City Cast Chicago logo
January 27, 2023

'Cop Academy' Opens, Kenwood Fire Raises Questions, and We Love Books!

City Cast Chicago

'Cop Academy' Opens, Kenwood Fire Raises Questions, and We Love Books!

00:00:00
View all City Cast Chicago episodes

This week, Mayor Lori Lightfoot cut the ribbon on a controversial police and firefighter training facility on the West Side. Officials say the 34-acre, $170 million site is needed to modernize the city’s first response service, while opponents have called it a poor investment of city resources in an already under-resourced community. Freelancer Siri Chilukuri, producer Simone Alicea, and host Jacoby Cochran are breaking down this story and more including an ethics probe into the mayor’s reelection campaign, a recent fire in the Kenwood neighborhood, and a wrongful termination lawsuit against CTA. We’ve also got some great book-based good news for you!


Better Government Association and Chicago Tribune Investigation: The Failures Before the Fires

City Cast Chicago: Fight Back Against Book Bans


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

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Chicago

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

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
August 19

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...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
August 18

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...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
August 17

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...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
August 14

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...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
August 13

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...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
August 12

Why Did Bally’s Pause Hotel Construction? Plus, 24 Hours in Chicago

Over the weekend, Bally’s Casino hit the brakes on all non-gaming construction in protest of Chicago’s forthcoming expansion of video gam...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
August 11

Let’s Play Chicago Scattergories! Plus, Moving Tips

Back in June, we played a Chicago-themed game of Scattergories during our live taping at Switchyards Chicago. Host Jacoby Cochran compete...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
August 10

Will Local Grocers Survive SNAP Cuts? Does Chicago Have A City Council Problem?

Today we’re talking about the impact SNAP cuts are having on grocers across Chicago, the relationship between the mayor and alders headin...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
August 7

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Chicago

As much as you love Chicago, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have compl...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
August 6

Why Are More Young People Moving to Chicago? Plus, How To Recycle Your Electronics

While cleanup at Grant Park is ongoing following a massive, rain-soaked Lollapalooza, Mayor Johnson called this year’s festival “the prel...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art