Episodes

  • The Best (and Worst) Chicago Restaurant Week Deals

    The Best (and Worst) Chicago Restaurant Week Deals
    Jan 15 2025
    Reservations are already going fast for Chicago Restaurant Week Jan. 24-Feb. 9. Nearly 500 of the city’s restaurants are offering $30 brunch and lunch specials and $45 or $60 dinner specials. It can be a great deal, but how do you know if you’re getting your money’s worth? Chicago social media creator Paige Serena did the math in a series on TikTok. She tells host Jacoby Cochran which deals to check out and where you might be better off ordering from the regular menu. Good News: Grown Folks Stories Click here and follow the steps on the Instagram post to enter to win a Year’s Worth of City Cast Chicago’s Favorite Restaurants. 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
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    21 mins
  • CTA President Out, Speed Limit Debate, and How Would You Improve Your Ward?

    CTA President Out, Speed Limit Debate, and How Would You Improve Your Ward?
    Jan 14 2025
    CTA President Dorval Carter announced Monday he will retire at the end of the month and take a job leading a West Side hospital. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down Carter’s tumultuous last few years and what it means for the city to be without permanent leaders in transit, public housing, and schools. Plus, City Council debates speed limit changes, and how would you spend $500,000 in your ward? Good News: Jazz x Gumbo at Dorian’s Click here and follow the steps on the Instagram post to enter to win a Year’s Worth of City Cast Chicago’s Favorite Restaurants. 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
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    27 mins
  • Who’s Actually The Most Powerful Person in Chicago?

    Who’s Actually The Most Powerful Person in Chicago?
    Jan 13 2025
    Political power struggles are constantly in Chicago’s news headlines, whether the mayor and governor are butting heads, the City Council is fighting, or a big union is flexing its influence. But who are the most powerful people in Chicago and who just ends up getting a lot of air time? The Tribune’s A.D. Quig and WCIU TV host Brandon Pope tell host Jacoby Cochran who they think are Chicago’s biggest power players. Good News: Individual Artists Grant Program Click here and follow the steps on the Instagram post to enter to win a Year’s Worth of City Cast Chicago’s Favorite Restaurants. 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
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    33 mins
  • Madigan Takes Stand, Pritzker Criticizes Johnson. and Kennedy Lanes Reopen

    Madigan Takes Stand, Pritzker Criticizes Johnson. and Kennedy Lanes Reopen
    Jan 10 2025
    Starting Tuesday, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan took the stand in his own corruption trial. Madigan is accused of bribery, racketeering, and various other charges. We ask Axios Chicago’s Justin Kaufmann and the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan what we’ve learned from Madigan’s testimony so far. Plus, we discuss a growing rift between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker, South Side developments we’re watching in 2025, and the Kennedy express lanes reopening next week. 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
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    35 mins
  • Packed CTA vs. Lolla Crowds and More Chi 'Would You Rathers?'

    Packed CTA vs. Lolla Crowds and More Chi 'Would You Rathers?'
    Jan 9 2025
    It’s a new year and the City Cast Chicago team is here with a new game — a Chicago-inspired version of “Would You Rather?” Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and producer Michelle Navarro are debating tough questions like: Would you rather see a championship or new ownership in pro sports this year? Suffer CTA crowds or Lolla crowds? Eat giardiniera or mild sauce forever? 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: Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
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    28 mins
  • Where to Eat The Best Dumplings in Chicago

    Where to Eat The Best Dumplings in Chicago
    Jan 8 2025
    With Lunar New Year coming up this month, now is the time to get in your dumpling orders. Host Jacoby Cochran talked last year with Kevin Pang, food writer and author of “A Very Chinese Cookbook” about places you can’t miss ahead of this Lunar New Year, what makes a great dumpling, and how this simple food can bring a family together. Click here and follow the steps on the Instagram post to enter to win a Year’s Worth of City Cast Chicago’s Favorite Restaurants. Some Good News: Give your old natural Christmas trees to the Urban Growers Collective for their goats 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
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    19 mins
  • Homelessness Rates Triple, Chicago 2025 Ins and Outs, and New State Flags

    Homelessness Rates Triple, Chicago 2025 Ins and Outs, and New State Flags
    Jan 7 2025
    While the number of people experiencing homelessness across the country in 2024 increased by 18 percent, the number tripled in Chicago, according to a federal report. But the city’s official tally is still likely a big underestimate. Executive producer Simone Alicea and producer Michelle Navarro discuss some ways the city might help its growing homeless population in 2025. Plus, they rate the finalists in Illinois’ flag design contest and discuss what’s in and what’s out this year in Chicago. Click here and follow the steps on the Instagram post to enter to win a Year’s Worth of City Cast Chicago’s Favorite Restaurants. 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
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    33 mins
  • Why Quantum Computing Is Coming to South Chicago

    Why Quantum Computing Is Coming to South Chicago
    Jan 6 2025
    Plans are underway to transform the former U.S. Steel site in South Chicago into the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, a world-class quantum computing hub. With support from the governor and mayor and investments from IBM and the University of Chicago, shovels could be in the ground as early as next month. Block Club Chicago’s Maxwell Evans has been covering the plans and says neighbors still question what tangible benefits this megadevelopment could bring to the often overlooked South East side. Good News: Buddy Guy’s Residency 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
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    28 mins