City Cast Chicago

Is CPD Helping ICE? Plus, Will Bears Beat Packers?

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability held a meeting this week to hear testimony from Chicagoans about federal immigration enforcement over the past six months. We talk about the latest news with Block Club Chicago’s Francia Garcia Hernandez and The Triibe’s Corli Jay, including a teen curfew advancing in the City Council, an affordable housing initiative in North Lawndale, indoor farmers markets, and how you can help families impacted by ICE. Plus, we share predictions for the Bears' playoff game against our rivals.  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 Jan. 9 episode:  Chicago Restaurant Week Teatro Zinzanni – Use code CITYCAST for $20 off tickets through Feb. 28 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

What Chicago Kids Want Adults to Know

As the federal funding outlook for child care and educational programs looks more and more uncertain, we decided to visit the after-school program at Carole Robertson Center for Learning’s Albany Park site. As the center celebrates its 50th anniversary, host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro ask some of the kids in the program what they think Chicago adults should know, and they talk to staffers about why these programs are important. 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 Jan. 8 episode:  Chicago Restaurant Week Teatro Zinzanni – Use code CITYCAST for $20 off tickets through Feb. 28 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

What You Need to Know to Live in Chicago

If your New Year’s goals involve being a better Chicagoan, then we think there are some things about the city you should know. That’s why we’re revisiting these essential Chicago rules from host Jacoby Cochran, Hey Chicago newsletter editor Emmi Mack, and social media manager Rick Homuth. This episode was first published Aug. 7, 2025 — and make sure you go back to part one. Good News: Douglass Park Creative Space and Crate Town opening 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 Jan. 7 episode:  Teatro Zinzanni — Use code CITYCAST for $20 off tickets through February 28 Chicago Restaurant Week Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

State & Lake Closes, Bears Playoff Outlook, and City Budget Fallout

We’re back to catch up on some of the biggest stories around the city! The State & Lake CTA station officially closed Monday for a three-year renovation. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss what the $444 million project means for commutes and budgets. We also discuss the Bears’ playoff outlook and recap what happened with the city budget (spoiler: no veto, and no shutdown). Plus, we’ve got some New Year’s resolutions. 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 Jan. 6 episode:  Teatro Zinzanni - Use code CITYCAST for $20 off tickets through Feb. 28 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

What U.S. Cities Will Be Talking About in 2026 (Including Chicago)

Nobody understands a city’s pulse quite like a City Cast host — and that makes them the best predictors for 2026’s biggest local stories. City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran joins CEO David Plotz and the other 12 hosts from across the network to talk about the big changes coming to our cities, from political shifts to data centers. 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 Learn more about the sponsors of this January 5th episode:  ⁠Teatro Zinzanni⁠ - Use code CITYCAST for $20 off tickets through February 28