How Can Chicago Make it Easier to Own a Home?

Buying a home is one of the most effective ways of putting down roots in a neighborhood. But the cost of homeownership is prohibitively high for many Chicagoans, especially in gentrifying areas. Community land trusts like Here to Stay seek to shift that narrative on the Northwest Side. Here to Stay’s Lucy Gomez-Feliciano explains how this alternative to traditional homeownership allows people to stay in their neighborhoods. We also hear from recent homebuyer Jadid Hernandez. Good News: Free museum days 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 Sept. 22 episode:  Window Nation Babbel — Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Huel — Try Huel with 15% OFF for new customers today using code CHICAGO Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago is staring down a $1.15 billion budget gap. This week, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget task force released its official report, which includes nearly 90 policy suggestions. We are joined by city hall reporters A.D. Quig from the Tribune and Tonia Hill from the Triibe to discuss a city vacancy freeze, raising garbage fees, and a property tax hike. Plus, a city council committee approves a historic police violence settlement, RTA is surveying possible transit cuts, and Austin’s newest grocery store is prepping for its opening. Good News: Chicago River Swim, Jerk, Seafood, and Vegan Festival, Rainbow Cone  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 Sept. 19 episode: Chicago Architecture Center Kidney Cancer Association Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation The Newberry Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago takes its tacos very seriously. That’s why the City Cast Chicago team is rounding up their favorite spots. (And by the way, it’s not the first time.) Taqueria Chingon  Don Pedro Carnitas Chicago Taco Authority Carnitas Uruapan Mother Prepper La Chaparrita El Tragon Taqueria Good news: Chicago Exhibition Weekend, Chicago Architecture Biennial 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 Sept.18 episode: Chicago Architecture Center Kidney Cancer Association Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation The Newberry Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Fall theater season is picking up across Chicago and host Jacoby Cochran is sharing a few of the shows he is most excited for. Plus, he is joined by Chicago actor Ronald Conner to get a behind the scenes look at Chicago's thriving theater scene.  Big White Fog at Court Theater Rabbits in their pockets at Lifeline Theatre  Veal at Red Orchid Theatre Rome Sweet Rome at Chicago Shakespeare Theater Saving Myself  at Urban Theater Company  Blue Heaven at Black Ensemble Theater  Ashland Avenue at The Goodman Things with friends at American Blues Theater  Oak at Raven Theatre The Last Senior Home in Bronzeville at Definition Theatre The House That Will Not Stand at Invictus Theater 8th Annual Destinos Festival at Various theaters 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 Sept. 17 episode: Chicago Architecture Center Kidney Cancer Association Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation The Newberry Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Local leaders are calling for a full investigation after an immigration enforcement agent fatally shot Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez in Franklin Park. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea have the latest, including resources on ICE activity in Chicago. Plus, they’re wishing luck to the Leo High School boys choir on “America’s Got Talent” and they’re taking a skyscraper quiz ahead of Chicagohenge.  Good News: Día De Muertos at National Museum of Mexican Art 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 Sept. 16 episode: Chicago Architecture Center Kidney Cancer Association Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation The Newberry Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago landlords are increasingly using LLCs, often concealing individual owners’ identities. WBEZ reporters Amy Qin and Esther Yoon-Ji Kang tell host Jacoby Cochran how these property owners become invisible and why this makes it difficult for tenants to hold their landlords accountable.  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 Sept. 15 episode: Chicago Architecture Center Kidney Cancer Association Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation The Newberry Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security launched “Operation Midway Blitz,” a surge in immigration raids across Chicago and Illinois. WTTW anchor Joanna Hernandez tells us the timing of this campaign alongside Mexican Independence Day celebrations is purposeful and a repeat of history for Chicago. Injustice Watch reporter Kelly Garcia also joins us with a new investigation into the head of Cook County’s juvenile detention center and the results of Cook County’s chief judge election. Good News: Pullman Food Truck Festival 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 Sept. 12 episode: The Joffrey Ballet Steppenwolf Theatre Kidney Cancer Association Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation MUBI Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

While there could be many factors as to why crime is down in Chicago, advocates say community violence prevention is doing a lot of groundwork. Host Jacoby Cochran talked with Damien Morris, chief program officer of violence prevention at Breakthrough, who works to build and sustain community relationships as a peacekeeper. Damien tells us what it’s like to connect with families who've been impacted by violence while trying to prevent other families from going through the same thing. Damien Morris was featured in a documentary for WTTW’s FIRSTHAND: Peacekeepers series earlier this year.  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 Sept. 11 episode: The Joffrey Ballet Steppenwolf Theatre Kidney Cancer Association Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

There’s been a whole lot of talk about crime in Chicago lately. The president claims that crime is rampant in Chicago, while the mayor and the governor counter that the data indicate violent crime is at historic lows. But then you have an alderman openly questioning the data. Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with Patrick Smith, co-host of WBEZ’s new morning show Say More. Smith has spent years covering crime and public safety in the city and is here to break down how crime is tracked in Chicago and how the numbers match up (or don’t) with public perception. Good News: Urban Birding Festival 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 Sept. 10 episode: The Joffrey Ballet Steppenwolf Theatre Kidney Cancer Association Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Yesterday, the Trump administration announced “Operation Midway Blitz,” the latest round of targeted immigration raids in Chicago, while continuing their threats to deploy National Guard troops to the city. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea also discuss COVID-19 vaccine updates, the likely replacement for Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., and the Sky’s recent suspension of all-star Angel Reese.    Good News: Englewood Music Festival, Norwood Park Fall Festival, and Logan Vegan Festival 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 Sept. 9 episode: The Joffrey Ballet Steppenwolf Theatre Kidney Cancer Association Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation MUBI Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE