City Cast Chicago

Every fall, monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles south to Mexico, flying from and passing through Chicago. It’s a long journey, but at a sanctuary garden in Pilsen the butterflies can feed and re-fuel. Claudia Galeno-Sanchez started her garden of native plants to help pollinators, but it also reminds her of her own journey from Mexico 20 years ago. Galeno-Sanchez says the garden brings the community together and helps the ecosystem. Host Jacoby Cochran takes a tour. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

The sinkhole that swallows up Millennium Park in “Mount Chicago” only takes up a fraction of the new novel. Among other characters, the story follows Solomon Gladman, a writer and comedian who lost his family in the disaster, and a fictional mayor attempting to create a Daley-like legacy in the sinkhole’s wake. Producer Simone Alicea talks with author Adam Levin about grief, loss, and the role of Chicago in the novel. A little bit of news: Learn more about running for a seat on newly-created police District Councils. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

On the evening of Aug. 31, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted that a bus of migrants had arrived in Chicago. The asylum-seekers, largely from Venezuela, had been sent to the city with little information, and the organizations and city officials receiving them at Union Station didn’t have many more answers. Since then, two more buses of migrants have arrived. Chicago Tribune’s Laura Rodriguez Presa has been talking with the new arrivals and shares some of their stories. You can find places to donate or sign up to volunteer to help arriving asylum-seekers through the city. Some news: Get your state income and property tax rebates Chicago Fire Facility Moving to Site of Former ABLA Homes After School Matters applications open The Destinos international Latino Theater Festival begins this week Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Host Jacoby Cochran, Crain’s reporter Corli Jay, and Block Club Southeast Side reporter Maxwell Evans rewind some stories from the week, including the Bears’ ongoing threat to move to suburban Arlington Heights, new small businesses in Woodlawn, and some good news, including the welcoming community of South Shore and the return of a street fest in Gresham. Other stories discussed: Studying climate change in Chicago 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Host Jacoby Cochran meets fellow podcaster Zac Emry at Fort Knox Studios in Portage Park to talk about things to eat, see, and do on the Northwest Side. Emery, who hosts the podcast Album Rebrews, talks about moving to the area to be close to one of the city’s largest music rehearsal spaces and discovering spots in the city and nearby suburbs that align with his eclectic interests. Spots Zac recommends: Thrifting books and collectibles at Village Crossing American Science and Surplus (now in Park Ridge) Tone Deaf Records LaBagh Woods Leaning Tower of Niles Mom’s Old Recipe Mexican restaurant Weston’s Coffee and Tap Co. Elly’s on Milwaukee Want to know where to see birds in Uptown? Find a Chicago-mix-scented candle in Beverly? Or get a coffee (or two or three) in North Lawndale? Peep our neighborhood guide playlist. Some good news: The three-day Lincoln Park Gyrofest starts Friday. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Two years ago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot removed the Christopher Columbus statues in Grant Park and Arrigo Park in Little Italy after protests and police violence as activists called for the monuments to be removed. The mayor then appointed a committee to review the city’s public monuments and determine which ones are problematic and what should be done with them. The Chicago Monuments Project narrowed the list to 41 works and just released their recommendations for those monuments. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to committee co-chair Bonnie McDonald about how the group came to their recommendations. A little bit of news: Here’s where to find the new bivalent COVID-19 booster. More residents are now eligible to get lead water lines removed. Here’s where to apply and get a free water test kit. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Brothers Scott and Joe Lewis grew up talking about their love—and frustration—with the Chicago Bears. They used to listen to the old guys at their barbershop in Englewood do the same thing. The Lewis brothers turned that into the “79th and Halas” podcast, which has been on for eight seasons. Ahead of the Bears’ season opener Sunday, host Jacoby Cochran talks with Scott Lewis about the podcast and the upcoming season. A little bit of news: While beaches are closed for the season, some indoor pools are reopening this week. Check the Park District for details. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

With illegal drag races, donuts in the street, backed up traffic, fireworks and run-ins with police, street takeovers continue to pop up across Chicago. Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by Chicago Sun-Times’ reporter Manny Ramos and Chicago Tribune reporter Jake Sheridan to talk what, if anything, the city can do to discourage the meet-ups. Our Friday trio also discuss more libraries carrying Narcan (Naloxone), migrants arriving in Chicago from Texas, and the anniversary of Emmett Till’s death. Plus, stick around for our good news we’ve got roller skates and pickleball! Some Good News: The Rink re-opening Friday, Sept. 2 Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Host Jacoby Cochran and freelance journalist Natalie Frazier stop by Comercio Popular in Lawndale to talk about Natalie’s family’s history on the West Side. From growing up in Austin, visiting granny in Garfield Park, and putting down roots in North Lawndale, Natalie shares with us the pride she feels in her community and her desire to see it thrive. She also shares her favorite things to do, see, and eat in her neighborhoods. Spots Natalie Recommends: Azucar Ice Cream & Coffee Principle Barbers Green Tomato Cafe Beelove Cafe Scatchell’s Beef Monday Coffee @ Garfield Park Conservatory Muse Coffee Studio Firehouse Community Arts Center Check out our other neighborhood guides for Rogers Park, Uptown, and Edgewater and for Beverly, Morgan Park, and Mount Greenwood. Want to take us around YOUR neighborhood? Or have recs on where to go? Email us at [email protected]. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Lisa Beasley has toured with Second City, performed on Comedy Central, and stolen scenes on the hit show “South Side.” Her latest show at the Laugh Factory, “Lisa Beasley’s Unpolitical Woman Comedy Show,” may be her funniest creation yet. The show features a cast of Lisa’s friends and impressive characters like “women’s ministry pastor” Kevin Jackson, a reincarnated Margaret Thatcher, and Mayor Lory Litefoot. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to the writer and filmmaker about the show and the many layers of her comedy. For free tickets to Lisa Beasley’s Unpolitical Woman Comedy, USE PROMO CODE: citycast (there are a limited number of tickets so grab them fast!) Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Just in the past couple weeks, one person was found dead and at least three others have been seriously injured at the “Playpen” in Lake Michigan — a popular boating spot east of Oak Street beach. As boaters, kayakers, swimmers, and casual Chicagoans make their way out to the water for the last few weeks of summer, host Jacoby Cochran talks to Mike McElroy, vice president of the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee, about the safety rules in the water, and why August is traditionally difficult for boaters. Some good news: Nominations are open for Chicago magazine’s Chicagoans of the year. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Tonight is the season finale for "American Ninja Warrior" — the show with all the running, jumping, and swinging through crazy obstacles. But you can learn to be a ninja year round from a coach who’s been on the show. Mike “The Stallion” Silenzi has been on nine times (including this season), and he runs Ultimate Ninjas in northwest suburban Libertyville. It’s a gym dedicated to training for obstacles similar to what you see on the show. Producer Simone Alicea visited Mike at the gym to see what it takes to train like a ninja warrior. A little bit of news: On Tuesday, the city is hosting a public meeting about pedestrian and traffic safety on Garfield Boulevard in Washington Park. Some good news: We are extending the deadline of our Summertime Chi Bucket List challenge. You now have until Sept. 22 to do as many things as possible. Do the most, and you could win some swag! Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

It is the first week of school for Chicago Public School students, but unfortunately for thousands of students and parents who rely on the district's school buses service, many are still without routes. WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp breaks down that story, and Injustice Watch editor Jonah Newman discusses a report that recommends closing the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, and how the chief judge sat on the report for months. Plus, moments of joy, including celebrating Loyola’s Sister Jean's 103rd birthday, and the Purple Block Party! Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Host Jacoby Cochran and librarian Ashley Rayner head to Ridge Park in Beverly to talk about Ashley’s history growing up in the neighborhood to now raising her own children blocks away from her childhood home. She also shares her favorite things to do, see, and eat in her neighborhood. They also talk spots in Morgan Park and Mount Greenwood. Spots Ashley Recommends: Afro Joe's Ain't She Sweet Cafe Beverly Dry Goods Beverly Phono Mart Big and Little Shoes Blue Island Beer Company Flippin Flavors Kimmy Kakes Milano's Chi Tung Major Taylor Trail Nicky's The Original Rainbow Cone Ohana Rock Island Public House Ridge Park Turkey Check out all great suggestions from listeners and readers on Twitter. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

What happens to a community when industry leaves? That’s the central question driving Steven Walsh’s documentary “Southeast: A City Within a City.” Growing up in the East Side neighborhood, Walsh saw what unemployment and disinvestment did to the area, and he wanted to find out how it got there. The filmmaker talks with host Jacoby Cochran about why he loves his neighborhood and how his grandfather’s story is the story of many on the Southeast Side. The documentary is being screened for free Thursday at Big Marsh Park after sunset. RSVP Here. Check our Steven Walsh's Guide to the Southeast Side in the City Cast Chicago newsletter. This conversation was originally published Sept. 30, 2021. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

In a post-Roe world, the role of abortion doulas has become more critical than ever. Abortion doulas support people before, during, and after an abortion. City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran talks to producer Meg Dalton about her experience as a doula in New York and Connecticut, and Meg plays tape of Ama Warnock, an abortion doula in Chicago, about how doulas support people looking to end their pregnancies. Places that offer abortion doula services and training: Radical Doula Queer Doula Network Chicago Women's Health Center Embodied Reproductive Care Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

It’s the first day of school for Chicago Public Schools. And while the past couple years have been marked by battles between CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union over pandemic safety protocols, this school year is starting less contentiously with scaled-back COVID-19 measures. Stacy Davis Gates was elected president of the CTU this spring. She sits down with host Jacoby Cochran to talk about what teachers and students can expect this school year and her vision for one of the city’s most influential institutions. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Douglass Park neighbors say the city is unfairly prioritizing festivals and events over residents who use the park. The park won’t be fully repaired until after Riot Fest this fall, so neighbors are pushing for more of a voice in event permitting. Host Jacoby Cochran talks about that story with the Center for Public Integrity’s María Inés Zamudio and City Bureau’s Alejandra Cancino. Plus, they talk about development in Bronzeville, air pollution on the South and West sides, a community garden in Pilsen, and Cook County’s guaranteed income program. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Host Jacoby Cochran and producer Simone Alicea head to the Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary in Uptown to talk about some of Simone’s favorite things to do, see, and eat in her neighborhood. They also talk spots in Edgewater and Rogers Park. Spots We Talked About: Montrose Bird Sanctuary Graceland Cemetery Green Mill Cocktail Lounge Immm Rice and Beyond Lickity Split Check out all great suggestions from listeners and readers on our Twitter feed Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

We expect summertime to be hot in Chicago, but extremely hot days are coming earlier and more often. During a May heat wave, three residents at a senior apartment complex in Rogers Park died from what’s suspected to be heat-related causes. The tragedy prompted Ald. Maria Hadden to push a law to keep residents safe in extreme heat. The law passed in June. The 49th Ward alderwoman tells lead producer Carrie Shepherd how the new law came to be and what the protections entail. A little bit of news: The future of the Discount Mall in Little Village remains uncertain, with the contract between the mall and property owners set to expire at the end of this month. Go back and listen to our episode about the mall’s importance to the community. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Chicago Public Schools start the new school year on Monday, Aug. 22. Earlier this month, the district announced its COVID protocols for the upcoming school year. They include recommended masking, free weekly testing, some quarantining guidelines, and a test-to-stay program for unvaccinated students. Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady tells us why students and parents should be confident returning to the classroom. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Monkeypox is a public health emergency in Illinois. There are more than 600 cases reported in Chicago. The person leading the response to monkeypox and all public health issues is Dr. Allison Arwady. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to the public health commissioner about what we need to know to protect ourselves against the virus, and why messaging is so important to prevent the spread. More on Monkeypox (MPV) More resources from the city about monkeypox Resources from the state Some Good News: Jacoby hosts The Moth on Tuesday, Aug. 16 Jacoby is a guest on Axios Chicago's Office Hours on Friday, Aug. 19 Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Chicago Police say they’re adding more officers to CTA trains across the city after recent violence. A Mississippi grand jury declined to indict Carolyn Bryant Donham, the woman in the Emmett Till murder case. Plus, controversy over a death in police custody, and gas prices are on the way down. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Sylvia Snowden, host of CAN TV's Political Forum, and Angel Idowu, WTTW’s arts correspondent, about all that and more. Some Good News: CAN TV fall lineup NABJ-Chicago wins chapter of the year The TRiiBE’s Morgan Johnson’s newsletter Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

We‘re a month away from the end of our Summer Bucket List Challenge. Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Carrie Shepherd discuss who, uh, poorly they're doing at hitting all the spots. Plus, participants Annie A. and Dea B. tell City Cast where they've visited this summer, and how the list has exposed them to more of Chicago. Check out who's winning the Bucket List Challenge! Some Good News: Little Italy Festa Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

The Bud Billiken Parade is turning 93 this weekend. It’s the largest Black parade in the country. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Shermann “Dilla” Thomas about the history of the Bud, and Shkunna Stewart from Bring Out the Talent Dance Co. about her family’s history of dancing in the parade. Some Good News: Taste of Andersonville Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

The Illinois State Fair kicks off on Thursday. It’s meant to highlight the importance of agriculture in Illinois, but it’s also where politicians schmooze with voters and other members of their party. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to politics reporter Amanda Vinicky on what to expect, especially since we’re just a few months out from the election. Some Good News: Karaoke Storytellers The Moth Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

The Disney+ series “Ms. Marvel” tells the story of a 16-year-old Muslim girl, Kamala Khan, from Jersey City who suddenly gains superpowers. The show explores everything from Avenger fandom to Khan’s Pakistani heritage, even diving deep into the real-life Partition of India in 1947. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to a poet and screenwriter who has artistic ties to Chicago, Fatimah Asghar, about writing for Ms. Marvel, representation in the MCU, and more. Chicago Park District Fall Programs Registration 4th Ward Community Meeting about Proposed Dispensary Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Across the U.S., big cities, including Chicago, are facing a small schools crisis as enrollment drops. Chalkbeat is out with a new story. ICE is finding new ways to target undocumented immigrants in Chicago. A new report from Block Club Chicago and Injustice Watch finds that Chicago police stop thousands more Black drivers in traffic stops than they report. Host Jacoby Cochran chats with Becky Vevea, bureau chief of Chalkbeat Chicago, and Alma Campos, immigration editor for South Side Weekly, about all that, plus some good news from a sales tax holiday to South Side Weekly’s literature issue. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

From the indie flick “I Love My Dad” to Jordan Peele’s blockbuster “Nope,” there are a lot of films to check out in theaters right now. Host Jacoby Cochran chats with film critic Reggie Ponder about some of the films playing in and around Chicago this weekend. Update: An earlier version of this podcast misidentified one of the actor's roles in "I Love My Dad." Films and Showtimes: Nope I Love My Dad Pioneers of Queer Cinema at Gene Siskel Film Center Fresh Hell at Music Box Theatre Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

When Joe Bergantino and Ricky Gonzalez put an offer on a new house in January, the Rogers Park couple wrote the owner a letter, promising to keep the house’s funky aesthetic. The house is what’s known to many North Siders as the “Candyland House” or “Barbie House” for its pink, yellow, teal, and white striped exterior. That color scheme extends to the interior, too. Bergantino and Gonzalez have been renovating the house mostly on their own and documenting the process on their Instagram feed, Homos With Hammers. They gave City Cast Chicago’s Carrie Shepherd a tour of the house and explained why it’s important to show others that you can DIY renovate on a budget. Some Good News: The Hegewisch Fest THERE'S STILL TIME TO DO THE SUMMER BUCKET LIST CHALLENGE Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

With gas prices off the charts lately, some people are considering making the switch to electric vehicles. But for many, buying an electric vehicle isn’t exactly affordable — with the average price hitting $66,000 last month. So how can the EV market become more accessible to the average person? In Illinois, EV buyers can get a rebate up to $4,000 for their purchase. Host Jacoby Cochran speaks to Megha Lakhchaura, Electric Vehicle Coordinator of Illinois, about that, plus the role of EVs in addressing the climate crisis. If you want to get an EV rebate, submit an application within 90 days of purchasing an electric vehicle through through the state's EV Rebate Program. August line-up of performances at the Salt Shed Some Good News: "The Best Summer of My Life" film screening at Kilbourn Park Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

If you have a vacant lot on your block, then you know what it’s like to constantly pass by the overgrown weeds and the trash. The city owns more than 10,000 of these lots alone. City Cast listener Makema Adkins has one of these city-owned lots behind her condo on the Near West Side, where she’s lived for over a decade. Two years ago she started the process of buying the lot to build a bigger home for her growing family. And she’s still trying to buy it. Makema walks us through the process and explains why she thinks the city should make it easier for residents like her to build on these lots. Makema texted us with her story idea, and you can too! Reach out or leave a voicemail at (773) 780-0246 Some Good News: Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Google’s coming to the Thompson Center, two Chicago Public School teachers keep their jobs after allegedly being fired for encouraging students’ activism, and some Lake Michigan love! Lead Producer Carrie Shepherd talks about all that and more with WBEZ reporter Susie An and Block Club Chicago reporter Mina Bloom as part of City Cast Chicago’s weekly roundup. Don't forget...it's still summer! Take our Summertime Chi Bucket List Challenge! Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

On Wednesday, officials announced Google will be moving into the Thompson Center in The Loop. The state closed on its sale of the famed building to JRTC Holdings, LLC for $105 million, and Google will move in. The company will “entirely redevelop” the building into an office suite for Google employees. The Thompson Center, designed by the late architect Helmut Jahn and opened in 1985, has long been a source of controversy. Some praise the post-modern building while others deride its retro colors and its spaceship-like facade among neo-classical architecture. All agree that it needed major renovations to fix its inefficient heating and cooling system and years of disrepair. But Jahn’s designs were integral in ushering a new era of design known as post-modernism. Jacoby Cochran speaks to Lee Bey, photographer, Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic, and author of “Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago's South Side,” about the Thompson Center’s legacy. This interview was originally published May 10, 2021, after the sudden death of Helmut Jahn. Some Good News: While you can now get texts from the likes of former first lady Michelle Obama, we want to know what famous Chicagoans YOU'D want to get texts from. Let us know by texting US (or leaving a voicemail) at (773) 780-0246 Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Lollapalooza is back in Chicago this weekend. Since it landed in the city in 2005, Lollapalooza has gone from a smaller, two-day fest in Grant Park to a full-on, multi-day takeover of the Loop, the CTA, and other neighborhoods. New reporting from the Chicago Tribune shows the festival is not leaving anytime soon because of a contract extension negotiated in secret. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Tribune reporters Tracy Swartz and A.D. Quig. We reached out to the park district to ask if there was any public involvement in the contract extension negotiations. They sent us this statement: "The Chicago Park District’s new leadership is committed to expanding community engagement. We plan to continue our discussions with local elected officials and the neighboring community regarding the future of Lollapalooza. For weeks we have worked with the city, community stakeholders, and Lollapalooza organizers to address issues and concerns raised by the community such as noise levels and site conditions. Celebrating its 18th year in our city, the festival has become a Chicago tradition. The Chicago Park District and C3 Presents, the organizers of Lollapalooza, are engaged in negotiations and we are hopeful that we will have an agreement in the near future that takes Lollapalooza well beyond 2022." Some Good News: Fiesta Del Sol Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Since the monkeypox outbreak started this spring, there have been more than 200 cases in Illinois, according to the CDC, and 197 in Chicago, according to the Chicago Dept. of Public Health. Vaccines are being rolled out, but it’s a slow and confusing process for patients — and health professionals worry the city isn’t doing enough. Host Jacoby Cochran speaks to Dr. Daniel Berger, who runs Northstar Medical Center in Lincoln Park, which is focused on Chicago’s gay community. Dr. Berger is seeing scary similarities to the start of the AIDS crisis in terms of lack of information, stigmatization, and access to treatment. He explains. Plus, we from Aaron Gettinger about his experience with monkeypox. Register for CDPH's Get the Fax: Monkeypox Chicago monkeypox update: July 22, 2022 Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Yes, everyone has their Chicago critiques about “The Bear,” the FX on Hulu show about a celebrated chef who returns to his hometown to run his family’s Italian beef joint in River North. One thing that stood out was in episode two when the Chicago Health Department awards The Original Beef of Chicagoland a “C” grade for various health violations in the kitchen. Well, that’s not really how it works here. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to longtime health reporter Monica Eng from Axios Chicago about how it does work. Monica has gone on health inspections with sanitarians, investigated some shady behavior by sanitarians, and reported on how even the most well-regarded restaurants in the world break the rules. Today is the last day to enter to win school supplies for an entire school! The Chicago Underground Film Festival is back at Logan Theatre (Wed-Sun) . Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

You can now apply to get a free bicycle next month through the Bike Chicago program, and the city is adding concrete barriers around miles of bike lanes. While bike and pedestrian advocates applaud these moves, the deaths of four children on bikes and scooters this year show more needs to be done. In addition to pushing for more protections, one way to stay safer on a bike could be a lesson to learn the rules of the road. We’re revisiting our bike lesson from last summer with Shameka Turner, who manages Chicago’s SAFE (Streets Are For Everybody) Ambassadors program. Turner tells host Jacoby Cochran about the importance of bike safety, what it means to break down cycling stereotypes, and why she wants everyone to grab a helmet and take a ride. This episode was originally published Aug. 30, 2021. Bike lessons are available again this summer through mid-September. Need something to try this weekend? Check out our Summertime Chi Bucket List. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

The Art Institute of Chicago lions went away recently to get a cleaning, but they’re back this week at their usual perch in front of the museum. The lions, plus the summer heat, had City Cast Chicago thinking about some ways to stay cool and enjoy some art. Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer Carrie Shepherd have some recommendations in the city and the suburbs. Jacoby’s Picks: Remaking the Exceptional: Tea, Torture, and Reparations | Chicago to Guantánamo at DePaul Museum of Art through Aug. 7 The Art of the Brick at the Museum of Science and Industry through Sep. 22 Roman Villareal: South Chicago Legacies at Intuit: The Center of Intuitive and Outsider Art through Jan. 8 Carrie’s Picks: Rirkrit Tiravanija: (who’s afraid of red, yellow, and green) at Wrightwood 659 through July 30 Raul Ortiz: More is More at Elmhurst Art Museum through Aug. 14 Beyond the Frame at the Museum of Contemporary Photography through Oct. 30 Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

The Chicago Red Stars are ranked third in the NWSL, and the team’s been rebuilding after some players and the coach left last season following allegations of abuse across the league. It’s a young team and Claire Watkins says this season’s success is a “pleasant surprise” and that they're looking to the future. Watkins hosts a podcast about the Red Stars and writes for Just Women Sports. She breaks down the Chicago Red Stars with host Jacoby Cochran. Take our Summertime Chi Bucket List Challenge Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

If you’re not following our professional women’s sports teams here in Chicago, we feel a little sorry for you. The Sky are ranked No. 1 in the WNBA and have won nine of their last ten games. And the Red Stars just came off a nine-match unbeaten streak and are third in the NWSL. Remember, both teams played for their respective championships last season with the Sky bringing home the team’s first ever WNBA title. Now, both are on track for another deep playoff run. Each team has battled hurdles off the field, including fighting for equal pay as the men’s teams and leadership changes after accusations of abuse and harassment. And women players continue to speak out against social injustice. Today, Chicago Sun-Times reporter Annie Costabile takes us inside this season of the Sky, and Wednesday Claire Watkins from CHGO and Just Women Sports talks Red Stars. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Ecologists have been warning about Asian Carp for decades. The invasive species has infiltrated our waterways and threatens the Great Lakes ecosystem. One way to get them out? Eat them. That’s why Illinois officials have renamed the fish “Copi,” which comes from its copious numbers. The goal is to make it more palatable, but does the fish actually taste good? The City Cast team cooks up some Copi burgers, and producer Simone Alicea talks with Lincoln Park fishmonger Dirk Fucik about whether he thinks the name change will make a difference in our ecology. Here are some other places you can find Copi to eat. Did you know eating Copi is on our Summertime Chi Bucket List challenge? If you do it, let us know by filling out the form and tagging us on social media using #CityCastSummer. Plus, if you do the most items this summer, you could win some City Cast swag! Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Chicago’s $31 million dollar basic income pilot will 5,000 families $500 a month for the next year. The first checks started arriving this week. We talk with freelance journalist Natalie Frazier and Xavier Ramey, CEO of social impact consulting firm Justice Informed, about the impact this program will have for participants. We also discuss a report outlining how the public wants the city to make Chicago safer, ongoing problems at the Department of Children and Family Services, Mohawk Johnson’s two years on electronic monitoring, and how Chicago was voted second-best city in the world by Time Out. Stick around for Some Gooood Newwsss to get you through the weekend! It’s a good weekend to get out and try something on our Summertime Chi bucket list. Complete the most items this summer, and you could win City Cast swag! Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

City Cast loves talking about things to do in and around Chicago. I mean have you seen our great Summertime Chi bucket list? But sometimes it’s nice to get out of the city and get a quick change in scenery to rest and reset. Luckily, we have plenty of options for day and weekend trips around the Midwest. So where should you go? Thrillist’s Meredith Heil gives host Jacoby Cochran a few recommendations, and we hear some suggestions from City Cast readers. And remember to keep tagging us on social media in your bucket list adventures #CityCastSummer @CityCastChicago. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

In the new film “Tagged,” a local street artist is accused of murder and searches for clues in Chicago’s murals with the help of an unlikely source. But the film is not just a murder mystery. It’s a love letter to the city’s street art and the artists on the fringes of mainstream recognition. It’s streaming now on Amazon. Host Jacoby Cochran spoke with filmmaker Grant Troyer about “Tagged,” Chicago’s street art scene, and more. Troyer is also founder of local production company Kernel Productions. “Tagged” is available to stream on Amazon and Google Play. A little bit of news: Here's where you can apply to get a free bike, lock, and helmet from the city starting Monday. Plus, Tacos y Tamales is back in Pilsen this weekend. Are you doing our Summertime Chi Bucket List challenge? You could win some City Cast swag! As you complete your adventures, remember to tag us on social media #CityCastSummer @CityCastChicago. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

We’re all feeling inflation at the grocery store. Food prices are up 10% compared to this time last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And those increases are a double whammy for food pantries, resulting in more people who need food and fewer donations from grocery stores and big distribution centers. Lead Producer Carrie Shepherd takes us to Care for Real, a food pantry in Edgewater, to get a sense of what inflation actually looks like. Are you doing our Summertime Chi Bucket List challenge? You could win some City Cast swag! Fill out the form, and be sure to tag us on social media using #CityCastSummer @CityCastChicago. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

One week after the mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in north suburban Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens injured, details continue to emerge about the alleged shooter. Robert Crimo III, 21, has been charged with seven counts of first degree murder, and prosecutors say more charges are coming. Questions immediately surfaced about how the suspect was able to legally get the semi-automatic rifle he allegedly used to fire into the crowd, especially because police had previously visited Crimo and his family’s home after he had made threats of violence. We break down Illinois gun laws with WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith. A Look Ahead to the Week: Millennium Park Summer Film Series June CPI report drops Some Good News: Chicago Sky guard Allie Quigley wins fourth 3-point shooting contest during the All-Star weekend, which means she’s won the most 3-point contests of anyone in the WNBA or NBA. Do the City Cast Summertime Chi Bucket List challenge! And tag your bucket list #citycastsummer Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

After two years of pandemic hiatus, the Silver Room Sound System Block Party is back next weekend. To celebrate, we set up at the Silverroom store in Hyde Park and talked with founder Eric Williams and block party host Ramonski Luv about the growth of the event and what we can expect this year. Plus, Jacoby breaks down the week’s news with Block Club’s Jamie Nesbitt Golden and “Hood Feminism” author Mikki Kendall — who also happen to be longtime friends. They talk about the latest on the shooting in Highland Park, including details about the shooter’s history, affordable housing in Chicago, and getting out to enjoy summertime Chi. Here’s where to find tickets to the Silver Room Sound System Block Party. And speaking of getting out, check out our Summertime Chi Bucket List challenge. You might win some City Cast swag! Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

City Cast Chicago has been collecting listener and reader suggestions for our summer bucket list. Host Jacoby Cochran, lead producer Carrie Shepherd, producer Simone Alicea, and newsletter writer Sidney Madden share some of those ideas, and include some items from their own bucket lists. Plus! You can win City Cast Swag by participating in our Summertime Chi Bucket List Challenge. Here’s how to participate in the challenge! Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

For the first time since 2008, StreetWise recently raised its prices. The weekly magazine will now cost $3, but you can still buy it from any of Streetwise’s ubiquitous vendors across Chicago. These vendors are fixtures in our communities, and some of them have been doing this going on three decades. Though the early part of the pandemic forced vendors off the street, more people are returning to their commutes, which means seeing their favorite vendors. We hear from a few of them, and lead producer Carrie Shepherd talks with Executive Director Julie Youngquist about the origins of StreetWise and how it works to help people in need. Check out StreetWise’s podcast “Where I Stay.” Some Good News: Catch us at The Silver Room on Thursday for a live podcast taping. Starting at 11 a.m., we’ll be previewing the Silver Room Block Party and talking the week’s news with Block Club’s Jamie Nesbitt Golden and author Mikki Kendall. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246