How Chi Remains Segregated, Masks to (Maybe) Come Off, and Cute Animal Stories
On Wednesday, alderpeople authorized the city to spend $700,000 to buy a now-vacant Aldi in West Garfield Park. But it’s not yet clear if the city will actually acquire the property, if it will ensure a new grocer takes over, or how long it could take. While WTTW’s Heather Cherone was watching City Hall, she and her colleagues also launched a series looking at the history and present-day effects of segregation in Chicago. She talks about both of these stories with City Cast’s Jacoby Cochran and Simone Alicea. They also talk about the mask mandate ending Monday and share some cute animal stories, including one about otters in the Chicago River.
Stories discussed:
FIRSTHAND: Segregation — A Year-Long Exploration of Segregation in Chicago
City Council Approves Plan to Buy Closed West Side Aldi (and check out our Wednesday conversation)
Why Rogers Park Hare Krishnas Are Worried About Proposed Development
Chicago to Lift Indoor Mask, Vaccine Mandates Monday
‘Hank the Tank’ Offers a Vision of a Better Life
River Otters Are Back in Chicago
“Women of Soul” at Mercury Theater
Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago
Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
OIG Reopens Dominguez Investigation. Plus, Michigan Ave Getting Bus Lane
Chicago Public Schools’ inspector general is reopening an investigation into school board presidential candidate Hilario Dominguez. He is...

Will Supreme Court End Assault Weapons Ban? Plus, Chicago Named Best Big City… AGAIN
The Supreme Court is officially back for the fall term, and it has its hands full. The ACLU possibly has its busiest term ever, with plen...

Edgewater Rezoning Debate, John Prine Bday Celebration, and White Sox Tickets Skyrocket
Today we’re talking about an ongoing redevelopment debate in Edgewater, a birthday celebration for legendary songwriter John Prine, and t...

What You Need to Know For School Board Elections
Over the next month, Chicagoans will vote in a historic school board election. For the first time, the now 20-seat board and the at-large...

Is Chicago's New Parking Deal Better? Plus, 2020 Time
Last week, the City Council voted to approve the sale of Chicago’s Parking meters to a New York-based investment firm. After months of ba...

Why Did Wieners Circle Shade the Mayor? Plus, Soxtober Returns
Today we’re joined by Jessica Mordacq from Austin Weekly News/Forest Park Review and Block Club Chicago’s Patrick Filbin. We’re reacting...

Your Guide to October 2026 in Chicago
As we enter the home stretch of 2026, we’ve got your guide for October. We’re talking Sox hats, budget battles, early voting, apple orcha...

Deadly Month For Cyclists. Plus, Best of the South Side
Chicago has over 70% more cycling accidents through September than this same period in 2021, including multiple fatal crashes involving s...

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...

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 Co...


