City Cast Chicago

The CTA holiday train is running and the winter overnight parking ban is in effect? Must be December in Chicago. The team is here with our best tips for the month from how to upgrade your winter gear to getting in the holiday spirit with our bucket list. If giving back is more your jam, make sure you go back and listen to our episode about mutual aid in Chicago. Plus, don't miss this "Home Alone" screening.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 December in Chicago, check out Hey Chicago’s take on what to do this month.City Cast Chicago’s guide to December is made possible by our awesome sponsors, The Second City, Paramount Theatre (CityCast for $5 off of up to 4 tickets), and BetterHelp (get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST). 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 hereReach us at chicago@citycast.fm

For us, a Thanksgiving table isn’t complete without a pie. Luckily, Chicago has no shortage of pie shops and bakeries, so the team is doing a little taste test. Honeypie Bakeshop in Edgewater  First Slice Pie in Andersonville Bang Bang Pie in Logan Square Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain in Humboldt Park  Pie, Pie My Darling in Humboldt Park Hoosier Mama Pie in West Town  Give Me Some Sugah in South Shore  Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab in River North  Give Me Some Sugar in Roscoe Village  Justice of The Pies in Avalon Park Classic Cobbler in Bronzeville 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 Nov. 27 episode:The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

A forecasted snowstorm during the busiest travel season of the year — what could possibly go wrong? Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea explain what you need to know heading into Thanksgiving. They’ve also got updates on the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan and the overturned conviction of Jussie Smollett. 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 Nov. 26 episode:The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Become a member of City Cast Chicago.

It’s the season for giving back, and mutual aid is a term that has become more prevalent over the past few years. Host Jacoby Cochran is talking with Maira Khwaja, a writer, reporter, and co-founder of Market Box Chicago. They explain the basics of mutual aid, where to find networks in Chicago, and why it can make you feel more connected to your community.Groups mentioned: Chicago Community Jail Support Edgewater Mutual Aid Rogers Park Free Store The People’s Grab-N-Go Pilsen Solidarity Network Farm, Food, Familias Femme Defensa Lists from Borderless and Block Club 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 Nov. 25 episode:The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Earlier this week, the Chicago Board of Elections finished counting ballots, and out of 77 Cook County judges seeking retention, Shannon O'Malley became the third judge in the past four elections to lose retention. Injustice Watch’s Kelly Garcia and the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan tell us what this result means for election participation and the growing chasm between city and suburban voters. Plus, we discuss city budget negotiations, CPD’s sluggish reform progress, and play a round of "Is It Decent, Decent or Decent."Good News: The 12th annual Grabadolandia Print FairWant 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: 773 780-0246If you enjoyed today's interview with Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Events Program Director Event Productions, Neal Heitz, learn more here.Learn more about the sponsors of this Nov. 22 episode: The Second City Orthodontic Experts Court Theatre Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

We could use a laugh with the news cycle being what it is. Luckily, Chicago is the comedy capital of the world. Host Jacoby Cochran is talking with local comedian Sonal Aggarwal about her guide to Chicago’s comedy scene: spots to check out, hidden gems, and what to do when your friend inevitably invites you to their improv show.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 Nov. 21 episode: The Second City Orthodontic Experts Court Theatre Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Is Chicago really a hot dog city? What’s the most overrated Chicago food? Which Harold’s is the best? Longtime food writer Kevin Pang is here with Poochie from The Wiener’s Circle to offer their Chicago food hot takes. Plus, they tell host Jacoby Cochran all about their new show “Poochie & Pang (eat Chicago)” on NBC Chicago and the burgers they try in season one.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 Nov. 20 episode: Mubi The Second City Orthodontic Experts Court Theatre Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

An investigation from Block Club and CBS Chicago reveals the city of Chicago is owed millions of dollars from street fest and event organizers for police overtime bills. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran discuss what this means for the city budget and Chicago’s busy summer event schedule. Plus, we are ranking the Bulls most recent NBA city edition jerseys and listing some turkey giveaways across the city.How would you rank these jersey designs? 2024-2025 2023-2024 2022-2023 2021-2022 2020-2021 2019-2020 Good News: Wednesday is Trans Day of Remembrance: Memorial Mural and Observance in Andersonville, TaskForce Prevention and Community Services’ “Say Their Name” in Austin, La Cueva Nightclub’ Transgiving 2024 in Little Village 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 Nov. 19 episode: Mubi The Second City Orthodontic Experts Court Theatre Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Aldi abruptly closed its West Pullman store last week, leaving yet another Chicago neighborhood without easy access to fresh food. The move leaves us wondering (once again) if big grocery chains are Chicago’s only option. So we’re revisiting a conversation from the spring with Matthew Ruffi, board president of Chicago Market and senior program director for Link Up Illinois. He tells host Jacoby Cochran about some grocery alternatives and why food access is a growing concern in 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: 773 780-0246If you enjoyed today's interview with Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Events Program Director Event Productions, Neal Heitz, learn more here.Learn more about the sponsors of this Nov. 18 episode: Mubi The Second City Orthodontic Experts Court Theatre Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

After nearly 20 years in Chicago, Pitchfork Music Festival announced it’s leaving the city citing rising costs and growing festival competition. Many longtime fans were shocked, as the alder in the area says he hopes the company behind the festival will reverse course. Freelance journalist Britt Julious and Injustice Watch senior reporter Maya Dukmasova are here to discuss the latest. Plus, we break down ongoing budget debates in city council, an update in Cook County’s housing courts, and our favorite Friendsgiving dishes!Good News: The Christmas Cache Newsletter, The Light of Truth: Richard Hunt’s Monument to Ida B. Wells, Sip & Thrift at Simone's, National Take A Hike DayWant 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 Nov. 15 episode: Mubi The Second City Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE