City Cast Chicago
City Cast Chicago
City Cast
Chicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday morning. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers; activists and artists; bus drivers and students; those who love and hate this place. City Cast Chicago is a smart and delightful new way to connect with the city we share. Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter at chicago.citycast.fm. Named Best Podcast by Chicago Reader 2022
Chicago's Best New Restaurants of 2026. Plus, What's Next in 2027
The Infatuation just dropped its Best New Restaurants of 2026, and All Well, Bar Tutto, and others made the list. Adrian Kane and John Ringor talk about Chicago’s winners, from a Hawaiian lunch counter in a Loop parking garage to a $150 duck in Lincoln Park. Plus, what to expect in 2027.  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Nov. 9 episode: TimeLine Theatre - Home, I'm Darling The Escape Game Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 
Nov 9
40 min
Why Were Chicago Voters Waiting Hours? Plus, Roseland Hospital Files For Bankruptcy
Despite positive early signs, Chicago’s voter turnout may not surpass the 46% in the 2022 midterm election. NABJ’s Brandon Pope and Block Club Chicago’s Atavia Reed discuss what contributed to this year’s numbers. Plus, Roseland Community Hospital files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Black Harvest Film Festival is back for year 32, and Fat Peach Bakery is opening in Hyde Park. Good News: South Side Health & Wellness Fest & Urban League Gala Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Nov. 6 episode: Enjoy Illinois BIC - Jersey Boys Paramount Theatre City of Chicago Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 
Nov 6
32 min
Why Does Chicago Police Keep Going Over Budget? Plus, New Gunshot Detection Pilot
Since 2023, the Chicago Police Department has spent $520.5 million more than the City Council approved, and it's on track to go over budget for a sixth straight year. Homicides, meanwhile, are at a 60-year low. Today, WTTW’s Heather Cherone walks us through what Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2027 budget actually means for the police department and why the city wants to borrow $481 million to settle misconduct lawsuits. Plus, where the city stands on gunshot detection. Good news: Poet Laureate Mayda del Valle workshop Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Nov. 5 episode: Enjoy Illinois BIC - Jersey Boys Paramount Theatre City of Chicago Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 
Nov 5
41 min
Here’s Who Won the Midterm Elections
The results are in! Host Jacoby Cochran and interim executive producer Michelle Navarro break down who won and who lost on Election Day in Illinois, including the closely watched school board race, congressional contests, and county elections. Good news: Golden Hour Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Nov. 4 episode: Enjoy Illinois BIC - Jersey Boys Paramount Theatre City of Chicago Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
Nov 4
39 min
It's Election Day! Plus, Taste Tossed 800 pounds of Unsafe Food
Today we’ve got your Election Day FAQ’s including where to register and vote, the most helpful voter guides, and which restaurants to maybe avoid during your midday lunch. Plus, we ask Michelle Navarro and Simone Alicea if Chicago’s summer festivals are littered with unsafe food. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Nov. 3 episode: Enjoy Illinois BIC - Jersey Boys Paramount Theatre City of Chicago Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 
Nov 3
41 min
Why Lt. Gov Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought. Plus, a South Side Teen Lounge
Today we’re talking about the race for Illinois lieutenant governor and why it’s drawing more attention than ever.  Also, what happens if Gov. JB Pritzker runs for president in 2028? Contributor Leigh Giangreco joins us for a deep dive on some of the candidates you might see on your ballot. Plus, Jill Hopkins gives us the 411 on The Parke, an upcoming teen lounge with a café and art gallery in Hyde Park.  Good News: You Just Had to Be There  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Nov. 2 episode: Enjoy Illinois BIC - Jersey Boys Paramount Theatre City of Chicago Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 
Nov 2
34 min
Your Guide to November 2026 in Chicago
It’s a new month, and that means a new guide! Creative producer Emmi Mack and The Brown Line’s Ghazala Irshad join us with what they’re looking forward to this month. From a free Bengali folk festival to “Mexodus”, to tips for planning your own bar crawl, we’ve got a jam-packed guide to November. Plus, the fight over arts funding in the 2027 budget, the school board race, and what we’re following on election night.  Follow The Brown Line on Instagram and TikTok @TheBrownLineChi Subscribe to The Brown Line newsletter and events calendar Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 If you enjoyed this interview with Terry Mattson, CEO / President of Galena Country Tourism, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 30 episode: Steppenwolf - Adirondack Chair Circle Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
Oct 30
41 min
Who Wants to Be the Next Mayor of Chicago?
Monday was the deadline for candidates for mayor and City Council to submit their petitions to get on the 2027 ballot. Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with NABJ President Brandon Pope and WBEZ’s Sasha Ann-Simons to discuss how many people want to be mayor, which alders are running unopposed, and important election dates to remember. Plus, Soul Train is honoring a Chicago legend and DuSable Park breaks ground after 40 years.  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 29 episode: Steppenwolf - Adirondack Chair Circle Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 
Oct 29
34 min
Do You Know Who Owns Your Building? Plus, Can Doula Care Really Cost Thousands?
We’re asking a question most Chicago renters probably can’t answer: who owns your building? Today we’re talking about the two competing renters’ rights ordinances sitting in City Council and why it’s almost impossible to find out who actually owns your apartment. Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with Illinois Answers Project reporter Alex Nitkin and  WBEZ health reporter Kristen Schorsch to break down the latest, including whether the Birth Equity Act is working.   Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, October 28th episode: Steppenwolf - Adirondack Chair Circle Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 
Oct 28
36 min
Are Pritzker and Preckwinkle Shoo-Ins on Election Day?
We have covered school board elections, nonbinding ballot questions, and judicial retention elections ahead of election day next Tuesday. However, two big races we haven’t discussed are for governor and Cook County board president. Chicago Tribune’s AD Quig and Sun-Times’ Mitch Armentrout join us to break down why Gov. JB Pritzker and Board President Toni Preckwinkle are two of the state’s most powerful politicians. Plus, the Pope is cancer-free, the next Cook County assessor faces an uphill battle, and don’t forget about Water Reclamation districts.  Good news: Manual Cinema’s Frankenstein  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 27 episode: Steppenwolf - Adirondack Chair Circle Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 
Oct 27
42 min
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