13 Best Chicago News Podcasts to Listen to in 2026

1. City Cast Chicago

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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. MORE Host Jacoby Cochran
Producer/Network City Cast
Email ****@citycast.fm
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated Monthly Listeners 10k-50k
Recent Guests Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, Shawn Fain
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 430Facebook 14.1KTwitter 2.6KInstagram 37.8K Avg Length 36 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact Get access to full database of 2.7M podcastsCreate podcast lists, export in spreadsheet or CSV file with email contacts and start your podcast outreach in minutes.Sign Up for Free with Email Continue with Google

2. Curious City

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Ask questions, vote and discover answers about Chicago, the region and its people. From WBEZ.
Host Erin Allen
Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated Monthly Listeners 10k-50k
Recent Guests Marya E. Gates, Robert Daniels +2 more
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 672Facebook 13.7KTwitter 13.7KInstagram 9.8K Avg Length 18 min Format Short form Get Email Contact

3. In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

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We're unpacking the headlines and making the news make sense. Get connected with local experts, your neighbors and the stories shaping Chicago.
Host Sasha-Ann Simons
Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated Monthly Listeners 10k-50k
Recent Guests Andrew Houghton, Andrew Papachristos +3 more
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 309Facebook 3.3KTwitter 11.2KInstagram 89.6K Avg Length 36 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

4. The Block Club Chicago Podcast

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The important, emotional, inspiring stories affecting Chicagoans. New episodes Tuesdays, Thursdays, or whenever a BIG story breaks.
Producer/Network Block Club Chicago
Email ****@blockclubchi.org
Estimated Monthly Listeners 1k-10k
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 159 Avg Length 26 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

5. The Rundown | Chicago News

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In one bite-sized episode every weekday, we'll keep you informed, tickled, geeked, and pondering on Chicago's news, culture and people. Each episode starts with a quick news roundup from the WBEZ newsroom, followed by a deep-dive into one of the biggest or most curious stories from our city. The Rundown podcast is a one-stop-shop for all things Chicago.MORE Hosts Adora Namigadde, Lisa Labuz
Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated Monthly Listeners 1k-10k
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 129Facebook 117.4KTwitter 126KInstagram 89.6K Avg Length 9 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact

6. The Fran Spielman Show

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Join veteran City Hall reporter Fran Spielman as she interviews Chicago's biggest movers and shakers. Each week, Fran sits down with a local leader, politician or policymaker to get the inside scoop on the latest news in Chicago.MORE Host Fran Spielman
Producer/Network Chicago Sun-Times
Email ****@suntimes.com
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated Monthly Listeners 1k-10k
Recent Guests Joe Ferguson, David Greising +2 more
Apple Rating 4.1/5Apple Reviews 29Facebook 471.1KTwitter 13.7KInstagram 122.1K Avg Length 46 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

7. WBEZ News

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The latest news and featured stories from WBEZ Chicago.
Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Estimated Monthly Listeners 1k-10k
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 14 Avg Length 5 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact

8. ABC 7 Chicago Eyewitness News

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ABC 7 Eyewitness News brings you Breaking News, the latest local and national headlines, traffic information and your up-to-the-minute AccuWeather forecast from our expert team of meteorologists. The ABC 7 I-Team protects you from the latest scams and our Building a Better Chicago series provides an in-depth look at important community issues. And our Chicago Proud series celebrates the best of Chicago along with coverage of the biggest local events like the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, the Bud Billiken Parade, the St. Patrick's Day Parade and more.MORE Producer/Network ABC7 Chicago
Email ****@disney.com
Estimated Monthly Listeners 100-1k
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 10 Avg Length 38 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

9. Chicago All Local

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A dive into the top headlines in Chicago, delivering the news you need in 10 minutes or less multiple times a day from WBBM Newsradio.
Producer/Network Audacy
Email ****@entercom.com
Estimated Monthly Listeners 1k-10k
Apple Rating 3.5/5Apple Reviews 14 Avg Length 1 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact

10. The On Deadline Podcast

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Audacy's On Deadline Podcast is a dive into a big news topic of the day from new and unexplored angles. Hosted and produced by Lauren Barry and also produced by Joe Hiti and Christy Strawser. Sound design by Joe Hiti. The On Deadline Podcast delivers the news with deeper context so that listeners know not only what happened, but also why it happened.MORE Host Lauren Barry
Producer/Network Audacy
Email ****@audacy.com
Estimated Monthly Listeners 100-1k
Recent Guest Major Garrett
Apple Rating 3.8/5Apple Reviews 21 Avg Length 25 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

11. Chicago Tonight

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News and public affairs TV series and website covering Chicago politics, education, entertainment, business, science and more.
Producer/Network WTTW News
Email ****@wttw.com
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated Monthly Listeners 100-1k
Apple Rating 3/5Apple Reviews 3Facebook 113KTwitter 80.6KInstagram 52.8K Avg Length 32 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

12. Chicago News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

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Hosted by Corey with the Story, Chicago News Today delivers fast, focused daily updates on the stories shaping Chicago—from local news and business to culture, sports, and community developments. Designed for quick, on-the-go listening, each episode brings you up to speed in minutes. Produced by AI for speed, consistency, and global scale, the show is part of The Daily News Now network—bringing local news to every city in the world and keeping communities connected. Chicago News Today is your daily snapshot of what's happening across the city...MORE Email ****@gmail.com
Apple Rating 4.5/5 Avg Length 2 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact

13. Chicago Daily Cast

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Your daily dose of local news in Chicago, covering everything you need to know about the city.
Producer/Network The Daily Cast
Email ****@dailycast.fm
Estimated Monthly Listeners 100-1k
Apple Rating 1/5Apple Reviews 2 Avg Length 3 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact