It has been over a week since the polls closed in the Illinois primary, but there’s still no official winner in the Democratic primary for Cook County State’s Attorney. The race between Eileen O’Neill Burke and Clayton Harris III is separated by less than 1700 votes. Election officials have until April 2 to finish counting mail-in ballots. WTTW’s Heather Cherone and Chalkbeat Chicago’s Becky Vevea tell host Jacoby Cochran why this race highlights a new election normal. Plus, we are talking...

Spring is here which means biking in the city is looking a lot more enjoyable. Whether you are a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, shopping for a bike can be stressful with all the choices the city has to offer. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Liam Ouweleen from The Recyclery, a bike repair co-op in Rogers Park to learn the ins and outs of bike shopping, tips on where to go, and the basics on how to care for it.  A few places to get a bike: Working Bikes West Town Bikes Uptown...

We’re about halfway through Ramadan — the Muslim holy month marked by charity, spiritual reflection, and daily fasting. With some 350,000 Muslims estimated to call Chicago and Illinois home, we visited the Muslim Community Center in Old Irving Park for a community iftar. Iftar refers to the evening meal when fasts are broken each day. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with lifelong member Amjad Quadri about what the mosque is serving up and how Ramadan is about more than fasting. Other events to...

It’s been a week, but the election is not over yet. As of this recording, just over 2000 votes separate the candidates for Cook County State’s Attorney. The race between Eileen O’Neill Burke and Clayton Harris III remains too close to call as more mail-in ballots are counted. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran discuss how both candidates have responded to the tightening race. Plus, we look at Mayor Johnson’s latest funding pushes and budget-friendly honeymoon options...

A new study shows that more than two-thirds of kids under 6 in Chicago might be exposed to lead-contaminated water. That could be because the city has nearly 400,000 lead water service lines, the most of any city in the country. Axios’ Monica Eng has been closely following Chicago’s lead pipe removal efforts. In one of our very first episodes, she told us how the city ended up with so many lead lines. We’re revisiting that conversation, and Monica returns with an update on what’s happened...

With thousands of ballots still being counted, the fate of the highly contested Bring Chicago Home tax referendum remains unclear. As of Thursday afternoon, the referendum has about 20,000 more no votes and is seemingly headed towards defeat. Freelance writer Natalie Christan-Frazier and Block Club Chicago’s Melody Mercado join host Jacoby Cochran to discuss what this result could mean for the mayor’s progressive agenda moving forward. Plus, we are looking at U.S. Rep. Danny Davis’ latest...

March Madness means basketball is on the brain, which makes it a good time to revisit how the sport has influenced fashion. While the Fighting Illini men’s and women’s teams play in Champaign today, we’re heading back to Sneakerhead University in the Loop. Host Jacoby Cochran and former City Caster Carrie Shepherd met up with creator Shay Belvin last year to learn why she started the exhibition that showcases sneaker culture.  Good news: Moth GRANDslam Championship Want some more City Cast...

Voters headed to the polls yesterday to cast their ballots for Democratic and Republican nominees for local, state, and federal offices. The City Cast Chicago team recaps some of the key races including president, Congress, and Cook County state’s attorney.  Some Good News: The Newberry Library’s Writers on Writing series 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:...

It’s primary election day! Between tonight and early tomorrow we will hopefully know the results of some key congressional races, some highly contested county races, and the fate of Bring Chicago Home. We’re reminding you of some of the key races we’re watching. Plus, the city has started evicting migrants from shelters, and it seems the Bears have made their quarterback decision.  Good news: Chicago Show Cal Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago...

From rats in the alley to problem landlords, the first thing you’ll often hear is, “Call 311.” But while complaining may help get your problem solved, is it really the best way for the city to provide services? A new advisory from the inspector general’s office suggests Chicago could do better. Inspector General Deborah Witzburg sits down with host Jacoby Cochran to talk about how Chicago could improve its services, what the inspector general’s office does, and if it makes a difference in...

There have been 10 confirmed measles cases reported at the Pilsen migrant shelter on Halsted Ave. City and state officials are working to isolate individuals and notify those who have been exposed to the virus. Borderless Magazine’s Katrina Pham and Block Club Chicago’s Jamie Nesbitt Golden join host Jacoby Cochran to break down the latest. Plus, we discuss the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision not to hear a challenge to the Bring Chicago home referendum, a landmark apartment complex in...

On Saturday, the city will dye the Chicago River green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The tradition has been going on for decades, but how much do we really know about how and why Chicago turns the river green every year? Executive producer Simone Alicea quizzes host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro. Some good news: Pi(e) Day Deals 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...

Some classic Chicago foods, from deep-dish to jibaritos to Italian beef to paczki, can be found all over the city — or at least you can find several spots. But there’s one classic sandwich that you can really only find at one spot these days. Morgan Park’s Home of the Hoagy has been serving up sandwiches since 1969, including the sweet steak. The sandwich holds a special place for South Siders. Host Jacoby Cochran takes producer Michelle Navarro to try her first sweet steak and talks about...

