City Cast Chicago – Details, episodes & analysis

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. Whether you’re trying to make the most of the last few weeks of summer or you’re ready for cozy fall vibes, we got you. From leaf-peeping road trips to best new restaurants to tailgating tips, here’s what you need to know to enjoy September. For even more tips on how to make the most of September in Chicago, check out Hey Chicago’s take on what to do this month. If you enjoyed today’s interview with Revolution Brewing communications head John Carruthers, learn more here. City Cast Chicago’s guide to September is made possible by our awesome sponsors, the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, Navy Pier, and Babbel (Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST).  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 [email protected]

The Democratic National Convention is officially underway in Chicago, and it’s all anyone can talk about. That’s why we recorded our episode from McCormick Place to check the vibes and see what this event is actually all about. Plus, to celebrate The Onion’s return to print, we’re playing a game: Real headline or Onion headline?  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 20 episode: Lincoln Park Zoo Second City Orthodontic Experts Revolution Brewing Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Earlier this week, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability released body cam footage, numerous bystander videos, and 911 calls related to police shooting and killing Dexter Reed during a traffic stop in March. Invisible Institute’s Maira Khwaja and Crain Chicago’s Corli Jay are here to discuss the fallout including COPA questioning officers’ accounts of what led to the traffic stop. Plus, we discuss the latest court ruling regarding ongoing Obama Center construction, a new small business incubator in Englewood, and Market Box Chicago celebrates four years of mutual aid. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

 New CTA schedules dropped over the weekend, but riders probably won’t see much difference. That’s despite promises in February from CTA head Dorval Carter that the agency would restore service to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year. While we wait to see if service will improve, producer Michelle Navarro talked with CTA riders about their transit pet peeves. Good news: Market Box Chicago Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Food halls with multiple vendors have proliferated around Chicago the past several years. But to be honest, no one on the City Cast Chicago team had given them much thought. Then, a listener texted about a new food hall on the North Side, so we decided to make a food hall guide. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and newsletter editor Sidney Madden visited six spots and they talk about what to eat, what to know before you go, and if they’ll come back. Spots mentioned Revival Food Hall  Urbanspace 88 Marketplace Chicago French Market X Market Gangnam Market Some good news: Chicago Tea Festival Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is hoping to keep the expansion of O’Hare Airport on track. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea talk about what’s happening at the country’s fourth-busiest airport, how we got here, and what’s next. We’re also watching for a massive emergence of cicadas this month and we discuss your parking complaints. Good news: Chicago Latino Film Festival Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Last month, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit against gun manufacturer Glock, arguing that the company has done nothing to prevent individuals from modifying their popular semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons. ProPublica’s Midwest reporter Vernal Coleman tells host Jacoby Cochran about a similar lawsuit in Gary, Indiana, where the city has been trying to hold gunmakers accountable for the illegal sale of guns for 25 years. We look at how this ongoing case could set a precedent in Chicago and what to expect.  Good news: The Other Art Fair Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about our sponsor: “Purpose” at Steppenwolf Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Chicago’s first school board elections take place this November. But now that we have a district map, election plan, and potential candidates are gathering signatures, one big question remains: Will school board members eventually be paid for their service? Currently, state law prohibits paying board members, but host Jacoby Cochran asks professor Arionne Nettles and Tribune’s Gregory Royal Pratt if Illinois should reconsider this in order to create a more diverse and inclusive candidate pool. Plus, we are looking ahead at NASCAR’s July street race, Mayor Johnson’s plan to convert downtown offices into apartments, initiatives to make Ramadan more eco-friendly, and two new Chicago books to read this spring! Books you should check out:  The City is Up for Grabs: How Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Led and Lost a City in Crisis is available now.  We Are The Culture: Black Chicago’s Influence on Everything is available for pre-order, out April 16. Our episode where we attended iftar at the Muslim Community Center.  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about our sponsor: “Purpose” at Steppenwolf Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

We see them everywhere, and Chicagoans may think of them as “rats with wings,” but do pigeons get a bad rap? Host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro visit a Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue foster home to learn more about our feathery friends and why they deserve love and care.  Good news: The Big Kid Show at Dorian’s tonight at 8 p.m. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about our sponsor: “Purpose” at Steppenwolf Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Fine dining can be intimidating and expensive, but Chicago is home to many award-winning restaurants that stand out. Last year, we talked to lifestyle journalist Ari Bendersky, writer of Something Glorious newsletter, to learn more about Chicago’s creative and expansive fine dining scene. He tells host Jacoby Cochran about his favorite spots and shares tips for those who are looking to have their first fine dining experience.  Good News: The Sound of Silent Film Festival Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about our sponsors: “Purpose” at Steppenwolf Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE