Episodes
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Chicago home prices rose faster than any other U.S. city in the past year. Immigration agents are involved in a highway crash, while the Mayor issues any executive order targeting city contractors doing business with ICE. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. GUESTS: Carrie Shepherd, Axios Chicago reporter Alex Nitkin, Illinois Answers Project government finance and accountability reporter Sarah Karp, WBEZ senior education reporter For 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.
We honor the late country music icon, Dolly Parton. The family of the acclaimed singer announced her death at 80 years old yesterday. In an interview with People on Friday, August 21, Parton said, “I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’! You know me — as I’ve often said — I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.” In the Loop’s discusses the legacy and impact of Dolly Parton. Plus, Indiana residents may be getting federal assistance for weather damage and a first look at the 6
Tensions over race and gender have manifested in former NBA players disrupting games and Republican lawmakers sending a letter to the WNBA’s commissioner demanding "accountability." In the Loop discusses the politicization of the WNBA and why it’s become a flashpoint for culture wars. GUESTS: Cheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributor Quita Wiggins, host Quita in the Mornings on YouTube For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
Robert Washington-Vaughns started the Black Men Flower Project in 2021 after delivering flowers to his friends as a token of his appreciation for them. Since then the award winning non-profit has sent more than 2,500 bouquets to Black men across the country in an effort to promote healing and connection. In the Loop sits down with one of the people behind the love to talk about challenging stereotypes of Black masculinity through beauty and self care. GUESTS: John Caleb Pendleton, vice-chair and lead Chicago florist, The Black Men Flower Project; founder of Planks and Pistils For a full archiv
In 2014, President Barack Obama stepped up to the podium in the White House Briefing Room to update the country on the economy, foreign policy and more. But all anyone could seem to talk about was the president’s fashion choice for the day. The president, known for usually wearing a navy or gray suit, made a rare fashion divergence – one that was described as everything from hands “cool” to “unpresidential.” But where is that suit now? We hear about a veteran Sun-Times reporter’s cross-country mission to locate the infamous suit. GUESTS: Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun-Times special correspondent Terr
Mayhem breaks out in the Wrigley stands during the Crosstown Classic. Hundreds of union members rallied outside the Shedd Aquarium. Commutes are about to get pricer after the Illinois Tollway Board approved its first toll hike in nearly 15 years, and Gov. Pritzker signed a disaster proclamation to help areas hit by this summer’s record-breaking storms. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more. GUESTS: Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Shia Kapos, Politico reporter and author of Politico’s Illinois Playbook newsletter Cheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributor For a full archive
Getting a citizenship, asylum or a permanent residency case in front of a judge is a notoriously slow process. Now, the Trump administration is speeding it up with so-called “mega master” calendar hearings where dozens of people are asked to appear in immigration court on short notice. This means people have to scramble to find a lawyer, arrange childcare, and get the day off work, leaving many unable to attend their court hearing. But, if people fail to show up to court, it could mean an automatic deportation order. The administration says it's a way to reduce the number of cases backlogged b
In The Loop is interviewing candidates for Chicago’s next mayor, and inviting listeners to join the conversation and ask their own questions. Today at the mic: U.S Representative Mike Quigley of Illinois’ 5th District. Plus: WBEZ City Hall reporter Mariah Woelfel shares the ins and outs of the Chicago mayoral race so far. GUESTS: U.S Representative Mike Quigley of Illinois’ 5th District. Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ City Hall reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
In Illinois, there are two categories of experts that can diagnose autism: psychologists and developmental physicians. But because openings with these experts are few and far between, families can be put on a waitlist that could last anywhere from months to years. That is, until now. Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act early July and it allows speech-language pathologists trained in autism diagnosis evaluation to diagnose the condition in children under age three enrolled in the state’s Early Intervention program. In the Loop sits down with
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 Momentum Stephanie Kilper, therapist and ensemble member of Theatre Momentum For 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 correspondent Maxwell 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
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 Illinois Dr. Ashlesha Patel, associate chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Cook County Health James
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 World Marshini Chetty, professor of computer science, University o
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 Illino
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 reporter For 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 reporter Ellie Howie, Lake View resident Grigory Pekarsky, co-owner of Vesta Preferred Realty For 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 raci
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 Laboratory For a full archive of In the Loop interviews,
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 Chicago Elliot Regenstein, lawyer, author and Illinois Department of Early Childhood transition facilitator For a full archive of In t
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 repor
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 Club Luisa Jurado, co-founder, Mahjong Chicago Annelise Heinz, professor of history at the University of Oregon, and the author of Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture For a full arch
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., resident Dr. Ahsan Basha, oncologist, Edgewa
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 Aquarium Kaitlyn Mitchell, director of legal advocacy, Ani
