Your Guide to November 2026 in Chicago

It’s a new month, and that means a new guide! Creative producer Emmi Mack and The Brown Line’s Ghazala Irshad join us with what they’re looking forward to this month. From a free Bengali folk festival to “Mexodus”, to tips for planning your own bar crawl, we’ve got a jam-packed guide to November. Plus, the fight over arts funding in the 2027 budget, the school board race, and what we’re following on election night.  Follow The Brown Line on Instagram and TikTok @TheBrownLineChi Subscribe to The Brown Line newsletter and events calendar 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 If you enjoyed this interview with Terry Mattson, CEO / President of Galena Country Tourism, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 30 episode: Steppenwolf - Adirondack Chair Circle Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Monday was the deadline for candidates for mayor and City Council to submit their petitions to get on the 2027 ballot. Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with NABJ President Brandon Pope and WBEZ’s Sasha Ann-Simons to discuss how many people want to be mayor, which alders are running unopposed, and important election dates to remember. Plus, Soul Train is honoring a Chicago legend and DuSable Park breaks ground after 40 years.  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 Oct. 29 episode: Steppenwolf - Adirondack Chair Circle Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

We’re asking a question most Chicago renters probably can’t answer: who owns your building? Today we’re talking about the two competing renters’ rights ordinances sitting in City Council and why it’s almost impossible to find out who actually owns your apartment. Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with Illinois Answers Project reporter Alex Nitkin and  WBEZ health reporter Kristen Schorsch to break down the latest, including whether the Birth Equity Act is working.   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 Wednesday, October 28th episode: Steppenwolf - Adirondack Chair Circle Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

We have covered school board elections, nonbinding ballot questions, and judicial retention elections ahead of election day next Tuesday. However, two big races we haven’t discussed are for governor and Cook County board president. Chicago Tribune’s AD Quig and Sun-Times’ Mitch Armentrout join us to break down why Gov. JB Pritzker and Board President Toni Preckwinkle are two of the state’s most powerful politicians. Plus, the Pope is cancer-free, the next Cook County assessor faces an uphill battle, and don’t forget about Water Reclamation districts.  Good news: Manual Cinema’s Frankenstein  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 Oct. 27 episode: Steppenwolf - Adirondack Chair Circle Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

We’re still not done talking about Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget proposal. Contributors Leigh Giangreco and Al Scorch discuss crisis assistance response in the city and a potential reopening of a mental health clinic. Plus, driverless cars in Chicago and best-of-all-time Halloween costumes.  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 26 episode: Steppenwolf - Adirondack Chair Circle 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 

Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled his $17.6 billion budget proposal at City Hall this week. The mayor called it “Chicago’s Fair Share Budget,” after what Harold Washington named his 1986 budget 40 years ago. We are joined by City Hall reporters Brandon Pope and Jake Sheridan to dive into the details, including another attempt at a corporate head tax, new investments in the library and youth jobs, and debates between the mayor and City Council.   Good News:  Mobb Deep x Talib Kweli, Tank and The Bangas  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 Oct. 23 episode: Enjoy Illinois Destination Madison Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

This episode mentions sexual assault, so please take care when listening.  Today we’re talking about two sexual violence allegations at University of Chicago fraternity houses. Plus, a string of robberies hitting local businesses on the South and North Sides. Contributors Yareni Murillo and PJ Walker break down the latest.  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 Oct. 22 episode: Enjoy Illinois Destination Madison Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Today we’re talking about an attempted mass shooting at a Hindu Temple in Aurora and what Illinois is doing to keep gender-affirming care funded now that federal dollars have dried up. Host Jacoby Cochran discusses the latest with contributors Adora Namigadde and Anna DeShawn. Plus, should Chicago get a portal? 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 Oct. 21 episode: Enjoy Illinois Destination Madison Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Billionaire mega-donor Michael Sacks has been involved in Illinois politics and the state’s democratic party for decades. He has been an advisor, campaign donor, and critical ally to governors, mayors, state attorneys, and more. Now he is one of the lead opposition forces to the Chicago Teachers Union and Mayor Brandon Johnson. WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel joins us with the latest. Plus, we’re going through the non-binding ballot questions Chicagoans will see when they vote.  Find your ward’s early voting location  Good News: Peak fall foliage, Jazz Happy Hour, Live Music with Charles Pryor, After Hours Live Jazz 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 Oct. 20 episode: Enjoy Illinois Destination Madison Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Today we’re joined by contributors Jill Hopkins and Leigh Giangreco to discuss Pope Leo’s recent cancer diagnosis, Chicago’s newest Bears-themed rom-com, and the return of the Soul Train Awards.  Good News: Write Club 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 If you enjoyed this interview with Kenya Merritt, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 19 episode: Enjoy Illinois Destination Madison DCASE Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE