Chicago's New Smoke Season, School Board Candidates Dropped, and the Pokémon Capital

Seven Save-A-Lot grocery stores across the South and West Sides could close their doors as early as Saturday if Yellow Banana, the company that owns and operates them, can’t find new funding. Block Club Chicago’s Atavia Reed is here with the latest. Plus, WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch joins us to detail the ongoing legal battles surrounding the recently shuttered West Suburban Hospital and provide a temperature check on Chicago’s struggling safety net hospitals. Good News: 5th Annual Words of Wonder Literary Festival!, Roots: “The Brunch Experience”  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this July 24 episode: Visit Bloomington Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Now that the smoke has largely cleared out, it is the perfect time to get outdoors and into nature. Whether you’re planning a quick hike or weekend camping trip, the Illinois Department of Public Health wants you to protect yourself against ticks and mosquitoes. Contributors Al Scorch and PJ Walker help us run through IDPH’s guidelines. Plus, we’re asking our guests what makes Chicago’s live audiences so special, whether amusement and water parks still go-to summer spots, and what reboots would they welcome with open arms? Good News:  The Trashy Summer Market We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this July 23 episode: Visit Bloomington Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

A plan to sell Chicago’s 36,000 parking meters remains stalled in the City Council. A group of alders is critical of the potential buyer's financial connections to ongoing ICE operations. Contributors Leigh Giangreco and Anna DeShawn are here with the latest. Plus, the Chicago Therapy Collective recently became the largest LGBTQ+ mental health provider in the state, and this weekend’s calendar is packed with great events.  Good News: Butterfly Sanctuary tour We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this July 22 episode: Visit Bloomington Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Should Chicagoans be preparing to mitigate wildfire smoke every summer? How are fundraising efforts and ballot challenges shaping the race for school board? Is Chicago the Pokémon capital of North America? Executive producer Simone Aliecea and host Jacoby Cochran are answering these questions and more. Plus, how to make your own air purifier. Good News: Roseland Peoples Market Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this July 21 episode: Visit Bloomington Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Last week, alderpeople approved a $425 million infrastructure plan at ‘The 78’ in the South Loop, anchored by the forthcoming Chicago Fire stadium. Contributor Leigh Giangreco is here with details, including why few alders voted against it. Plus, Al Scorch walks us through a magical week of Chicago summer music, and we’ve got thoughts on delivery during extreme weather. We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag. Good News: Pullman Railroad Days Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this July 20 episode: Visit Bloomington Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Today, a City Council committee will question the details and effectiveness of the Mayor’s “ICE on Notice” executive order as ICE sightings and arrests are up in Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson signed it back in January, following months of Operation Midway Blitz, and with it directed the Chicago Police Department to “investigate federal immigration agents and refer evidence of suspected illegal activity to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.” WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel is here to discuss what, if anything, has changed in the last six months. Plus, Sun-Times reporter Erica Thompson tells us about her afternoon with 1,000 Chicago teens downtown. Good News: Silver Room Block Party We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this July 17 episode: Visit Bloomington Destination Madison Newberry Library Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

In January, longtime Harold’s Chicken Shack CEO Kristen Pierce-Sherrod passed away. Now, a legal battle between her five children and her widower will determine who owns the multimillion-dollar brand going forward. We dive into the drama with contributors PJ Walker and Yareni Murillo. Plus, we’ve got ideas for what should replace Ford City Mall and which iconic Chicago foods deserve their very own food festival.  Good News: Rogers Park Taco Crawl We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this July 16 episode: Visit Bloomington Destination Madison Newberry Library Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

The Rev. Michael Pfleger, the St. Sabina parish leader for 45 years, has been removed from his position as the Archdiocese of Chicago investigates another accusation of sexual assault against him. We break down the latest reporting with contributors Brandon Pope and Anna DeShawn. Plus, WNBA All-Star Weekend returns to Chicago next week, and we’ve got cyclosporiasis updates.  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this July 15 episode: Visit Bloomington Destination Madison Newberry Library Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Another heat wave is hitting Chicago. Here's what to expect. Also on today's podcast, we talk to Onion executive editor Jordan LaFlure about the Chicago satire publication's new parody of Infowars. For years, Infowars spread all kinds of misinformation, most notably about the Sandy Hook School shooting that killed 20 children and six adults. Jones then lost a defamation suit, which led to his bankruptcy and, eventually, bidding on Infowars — which The Onion won.  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, July 14 episode: Visit Bloomington Destination Madison Newberry Library Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Chicago is seeing a rise in enforcement against immigrant street vendors. Over the last few months the Street Vendors Association of Chicago has been sounding the alarm on a rise in citations, arrests, and number of carts that have been confiscated by Chicago police officers and city workers. We break down the latest with contributors Leigh Giangreco and Jill Hopkins. Plus, the Shedd Aquarium is welcoming even more beluga whales to the lakefront, and we’ve got a fun way to keep track of everyone running for mayor.  Good News: Fire vs. Vancouver | Sky vs. Seattle Storm  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this July 13  episode: Visit Bloomington Destination Madison Newberry Library Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE