City Cast Chicago

City Cast Chicago


Latest Episodes

Here’s Why You’re Wrong About Deep Dish
April 27, 2023

Deep-dish pizza is polarizing for tourists, newbies, and longtime Chicagoans. It’s mockingly referred to as a casserole rather than pizza, but some love the thick, crusty base filled with gooey cheese and topped with sauce. Most Chicagoans will tell you i

After Breaking Everest Record, Local Climber Has an Epic New Challenge
April 26, 2023

Last year, Lucy Westlake became the youngest American woman to summit Mount Everest. She previously broke the world record for youngest female to climb to the highest points in all 50 states. She’s also climbed the highest points on four of the seven cont

Summer Camps, Lifeguards, and Our Favorite Parks
April 25, 2023

The list of Park District summer programs was released Monday, so the competitive process of registration begins May 1. If you’ve been through the process or know anyone who has tried to sign a kid up for one of the many available programs, you know it is

What Lawmakers Are Arguing For and Against in Springfield
April 24, 2023

Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson was in Springfield last week to pitch his mayoral agenda to Illinois lawmakers, including increased state funding for schools, more tax revenues for Chicago, and improved access to youth employment. But how likely is Johnson to

Lightfoot Media Silence, Bye, Bye Burke, and Hello, Cherry Blossoms
April 21, 2023

Both Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Alderman Ed Burke had their last meeting in City Council this week. Lightfoot was defeated in February, and Burke, the longest serving alderperson in Chicago history, is retiring after being indicted on corruption charges. In

Is Chicago Actually the Country Music Capital?
April 20, 2023

Nearly 100 years ago this week, the “National Barn Dance” premiered on WLS Radio in Chicago. The show introduced country and western music to a national audience — yes, even before Nashville. Journalist Mark Guarino’s new book “Country and Midwestern: Chi

The Perfect Chicago Day For $50? Challenge Accepted.
April 19, 2023

From shows to festivals to bars to shops, there are plenty of easy ways to empty out your wallet on a busy spring day. So how do you have fun in Chicago without breaking the bank? The City Cast team, including host Jacoby Cochran (South Side), lead produc

How to Make a Budget Without Getting Overwhelmed
April 18, 2023

With taxes on the brain today, we have designated the entire week as “Personal Budget Week” in our daily newsletter Hey Chicago. The City Cast team will be the first to tell you they are not experts when it comes to budgeting, so lead producer Carrie Shep

Why You Should Remember the Name Lenard Clark
April 17, 2023

 In 1997, a 13-year-old Black kid from the South Side named Lenard Clark was beaten into a coma by a gang of white boys as he rode his bike through the Bridgeport neighborhood. The hate crime made national news with figures like President Bill Clinton pro

BONUS: 'The Moth' Presents Jacoby's Skate Down Memory Lane
April 15, 2023

We’re coming to you on a Saturday with a special episode from The Moth, the arts organization that’s dedicated to true, first-person storytelling. At their live Mainstage events, storytellers work with a director and craft their experiences into a 10-minu