City Cast Chicago

While many of us are just trying to get through the rest of 2021, Mayor Lori Lightfoot spent the week before the holiday making promises to combat the two most pressing issues facing Chicago: The omicron surge and violent crime. On Monday, she gave a 40-minute speech outlining her public safety plans, spanning everything from suing gangs, cracking down on electronic monitoring, and bringing in more federal help. The next day, the mayor announced the city will require people 5 and older to provide proof of vaccination to dine indoors, work out in gyms, and visit other indoor entertainment venues, starting in the new year. Block Club Chicago’s Kelly Bauer has been following these announcements, and she joins us to break them down.Guest: Kelly Bauer—Breaking news editor, Block Club ChicagoFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

The City Cast Chicago team are all very vocal cold weather haters. And while we have been spared so far this year from the bone-chilling temps, wind that pierces our souls, and ice that turns our sidewalks into skating rinks, it's sure to come soon. We’ve learned there are people who don’t just tolerate the cold, but LIKE it. Producer Simone Alicea takes a stroll with one of these cold weather lovers.Guests:Erin Vickers — City Cast listenerBrian Leatherwood — Meteorologist, National Weather Service ChicagoFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

For more than 40 years, “Bozo’s Circus” was a daily, and later, weekly presence on the televisions of kids and their parents. And in Chicago, we really claimed Bozo, Cookie and his friends as our own because the show taped at WGN studios. But, Bozo didn’t originate here, and other cities even had their OWN Bozos. But, ours was the best. The show has been off the air since 2001, but actor—and native Evanstonian—David Arquette recently purchased the rights to Bozo, and says he wants to bring the clown that brought him so much joy back to Chicago. We talk about the history of Bozo the Clown, and hear what made it so special. Guest:Mike Toomey—WGN TV announcer and Bozo fan **Karaoke Storytellers on Sunday was POSTPONED. We'll keep you posted on the new date.**Links:David Arquette talks to WGN about buying rights to BozoFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Injustice Watch senior reporter Maya Dukmasova and Chicago Reader culture editor Salem Collo-Julin join host Jacoby Cochran to look back on a few stories from the week, including one judge’s obsession with an alcohol monitoring bracelet called SCRAM, the ongoing fallout after tornadoes tore across the Midwest over the weekend, and, oh, did anyone check out the Cook County Democrats’ endorsements? No, not the big ones, but the down-ballot races. Plus, learn the team’s go-to Karaoke Songs!  Guests:Maya Dukmasova—Sr. Reporter, Injustice WatchSalem Collo-Julin—Culture Editor, Chicago ReaderDon't Forget! This Sunday at 7 p.m., City Cast Chicago will be at Schuba's Tavern for Karaoke Storytellers, hosted by Jacoby Cochran. Get your tickets! Vax required!Stories discussed:Cook County Judge Vazquez’s heavy use of sobriety monitor highlights oversight gapsTornadoes ripped the roof off American capitalism Democrats endorsed for Cook County judge are diverse, experienced — and loyalNeo: Where Misfits Fit inOne Degree Hotter: How Megan Thee Stallion Made Good on Her Promise to Graduate CollegeFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

In the early 1960s, Gloria Allen, aka Mama Gloria, was ridiculed by teachers and fellow students at Englewood High School for being a “sissy.” Allen says no one knew back then what being transgender meant. But she always knew she was a girl, and with the support of her mother, grandmother, and some neighbors, Allen was able to embrace who she really was. Living that authentic life is what helped her when she experienced traumatic sexual violence. “Mama Gloria,” streaming now on PBS, is a documentary of Allen’s life in Chicago, including attending “Sissy Balls” in the 1960s and starting a charm school for young people. Allen talks to host Jacoby Cochran about the continued fight for transgender rights.**Warning: This episode includes descriptions of sexual violence**Some good news: Matt Muse and Jamila Woods are hosting a benefit concert Friday at The Metro for his “Love and Nappyness” hair care drive. Here’s where to drop off hygiene products.And there’s still time to sign up for our newsletter for a chance to win two tickets to Karaoke Storytellers at Schuba’s Tavern on Sunday!Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Music is known as a therapeutic tool, but usually that conjures up thoughts of soothing sounds, learning to play an instrument, or writing song lyrics as a form of expression. But for many people, it also includes popping into a local karaoke bar, signing up for the song you want to sing, making friends with regulars who also sing, feeling vulnerable, finding community, and building routine. This culture was the inspiration for Karaoke Storytellers, an event where performers tell a story, then sing a song connected to that story. We talk with David Johnson, a military veteran who used karaoke as a way to build connection and purpose after his final tour of duty. Johnson, who’s performed with Karaoke Storytellers in the past, explains how karaoke helped him share his story.Sign up for our newsletter for a chance to win two tickets to Karaoke Storytellers at Schuba’s Tavern on Sunday, hosted by Jacoby Cochran. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Each year, tens of thousands of super fans, aka cosplayers, head to McCormick Place Convention Center to celebrate their shared love of Star Wars, Marvel Comics, and all sorts of characters that dominate spheres of pop culture. Since the pandemic shut down gatherings and conventions, participating in those communities has been limited to online, and has left past attendees feeling lonely and isolated. Last weekend, with limited capacity and vaccination required, CE2E was held in person at McCormick Place.City Cast Chicago’s Jacoby Cochran and Simone Alicea headed to C2E2 to talk to attendees about what returning in person meant for their sense of community, and how safe they felt.  Sign up for our newsletter for a chance to win 2 tickets to Karaoke Storytellers at Schuba's Tavern on Sunday, hosted by Jacoby Cochran.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

The Second City. Windy City. The City of Big Shoulders. Chicago is known by many names. “We matter so much to the country, people always talking about us,” says Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, aka The TikTok Historian. Dilla talks about the history of some of these nicknames with host Jacoby Cochran, and they discuss what these monikers say about the city. Plus, Dilla just can’t help but drop a few other Chicago history facts.Nominate City Cast Chicago as “Best Podcast” and “Best Newsletter” in Chicago Reader’s Best of Chicago 2021!Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Jussie Smollett was found guilty Thursday evening of falsely reporting to police that he was a victim of a hate crime in January 2019. It’s been nearly three years of conflicting stories and political rancor leading up to the jury’s decision, after the former “Empire” actor said he was attacked outside his Streeterville apartment, and police later accused Smollett of staging the crime. The City Cast team looks back on what morphed into a convoluted and public debate over whether it was all a hoax. Jacoby Cochran, Carrie Shepherd, and Simone Alicea relive the twists and turns of the case while trying understand why (or if) we should care about it.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Journalist Michael J. O'Loughlin is gay and Catholic, and his latest book explores the intersection of those two worlds. “Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear” profiles church members who were behind scenes caring for people with HIV and AIDS, even as the institutional church denounced these individuals. Some of these nuns and priests were the only ones caring for patients who were abandoned by family and friends. City Cast Chicago’s Simone Alicea talks to O’Loughlin about how his personal faith journey brought him to this story. Guest: Michael O’Loughlin — National Correspondent, America MagazineO’Loughlin is speaking about the book on Dec. 10 at the Catholic Theological Union. You can attend virtually or in person.Illinois’ weed tax windfall tops $560 million. Here’s where the money goes and more stories in our newsletter.Some good news: Wrigleyville Wonderland!Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm