It’s the last week of the spring session for Illinois lawmakers. Hundreds of bills have already passed but there are some big things still on the agenda including the state budget, CPS funding, and a potential transit merger. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran break down the critical bills making their way through Springfield. Plus, we look at results from our Hey Chicago weekly news quiz and we want to see your cicada pictures. 
 Good News: Dim Sum & Drag 
 We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Chicago swag. 
 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:
Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
TimeLine Theatre Company
Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Lawmakers' Spring Sprint, News Quiz, and Cicada Watch

Chicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday at 6 a.m. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers; activists and artists; bus drivers and students; those who love and hate this place—all in 15 minutes a day. It’s a smart and delightful new way to connect with the city we share. Learn more and subscribe to our morning newsletter at citycast.fm/chicago.

News

News Commentary

Daily News

Riot Fest announced Wednesday that it is leaving Douglass Park for SeatGeek Stadium in suburban Bridgeview, blaming the Chicago Park District for the decision. The move comes after years of pushback from the community in North Lawndale despite support from the local alderperson. Riot Fest is Sept. 20-22, which also presents a challenge for the Chicago Red Stars who play at SeatGeek. We are joined by Block Club Chicago’s Jamie Nesbitt Golden and WCIU host Brandon Pope to break down the latest. Plus, we discuss a decline in violent crime statistics, the return of Foxtrot, and play a little summer festival week trivia.  
 Good News: Soft & Tender Concert at Metro and Janet Jackson at the United Center 
 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:Revolution BrewingBecome a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Riot Fest Moving, Foxtrot Returning, and Summer Fest Trivia

Thanks to the beer-loving folks over at Revolution Brewing we have been talking about neighborhood summer festivals all week long. But Chicago is also home to two of the biggest music festivals in the country: Pitchfork and Lollapalooza with 20,000 and 115,000 daily attendees respectively. With over 200 music acts between the two, we are trying to create the perfect single-day lineup for both festivals. Host Jacoby Cochran faces off against journalist and music festival enthusiast Katrina Pham.  
 Vote on who you think built the better lineup. 
 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 the sponsor of this June 13 episode:Revolution BrewingBecome a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

What’s the Best Day of Lolla and Pitchfork?

It wouldn't be summer fest season if we didn't talk about some of Chicago's amazing food festivals. Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by Dario Durham, the co-host of 77 Flavors of Chicago, a podcast that takes you to the city’s neighborhoods to try the best food and drinks they’ve got. They discuss their perfect food fest lineup and favorite festival bites. Fests Mentioned:

Sundays on State: June 16 and July 14 in the Loop

Taste of Chicago Neighborhood Pop-Ups (Dates Vary)

Juneteenth Village Fest: June 15 in North Lawndale

Malt Row Beer Stroll: June 26 in Ravenswood

Craft Beer Fest: July 5-7 in Lincoln Park

Tacos Y Tamales: July 19-21 in Pilsen

Roscoe Village Burger Fest: July 19-21

Taste of River North: July 19-21

Colombian Fest: July 19-21 in North Park

Ravenswood on Tap: July 20-21

Bantu Fest: July 27-28 in Hyde Park

Taste of Polonia: Aug. 30-Sep. 2 in Jefferson Park

Taste of Greektown: Sep. 6-8
Vendors Mentioned:
Chicago’s Doghouse
Connie’s Pizza
Robinson’s Ribs
Harold’s

Athena 
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:Revolution BrewingBecome a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

What to Eat at Chicago’s Summer Festivals

While Chicagoans enjoy thousands of summer options every year, have you ever stopped and wondered just how much goes into making these block, neighborhood, and citywide festivals work? City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran sits down with Neal Heitz, director of event production for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, to get a behind-the-scenes look into the business of summertime Chi. We’ll be talking summer fests all this week, sponsored by Revolution Brewing. Fests mentioned:

Taste of Randolph: June 14-15 in West Loop

Maxwell Street Market: Dates vary

Bud Billiken Parade: Aug. 10 in Bronzeville

Air and Water Show: Aug. 10-11 in Lincoln Park

Northalsted Market Days: Aug. 10-11 
Good News: Metal Gear at Schubas 
 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 the sponsor of this June 11 episode:Revolution BrewingBecome a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Why Chicago is the Summer Festival Capital

Summer festival season is here! That’s why we’re bringing you a guide to the neighborhood fests you have to check out and how to make the most of them. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and producer Michelle Navarro pick their can’t-miss fests, talk summer planning, and give you tips to stay comfortable during long summer days. We’ll be talking summer fests all this week, sponsored by Revolution Brewing. Fests mentioned:

Ravinia Summer Festival: June 7-Sep. 15 in Highland Park

Pride Fest: June 22-23 in Northalsted

Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash: June 14-16 at Seat Geek in Bridgeview

International Festival of Life: July 4-7 in Hyde Park

Jeff Fest: July 12-14 in Jefferson Park

Eeeeeeatscon: July 13-14 in West Town

Fiesta Del Sol: July 25-28 in Pilsen

Wicker Park Fest: July 26-28

Bud Billiken Parade: Aug. 10 in Bronzeville

The Great American Lobster Fest: Aug. 10-11 at Navy Pier

Throwback Music Fest: Sep. 6-8 in Norwood Park

Printer’s Row Lit Fest: Sep. 7-8 in South Loop

World Dumpling Fest: Sep. 21 in Logan Square

 Good news: Movies in the Parks 
 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 the sponsors of this June 10 episode:Revolution BrewingBecome a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Lawmakers' Spring Sprint, News Quiz, and Cicada Watch

Download our free app to listen on your phone