Why Are Chicago Street Festivals Struggling? Plus, New Restaurants We’re Watching

Anna Lee Ackerman is trying to ride every CTA train line and hit every “L” stop in record time, documenting her journey on TikTok. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with her about how she’s planning her trip, why it’s worth doing, and her definitive (and possibly spicy) ranking of the city’s train lines. Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events, and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm 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 April 28 episode: Aura Frames — Get $ 35 off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Introducing Ron Howard: “Understand the entertainment value of an idea.” from Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing with Bob Pittman.Follow the show: Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing with Bob PittmanRon Howard is an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning film director. With work spanning from comedies like Splash and Parenthood to critically acclaimed dramas like Apollo 13, Frost/Nixon and A Beautiful Mind, he is one of the most popular and prolific filmmakers of the last 50 years. His first on-screen appearance was at just 18 months old and he was cast as Opie on The Andy Griffith Show at age five. By the time he was 10, adults on set predicted he would make a great director; but at the time, it was a major challenge to transition from acting to directing feature films. In his conversation with Bob, Ron shares how he leveraged one green light to make that improbable jump, how his feelings about collaboration have changed over his career, and his advice for young people in the entertainment industry today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

On the heels of a tough budget season, and with looming federal funding cuts, Mayor Branndon Johnson is hoping to get ahead of what is shaping up to be yet another grueling budget fight. On Monday, he signed an executive order launching a budget working group and a review of city spending. Alex Nitkin from the Illinois Answers Project explains how this could set the stage for difficult budget considerations like staffing and service cuts. Plus, we discuss high “bonuses” for ward aides, the city’s reparations task force, and this weekend’s Cherry Blossom festival. Good News: Off Beat Tour Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You'll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm 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 April 25 episode: Babbel – Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames – Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Moats Entertainment – Save $5 with code CityCast Paramount Theatre – Save $5 off each ticket with Code CityCast. Offer is good for up to 4 tickets  Cozy Earth – Use code COZYCHICAGO for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The Kehrein Center for the Arts is hosting a soldout “The Listening Field” this Sunday, dedicated to sound healing, meditation, and rest on Chicago’s West Side. We are joined by event producers Kori Coleman, the founder and executive director of D-Composed, and poet, songwriter, and musician Jamila Woods. We discuss what sound healing looks like for them, ways to get started at home, and how they blend Chicago poetry and classical music for a one-of-a-kind experience. 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 April 24 episode: Babbel – Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames – Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Moats Entertainment – Save $5 with code CityCast Paramount Theatre – Save $5 off each ticket with Code CityCast. Offer is good for up to 4 tickets  Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Word on social media is Chicago’s funniest food duo is filming a second season of their show. We’re of course talking about “Poochie & Pang (eat Chicago),” starring Poochie from The Wiener’s Circle and longtime food critic Kevin Pang. While we wait to see what they’re eating this season, we’re revisiting a conversation host Jacoby Cochran had with the pair last fall about their Chicago food hot takes and the burgers they ate in season one. Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm 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 April 23 episode: Babbel – Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames – Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Moats Entertainment – Save $5 with code CityCast Paramount Theatre – Save $5 off each ticket with Code CityCast. Offer is good for up to 4 tickets Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

As street festival organizers struggle with rising costs, a coalition is urging Chicagoans to donate at the gate this summer. Host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro discuss the hurdles facing the city’s (mostly) free street fests and the future of summertime Chi. Plus, new restaurant openings and how to get our new City Cast Chicago Neighbors mug.  Good news: The Moth in Chicago: GrandSLAM 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 April 22 episode: Babbel – Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Cozy Earth – Use code COZYCHICAGO for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Aura Frames – Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Moats Entertainment – Save $5 with code CityCast Paramount Theatre – Save $5 off each ticket with Code CityCast. Offer is good for up to 4 tickets  Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Kat Abughazaleh has garnered national attention for announcing her campaign challenging U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. But how does a 26-year-old who’s lived in Chicago less than a year win over voters in a district that’s been represented by the same person for nearly three decades? Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with Abughazaleh to learn more about her vision for the district covering Chicago’s Far North Side and north suburbs. Get more from City Cast Chicago when you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm 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 April 21 episode: Babbel — Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames — Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Moats Entertainment — Save $5 with cod CityCast Paramount Theatre — Save $5 off each ticket with Code CityCast. Offer is good for up to 4 tickets Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The City Council this week held discussions about the future of hemp regulations, the mayor’s affordable housing plan, updates to the city’s curfew for minors, and whether Jan. 6 insurrectionists should be banned from city work, among other things. We ask The Triibe’s Corli Jay and the Chicago Tribune’s Jake Sheridan what came of these City Council meetings. Good News: Expo Chicago 2025 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 April 18th episode: Prolonlife.com/city – Use this link for 15% off Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Losing a loved one to gun violence can be extremely isolating. But in Chicago, there are many ways communities come together to remember those who have been lost. Producer Michelle Navarro visited a healing vigil for survivors last weekend organized by Corniki Bornds, founder of the Help Understand Grief (HUG) support group. She talked with Bornds about why groups and events like this are important ahead of an upcoming memorial basketball game for her son, who was shot and killed eight years ago. 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 April 17 episode: Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The people have spoken. With nearly 90% of the vote, the audience has crowned the winner of our March Madness Ultimate Chicago food bracket as none other than the Chicago Hot Dog. The City Cast Chicago team (reacts to the results) and revisit an earlier conversation breaking down the Chicago dog’s origins, their favorite places to grab one, and if it deserves all the hype. Spots mentioned: Jim’s Original The Wieners Circle Maxwell Street Grill Dan’s Hot Dogs Petey’s Gyros The Duck Inn Fixin Franks at Home Depot Vienna Beef Hall of Fame 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 April 16 episode: Prolonlife.com/city — Use this link for 15% off Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE