City Cast Chicago

Will Mayor Johnson’s affordable housing plan make it through City Council this week? Do you need a Real ID before the May 7 deadline? What are some of Chicago’s biggest foods according to Block Club Chicago? Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran answer these questions and more.Good News: Jackson Park Cherry BlossomsWant some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this April 15 episode: Prolonlife.com/city – Use this link for 15% off Cozy Earth – Use code COZYCHICAGO for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The fight to regulate hemp-derived products like delta-8 and delta-9 has split state lawmakers and Chicago’s City Council. While some alders have pursued an outright ban, others want either the city or state to regulate the products. We break down the different approaches and hear from Alds. Marty Quinn in the 13th Ward and Bennet Lawson in the 44th Ward.Good news: White Sox “Jackie Robinson Day”Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this April 14 episode: Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% offBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

International students at several city and state universities have had their visas rescinded in recent weeks, the Chicago Defender is celebrating 120 years, and we're talking Chicago plays to see this weekend! Joining us from the Chicago Defender, publisher Dyanna Lewis and managing editor Tacuma Roeback.Good news: The Pillowman, Moulin Rouge, BUSTWant some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this April 11 episode:Navy PierBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago loves Lake Michigan (just see how many times it comes up on our list of 1,000 things we love about Chicago), but just how integral is the lakefront to the city’s existence? A new special from WTTW’s Geoffrey Baer airing Monday examines how Chicago’s lakefront came to be and explores some of the most interesting stories in and around the water. He talks with executive producer Simone Alicea about the most interesting places he has visited.Good news: Creating Justice 2025Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this April 10 episode:Navy PierBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Local Style Chips are a brand new homegrown snack paying homage to classic Chicago foods like the Italian beef, deep-dish pizza, and the Chicago hot dog. Host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro tested the new potato chips to find out if they’re any good, and they talked to Local Style founder Laura Gardner to learn why she thinks Chicago should take over the snack aisle.Plus, don’t forget to vote in the final round of our Ultimate Chicago Food Bracket. Which food is most iconic: Paczki or the Chicago hot dog?Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this April 9 episode:Navy PierBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Jury selection began this in the bribery trial of state Sen. Emil Jones III. Jones is accused of agreeing to help a red light camera company alter legislation in exchange for $5,000 and a job for his legislative intern. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss what makes this corruption trial different from others in recent memory. Plus, they talk about large severance packages going to departing leaders of the Chicago Housing Authority.If 80 more people become City Cast Chicago members by the end of April, we’ll release a special members-only episode of the team reading our list of 1,000 things we love about Chicago. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this April 8 episode:Navy PierBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The list of the Trump administration’s impacts on higher education in Chicago is long. Students are worried about financial aid, their immigration status, whether their research will be funded, and the future of free speech on campus. Not to mention Congressional investigations into institutions like Northwestern University. WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Kurian Philip and host Jacoby Cochran discuss the various threats facing Chicago-area colleges.Good news: Al Scorch’s Big Fantastical Residency – April Birthday Party!Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this April 7 episode:Navy PierBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The Chicago Teachers Union has a tentative contract agreement. What’s in it and what comes next? Helping us break down the details, WBEZ assistant managing editor Kate Grossman and Injustice Watch investigative reporter Kelly Garcia. Plus we are discussing major challenges navigating the city’s immigration courts, yet another congressional investigation for Northwestern, and Little Village’s latest storefront, “The Tamale Lady.”Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this April 4 episode: Bookshop.org - Get 15% off your next order with code CITYCASTBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Now that it’s spring, some of us may take the time to tidy up our homes. Host Jacoby Cochran talked to Sandy Spatz, a professional organizer based in Chicago to give us advice on how to sort through our clutter and reorganize our lives. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this April 3 episode: Bookshop.org - Get 15% off your next order with code CITYCASTBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Thin crust or tavern-style pizza recently won our Chicago food bracket debate that we aired to honor the “1,000 Things We Love About Chicago” list. Last year, host Jacoby Cochran, producer Michelle Navarro, and City Cast marketing director Caroline Patton gave their favorite spots and engaged in the eternal debate about which pizza style is the authentic Chicago style. Listeners can still vote for their favorite classic Chicago food. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this April 2 episode: Bookshop.org – Get 15% off your next order with code CITYCASTBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE