A Listener is Trying to Buy a Vacant Lot Behind Her Condo. Why Is It Taking Years?
If you have a vacant lot on your block, then you know what it’s like to constantly pass by the overgrown weeds and the trash. The city owns more than 10,000 of these lots alone. City Cast listener Makema Adkins has one of these city-owned lots behind her condo on the Near West Side, where she’s lived for over a decade. Two years ago she started the process of buying the lot to build a bigger home for her growing family. And she’s still trying to buy it. Makema walks us through the process and explains why she thinks the city should make it easier for residents like her to build on these lots.
Makema texted us with her story idea, and you can too! Reach out or leave a voicemail at (773) 780-0246
Some Good News:
Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo
Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago
Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm
Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Broadview Protesters Face Trial, Farmers Market Prices Rise, and Where to Karaoke in Chicago
The trial against the Broadview Four, a group of high-profile protesters arrested and charged with conspiracy back in September, is set t...

Why Can’t the Sky Keep Stars? Plus, The Hideout’s New Ownership
Earlier this week, the Chicago Sky traded All-Star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream for two future first-round picks. Following...

What to Do on Route 66 in Chicago
In April 1926, Route 66 received its iconic number. The so-called Mother Road takes you all the way to California, but it begins in Chica...

Mayor Johnson vs CHA Board, Buses to O’Hare, and Hawks Miss Playoffs… Again
At the end of March, Chicago’s Housing Authority board voted 7-2 to appoint a new CEO. CHA has been without a permanent CEO since former...

'Your City Could Be Better': Denver’s Bet on a Women’s Soccer Stadium — Presented By City Cast Chicago
While both Chicago and Denver have a professional Women's Soccer team (go Stars!), Denver is only the second city in the U.S. to build a...

What Went Down At The Jeffs? Plus, Was Midway Blitz Martial Law?
Chicagoans are still asking if the feds will return to the city after Operation Midway blitz. WBEZ’s Curious City recently tackled whethe...

Accessing Immigration Courts, Regulating Prediction Markets, and Ranking Chicago Burgers
Why are immigration court watchers in Chicago struggling to observe virtual hearings? Will Illinois regulate rapidly growing prediction m...

Your Guide to April 2026 in Chicago
April showers are here, but luckily we’ve got your guide to what’s happening in Chicago this month — rain or shine. Host Jacoby Cochran i...

Rental Inspections, Illini Final Four, and You’re Tired of Robots
Chicago has a new working group looking into proactive rental inspections and creating a registry of apartment owners. Host Jacoby Coch...

CPS Finally Has a Permanent Leader. Plus, Broadview Calls to Close ICE Facility
The Chicago school board seems to have its pick for permanent CPS CEO, finally… and it’s interim CEO Macquline King. Ahead of the board...


