ShotSpotter’s Future, Ballot Measures Explained, and Most Romantic Spots
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
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
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 I...

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 h...

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 ‘Divvyficati...

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 pr...

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 challenger...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

