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith join host Jacoby Cochran to react to that big news, as well as Bally’s getting closer to operating the city’s first casino, recent fires at homeless encampments in Avondale and Uptown, and Friday’s season opener at Wintrust Arena for the the reigning WNBA champion Chicago Sky. Other stories discussed:New research detects the most likely criminal ‘crews’ inside CPDLogan Square farmers market opens SundayJacoby will be on the Album Rebrews podcast to review Saba's latest album "Few Good Things"Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Gospel music has roots in southern spirituals during slavery and migrated north during the Great Migration in the early 1900s. Chicago has staked its claim as the birthplace of modern gospel thanks to Bronzeville’s Pilgrim Baptist Church and Thomas Dorsey, its choir director for 50 years. In the 1930s, Dorsey blended the style and chords of blues music with the praise and worship of traditional gospel hymns, and iconic singers like Mahalia Jackson took the sound global. We talk with writer and producer Stacy Robinson about the new WTTW documentary “Birth of Gospel” and Chicago’s place in music history. It will premiere Friday at 8 p.m.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Reproductive rights activists in Chicago are kicking into high gear after a draft majority opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court was leaked this week. In the opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, the court’s conservative majority signals it will soon overturn Roe v. Wade. Chicago Abortion Fund head Megan Jeyifo says activists have been sounding the alarm and preparing for this for years. Even though Illinois has laws on the books to protect the right to get an abortion if/when Roe is overturned, Jeyifo tells host Jacoby Cochran how her organization is gearing up to help more people, especially those seeking abortion care from other states.Chicago Abortion Fund-A-ThonFor more ways to support reproductive justice in Illinois, check out our daily newsletter.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246