ICE Tear Gasses Neighborhoods, CTA Fare Hike, and Goodbye The Promontory
Another week, another violent encounter with ICE in a Chicago neighborhood, as federal agents targeted residents on the city’s Southeast Side earlier this week and unleashed more tear gas on protesters. We are breaking down what we know so far with Block Club Chicago’s Francia Garcia Hernandez and TV host Brandon Pope. Plus, CTA fares are expected to jump next year, Chicago is expanding free composting, and we’ve got our favorite picks at the Chicago International Film Festival.
Nominate City Cast Chicago as best podcast and Hey Chicago as best email newsletter in the Reader’s Best of 2025.
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us on social media @CityCastChicago
You can also text us or leave us a voicemail at 773-780-0246
Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 17 episode:
- Chicago Board of Election Commissioners
- The Other Art Fair
- Window Nation
- MUBI
- Babbel — Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Become a member of City Cast Chicago.
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Downtown to O’Hare in 15 Minutes? Plus, Defunding Gender-Affirming Care and Chicago State Football
O’Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. And for most Chicagoans, commute times to and from the airport...

Gary's Two Weeks Without Power. Plus, School Stories to Watch
Today, executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran are talking about two weeks of power outages across Gary and Northwest In...

Chicago’s Chaotic Immigration Court. Plus, What to Do When a Wall Blocks Your Window
Illinois’ congressional Democrats are calling for an end to “megamaster” hearings at Chicago’s immigration courts, referring to morning c...

ShotSpotter Replacement, Tollways Price Hike, and Crosstown Delivers Classic
It has been two years since Mayor Brandon Johnson ended the city’s contract with the gunshot detection company Sound Thinking, also known...

NASCAR Leaves Chicago, ABC Sues FCC, and Best Mexican Food
NASCAR announced it will not hold a race in Chicago next year. Contributors PJ Walker and Yareni Murillo tell executive producer Simone A...

Mayor Walks Quantum Tightrope. Plus, Chicago's Got Talent
The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park is a forthcoming multi-billion-dollar development on the former U.S. Steel South Works sit...

Data Center Moratorium, 'ICE Out' Pledge, and Chicago Singles Mingling
Last week, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order aiming to modernize regulations and oversight for Chicago’s data centers. He a...

CPD Traffic Stops Down, Chicago’s West Nile Risk, and Even More Belugas OTW
The Illinois Department of Transportation has released the most recent traffic stop data from police departments across the state. While...

Funeral Home Under Investigation, Aspira Charter Files Bankruptcy, and Chicago Fire Heats Up
The owners of multiple South Side funeral homes are under a microscope after state officials discovered they had been mismanaging human r...

Will CPD Ever Actually Investigate ICE? Plus, The Other Washingtons
Earlier this week, a coalition of Chicagoans who allege they were victims of misconduct and violence during Operation Midway Blitz filed...

