How Did Closing 50 Schools Change Chicago?
As Chicago Public Schools let out for summer around this time a decade ago, 50 schools were closed for good. It was the largest mass school closure in the nation’s history, which sent shockwaves through the city’s Black and brown neighborhoods. Eve Ewing is a former CPS teacher and the author of “Ghosts in the Schoolyard: Racism and School Closings on Chicago’s South Side.” She talks with host Jacoby Cochran about why it’s so important to remember how this happened.
Some news: Riot Fest organizers will host an online community meeting this Wednesday at 6pm.
We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast [City] an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 5 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card.
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
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...