City Cast Chicago

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said last month, "The pandemic has laid bare the many inequities that exist within our city, with food insecurity and historic disinvestment being among the most pressing.” That statement was part of the announcement of the city’s first ever Food Equity Policy Lead, Ruby Ferguson. Ferguson works at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, so she understands that food insecurity in Chicago existed long before the pandemic, with residents in some neighborhoods having to travel miles to find grocery stores or access to fresh produce. Ferguson tells host Jacoby Cochran that addressing these shortages is about more than just plopping a Whole Foods on the block. Guest: Ruby Ferguson – Food Equity Policy Lead, City of ChicagoRead more about Chicago's Food Equity Council, including a report outlining the scope of the problem.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Ald. Jim Gardiner from Chicago’s Northwest Side is, justifiably, getting heat for a series of leaked text messages in which he called colleagues sexist and inappropriate names and instructed staffers to withhold city services from constituents who were critical of Gardiner. City Bureau’s Bettina Chang and City Cast Chicago producer Simone Alicea dig into that story, as well as other city politics news like pay raises for aldermen and zoning laws that could mean more cannabis dispensaries. Plus, moments of joy!Guests:Bettina Chang—Co-founder and Editorial Director, City BureauSimone Alicea—Producer, City Cast ChicagoFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Equity issues continue to plague Illinois’ nascent cannabis industry. When state lawmakers legalized weed in 2019, they promised licenses and revenues would go to Black and brown communities hit hardest by the war on drugs. But cannabis remains dominated by white growers and sellers. And confusion remains, despite new legislation and a new round of dispensary license lotteries this summer. Chicago Sun-Times reporter Tom Schuba covers the marijuana industry. He explains the state of Illinois’ cannabis social equity program. Host Jacoby Cochran also talks to a social equity applicant who was recently awarded licenses for cultivation and infusion.Guests: Tom Schuba — Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times (@TomSchuba)Willie “JR” Fleming — Founder, Hemp for Hoods (@iamjrfleming)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

City leaders are quick to blame guns and gangs for shootings, but a new report shows CPD numbers don’t back up that narrative. The Trace, a digital publication covering guns and gun violence, found out of nearly 34,000 shootings in the last decade, only three in 10 were labeled “gang-related.” Reporter Lakeidra Chavis wrote "The Problems With Chicago’s Gang-Centric Narrative of Gun Violence" and she explains why this contradiction makes it hard to combat violence and how even defining what a gang is can be squishy.Guest: Lakeidra Chavis — Reporter, The Marshall ProjectMembers of Chicago's City Council will vote next week whether to take the largest raise in 15 years. Look up what your alderperson makes.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

The Pullman neighborhood is named after George Pullman, a giant in the railroad industry who built a company town where his employees could live, work, and shop. But the neighborhood’s history is about more than the man. It was the site of a strike that led to the creation of Labor Day and it was home to the country’s first African American union. This history is memorialized at the Pullman National Monument, which opened to the public last weekend. Host Jacoby Cochran got a look with superintendent Teri Gage and local historian Mike Shymanski.Guests: Teri Gage, Superintendent, Pullman National MonumentMike Shymanski, President, Historic Pullman FoundationFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

We’re breaking down the week’s news with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Evan Moore and Chicago’s favorite historian, Shermann “Dilla” Thomas. They talk with City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran about the city’s complicated history with gang and neighborhood divides, and how public officials continue to use it as a scapegoat for violence. Plus, Kanye’s mixed messages at the Donda listening event last week, and, of course, some good news to get us all through. Guests:Evan Moore-Reporter, Chicago Sun-TimesShermann "Dilla" Thomas-Chicago historianFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

The Chicago Children’s Choir started in 1956 in Hyde Park by a local Unitarian minister who wanted to give kids something to do, and teach them about serious music history. In its 65 years, more than 50,000 young people have performed with the choir, which has recorded with Chance the Rapper and performed for the Dalai Lama. After a year off the stage, these young singers are coming back to perform in person. We talk to artistic director Josephine Lee and alumna Sydni Hatley, who performs on the choir’s recent studio album. Guests:Josephine Lee, President and Artistic Director, Chicago Children's Choir (@childrenschoir)Sydni Hatley, Alumna, Chicago Children's ChoirFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Host Jacoby Cochran’s mom lives in the same house his grandparents bought in in 1966. Back then, they were one of the first Black families on the block. Jacoby learns more about the history of the block where he spent so much of his childhood, including why it’s called “Pill Hill.” Plus, in celebration of the first week of school for Chicago Public Schools, Jacoby connects with his favorite teacher from elementary school.**A version of these interviews was first published on City Cast Chicago May 7, 2021**Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Monday was the first day of school for Chicago Public Schools, marking the third school year during the COVID-19 pandemic. While some things have changed, like vaccinations for teachers and students older than 12, there are still many lingering questions: What’s the process if multiple students contract COVID? And how will the more than 2,000 students who rely on district buses get to school after dozens of drivers resigned last week? WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp has some answers to those questions, and we talk about first day jitters and excitements with 6th grade math teacher Norma Noriega.Guests: Norma Noriega, 6th Grade Math Teacher, Stevenson ElementarySarah Karp, Education Reporter, WBEZ (@SSKedreporter)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Chicago has been gaining a reputation for being a fairly good place for cyclists as the city adds new bike lanes, expands the Divvy bike share program, and offers free bike lessons. Chicago’s SAFE (Streets Are For Everybody) Ambassadors program held dozens of free lessons across the city throughout the summer. Host Jacoby Cochran headed to West Town for one of the final classes and spoke with program manager Shameka Turner. She tells us about the importance of bike safety, what it means to break down cycling stereotypes, and why she wants everyone to grab a helmet and take a ride! Guest: Shameka Turner, Program Manager, Chicago SAFE Ambassadors (@chicagosafe)Sign up for Tuesday evening’s bike riding lesson: https://forms.gle/XdB2SugfDtsNTjss7Find more cycling resources: https://chicagocompletestreets.org/***In an earlier version of the podcast, we included the incorrect date for Bike the Drive. It is on Sunday, Sept. 5.***Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm