City Cast Chicago

April in Chicago means winter is finally over … right? The weather may not always seem like it, but it’s warm and sunny in the hearts of host Jacoby Cochran, digital creator Jenny LeFlore, aka Mama Fresh, and Gretagram newsletter writer Greta Johnsen. They’re here with the best events happening this month, tips for avoiding street sweeping tickets, and the bites they’re most looking forward to eating.If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Chicago community.For even more tips on how to make the most of April in Chicago, check out Hey Chicago’s take on what to do this month.City Cast Chicago’s guide to April is made possible by our awesome sponsors, Bookshop.org (get 15% off your next order with code CITYCAST) and Moats Entertainment. City Cast Chicago is also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more about how to become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Reach us at chicago@citycast.fm

Peacekeeping is a proven way to maintain a safe and secure Chicago. Host Jacoby Cochran talked with Damien Morris, chief program officer of violence prevention at Breakthrough who works to build and sustain community relationships as a peacekeeper. Damien tells us what it’s like to connect with families who've been impacted by violence while trying to prevent other families from going through the same thing. Damien Morris was recently featured in a documentary for WTTW’s FIRSTHAND: Peacekeepers series. 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 March 31 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

How many traffic stops did the Chicago Police Department report and not report last year? Plus, Mayor Brandon Johnson has days left to figure out who is covering a $175 million pension bill, the city clerk is waiving city sticker late fees in April, and Chicago’s newest museum is worth stopping by. Joining us to break it all down, professor Arionne Nettles and WTTW’s Heather Cherone, who are also adding their picks to our 1,000 things we love about Chicago.Good News: Trans Day of Visibility Pop-Up Closet   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 March 28 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

All week long you have heard us talk about our favorites from our list of 1,000 things we love about Chicago. But it’s not just things we at City Cast love. Today we’re hearing from listeners, guests, and Chicagoans on some of the things they love most about Chicago.Good News: Syd’s Skate ClassWant 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 March 27 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

Chicago is home to many iconic foods — that’s why it’s the largest category in our list of 1,000 things we love about Chicago. But which of these foods is our favorite? And which is the most Chicago? Readers voted in the first round of our ultimate Chicago food bracket, and the City Cast team is here with the rest of their picks. Follow along and vote in the second round!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 March 26 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

The Regional Transit Authority, which oversees CTA, Metra, and Pace, put out an alarming forecast of service cuts if the state fails to close a $770 million budget gap for next year. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea go through this “doomsday” scenario. They’re also discussing the latest on negotiations between Chicago Public Schools and the teachers union, including a delayed budget amendment vote. Plus, they’re sharing some of their favorites from 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 March 25 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

We have learned a lot about this city over the last 1,000 episodes, but what about you? We’ve invited two listeners — in fact, City Cast Chicago members — to test their knowledge as host Jacoby Cochran leads a game show-style quiz inspired by our list of 1,000 things we love about Chicago. Follow along and take the quiz yourself.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 March 24 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

Local and national advocacy organizations are suing ICE for illegal arrests, a coalition of Southeast Side neighbors is pushing back on Chicago’s future Quantum Campus, and we’ve got thoughts on Lolla’s lineup. Joining us to break it all down are Katrina Pham from Borderless Magazine and Maxwell Evans from Block Club Chicago. Plus, we’re dropping our 1000 things we love about Chicago on Monday, and we’ve got some live music to add to your calendars.Good News: JWF Amp’d Up Open Mic SeriesWant 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 March 21 episode: Moats Entertainment Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The White Sox are at home for Opening Day next week. But after last year’s record-breakingly awful performance, are they even worth the ticket price? In fact, watching any of Chicago’s mediocre-to-terrible professional sports teams may feel like an exercise in disappointment. Host Jacoby Cochran and social media manager Rick Homuth argue it’s still worth seeing live sports in Chicago … at least for some of the teams. 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 March 20th episode:Moats EntertainmentBabbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

More than half of Black-owned businesses on the South Side are food businesses, according to the Greater Chatham Initiative. The organization runs FoodLab Chicago, which has helped the likes of Brown Sugar Bakery, Lems BBQ, Majani and other South Side favorites grow. GCI executive director Nedra Fears tells host Jacoby Cochran how they’re creating a soul food district to build up the neighborhoods and get them the recognition they deserve. We’re also talking Tastee Rolls co-owner Angel Williams about her experience in the latest Food Lab cohort.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 March 19 episode: Moats Entertainment Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE