In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

Improv, short for improvisational theater, is often known for its comedic elements. But there’s another kind of improv where eliciting laughter from the audience isn’t the main goal. Dramatic improv explores the full spectrum of emotions, from the funny to the sad, to the furious! In the Loop learns more about dramatic improv, and what it can teach us about being human. GUESTS: Tony Rielage, artistic director and head instructor, Theatre MomentumStephanie Kilper, therapist and ensemble member of Theatre MomentumFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson moves to further regulate data centers, Governor J. B. Pritzker signs a law allowing rideshare drivers to unionize, while the shocking discovery of dozens of decomposing bodies at a South Side funeral home raises calls for more government oversight. We dig into those stories and more in our Weekly News Recap.GUESTS: Nick Blumberg, WTTW News correspondentMaxwell Evans, Block Club Chicago reporter  Dan Mihalopoulos, WBEZ investigative reporter  For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

For decades, the South Side of Chicago didn’t have an operating trauma care center. This forced severely wounded people to drive to the West or North sides for care – their chances of survival reducing with every passing minute.   After a successful community-organizing campaign, University of Chicago reopened its adult trauma care center in 2018. One of the doctors behind this vital community resource is Dr. Selwyn Rogers, the founding director of the center. Because of his work, countless lives were saved. Now, Dr. Rogers is out with a new book that chronicles his experiences in the trauma bay and provides critical analysis of America’s gun violence epidemic. In the Loop sits down with him to talk more about the lasting and rippling impacts of gun violence and what to do to make meaningful change.GUEST: Dr. Selwyn Rogers, founding director, University of Chicago Medicine Trauma Center; author, Healing the Gun Violence Epidemic: Ending Violence, Rebuilding Communities,and a Trauma Surgeon's Vision for Restoring HopeFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood crisis in the U.S. as supplies fall to its lowest levels since the pandemic. The impacts of the blood shortage are being felt in emergency rooms and trauma care as hospitals are being forced to manage dwindling reserves.In the Loop hears from the head of the Illinois Red Cross and blood donation advocates about the impact of the blood crisis on hospitals, and what you can do to help.  GUESTS: Kellie O’Connell, CEO of American Red Cross of IllinoisDr. Ashlesha Patel, associate chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Cook County Health James Cappleman, former alderman of the 46th Ward, blood donation advocateFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Illinois has joined a growing number of states that regulate the way social media companies can interact with minors. The Children's Online Social Media Safety Act aims to create guardrails for kids while still giving them an option to learn and connect with people through social media. In the Loop chats with experts about what families need to know about these new regulations and the potential privacy concerns of age verification.GUESTS: Devorah Heitner, author of Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital WorldMarshini Chetty, professor of computer science, University of ChicagoMawa Iqbal, WBEZ senior statehouse reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

As schools gear up to welcome students back to class this month, they’ll also have to come up with an idea of how to use – or protect against – artificial intelligence tools. The Illinois State Board of Education last month released a comprehensive framework on how K-12 school districts should use AI more responsibly, and is leaving it in the districts’ hands to develop more specific policies.  In the Loop discusses how AI affects our learning, and how students, teachers and parents are navigating the rapidly changing landscape of education. GUESTS: Cassie Creswell, Executive Director of Illinois Families for Public SchoolsWilliam Hubbard, UChicago’s Law School’s AI CommitteeMakiya Seminera, Chalkbeat ChicagoKatie Page, Instructional Technology Coordinator, District 214For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

The feds threaten to prosecute Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, Chicago Public Schools hope state lawmakers will approve funding, and a former top CPS executive is charged with COVID loan fraud. Also, we say good-bye to 91-year-old Chicago jazz legend Geraldine de Haas.We cover these stories and more in our Weekly News Recap.GUESTS: Brandis Friedman, anchor of  WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight” Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune political writer Sophie Sherry, Chicago Sun-Times staff reporterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

How high would you be willing to go to secure that new condo? On the North Side, some Chicagoans are going hundreds of thousands of dollars above the asking price, and even waiving inspections, all to beat the competition. In the Loop hears from a buyer and realtor who are currently navigating this turbulent housing market, alongside a reporter covering Chicago real estate.GUESTS: Abby Miller, Chicago Sun-Times reporterEllie Howie, Lake View residentGrigory Pekarsky, co-owner of Vesta Preferred RealtyFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Today marks 60 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a coalition of Chicago residents and community leaders on a march through the city’s Marquette Park to demand an end to segregation and racist housing policies. But what started out as a peaceful demonstration turned into a bloody riot as a white mob attacked the protest and injured dozens of people. Last weekend, hundreds of Chicagoans – including Mayor Brandon Johnson – retraced the steps of those marchers through Marquette Park to pay reverence to the leaders of movements past and recognize the fight against social, economic and racial injustices that we face today.  Today on In the Loop, we hear from two local organizers about the enduring significance of the march and how they are using lessons from the past to lead a new generation of activists. GUESTS: Rami Nashashibi, executive director of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network Jacqulyn Hamilton, activist, organizer and deputy director of the Chicago Freedom SchoolFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In The Loop is interviewing candidates for Chicago mayor, and inviting listeners to join the conversation and ask their own questions. First mayoral candidate at the mic: Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza.Plus: a scientist from Argonne National Laboratory shares how and why we’ve been seeing extreme weather events in the region, like severe storms, dangerous heat, and lots and lots of tornadoes. GUESTS: Susana Mendoza, Chicago mayoral candidate and Illinois’ state comptroller Scott Collis, atmospheric scientist, Argonne National LaboratoryFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Illinois has become one of a growing number of states to consolidate all of its early childhood support resources under one roof. That new department officially opened its doors the first of last month.In the Loop sits with two expert researchers in the field to learn about the state of early childhood in Illinois and what work is being done now.GUESTS: Alison Baulos, executive director of the Center for the Economics of Human Development at the University of ChicagoElliot Regenstein, lawyer, author and Illinois Department of Early Childhood transition facilitatorFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Chicago’s South and West Side neighborhoods grapple with the closure of seven grocery stores. An estimated 400,000 music fans expected to descend on Grant Park this weekend for Lollapalooza. Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch is coming under increasing scrutiny over his handling of sexual assault allegations against state Representative Harry Benton. While Governor Pritzker signs into law a bill that would let judges settle disputes over custody of pets.In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.GUESTS: Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune transportation and labor reporterHeather Cherone, WTTW Chicago politics reporterDave McKinney, WBEZ & Chicago Sun-Times politics and government editor For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Mahjong is a 19th-century Chinese game that is beloved across the world. It first entered the U.S. market in the 1920’s and has since endured a complex history of cultural appropriation and exoticization. In the Loop hears about efforts to honor the heritage of mahjong and the ways that it is evolving across communities and cultures. GUESTS: Michael Wang, co-founder, 144 Tiles Mahjong ClubLuisa Jurado, co-founder, Mahjong ChicagoAnnelise Heinz, professor of history at the University of Oregon, and the author of Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American CultureFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Sure, there are weight-loss success stories, but behind the scenes people are navigating insurance challenges, side effects, and the possibility of taking GLP-1 medications for life. For some people, they've been life-changing. For others, they are rethinking whether the drug is worth it. In the Loop talks with a panel of residents across the Chicago region about how these medications changed their health, their relationship with food, and the complicated decisions involved in taking or stopping GLP-1 drugs.GUESTS: Linda Nemec, Sleepy Hollow, Ill., residentDr. Ahsan Basha, oncologist, Edgewater residentBetsy Elsaesser, Logan Square residentFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Four beluga whales are adjusting to life at the Shedd Aquarium after being moved from a defunct marine tourist attraction in Ontario, Canada, that had threatened to euthanize the sea mammals. The images of the whales have captured the hearts of many, but the move isn’t without controversy. In the Loop hears the story of how the Canadian belugas came to be swimming in Chicago and why this is raising longstanding questions of what’s in the best interest of whales in human care. GUESTS: Johnny Ford, vice president of communications, Shedd AquariumKaitlyn Mitchell, director of legal advocacy, Animal JusticeStefano Esposito, Chicago Sun-Times features reporterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

How difficult is it for people with mobility disabilities to navigate the city’s sidewalks? This question is the center of a lawsuit against the City of Chicago, alleging a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA. The firm suing the city claims it has failed to maintain sidewalks leaving them inaccessible.As Disability Pride Month comes to a close, In the Loop brings together an attorney behind both the new and previous lawsuit, a plaintiff in the suit and a local advocacy group leader to hear just how accessible Chicago is.GUESTS: Rachel Weisberg, directing attorney at Disability Rights AdvocatesKevin Sullivan, plaintiff against the city, motivational speakerPeter Tucic, vice president of public policy at Chicago LighthouseFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Chicago City Council has approved referendum questions for upcoming elections, three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane is returning to the Chicago Blackhawks on a two-year contract, and Chicago police have issued official guidelines on how officers should collect evidence against immigration agents suspected of violating laws.In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.GUESTS: Kim Bellware, freelance journalistRavi Baichwal anchor at ABC 7 NewsMary Norkol, Chicago Sun-Times reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

The National Public Housing Museum is hosting the artwork of Nathaniel Mary Quinn, including a recreated Robert Taylor Homes living room he grew up in. Quinn’s exhibit “A Love Letter to My Mother” explores the complexities of family, living in public housing, and love. In the Loop talks to artists from Chicago as they reflect how their time in public housing has shaped them and their work. GUESTS: Floyd Webb, filmmaker and producer, former resident of Harold L. Ickes HomesToni Asante Lightfoot, poet and creative writing instructor, former Hilliard Homes residentToya Wolfe, writer and author of Last Summer on State Street, former resident of Robert Taylor HomesTiff Beatty, associate director, National Public Housing MuseumFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Chicago’s summer staple is celebrating 100 years of deliciousness. Known for its layers of flavors, Rainbow Cone’s ice cream stacks chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with walnuts and cherries), pistachio and orange sherbet. In the Loop host Sasha-Ann Simons tries her first-ever Rainbow Cone and we dig into the iconic local brand's rich history. GUESTS: Lisa Shames, freelance reporterJohnny Buonavolanto, director of sales, The Buona CompaniesFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Chicago can feel up to 8 degrees hotter than suburbs and rural areas because there are more buildings and asphalt and fewer plants to aid the natural process of keeping an area cool. Parts of the city with the least greenspace, tree canopy and more industry can be even hotter than the city average temperature. In the Loop explores  efforts by residents and officials to identify the city’s hotter areas and help residents adapt to the extreme heat.GUESTS: Max Berkelhammer, professor, earth and environmental sciences UIC Lindy Wordlaw, Assistant Commissioner, Department of EnvironmentNedra Sims-Fears, executive director, Greater Chatham InitiativeFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Flooding has persistently plagued Chicago, the city famously built on a swamp. However, as storms become more severe and more frequent, residents will likely have to deal with flooded basements, streets and other damage more often.  With climate change driving worsening weather, Chicagoans are rolling up their sleeves to prepare. In the Loop hears from local organizations working to make communities more flood-resilient.GUESTS: Zach Wirtz, director of the Chicago Region Trees Initiative, Morton Arboretum Nina Idemudia, CEO, Center for Neighborhood TechnologyBre’Shaun Reddick, Local Partnership Manager, Alliance for the Great Lakes For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Chicago gets a one-two punch with another heat wave combined with dangerous air quality. A North Side Trader Joe’s becomes the first of the grocery chain’s Illinois locations to unionize. And the Shedd Aquarium agrees to take in abandoned beluga whales from a closed marine park in Canada. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.GUESTS: Carrie Shepherd, Axios Chicago reporter Quinn Myers, Block Club Chicago reporter covering Wicker Park, West Town & Bucktown Bob Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is once again in the hot seat, answering our questions – and yours – during our monthly public forum “Ask The Mayor.” For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are one of the fastest growing pharmaceuticals. But as newer GLP-1 medications hit the market, questions remain about side effects, health equity and the cultural impact. On today’s In the Loop, we ask: what have we learned so far about the popular drug? And how have GLP-1s changed the way we think about health and weight loss?GUESTS: Dr. Micah Eimer, cardiologist, clinical assistant professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg SchoolDavid D. Kim, PhD, assistant professor of medicine and public health sciences at University of ChicagoRachelle Lacroix Mallick, registered dietician and nutritionist with a focus on reproductive healthFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

What would you do if you noticed a piano sitting outside your favorite cafe, or walked past someone tickling the ivories as you left the grocery store? John McCarthy, founder of the nonprofit Chicago Plays, is betting people are likely to come together as a community alongside an impromptu and free public performance. Chicago Plays is spicing up the city’s public spaces with free piano concerts courtesy of your own neighbors. In the Loop sits with the man behind the music. GUESTS: John McCarthy, founder, Chicago PlaysWon Kim, artist and chefFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Illinois residents have lost nearly $8 billion gambling last year, according to a new report from the Illinois Answers Project. And for many, gambling is not easy to resist, thanks to the increase of slot machines in everyday establishments, new casinos, and mobile sports betting apps that puts the casino in people’s pockets. In fact, more than one million Illinois adults either have a gambling addiction or are at risk of developing one.Who is losing the most money, and what is the state doing to help people at risk of addiction? In The Loop finds out more about what guardrails exist – or don’t – when it comes to gambling in Illinois, and what state lawmakers are doing about it. GUESTS: Casey Toner, reporter, Illinois Answers Elizabeth Thielen, senior director at Nicasa Behavioral Health ServicesFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The Federal appeals court in Chicago upholds Illinois’ assault weapons ban one week after the U.S. Supreme Court agrees to consider a challenge to the ban in Cook County. Former Chicago mayor Rahm Emmanuel makes headlines after a controversial speech in Israel. Plus, the CTA says crime is down 30% percent over last year.In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.GUESTS: David Greising, president, Better Government AssociationOlivia Olander, state government reporter, Chicago TribuneMitch Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times reporter covering government and politicsFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The Trump Administration wants states to carry more of the financial burden of SNAP benefits, which were previously a federal obligation. For Illinois, that cost shift will begin in late 2028, with the state potentially having to shoulder upwards of $700 million to sustain SNAP benefits, raising concerns about the program’s future. In the Loop talks about what exact changes the federal government wants, how it will impact states and SNAP recipients, and what lawmakers can do about it. GUESTS: Nolan Downey, senior director of policy, Greater Chicago Food Depository Carolyn Barnes, associate professor, Crown Family School at UChicago Illinois State Rep. Dagmara Avelar, (D-Bolingbrook)

We live in a world where replacing something is often quicker and easier than fixing it. Your coffee maker breaks? Buy a new one. Same thing for your busted laptop. But a growing movement is asking us to rethink that mindset. Enter: repair cafes. From Romeoville to Evanston, there are six repair cafés across the city and suburbs where volunteers help residents extend the shelf lives of their tech, appliances and other belongings. In the Loop learns more about how to take part, be more sustainable with your stuff, and save money. GUESTS: Maria Anna Rafac, Campus Sustainability Coordinator at Joliet Junior College Elyse Hoffenberg, Clerk of the Township of Lyons Amy Yee, Chicago Sun-Times economy and business reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

For some athletes, sports are about a lot more than winning. They’re about finding community, building confidence and pushing yourself to new heights. Well, you could say that’s what adaptive sports has done for athletes with disabilities. And now, competitors from the Chicago area are gearing up to join hundreds in the country’s biggest multi-sport tournament for athletes with disabilities. We’ll hear from a panel of veterans in the game about what the experience means to them – and how more Chicagoans can get involved.GUESTS: Jorge Alfaro, coach of Chicago Hornets, a wheelchair basketball teamDylan Sams, sports coordinator, Shirley Ryan AbilityLabLarry Labiak, disability policy officer, Chicago Park DistrictFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

For its design competition “The Horizon Lines: Visions for Chicago 2050,” World Business Chicago asked residents to come up with some ideas on what Chicago’s next big development should be. After nearly 200 submissions, six finalists have been selected and are now on display at the Chicago Cultural Center.In the Loop hears from three of the contest’s judges on what new ideas they are excited about.GUESTS: Phil Clement, CEO of World Business ChicagoEleanor Gorski, CEO and President of Chicago Architecture CenterKenya Merritt, Commissioner of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special EventsFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Mayor Johnson wants to give Chicago renters new protections, Governor Pritzker issues a state disaster proclamation over extreme weather as the Chicago region remains under extreme heat warning. Plus, Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and Chicago FBI Chief DePodesta announce abrupt resignations.In the Loop breaks down those stories and more.GUESTS: Leigh Giangreco, freelance journalistRummana Hussain, Chicago Sun-Times opinion pages editor and columnist Shia Kapos, Politico reporter and author of Politico’s Illinois Playbook newsletterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Evanston made history as the first city in the country to launch a local reparations program. Since then, the city has distributed more than $7 million to over 200 Black residents who are direct descendants of people harmed by housing discrimination.Now the federal government is putting its weight behind a lawsuit that claims Evanston’s reparations program violates the 14th Amendment on the grounds of race discrimination. In the Loop hears from some of the architects of Evanston’s program and a reparations recipient about the impact of the program on the community and why they say it’s necessary. GUESTS: Mayor Daniel Biss, City of Evanston Robin Rue Simmons, chair of Evanston Reparations Committee; founder and executive director of FirstRepairKimberly Holmes-Ross, executive director of Evanston Cradle to Career; reparations recipientsFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The South Shore Cultural Center is a 65-acre park on Chicago's South Side that includes a secluded beach, a golf course, tennis courts and a nature sanctuary. The park’s showpiece is a Mediterranean Revival building set at the end of a long drive. Formerly known as the South Shore Country Club, the first building was constructed in 1906 and was modeled after a club in Mexico City. That structure, and additions that came after, still stand today. In The Loop’s architecture critic takes us through the long storied history of the building, its preservation and the beach it sits on. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

After a violent weekend with eight killed and 40 injured, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson joins calls for the creation of a new Department of Gun Violence Reduction. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court strikes down Hawaii’s restrictive gun law. And embattled U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros announces plans to review the work of a “Broadview Six” prosecutor going back to 2007. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more.GUESTS: Paris Schutz, NBC 5 political and investigative reporterMaxwell Evans, Block Club Chicago reporter Violet Miller, Chicago Sun-Times general assignment reporter Alma Campos, Chicago Sun-Times immigration reporterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Congress passed a bipartisan package that aims to boost homeownership across the country. The legislation would restrict investors from buying up single-family homes, remove regulatory barriers to construction and create more affordable housing.However, President Donald Trump refused to sign the bill until lawmakers first passed a controversial law imposing new restrictions on voter identification and mail-in ballots.In the Loop explores what the impact of the bill could look like in Chicago and Illinois.GUESTS: Bob Palmer, policy director, Housing Action IllinoisGeoff Smith, executive director, Institute for Housing Studies at Depaul UniversityAllison Clements, executive director, Illinois Housing CouncilFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Nurses everywhere are fed up. They’re organizing and walking picket lines more than ever before. Here in the Chicago area, more than 2,000 of them have voted to unionize in just the last month. On today’s In the Loop, we’ll hear first-hand accounts from a couple of local nurses and a journalist who’s been following their efforts.GUESTS: Jessica Ahn, registered nurse in the emergency department at Saint Mary of Nazareth HospitalSarah Louise Dawson, registered nurse in medical ICU at Rush University Medical CenterKristen Schorsch, WBEZ public health and politics reporterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Over the Juneteenth weekend, Chicago saw 8 people killed and almost 40 wounded from gun violence, including a drive-by mass shooting in Roseland. In response, community leaders gathered to push for a more prevention-focused strategy, and the creation of a Department of Gun Violence Reduction. While Chicago has seen a decrease in violent crime rates over the past several years, summer is typically when shootings surge. In the Loop discusses gun violence with local advocates to find out more about what effective prevention looks like. GUESTS: Emmanuel Andre, Chicago Deputy Mayor for Community SafetySam Castro, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships, Institute for Nonviolence ChicagoCedric Hawkins, outreach supervisor, Chicago CREDFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

It’s been 12 days since storms with derecho winds roiled through Chicago, taking down trees and knocking out power in its path. Chicagoans are still facing the consequences and picking up the pieces after their homes flooded. How are recovery efforts coming along, and what more do residents and businesses need to bounce back? We check in with both a resident and a business owner – as well as a meteorologist, to ask: was this a freak downpour or is this the new normal? GUESTS: Shavon Francis, owner of Fleurish Chicago Margery Scott, Greater Grand Crossing resident, CPS Vendor David Yeomans, meteorologist at CBS News Chicago For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The U.S. has officially observed June 19 as a federal holiday for the last five years. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people, and the end of slavery in the U.S. in 1865. Today on In the Loop, we hear about the Juneteenth celebrations and observance happening across the city this weekend, and discuss new traditions being created by communities in Chicago and beyond. GUESTS: Jahmal Cole, CEO and founder of My Block My Hood My CityTynnetta Qayim, COO, Black Ensemble TheaterKatanya Raby, vice president of planning for Far South Community Development Corporation

No you’re not seeing things – we’re bringing you our Weekly News Recap a day early! Illinois Governor JB Pritzker promises to be “very involved” in the 2028 presidential election. A man accused of burning a cross in Grant Park faces hate crime and arson charges. The U.S. Department of Justice challenges Evanston’s reparations program. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in our Weekly News Recap.GUESTS: Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune transportation and labor reporterLee Bey, Chicago Sun-Times architecture criticJustin Laurence, Crain’s Chicago Business government and politics reporterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

What’s behind the surge to try to ban books and what does it mean for readers?We tap in with a panel of experts, including an Illinois author whose children’s book is banned from several shelves outside of the state.GUESTS: Veronica Arreola, author of the children’s book “J Is for Justice” Emily Knox, interim dean and professor in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana ChampaignDan Montgomery, executive director, American Library AssociationJarrett Dapier, author of the new graphic novel “Wake Now in the Fire” about censorship at CPS schoolsFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Housing advocates have warned that the Obama Presidential Center could price out longtime residents. So far, the cost of single and multi-family homes in Woodlawn closest to the Obama Center have doubled since 2019, and less than a third of housing stock in the area was considered affordable. Also, the number of short-term rentals, like Airbnb, are increasing in the neighborhoods around the Presidential Center, which takes potential rental housing out of the market. In the Loop digs into how the city has fallen short of delivering on promises aimed at protecting residents from displacement, and how the growth of Airbnbs in the area is impacting affordability. GUESTS: Sidnee King Pineda, journalist, Illinois Answers ProjectInfiniti Gant, housing organizer, Southside TogetherKristy Ramsey, Airbnb host, Woodlawn residentCam Rodriguez, WBEZ data reporterAlexandra Salomon, WBEZ senior editorFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago is just days away from the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park. And it’s not just a museum or library, but also a home to a whole lot of art. Inside, outside, on the walls, IN the walls, overhead – and even the benches visitors will sit on. So who is this art for, and what message does it convey? In The Loop talks with three of the Chicago artists featured in the inaugural permanent collection at the Obama Presidential Center: visual artist Tyanna J. Buie, and muralists Dorian Sylvain and Sam Kirk. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago police investigate a cross burning and potential hate crime in Grant Park. Governor Pritzker says he’s open to calling a special legislative session to reach a Bears stadium deal. Former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel pedals presidential aspirations on a bike tour of New Hampshire.In the Loop breaks down those stories and much more with Axios’ Carrie Shepherd,Chicago Tribune’s Dan Petrella, and WBEZ’s Alden Loury.For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Biking advocate and Chicago Department of Transportation worker Riley O’Neil, 35, died on Friday, June 5, after he was hit with a car door and thrown into oncoming traffic. Since O’Neil’s death, advocates are calling on the city to build more protected bike lanes to prevent fatal incidents like this one. In the Loop sits down with local organizers and cyclists — Charna Albert with Chicago, Bike Grid Now!, Kyle Lucas with Better Streets Chicago, and Jim Merrell with the Active Transportation Alliance — to discuss building safer streets in Chicago.For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

On today’s In the Loop, Sasha sits down with Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz to talk about his work spearheading a multi-billion-dollar revamp of the area around the United Center.Plus, we’ll hear more about the history of the West Side and how residents feel about the historic investment. Today’s guests are: Danny Wirtz, Chairman and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks; Marie Henderson, owner Out of The Past Records; Brian Ellison, board president of Garfield Park Community Council; and Ayesha Jaco, executive director of West Side United.For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project and the Gerber/Hart LGBTQ Library and Archives are hosting a panel of elders who will share their slices of Chicago’s queer history. In the face of federal attacks against the gay and trans community, hearing the stories from community leaders who helped pave the way for queer rights is more important than ever. To hear how queer elders are reflecting on Pride this year, In the Loop sits down with Karen Morris, co-founder of the LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project; Equality Illinois’ Norma Seledon and queer elder history panelist Jay Myers.For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Is Indiana the inevitable new home for the Bears, or is the leap toward Hammond just a stealthy negotiation tactic to put pressure on Illinois? The team announced Friday that its board of directors has voted to push forward with developing a stadium in Hammond, Ind., even though an exact site has not been selected yet. So are Chicago and Arlington Heights really out of the running? Will the fans follow the team to Hammond? How did we get here? In The Loop digs in. Our panel today: Indiana State Rep. Earl Harris, Jr.; Cheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributor; Prof. Deborah Carroll, director, UIC’s Government Finance Research Center. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

ICE agents sparked chaos in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood, crashing into a woman’s car and threatening residents as they chased and detained a man. Media outlets got a preview of the Obama Presidential Center campus. Developers break ground on a $7-billion project around the United Center. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with WBEZ senior statehouse reporter Mawa Iqbal, Chicago Tribune government reporter A.D. Quig and Block Club Chicago reporter Quinn Myers.For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.