10 Best Chicago News Podcasts to Listen to in 2026

1. The Chicago Way

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Mild mannered Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass and WGN Radio's Jeff Carlin explore the week in news, politics and other thngs done the Chicago Way in this WGN Plus podcast from WGN Radio in Chicago.more Hosts John Kass, Jeff Carlin
Producer/Network WGN Radio
Email ****@wgnradio.com
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated Monthly Listeners 10k-50k
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 1.1K 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. 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 464Facebook 14.6KTwitter 2.6KInstagram 37.8K Avg Length 38 min Format Medium 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 320Facebook 3.3KTwitter 11.2KInstagram 97.5K Avg Length 35 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
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated Monthly Listeners 1k-10k
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 177 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 133Facebook 119.3KTwitter 126KInstagram 97.5K Avg Length 10 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact

6. Chicago Tonight

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A public-affairs series airing Monday through Thursday each week - plus a weekly news wrap-up on Friday - with features on Chicago life and panels discussing various topics, including Chicago politics, the arts, foreign affairs, entertainment, Chicago events, consumer concerns and sports.more Host Brandis Friedman
Producer/Network WTTW News
Email ****@gmail.com
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated Monthly Listeners 1k-10k
Apple Rating 4.1/5Apple Reviews 72Facebook 113KTwitter 80.6KInstagram 52.8K Avg Length 33 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

7. 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 30Facebook 474.9KTwitter 13.7KInstagram 122.1K Avg Length 47 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

8. WBEZ News

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The latest news and featured stories from WBEZ Chicago.
Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated Monthly Listeners 1k-10k
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 15 Avg Length 6 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact

9. 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
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated Monthly Listeners 100-1k
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 10 Avg Length 36 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

10. 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
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated Monthly Listeners 1k-10k
Apple Rating 3.5/5Apple Reviews 14 Avg Length 1 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact