City Cast Chicago

Why Block Club Sued ICE

It took Block Club Chicago’s investigative reporter Mick Dumke 11 months to get one page of records from ICE about the clash between its agents and protestors outside of

Can Mayoral Candidates Double Dip? Plus, Ford City’s Future

Mayoral candidate Bill Quinlan’s lawsuit aims to block Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas from

How Chicago Latinos Are Changing Neighborhoods

Little Village was once known as the city's largest Latino neighborhood, but a new report found Belmont Cragin now has the largest Latino population. Block Club reporter

Art Institute Returns Nazi-Looted Painting. Plus, Fourth Shedd Beluga Dies

The Art Institute of Chicago is returning a 113-year-old painting to the family of its original owner after an investigation revealed it was stolen and resold during Nazi

Why Are There Sukkahs in North Lawndale? Plus, Chicago’s Queer-Affirming Churches

Contributors Anna DeShawn and Adora Namigadde join us with picks from the Chicago Underground and International Film Festivals. Plus, we discuss E3 Radio’s 12th annual Pu

Are Illinois’ County Jails in Crisis? Plus, Big Changes at MSI

Following a historic number of deaths in 2023, growing concerns over standards violations, and an investigation into ongoing unreporting, some Cook County Commissioners a

Where Are the Flock Cameras? Plus, Circus on the River

Today we’re talking about the rise of Flock automatic license plate reading cameras on college campuses, including at the University of Illinois Chicago. Contributors Lie

More Chicagoans Can’t Afford Food. Plus, Fall Storefront Theater

This year, Chicagoans have seen more grocery stores close on the South and West Sides, SNAP benefits stripped from tens of thousands of households, and food prices contin

Who Owns the Word 'Dope'? Plus, Chicago's Divviest Summer Ever

Today we’re talking about a local historian’s fascinating copyright battle, the rise of microcinemas and film clubs, and the ‘Divvyfication’ of Chicago. We are joined by

Who’s Building Guerrilla Bus Benches in Ukrainian Village? Plus, Fall in the Air

A neighborhood group is building bus benches in Ukrainian Village. But will the city remove the unauthorized infrastructure? Executive producer Simone Alicea and contribu

Who’s All Running For Mayor? Plus, Live From Printers Row

Mayor Brandon Johnson has officially announced his campaign for a second term in office. He enters alongside more than a dozen challengers, including a Cook County board

City Expands Free Narcan. Plus, Best of Open House Chicago

Chicago’s Department of Public Health has worked diligently in recent years to expand access to free Naloxone/Narcan, the opioid overdose drug. You can find it at Chicago

Could White Sox Really Leave Bridgeport? Plus, Mexican Independence Celebrations

Over the weekend, White Sox minority owner Justin Ishbia released stadium renderings that confirmed the team is considering a move to the South Loop and also assisting Am

Big Marsh Celebrates 10 Years. The Oprah Winfrey Show Celebrates 40.

As Big Marsh Park prepares to officially celebrate ten years on the South East side, the park has cut the ribbon on new bike features on the nearly 300-acre site. We are

Loop Restaurants Resurging, Chicago’s Climate Resilience, And Meet Us At Lit Fest

A 2026 study has ranked Chicago as the ‘World’s Most Climate Resilient’ major city. After a summer of torrential storms, tornado warnings, and wildfire smoke, we ask cont

Mayor Johnson Answers Your Toughest Questions

As Mayor Brandon Johnson prepares to make a big announcement about his “political future” on Sunday, Sept. 13, we visited City Hall for a one-on-one interview. Thanks to

Former Loretto Exec Finally In Court. Plus, Does Chicago Have an Alderman Problem?

Former Loretto Hospital COO Anosh Ahmed was finally in federal court this week, where he pleaded not guilty to defrauding the safety-net hospital and federal government.

Washington Park Mass Shooting, Ye & North in Chicago, and Printers Row Lit Quiz

Today we are joined by contributors Jill Hopkins and Leigh Giangreco to discuss the tragic mass shooting in Washington Park over the weekend, both Ye and North West perfo

Why Are Chicago Judges Deporting More Kids? Plus, Sox Parking Scam

An immigration judge in Chicago ordered 6 children to be deported. We break down what children are facing in Chicago immigration courtrooms. Plus, how to not get finessed

Your Guide to September 2026 in Chicago

September in Chicago is going to see us outside, come storms or heatwaves. Between Mexican Independence Day celebrations, Fall Theater Season, and the Bears’ home opener,