City Cast Chicago logo
Advertisement image
August 29, 2025

Why 200 Students Don't Have Classrooms. Plus, Weed DUIs From Rogue Crime Lab

City Cast Chicago

Why 200 Students Don't Have Classrooms. Plus, Weed DUIs From Rogue Crime Lab

00:00:00
View all City Cast Chicago episodes

Chicago Public Schools has yet to place about 200 students with disabilities in classrooms, despite it being the second week of school. While the district says it is working quickly to place students in cluster programs, we ask Chalkbeat Chicago education reporter Samantha Smylie how families are managing this waiting period. Plus, Injustice Watch senior reporter Maya Dukmasova walks us through her investigation into a former UIC crime lab whose questionable forensic science led to multiple cannabis DUI convictions.  

Good News: Bad Butter, Lurker at Music Box, Workers Over Billionaires

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 Aug. 29 episode:

Become a member of City Cast Chicago.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

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
October 5

Is Chicago's New Parking Deal Better? Plus, 2020 Time

Last week, the City Council voted to approve the sale of Chicago’s Parking meters to a New York-based investment firm. After months of ba...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
October 2

Why Did Wieners Circle Shade the Mayor? Plus, Soxtober Returns

Today we’re joined by Jessica Mordacq from Austin Weekly News/Forest Park Review and Block Club Chicago’s Patrick Filbin. We’re reacting...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
October 1

Your Guide to October 2026 in Chicago

As we enter the home stretch of 2026, we’ve got your guide for October. We’re talking Sox hats, budget battles, early voting, apple orcha...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
September 30

Deadly Month For Cyclists. Plus, Best of the South Side

Chicago has over 70% more cycling accidents through September than this same period in 2021, including multiple fatal crashes involving s...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
September 29

Why Block Club Sued ICE

It took Block Club Chicago’s investigative reporter Mick Dumke 11 months to get one page of records from ICE about the clash between its...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
September 28

Can Mayoral Candidates Double Dip? Plus, Ford City’s Future

Mayoral candidate Bill Quinlan’s lawsuit aims to block Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, and Cook Co...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
September 25

How Chicago Latinos Are Changing Neighborhoods

Little Village was once known as the city's largest Latino neighborhood, but a new report found Belmont Cragin now has the largest Latino...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
September 24

Art Institute Returns Nazi-Looted Painting. Plus, Fourth Shedd Beluga Dies

The Art Institute of Chicago is returning a 113-year-old painting to the family of its original owner after an investigation revealed it...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
September 23

Why Are There Sukkahs in North Lawndale? Plus, Chicago’s Queer-Affirming Churches

Contributors Anna DeShawn and Adora Namigadde join us with picks from the Chicago Underground and International Film Festivals. Plus, we...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
September 22

Are Illinois’ County Jails in Crisis? Plus, Big Changes at MSI

Following a historic number of deaths in 2023, growing concerns over standards violations, and an investigation into ongoing unreporting,...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art