Casino Back on Track, Great Graffiti Battle, and Crappy Cake Art
After securing construction funding, prepping demolition, and releasing yet another set of mockups, Bally’s Casino officials say plans for Chicago’s first ever permanent casino are on track for 2026. However, lower than projected attendance and revenue at the River North temporary site paired with criticism from city leaders continue to mar the project in skepticism. Axios Chicago’s Carrie Shepherd and Block Club Chicago’s Kelly Bauer are here with the latest. Plus, we discuss an alleged $15 million fraud scheme at Loretto Hospital, an ongoing investigation into Chicago’s abandoned public housing units, crappy cake art and a graffiti battle in Back of the Yards!
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 July 19 episode:
- Ravinia
- Incogni — Use code CityCast for 55% off the annual plan.
- Wastenot — use code citycastcompost to test the service with a free month.
- Lincoln Park Zoo
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
Why Chicago Libraries Got It All. Plus, Are The Bears Still Ours?
Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what the...

How the City Is Helping Chicagoans Buy Houses and Read More Books
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Housing are launching a new $21 million housing program to provide down payment and closing a...

City Buying Greyhound Station. Plus, Chicago’s Lesbian Business Directory
For almost two years, there have been questions about the future of Chicago’s downtown bus terminal. Flix, the parent company of Greyhoun...

What Happened in Springfield? Plus, Dreaming of Summer Break
What did lawmakers get done in Springfield? A $56 billion budget, a cellphone ban in schools, relief for those who lost SNAP benefits, an...

Your Guide to June 2026 in Chicago
June is officially summertime Chi in our world, so we’re going to help you make the most of it. Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by contribu...

School Board Hopefuls, Traffic Court Confusion, and Murakami Homers Again … And Again
This year, for the first time, Chicago will fully elect the 21-person school board. Candidates had to get their petitions in this week wi...

A Chicago Mayor and Pope Walk Into a Schlitz Bar…
Mayor Brandon Johnson is in Vatican City this week to meet Chicago’s very own Pope Leo XIV for the first time. The two are expected to di...

WIll Parents Face Charges For Teen Trends? Plus, Chicago Expands CARE Teams
After multiple large gatherings of young people over the weekend, including at 57th St. Beach and North Ave Beach, Ald Brian Hopkins is p...

Will CTA Safety Task Force Make a Difference? Plus, Chicago's Best Inventions
Earlier this month, CTA announced a new transit safety task force and made adjustments to 2025 ridership totals. With ongoing concerns ab...

Tipped Wage Compromise, Lead Pipe Removal Lags, and Del Sur Expands
City Council reached a near-unanimous decision to pause the subminimum wage hike for tipped workers this week. When they voted to free th...


