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Do you recognize all of the offices that will be on your primary ballot in March? Obviously the president and your Congresspeople, but what about when you start getting to clerks, commissioners, and committeepeople? Even host Jacoby Cochran has more to learn so we called in the Illinois Answers Project’s Alex Nitkin to break down some important but lesser-known races. And turns out, things are getting spicy! Learn more about: The Cook County Circuit Court Clerk The Board of Review Ward Committeepeople Good News: Free Museum Days This Week! 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 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor JB Pritzker delivered his $53 billion budget proposal this week. Host Jacoby Cochran, freelance journalist Britt Julious, and Axios Chicago’s social host Moyo Adeolu dive into some of the governor’s spending plans for the state’s growing migrant population, early childhood education, reproductive health, and more. Plus, we look at new regulations on the Field Museum’s indigenous artifacts, the Black Girlhood Altar at the Chicago Cultural Center, and a City Cast Best of Chicago three-peat!    Some good news: Best of the Rust Belt, Black History Folk Futures Symposium 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 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cook County State’s Attorney is the county’s top prosecutor, and the office has become one of the most scrutinized over the last decade. That’s why when Kim Foxx announced last spring she wouldn’t seek a third term, host Jacoby Cochran and Tribune reporter A.D. Quig expected more fanfare heading into the March 19 primary. But only two Democrats have emerged to replace Foxx, and they haven’t come out swinging as hard as you might expect. Quig breaks down who the candidates are and why the race is still important to watch. Some good news: The Chicago Independent Venue League’s CIVL Fest 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 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk a lot about Chicago’s world-renowned restaurant scene, but now it’s time to go underground. Adrian Kane and John Ringor from The Infatuation Chicago are here with tips to find and get into the city’s speakeasies, private supper clubs, and hidden restaurants. And they talk with host Jacoby Cochran about which spots are worth the hype and if a speakeasy is really a speakeasy if everyone knows about it. Places discussed Punch House The Library Blind Barber Dorian’s Prive Nine Bar Drifter The Alderman The Office Bodega Dorothy Wazwan Connie’s Underground Txa Txa Club Herbal Notes Saint Emeric Taqueria Chingon Tacomakase Asian Cuisine Express Tak Korean Bistro Boeufhaus Some good news: “Magic of Motown” at Auditorium Theatre 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 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One tangible thing the city could do for Black Chicagoans during Black History Month? Make progress on reparations. Mayor Brandon Johnson set aside money in this year’s budget for a new reparations subcommittee, but it hasn’t yet met. Meanwhile, nearby Evanston’s reparations program has been running the past couple years. First Repair director and former Evanston Ald. Robin Rue Simmons will be in the Austin neighborhood this weekend talking about reparations, so we’re revisiting our conversation with her from this summer to see what Chicago can learn. Some Good News: Rooted and Radical Youth Poetry 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 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that Chicago will not renew a long-term contract with SoundThinking, the company behind Shot Spotter, a highly controversial gunshot detection technology. Host Jacoby Cochran discusses what’s next with author and professor Arionne Nettles and Crain’s reporter Corli Jay. We also break down the million dollar Bring Chicago Home media battle, the sudden closure of three south side KFCs, and the return of Bridgeport’s Ramova Theatre.  Good News: Friday Night Events! Black By Popular Demand: A Black Excellence Revue  Blanc Gallery James Baldwin exhibit Ramova Theatre Chance Concert  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 our sponsors: TimeLine Theatre Company's "Notes From the Field" Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chicago musician and icon Common has been making the rounds talking about his new book “And Then We Rise: A Guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self.” It’s all about prioritizing mental and physical health.. Unfortunately for many, the phrase “self-care” often means expensive, time consuming, and impractical for noncelebrities. But everyone deserves access to rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. So Host Jacoby Cochran, producer Michelle Navarro, and marketing coordinator Jermaine Thomas found some great self-care options in the city for any Chicago budget.  Nature: Tortugas Hiking Club Shedd Aquarium Action Days American Club Resort in Kohler, WI Physical: Chingonas Run Chicago Read and Run Chicago Kohler Water Spa Community: Chicago Park District community gardens Scratch Goods Black Luxe Candle Co. Machine Txa Txa Club Art/Creativity: Brighton Park Poets Maker Lab at Harold Washington Library Neighborhood art centers (including Beverly, Bridgeport, Old Town, Hyde Park) Alma Art and Interiors  Recycled Modern 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 our sponsors: TimeLine Theatre Company’s “Notes From the Field” Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the city celebrates Lunar New Year with parades in Uptown and Chinatown this weekend, you’re likely to see a smattering of dumpling options in both neighborhoods during the celebrations. That’s because dumplings bring families together and represent good fortune in the new year, says “A Very Chinese Cookbook” author Kevin Pang. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with Pang about where to find the best dumplings around Chicagoland. Good News: Asian Pop Up Cinema free Lunar New Year screenings 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 our sponsors: Catch TimeLine Theatre Company’s “Notes From the Field” Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The city’s contract with gunshot detection tech SoundThinking (aka ShotSpotter) is up at the end of the week. Will Mayor Brandon Johnson keep his campaign promise to end the contract or will he renew it? Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down the mayor’s options and why it’s such a big decision. They also talk about the referenda on your ballot and Chicago’s most (and least) romantic spots ahead of Valentine’s Day. Good news: Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration and Lunar New Year Celebration Chinatown Parade 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 our sponsors: TimeLine Theatre Company’s “Notes from the Field”  Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chicago Sun-Times recently launched their new Money Desk to help Chicagoans stay on the lookout for junk fees, sketchy utility offerings, and other bad deals. Sun-Times consumer affairs reporter Stephanie Zimmermann walks host Jacoby Cochran through some key ways to protect our pockets in 2024 including how best to complain to get our money back. Good News: Spring Flower Shows Start Wednesday Garfield Park Conservatory, “What’s In A Name?”  Lincoln Park Conservatory, “Sweet Gnome Chicago”  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 our sponsors: Catch “Notes From the Field” at TimeLine Theatre through March 24. Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For over a week, Lurie Children’s Hospital has been without critical phone, email, and other communications networks as they deal with a cyberattack. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and WCIU TV host Brandon Pope are here with the latest details. Plus, we discuss an investigation into Chicago dollar stores, mockups of a South Loop Sox stadium, and the next tenant in Wicker Park’s landmark Noel State Bank.  Good News: Jacoby is hosting The Moth Monday in Lincoln Park and Grown Folks Stories Thursday in Hyde Park 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 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s be honest: Super Bowl Sunday is only partly about football. A lot of us are watching it just for the commercials. In the advertising world, it’s the biggest and most expensive opportunity to create a legendary commercial that will have the whole country’s attention. Chicago knows a thing or two about creating a classic commercial. From local jingles to iconic characters, host Jacoby Cochran and Axios reporter Justin Kaufmann remember some of Chicago’s greatest ads. Good News: Axios Chicago team tonight at the Hideout 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 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices