In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons
We’re unpacking the headlines and making the news make sense. Get connected with local experts, your neighbors and the stories shaping Chicago.
Episodes
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 24, 2026
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 Week
Chicago Artists On How Public Housing Shaped Their Creativity
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
A Cool 100 Years Of Rainbow Cone
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 re
Reducing Chicago’s ‘Urban Heat Island’ Effect
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
Storms And Flooding Are Only Getting Worse. Here’s What You Can Do
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
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 17, 2026
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, Axio
Ask The Mayor: July 2026
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.
What Have We Learned About GLP-1s?
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 Ei
Free-To-Play Pianos Are Popping Up Around Chicago
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 co
Inside Illinois’ Gambling Problem
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 ga
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 10, 2026
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 Rec
Trump Administration Wants Illinois To Foot Its Own Bill For SNAP Program
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
If It’s Broke, Fix It: Repair Cafes Make Your Tech, Appliances Last Longer
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
Chicago Is Making Sports More Accessible
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 disabiliti
Rethinking Chicago’s Next Big Infrastructure Project
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 exci
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 2, 2026
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 journalist
Evanston Stands Firm As DOJ Attacks Its Reparations Program
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 t
What's That Building: South Shore Cultural Center and Beach
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 st
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 26, 2026
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 t
The Impact Of The National Housing Bill On The Chicago Area
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 ident
Chicago Nurses Organize for Better Working Conditions And Patient Care
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 depar
Should Chicago Try Something New To Tackle Gun Violence?
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 t
Is Illinois a tornado capital? ‘We need to start treating this like we are in Tornado Alley’
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 w
How To Celebrate Juneteenth In Chicago
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. G
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 18, 2026
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
Who Is Winning The Fight Around Book Bans?
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 Il
Housing In The Shadow Of The Obama Presidential Center
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 t
Monumental Works: The Story Of Art And Artists At The Obama Center
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 featur
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 12, 2026
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 Pet
Chicago Needs Safer Streets For Cyclists And Pedestrians
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
Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz, Residents Talk About What They Want To See For Chicago’s West Side
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 o
Local Queer Elders On LGBTQ+ Pride In 2026
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 re
Plot Twist: Bears Take Serious Step Toward Indiana
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 t
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 5, 2026
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 stateh
Is The New Parental NICU Leave Enough?
On June 1, Illinois’ Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act went into effect. The law entitles eligible parents with babies in the NICU with up to 20 days of unpaid leave.For more on what this new law could mean for families, In the Loop sits down with three Illinois mothers: Francennett Llamas of The Little Warriors Project, Amanda Santoro with The Little Giraffe Foundation, and Chicag
Eliminating Chicago’s ‘Pharmacy Deserts’
As big box pharmacies continue to disappear from Chicago’s South and West sides, thousands of Chicagoans are having to travel miles outside of their neighborhood for medication. Some residents are even forgoing their prescriptions.Today on In the Loop, Alderman William Hall of the 6th Ward shares his plan to fill the gaps left behind. Plus, Edwin Muldrow, a second-generation pharmacist, e
Illinois Makes Strides In Regulating A.I: ‘No Technological System Is Inevitable’
Just before the legislation session wrapped in Springfield this week, Illinois lawmakers passed landmark legislation regulating artificial intelligence.
Senate Bill 315 requires developers to publish reports explaining the capabilities and risks associated with its technology. It also mandates third-party audits.
Illinois is one of just a handful of states pushing through laws that regu
Chicago’s Efforts To Make Housing Affordable
Home prices in Chicago are rising at more than five times the national average, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s BUILD plan — aimed to streamline housing development — didn’t pass during Springfield’s spring legislative session. So what will it take to make housing more affordable and homeownership more attainable in Chicago? In the Loop checks in with Lissette Castañeda, Commissioner
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May 29, 2026
The Obama Presidential Center announces the schedule for its grand opening. Chicago’s U.S. Attorney’s Office says it’s instituting reforms after the high-profile case against a group of ICE protesters falls apart because of prosecutorial misconduct. Plus, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson visits Pope Leo XIV in Rome. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more with freelance journalist and
Building Intersectional Solidarity In Chicago: ‘We Don’t Live Single-Issue Lives’
Intersectional solidarity is an approach to activism where different identity groups join together to fight oppressive forces. In honor of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, In the Loop explores how other marginalized communities can show up for Asian Americans and how Asian Americans can stand arm-in-arm with them.
To find out more about ways Chicagoans can
‘Stone Soup Chicago’ And Storytelling For The Common Good
A centuries-old folktale about community, empathy and shared meals gets the Chicago treatment in a kids book from the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Stone Soup Chicago is part of a campaign by the food bank to combat hunger at a time of widespread food insecurity. In the Loop sits down with author and comics creator John Jennings, illustrator and multidisciplinary artist Sam Kirk and Gr
How ‘Memory Cafes’ Help People With Dementia
More than 7 million people in the U.S. currently live with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to increase as the nation’s population ages. People in this group and their caregivers are at risk of social isolation, but “memory cafes” are helping them connect in the Chicago area. In the Loop checks in with participant and caregiver Robert Contino, memory cafe coordinator Molly
Measuring Racial Progress Six Years On From George Floyd
Six years after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police and the global protests that followed, rhetoric around race in America is sliding backward. The Trump Administration has aggressively gone after DEI initiatives, and the Supreme Court has weakened a landmark piece of civil rights legislation – a decision that undermines Black voting power. On today’s In the Loop, how are we
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May 22, 2026
Happy Friday! It’s been another busy week in politics, the economy, and more. So before you head out for the long Memorial Day weekend, get caught up on the top local stories you need to know about: Illinois lawmakers debate insurance rate reform and prescription drug costs, charges are dropped against the Broadview Six, and Chicago broadcast journalists sue big tech.
In the Loop breaks
Ask Chicago’s Mayor: May 2026
In the Loop and In the Loop listeners talk to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson about everything from city assistance for small grocery stores to a Chicago Bears stadium to wages for restaurant workers to the city’s finances. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
The Continued Push For ERA Recognition
The Drive the Vote for Equality campaign stopped in Chicago this week to press for national recognition of the Equal Rights Amendment.On today’s In the Loop, we look back at Illinois' complicated history with ERA, and find out how the current state of the fight for the ERA ties into today's battles over voting rights. At the table: Maureen Hellwig, president emeritus of the Chicago Women’
Chicago’s Got More Options When Calling 911
When someone picks up the phone to call 911 during a mental health crisis, WHO shows up can make all the difference.Since 2021, a Chicago program has been deploying social workers instead of law enforcement to non-violent mental health incidents. It’s called the Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement program (CARE), and now it's expanding to serve ALL of Chicago.So, what does that expa
Poof! A Former Prime Rib Spot Is Now A Place Where Magic Happens
What’s That Building? Oh, just another Chicago spot with a pretty wild story.The old McCormick mansion on Ontario Street has been reinventing itself over the decades. It’s been closed since 2020, but now the historic building is going from a prime rib spot… to a new immersive magic venue. Chicago architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin brings us the inside scoop. For a full archive of In the Lo
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May 15, 2026
Former Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas is fined for violating campaign finance rules. Mayor Johnson announces plans to meet with Pope Leo XIV in Rome. Lawyers for residents of the South Shore apartment building raided during Operation Midway Blitz seek millions in damages from the federal government. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more with WBEZ education reporter Sarah K
To BUILD Or Not To BUILD: The Pros and Cons of Pritzker's Plan for ‘Attainable’ Housing
Illinois needs over 100,000 units to fill a severe housing shortage. Gov. Pritzker has a new plan to address this problem, the Building Up Illinois Developments, or BUILD.Housing advocates say the BUILD plan will help with housing affordability, particularly in neighborhoods with high demand. But some are concerned that this plan will take power from local municipalities and open the door
For The Love Of Piping Plovers
The arrival of piping plovers Monty and Rose to Chicago’s Montrose Beach in 2019 captivated the city’s residents. Chicago’s love affair with the endangered birds grew into an entire fandom which included merch, a film and an army of volunteers dedicated to protecting the piping plovers. Seven years on, while the original love birds are no longer with us, Chicago's population of plovers ha
How SNAP Cuts Are Hitting Chicago
Sweeping changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program made by the federal government last year are now going into effect. In the Loop gets updates and hears how changes to SNAP benefits are impacting local grocery stores and Chicago-area families. Guest host Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government reporter, checks in with Nolan Downey of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Melod
What Chicago’s Fight Against ICE Looks Like Now
Months after the end of Operation Midway Blitz, immigration enforcement and detention is still underway in the Chicago area. But as federal agents have pivoted to a quieter approach, so too have rapid responders — advocates who work to provide fast on-the-ground help to people vulnerable to immigration raids and arrests. In the Loop checks in with Cristóbal Cavazos of the Casa DuPage Work
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May 8, 2026
Ready for a week’s worth of news in under an hour? Illinois State Police open an investigation into the ICE shooting of Silverio Villegas González. Mayor Johnson goes on the offense against the Bears in Springfield. Tickets for the opening of the Obama Center go on sale. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. Our pa
Bodycam Footage Gives Insight Into Operation Midway Blitz’s Aggressive Tactics
In November 2025, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis ordered footage from Border Patrol agents' body cameras be released. Filmmaker Bill Morrison took that footage and interwove it with cellphone video from residents to show how quickly the scene in Chicago became chaotic and violent. In the Loop sits down with director Bill Morrison and producer Maria Inés Zamudio to learn more about the sto
New Pay-To-Park Gates At Some Chicago Beaches
New pay-to-park barriers are popping up at some of Chicago beaches, including at the historic Rainbow Beach. The Park District says the new barriers will generate millions in revenue. Community members say the new barriers are aggressive and unwelcoming.Today on In the Loop, we hear from Brian Gladstein of Friends of the Parks, Sherry Williams of the Burnham Park Advisory Council and Ald.
How Chicago Seniors Can Fight Isolation
Social isolation can increase seniors' risk of developing dementia, stroke and heart disease. But Chicago advocates say the services, classes and resources that senior centers offer can act as preventative care. In the Loop check in with Yolanda Curry and Alicia Henry of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services and senior Jeannine Sharpe.For a full archive of In the Loop inte
What The SCOTUS Decision On Voting Rights Means For You In Illinois
In his majority opinion, Justice Samuel Alito argued that Louisiana illegally used race to create a second Black-majority district.
In her dissent, Justice Elena Kagan wrote “the court’s decision will set back the foundational right Congress granted of racial equality in electoral opportunity.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the decision “voter suppression that will silence Black
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May 1, 2026
Chicago’s Cinco de Mayo parade is cancelled for a second year due to immigration enforcement fears. IBM announces a new innovation center at the Quantum and Microelectronics Park on Chicago’s South Side, pledging hundreds of jobs for City College graduates. Meanwhile, in Springfield, the Illinois legislature is finalizing its game plan to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois. In the Loop br
The Importance Of Asian American History
It’s been nearly five years since Illinois lawmakers passed the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History Act, or TEAACH Act. It ensures that students in every public elementary and high school in Illinois learn about the contributions of Asian Americans. In the Loop learns more with Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago executive director Grace Pai, education consultant and
Why It’s Time To Treat Sexual Assault As A Public Health Crisis
Often, cases of sexual violence are treated as a criminal justice issue. But this approach can lead to repeated harm, doubt, and underreporting. Survivors, experts and service providers alike are calling on all of us to start viewing this as a public health crisis. In the Loop discusses how our approach to treating and preventing sexual violence could improve, and what resources exist to
CPD Wrongfully Raided Her Home. Now, Anjanette Young Is Moving ‘Past The Pain’
Seven years after the botched police raid that left Anjanette Young handcuffed and traumatized in her home, she is now being selected to join the oversight board for Chicago’s police department. But the road from victim to police reform advocate has been long – and is one traced in her new memoir Past the Pain. In it, Young recounts the night her life was changed, the faith that she both
How The Media Should Cover Domestic Violence. Plus, After Recent Tragic Cases, Experts Share Resources Available In Illinois
In the wake of several high-profile domestic violence cases, many ending fatally, the news headlines can feel all too familiar. How these stories are told, who’s centered, the language used, and what’s left out shapes public understanding. So, how can journalists do better? What should responsible reporting look like?Plus, we explore the options that exist for people experiencing various
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: April 24, 2026
Residents are still cleaning up basements and backyards after record-breaking rainfall. Gov. JB Pritzker says all bets are off for state employees on prediction markets. Body cam video of the shooting of Officer Krystal Rivera is released to the public. And Chicago Public School lunchroom staff block traffic over stalled contract talks.
In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in t
Chicago Woman Shares Her Fibroid Survival Story
Brionna Johnson’s journey with uterine fibroids was one filled with uncertainty and questions. Her search for answers led her to Dr. Pierre Johnson of Loretto Hospital on the West Side aka the “Fibroid Slayer.” He was able to perform surgery and help Brionna after another physician suggested she would need to have a hysterectomy. In the Loop hears from doctor and patient. For a full archi
Make Every Day Earth Day
This year’s Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,’ focuses on mobilizing communities to action. In the Loop checks in with local conservationists to ask how Chicagoans can make a meaningful impact and work together to protect our food, land and wildlife. At the table: Nitya Jakka, a Chicago organizer at the Eat for Impact initiative, Seth Magle, senior director of Urban Wildlife Inst
How Can Voice And Music Connect Us To The Physical Environment?
How can voice connect us to the environment? That’s what a Chickasaw poet and a composer explore in their new works for the Chicago-based project EcoVoice that will be performed by the Loyola University choirs. In the Loop sits down with Lokosh, a poet, Kirsten Hedegaard, founder of EcoVoice Project, and composer Jerod Impichaachaaha’ Tate to learn more about the themes explored in Ámmo’n
New Chicago Zoning Chair Says Affordable Homes, Big Developments Are Coming
After a political deadlock left up to 100 projects on hold, Chicago’s City Council finally has a new permanent chair to lead its powerful Zoning committee. In the Loop checks in with Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th Ward. He says he’ll cut red tape and embrace technology to get affordable and market-rate housing and major development projects built faster.For a full archive of In the Loop inte
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: April 17, 2026
A former ComEd CEO and an ally of former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan are both freed from prison and granted new trials. A Wisconsin sheriff files a defamation lawsuit against a Skokie woman and a Cook County Commissioner. Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers pass legislation limiting junk fees for renters.In the Loop breaks down those stories and more with Axios Chicago reporter Carri
Ask Chicago’s Mayor: April 2026
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sits down with In the Loop host Sasha-Ann Simons to answer listener questions on everything from rising taxi fares to housing affordability to recent turnover in his administration. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
Yusef Jackson On The Future Of Rainbow PUSH
Yusef Jackson, the youngest of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson’s sons, talks about meeting the moment as the new president and CEO of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. He joins In the Loop to discuss his top priorities, including voting rights and registration, human rights and education; and how his tenure as Rainbow PUSH president will lead the organization into its next chapter.For a full archiv
What’s Up With AI In Chicago-Area Schools?
A new private school where students will learn from AI, rather than from teachers, is set to open in Chicago this fall. Questions abound: what will happen to teachers? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of relying on a relatively new technology to instruct children? In the Loop discusses with a panel of educators and AI experts: Brady Gunnink, English teacher, Jones College Pre
Why Are Black Women In Illinois Way More Likely To Die From Pregnancy Complications?
In Illinois, Black women are three times more likely to die from complications due to pregnancy than white women. That rate is even higher in Chicago. The state, Cook County, and hospitals have experimented with different efforts to address the dangers to Black mothers, including boosting access to doulas. For Black Maternal Health Week, In the Loop looks at the strides made in improving
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: April 10, 2026
Efforts begin to rename Pilsen’s Cesar Chavez Post Office. Chicago launches a citywide program allowing homeowners to add additional dwelling units. Meanwhile, housing advocates announce plans to sue Chicago Housing Authority over last month’s CEO appointment. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in our Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Block Club Chicago reporter Quinn Myers;
1 In 4 People With HIV Are Women. So Why Are They Shut Out Of The Conversation?
In the decades since the first official report of HIV in June of 1981, there have been many advances in HIV research. However, women – particularly women of color and young women – continue to be affected by HIV/AIDS, while being ignored in mainstream conversations about it. In the Loop hears the story of Marta Santiago, a Chicago woman diagnosed with HIV in the 1980s. We also hear from U
Illinois And Trump Admin Tussle Over Prediction Markets
A record-breaking $3.3 billion was expected to be bet on NCAA basketball during March Madness, but the wagering doesn’t end with sports. Some people are betting on everything from when Taylor Swift will be married to whether the U.S. pilot recently shot down in Iran would be rescued on so-called “prediction markets.” In the Loop learns more about these markets and why the Trump administra
Number Of Same-Sex Households Nearly Doubled In The Last Two Decades
In 2024, the census recorded 1.4 million same-sex couple households, which is nearly double since 2005. In that time, the U.S. Census changed how it asked respondents about who they live with, and same-sex marriage was legalized. In the Loop digs into the local data and hears about the gains that have been made and the work for equality that still needs to be done. At the table: Mony Ruiz
Despite The Loss, Illini Fans – And Your Fave Local Sports Bar – Still Won
Despite the Fighting Illini’s Saturday loss to UConn, fans rejoiced in the team’s longest March Madness run in 21 years. And a strong season not only reinvigorated school spirit, but was an economic boost to the university and even local businesses can see a major economic boost.
We dig into what a winning season means for both the fan experience and for business. Our panel at the table:
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: April 3, 2026
Police Supt. Larry Snelling faces public questioning about whether Chicago police coordinated with ICE agents. Illinois politicians respond to the firing of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Thousands gather in Grant Park and suburbs for the third No Kings rally. University of Illinois makes it to NCAA’s Final Four, while the Bulls dismiss a player for social media posts. In the Loop break
When Illinois Banned Black People From Gathering, They Turned To Church
In 1819, Illinois lawmakers enacted the Black Laws, which required Black people to have a certificate of freedom to live in Illinois and made it illegal to gather in groups of three or more. That is, however, unless the gathering was for religious observances.From then on, churches made for and by Black people became hubs for connecting each other to resources, for education, as well as p
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