City Cast Chicago

Being a new teacher is already a tough job. It gets even tougher when you’re starting out during a pandemic. That’s one reason the Illinois State Board of Education teamed up with state teachers unions in the fall to create a mentorship program for first-year teachers. As we approach the end of the school year, we check in with one of the program coordinators to hear how it’s going. Then we hear from a new teacher about how she’s navigating the pandemic. Both of them offer advice and share who their favorite teachers were.Guests: Louise Stomper, Coaching and Mentoring Coordinator, Illinois Education Association (@ieanea)Erica Conwell, Teacher, Grant-White Intermediate SchoolTeacher Appreciation Week ends soon. Tell us about your favorite teacher and where they taught you. Email it to us at chicago@citycast.fm.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

The Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History (TEAACH) Act would require public schools to include lessons about Asian American history, including the wrongful incarceration of Japanese Americans and the heroic service of Asian American military during World War II. The curriculum is based around the PBS series “Asian Americans.”Guest: Grace Pai, Director of Organizing, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (@gracekp3)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmPBS series: https://www.pbs.org/show/asian-americans/TEAACH Act: https://www.advancingjustice-chicago.org/teaach/Bill status: https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=376&GAID=16&GA=102&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=128327&SessionID=110Op-Ed by Grace Pai: https://educationpost.org/heres-why-we-need-asian-american-history-right-now/

Janice Jackson is resigning as CEO of Chicago Public Schools, effective June 30. She's been in the job nearly four years. Jackson joins other top CPS officials in leaving after a tumultuous year for the school district. WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp breaks down Jackson’s legacy and what these moves mean for schools, students and families.Guest: Sarah Karp, Education Reporter, WBEZ (@SSKedreporter)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

It’s been over a month since Chicago Police shot and killed 13-year-old Adam Toledo. And Chicagoans are contending with yet another video of police shooting 22-year-old Anthony Alverez. The recent shootings are prompting journalists to re-think how they cover these stories. To help with that, City Bureau’s Ellie Mejía is helping to gather input from the public through the organization’s “Public Newsroom” workshops.Guest: Ellie Mejía, Community Resource Organizer, City Bureau (@_elliemejia)Watch last week’s Public Newsroom: https://fb.watch/5enrbkVE01/ Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Thursday that Chicago is easing more pandemic restrictions and increasing capacity for indoor venues. Chicago’s restaurants have been in Phase 4, which means indoor tables up to six people and outdoor seating up to 10 people. The return of indoor dining should be welcome news to hospitality workers who were hit hard during the pandemic, but some restaurants are having trouble finding staff. We talk about “what’s happening with” the restaurant scene, including this week’s Bib Gourmand awards and Michelin stars. Guests:Ashok Selvam, Editor, Eater Chicago (@Shokdiesel)Josh Noel, Reporter, Chicago Tribune (@hopnotes)Chicago Michelin Guide: https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/illinois/restaurants/3-stars-michelin/2-stars-michelin/1-star-michelinFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Illinois is losing a seat in the U.S. House as a result of the 2020 Census. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to redistricting and political power. In addition to Congressional districts, officials are also redrawing state legislative districts and Chicago’s wards this year. Advocates like Syamala Krishnamsetty are pushing for redistricting reform, so people have more say in redrawing these political maps.Guest: Syamala Krishnamsetty, Advocacy Director, CHANGE Illinois (@syamalak)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm[More possible notes]

Fans are hoping this is the year for a Chicago Sky championship. The team’s roster is stacked with veterans like two-time MVP forward Candace Parker and rookies like point guard Shyla Heal from Australia’s professional basketball league. Sportswriter Chris Pennant covers the WNBA. He gives us a preview of the Sky’s season in the context of the league’s 25th anniversary.Guest: Chris Pennant, Contributor, The Next and WAAR (@kwandarykitten) Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Chicago is a theater town, but live stage productions have been virtually wiped out for more than a year. Theater critic Kerry Reid breaks down the ways artists have adapted, how theaters are emerging from the pandemic, and how the city’s theater scene may be permanently affected.Guest: Kerry Reid, Theater and Dance Editor, Chicago Reader (@kerryreid)Here are some of the projects and theaters Kerry mentions:The Neo-Futurist Theater (@theneofuturists)Interrobang’s “The Spin” (@interrobangtheatreproject)Northlight’s “Lettin’ the Good Times Roll” (@NorthlightThtr)Follow us on twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Chicago has more lead water service lines than any other American city. Lori Lightfoot is the first mayor to promise to remove the pipes, but seven months after announcing a plan, WBEZ’s Monica Eng reports no progress has been made. Eng has been following problems with lead in the city’s water for years. She breaks down how Chicago got to this point.Guest: Monica Eng, Curious City Reporter, WBEZ (@monicaeng)Learn more about the city’s lead pipe removal programs: https://www.leadsafechicago.org/lead-service-line-replacementWe love to shout out local businesses, and we want to hear your recommendations. Tell us about a place you love — a restaurant, a store, even a park — and we might mention them on the show. Send us an email at chicago@citycast.fm with the name of the place, where it's located, and why you love it. (But please, only send us places you love to frequent as a customer, not a business you own or work at.)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

This week, the city announced $60 million in grant funding to reignite Chicago’s arts scene after the pandemic. Chicago Tribune critic Chris Jones says it’s one of the largest infusions of cash from the city that he’s seen. Jones also broke the news this week that many laid-off staff at The Second City may not get their jobs back when the iconic comedy theater opens back up. Jones tells us why these moves are significant for Chicago’s arts community.Guest: Chris Jones, Chief Theater Critic, Chicago Tribune (@ChrisJonesTrib)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm