City Cast Chicago

After months of contentious council meetings, new tax proposals, and a few delayed votes, alders voted 27-23 to approve the mayor’s $17 billion budget for 2025. Given all of the combativeness and compromise, what did we actually end up with in our city budget? WTTW’s Heather Cherone and Chicago Reader’s Katie Prout are here to help us dive into the numbers. Plus, we discuss the head of DFSS resigning, CPD’s “unsatisfying” consent decree progress, and one particularly photogenic river otter. Good News: Garfield Park Plant Sale & Planks and Pistils 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 Dec. 20 episode: Joffrey Ballet — save 10% with code SNOW10 for the December 26th and 27th performances! Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

We brought you episodes about food nearly every week this year, recommending spots to check out, trying Chicago classics, and talking about the latest food headlines. But how much information did the City Cast Chicago team retain? Host Jacoby Cochran and Hey Chicago newsletter editor (and weekly quiz writer) Sidney Madden take on executive producer Simone Alicea’s toughest quiz yet. Episodes mentioned: Our Best Chicago Food Predictions for 2024 How to Find Chicago’s Secret Speakeasies and Restaurants Is the Sweet Steak Sandwich Chicago’s Most Underrated Classic? Is Chicago a Wine City? How to Eat Cicadas. Yes, We’re Serious. The Sad State of Chicago’s Food Truck Scene Where Are Chicago’s Best Breweries? Did Chicago Restaurants Benefit from DNC? Is Chicago Actually The Pumpkin Spice Capital? Restaurant Openings, Updated United Center Menu, and a $13,000 Martini Will North Siders End 120-Year Alcohol Ban? Good News: TINK’s The Winter’s Diary Music Festival and Independent Spirit by Britt Julious 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: Joffrey Ballet - save 10% with code SNOW10 for the December 26th and 27th performances! Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

We spent a lot of time online in 2024, and despite our individual bubbles, there were some moments that landed on all of our feeds. What were the most viral moments that came out of Chicago in 2024? And which one was the best? Or at least the one we just couldn’t get away from? Host Jacoby Cochran and contributor Leigh Giangreco take on a classic City Cast Chicago bracket to find Chicago’s most viral moment of 2024. Vote on what you think was Chicago's most viral moment. Update: City Approves Pilsen Metal Shredder  Good News: Silver Room Anniversary Weekend 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: Joffrey Ballet — save 10% with code SNOW10 for the December 26 and 27 performances! Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

While City Council voted on a budget yesterday, a decision on a permit for a metal shredder in Pilsen that was supposed to come down Monday has been pushed back indefinitely. Neighbors are calling for a comprehensive health risk assessment, as the city comes under fire for failing to enforce environmental regulations and as staffing changes at the health department slow environmental justice projects. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss what the moves could mean for the Johnson administration in 2025. Plus, they play a game of “guess that quote” and discuss the most interesting Best of Chicago categories in the Reader. 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 Dec. 17 episode: Joffrey Ballet – save 10% with code SNOW10 for the December 26th and 27th performances! Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Last week, Chicago experienced its first taste of the dreaded winter polar vortex when temperatures dipped into the single digits with below-zero wind chills. Whether you’re an experienced wintertime Chicagoan or this is your first December in the city, we’ve got the perfect winter survival guide. WBEZ Curious City editor Susie An tells host Jacoby Cochran her top tips for staying warm and sane this winter.  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