Smooth and straight — and now sick? Thousands of Black women are suing the makers of hair relaxers in federal court in Chicago.

Chicago was at the center of the Black hair care industry for decades, with several key brands built here. Now, Black women are flocking to Chicago to sue those companies, saying the chemicals in the products used to straighten their hair left them sick. Recent studies have found frequent users of relaxers have a higher risk of getting certain kinds of cancers. Sun-Times reporter Andy Grimm and WBEZ reporter Natalie Moore have been reporting about the lawsuits and the women impacted. Joining us to share what they’ve learned is Andy Grimm. Host: Mary Dixon