Podcast Episodes

What Illinois Can Teach Texas About Cannabis

Recreational weed has been available in Illinois since 2020. Meanwhile, in Texas, a Democratic gubernatorial challenger is pushing to legalize cannabis while the Republican incumbent resists the idea…

Published on 3 years, 8 months ago

Do Chicagoans Get Answers at Town Halls?

Homicides this year in Chicago are on track to be similar to last year, one of the deadliest years in decades, and carjackings are up 50 percent. Some residents want more police on the streets, on th…

Published on 3 years, 8 months ago

New 11th Ward Alder, Casino Finalists, and Perfect Parking

This week the City Cast Chicago team is together in person bringing you the best podcast and newsletter in Chicago. Lead producer Carrie Shepherd, producer Simone Alicea, and host Jacoby Cochran talk…

Published on 3 years, 8 months ago

A Chicago Heiress, Miniature Murder Scenes, and the Birth of Forensic Science

Frances Glessner Lee was from one of early Chicago’s most prominent families, living on one of the cities wealthiest blocks — Prairie Avenue, now a historic neighborhood in the South Loop. She also b…

Published on 3 years, 8 months ago

IL’s Aging Undocumented Population is Living — and Dying — In the Shadows

By 2030, Illinois could be home to 55,000 people over the age of 65 living without citizenship, according to a 2020 Rush University survey. Despite living in the country for decades and paying taxes,…

Published on 3 years, 8 months ago

Facebook Could Owe You $400. Here’s Why.

Chicago attorney Jay Edelson filed a lawsuit against Facebook in 2015, claiming the social media giant violated his client’s privacy, specifically Illinois’ biometric privacy law, considered one of t…

Published on 3 years, 8 months ago

Pandemic Life Two Years Later

Gov. JB Pritzker’s stay-home order went into effect two years ago today. It’s been two years of change, uncertainty, and loss. Since City Cast Chicago launched last year, we’ve talked to public healt…

Published on 3 years, 8 months ago

BONUS: How J.P. Graziano Became The Gucci of Giardiniera via It's All Good: A Block Club Chicago Podcast

We're doing a pod swap this week with our good friends at Block Club Chicago.

In this episode, "It's All Good" host Jon Hansen and Block Club reporter Mack Liederman talk about the Grazianos, a family…

Published on 3 years, 8 months ago

Willie Wilson’s Gasathon, 'The Billboard' Play, and Music Fest Fever

As we celebrate one year of the City Cast Chicago podcast and newsletter, we are so excited to look back on another week in our favorite city. Block Club Chicago’s Atavia Reed and WBEZ’s Natalie Moor…

Published on 3 years, 8 months ago

12 Hours on the Red and Blue Lines. What Happened?

Last week, Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown, and CTA President Dorval Carter to announce a $71 million plan to increase security on trains and buses. That's the c…

Published on 3 years, 8 months ago