City Cast Chicago

Tomorrow, voters will choose who will run the city as they cast ballots for mayor and City Council. But aside from candidates’ plans and positions, we wanted to know why Chicago’s government has looked the same for the last century, with 50 alders representing 50 wards. William Howell is director of the Center for Effective Government at University of Chicago. He talks with host Jacoby Cochran about the trade-offs in our current system and why Chicagoans should care.Check out the center’s series with Crain’s about Chicago’s government “One City, 50 Wards.”Some news: The city treasurer’s office is hosting a virtual tax prep conversation at noon today.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: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

We've got something special for you this weekend. We're sharing the Weekly News Recap from our friends over at WBEZ's daily talk show "Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons." Every Friday, Sasha breaks down the biggest local stories with a panel of journalists, and this week, that panel included City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran. The WBEZ Recap is a great way to stay up to speed on the news that matters here in Chicago and the burbs. Take a listen!You can check out Reset six days a week wherever you get your podcasts, or tune in live between 11-1 every weekday on 91.5 FM, wbez.org or the WBEZ app. 

After months of campaigning, commercials, and forums, election day is Tuesday. But we’re wondering: Does the mayoral race have a true front-runner? We brought in two of WBEZ’s best hosts to tackle this question and more. Nerdette’s Greta Johnsen and Reset’s Sasha-Ann Simons are in the building to discuss election season, paid leave for Illinoisans, Black joy, and some more gooooood newwwws!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: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

In a blow to Chicago comedy fans, HBO Max announced Tuesday that it would not pick up “South Side” for a fourth season. The show follows various characters — from workers at a rent-to-own store to wannabe rappers to cops — hustling on Chicago’s South Side. As we grieve the loss of this TV gem, we’re revisiting a conversation host Jacoby Cochran had with creators Diallo Riddle (who plays Allen Gayle), Sultan Salahuddin (Simon James), and Bashir Salahuddin (Officer Sandy Goodnight). They tell us how the show stays true to Chicago.This conversation was originally published Dec. 5, 2022.#SaveSouthSide PetitionSome good news: Don’t miss the last weekend of Black Restaurant Week and Chicago Theatre Week.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: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Police district councils are new on the ballot in next week’s municipal election. Voters in each of the city’s 22 police districts will select three councilors, who will work with communities on policing issues and nominate members to a citywide police oversight commission. The Triibe’s Jim Daley has been covering the councils and police oversight extensively. He spoke with host Jacoby Cochran about how the councils are supposed to work. Plus, we hear from an interim member of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability.Check out this voting guide to police district councils.This conversation was originally published Nov. 22, 2022.Tomorrow is the last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot. Check the Chicago Board of Elections site for info on that and any other voting questions. 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: 773 780-0246

Chicago’s municipal election is one week from today. So how are voters feeling about the biggest issues facing the city? Lead producer Carrie Shepherd and producer Simone Alicea headed to the Triibe’s ballot party on the Near West Side to talk to voters about their questions and concerns.Learn more about Chicago Votes and check out the Triibe’s voting guide.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: 773 780-0246

As the Chicago Bears closed on a $197 million property deal in Arlington Heights, Gov. JB Pritzker promised nearly $1 billion for students in his budget address Wednesday. Sun-Times education reporter Nader Issa joins City Cast Chicago’s Carrie Shepherd and Simone Alicea to talk about those stories plus: How communities are responding to a spike in after-school shootings, a study showing why Arab Americans should not be classified as “white” on the census, and how early early voting returns indicate good news for Chi’s voter turnout.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: 773 780-0246

When you ask about East Side, many Chicagoans will look at you quizzically and say, “What, like Lake Michigan?” But it’s so much more than that. Once a bustling industrial corridor, East Side and surrounding communities near the Indiana border have become a hub for environmental restoration and the city’s Mexican community. Maya Rodriguez’s family has been in the area for at least three generations. She and host Jacoby Cochran meet at Big Marsh Park to talk about things to eat, see, and do around the Southeast Side.Maya’s recs:Big Marsh Park (Check out Winter Fest on Saturday)Rowan ParkIndian Ridge MarshEdgars Grove/Wolf LakeCalumet BeachSoutheast Chicago Historical SocietySkyARTTacos El ReyLa CienegaChi BurgerbabiGina’s ChickenHienie’s Shrimp HouseWant 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 773 780-0246

As Feb. 28th approaches, political ads for the municipal elections are only getting more frequent and aggressive. Democratic media strategist Terrie Pickerill explains what goes into making effective political ads, how much it costs, and why we see so many negative ads on TV.Some news: The Chicago Board of Elections has released more detailed information for voters with disabilities about accessible polling places.You have until noon today to vote City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter in the Chicago Reader’s Best of 2022! Find us under the City Life category.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 773 780-0246

Happy Valentine’s Day! Whether you’ve got a date planned with the love of your life or you’re going solo, the holiday is a reminder that the journey to find love can be long and exhausting, but also exhilarating and joyful. And often it can take many dates. City Cast contributor Leigh Giangreco and host Jacoby Cochran listen to your best and worst date stories and offer their own insight into Chicago’s dating scene.Tomorrow is the last day to vote City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter in the Reader’s Best of Chicago! Find us under the City Life category.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: 773 780-0246