Last week, the Illinois House passed a Senate bill finalizing a plan for Chicago to elect 10 members of a 21-person school board in November. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran explain what you need to know. We also discuss U.S. Rep. Danny Davis’s tough and crowded primary race in the 7th Congressional District. Plus, who would have to perform at Lollapalooza for us to buy a ticket? Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago...

Across the city’s neighborhoods and apartment sizes, the median price to rent in Chicago is around $2,000, according to Zillow and other rental sites. Those prices are up over last year and only going up. With growing expenses and a lack of affordable housing options, we talked with local real estate broker Andy Svalesen to get some tips for entering Chicago’s competitive rental market. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow...

Votes for the Bring Chicago Home referendum will be counted. Earlier this week, an appellate court judge reversed a lower court ruling on the tax referendum that will increase a one-time tax on property sales over $1 million dollars to fund resources for unhoused Chicagoans. Host Jacoby Cochran, WBEZ’s Adriana Cardona-Maguigad, and Sun Times’ Tom Schuba discuss what the decision means for voters. Plus, complaints at the city’s migrant shelters are mounting, a controversial cop is running to...

Chicago celebrated its 187th birthday this week! And City Cast Chicago’s third birthday is coming up too. That got us thinking about great ways to celebrate your birthday in Chicago. Producer Michelle Navarro is here with recommendations. Plus, she takes us to McKinley Park for a Chicago birthday party. Recommended spots: Uncle Julio’s La Catedral Cafe Green Mill Oooh wee! It is! Cleo’s Bath House Chicago Smyth Omakase Yume Ever Chicago Athletic Association Hotel  Le...

Gov. JB Pritzker recently announced $3 million for preservation efforts in seven Chicago neighborhoods, including Paseo Boricua in Humboldt Park. That makes it a great time to revisit our jibarito taste test with Marisol “Pinqy Ring” Velez. Velez is a musician, community organizer, and adopted daughter of Humboldt Park. Last fall, she and host Jacoby Cochran tried three jibaritos and talked about how the plantain sandwich has become a hallmark of Chicago and its Puerto Rican community. Good...

Last week, CTA President Dorval Carter went to the City Council’s Transportation and Public Way committee and announced plans to restore pre-pandemic level service for buses and trains. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea talk about how achievable the CTA’s goals are. They also discuss newsletter editor Sidney Madden’s interview with climate-aware Willowbrook therapist Marilee Feldman on how to manage climate anxiety. Plus, if you are planning a bachelorette party soon,...

Mayor Brandon Johnson recently announced a plan to borrow $1.25 billion for housing and development investments and pay the debt by letting TIF districts expire. TIF, or tax increment financing, allows cities to use property taxes in designated areas to fund development in those areas. The number of Chicago’s TIF districts has grown dramatically since first used in the 1980s, and at one point, about a third of the city’s area was covered by one. So we asked University of Illinois Chicago...

Last week, the Chicago Board of Education voted to end Chicago Public Schools’ $10.3 million school resource officer program. High schools have been directed to remove uniformed police officers before the 2024-25 school year begins. Freelancer Crystal Paul and the Tribune’s Shakeia Taylor join host Jacoby Cochran to break down this unanimous decision. We also discuss a new production at TimeLine Theatre, “Notes From the Field” that shines a light on the history of the school-to-prison...

While you’re enjoying your extra day of February, we are looking forward to all of the things on our March calendar including the Illinois primary election, CPS spring break, and Women’s History Month. The City Cast Chicago team has your guide to March. Plus, we debate which March photo is really more Chicago: the green St. Patrick’s Day river or Chicagohenge? Good News: First Draft: new works by Chicago dancemakers at Links Hall Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign...

Next Monday, Chicago celebrates its 187th birthday, and we’re celebrating with onions instead of cake. That’s because the city’s name comes from Indigenous words describing a type of wild, fragrant onion that used to be abundant in the area. Chicago’s birthday is a perfect time to revisit our conversation with Tribune food critic Louisa Chu about some of the best onion dishes you can find in the city. Some Good News: Rich Paul’s Lucky Me, Melissa Albert’s The Bad Ones, and Jenn Jackson’s...

On Friday, a Cook County judge invalidated the Bring Chicago Home referendum, which asks Chicagoans if the city should create a tiered real estate transfer tax to use as a dedicated funding source for efforts to fight homelessness. While voters will likely see the ordinance on their March primary ballots, the votes will not be counted for now, but an appeal could change things. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down the latest. Plus, we’re listening to Djo's “End...

Do you recognize all of the offices that will be on your primary ballot in March? Obviously the president and your Congresspeople, but what about when you start getting to clerks, commissioners, and committeepeople? Even host Jacoby Cochran has more to learn so we called in the Illinois Answers Project’s Alex Nitkin to break down some important but lesser-known races. And turns out, things are getting spicy! Learn more about: The Cook County Circuit Court Clerk The Board of Review Ward...