Chicago Public Schools has an interesting 2025 ahead. CPS CEO Pedro Martinez has been fired. A new hybrid school board will take office in two weeks. And the district is still without a teachers union contract. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down the latest developments. Plus, will the city get a new stadium (or two…or three…or four…)? And we've got good news we’re watching in 2025.

Good News: Starting at 9 a.m. Friday, click here and follow the steps on the Instagram post to enter to win a Year’s Worth of City Cast Chicago’s Favorite Restaurants.

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The new year is here, and we’ve got your best tips for January in Chicago. We’re talking about how to make good on your resolutions (anyone trying an open mic?), Illinois’ new laws, and the bites we’re looking forward to. Host Jacoby Cochran is talking with Dario Durham and Sara Faddah, co-hosts of 77 Flavors of Chicago.

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Chicago community. 

For even more tips on how to make the most of January in Chicago, check out Hey Chicago’s take on what to do this month. 

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Parking in Chicago is always difficult, but especially when it’s cold outside. In 2008, City Council voted to privatize Chicago’s parking meters for 75 years in return for $1 billion. But in the years since, analysis after analysis has shown the meters were worth much more, and the city lost out on revenues while investors earn a profit, and Chicagoans pay some of the highest parking rates in the country. While he was at the Reader, Block Club Chicago reporter and editor Mick Dumke investigated the deal after it first passed. We’re revisiting his conversation with host Jacoby Cochran to hear why Chicago went for it, who challenged it, and how we feel the effects today.

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Self-care is especially important during the holiday season. It can be hard to find the time to prioritize your mental and physical health during this time, but it doesn’t need to be expensive. Everyone deserves access to rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation so we’re revisiting a conversation from earlier this year where we highlight some local self-care options that fit any budget.

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Learn more about the sponsors of this Dec. 26 episode:

• Joffrey Ballet — save 10% with code SNOW10 for the December 26th and 27th performances!

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It’s the busiest season of the year for advertisers and retailers. That means a lot of commercials, which is something we know a little something about in Chicago. Join us as we revisit a conversation from earlier this year with Axios reporter Justin Kaufmann about some of our city’s most legendary commercials, jingles, and characters that have enticed us to buy stuff.

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Learn more about the sponsors of this December 23rd episode:

• Joffrey Ballet — save 10% with code SNOW10 for the December 26th and 27th performances!

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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

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Learn more about the sponsors of this Dec. 20 episode:

• Joffrey Ballet — save 10% with code SNOW10 for the December 26th and 27th performances!

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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

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• Joffrey Ballet - save 10% with code SNOW10 for the December 26th and 27th performances!

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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

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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.

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Learn more about the sponsors of this Dec. 17 episode:

• Joffrey Ballet – save 10% with code SNOW10 for the December 26th and 27th performances!

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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. 

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The city has been ramping up its attempt to relocate people staying in tents in Humboldt Park. Block Club’s Manny Ramos tells host Jacoby Cochran how removals have unfolded at Chicago’s largest encampment of unhoused people. Chalkbeat’s Samantha Smylie is also here with an update on all the education news in Chicago (Spoiler: It’s a lot). Plus, a Morgan Park housing development, a new state head of early education, and some weekend holiday plans.

Good News: Christmas Tree Shopping, One-of-a-Kind-Show, Western Ave. Holiday Road

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Learn more about the sponsors of this Dec. 6 episode:

• The Second City
• Paramount Theatre – CityCast for $5 off of up to 4 tickets!
• BetterHelp – Get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST

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