Claim OwnershipIn the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons
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In his new book Stand, U.S. Senator Cory Booker shares stories of how leaders of the past and present overcame the odds stacked against them with virtues including grace, humility and creativity. He stopped in Chicago on Sunday, March 29 as part of his book tour, and spoke to Sasha-Ann Simons in front of a live audience.
This episode of In the Loop is an abridged version of that hour-long conversation where the senator discusses the new book, his criticisms of the Democratic Party and views on Trump Administration policies.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
It was a busy week in Chicago and the country: ICE agents head to O’Hare as TSA workers near their sixth week without pay. Political arguments continue to swirl after the shooting death of an 18-year-old Loyola student. Plus, a new baseball season brings hope to fans, but Chicago’s teams fall flat on their opening day.
We cover those stories and more with WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp, Block Club reporter Mack Liederman and Heather Cherone, WTTW senior politics reporter.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
Spring is back! If you’re looking for more ways to get outside, Chicagoans around the city are organizing community walking events — particularly for women to walk outside with other women. In the Loop hears from The Walking Hour founder Pamiya Opoku and Hot Girl Walk founder Mia Lind for more.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
From ancient artifacts to historic landmarks, pieces of history across the Gulf region are at risk due to armed conflict. On today’s In the Loop, we’ll hear from experts working to protect treasures in active conflict zones and talk about why it’s important to preserve cultural heritage.
At the table: archeologists Prof. Gil J. Stein, University of Chicago; Prof. Morag Kersel, DePaul University; and Patty Gerstenblith, emerita professor of law at DePaul University.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
Bees and butterflies get all the buzz when it comes to pollination, but what about the underdogs? Think flies and moths, which are essential to pollination in the Midwest.
In the Loop kicks off the blooming season by checking in with entomologist Allen Lawrance of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, to find out how we can use our backyards to protect and support pollinators.
Plus, WBEZ kids weigh in with their questions about bees, hummingbirds, and other insects.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
A debate is raging in Chicago’s City Council over how much businesses should pay tipped workers, with a majority of alders moving to freeze the increase in tipped minimum wage. It’s an action Mayor Brandon Johnson says he will veto. In the Loop hears from Illinois Restaurant Association Sam Toia and One Fair Wage organizer Molly Pachay about their thoughts on ending subminimum wage.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
City Council votes to end a phaseout of the sub-minimum wage and raise the tax on downtown hotels, making it the highest hotel tax in the nation. And federal prosecutors say a local cyber security expert turned out to actually be a cyber criminal. Plus takeaways and surprises from Tuesday’s primary election.
In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in our Weekly News Recap with Julie Bosman, Chicago bureau chief for the New York Times, Fox 32 political correspondent Paris Schutz and senior public safety editor for WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Tom Schuba.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
In honor of Women’s History Month, In the Loop talks about the life and legacy of Chicago’s Vernita Gray.
From when she first learned about the gay liberation movement at Woodstock in the ’60s to her death in 2014, Gray was a pioneer for gay and lesbian rights in Chicago. She and her partner were also the first same-sex couple to legally marry in Illinois.
In the Loop learns more about Vernita Gray’s instrumental work in Chicago from Jennifer Brier, distinguished professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and History at UIC.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
After months of campaigning – and millions and millions of dollars spent from outside interests like AIPAC and cryptocurrency – several hotly-contested races for the U.S. Senate, governor and the U.S. House came to a close on Illinois’ Primary Day.
We’ll dig into everything you need to know with a panel of political experts: who won, who came up short, and how the results could shape up the general midterm election in the fall.
Our panel to help us break it all down: WBEZ’s Clare Lane, Mariah Woelfel and Mawa Iqbal; Jaime Dominguez, professor at Northwestern University; Connie Mixon, professor of political science at Elmhurst University; and Jim Durkin, former Minority Leader, Illinois House of Representatives.
We’ll also hear from candidates themselves, including:
Daniel Biss, mayor of Evanston, Democratic nominee for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District
Don Tracy, Illinois Senate Republican nominee
Darren Bailey, Illinois Governor Republican nominee
Juliana Stratton, Lt. Governor of Illinois, and Senate Democratic nominee
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
Beyond party affiliation, there is a broad diversity in who, how and why we vote. For some, it’s the issues that matter most; for others, it’s party loyalty. And then there are those who choose abstention.
Today on In the Loop, Stevie Valles, executive director, Chicago Votes, and Violet Miller, Chicago Sun-Times reporter, give us a primary day primer on what motivates us to vote.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sits down with In the Loop host Sasha-Ann Simons to answer listener questions on everything from the Illinois primary election to efforts afoot to once again allow a subminimum wage in Chicago to questions about small business, public safety and education.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker surveys the destruction left behind after a series of wild storms rip through Kankakee County, destroying homes and buildings. Plus, the Illinois primary election is next week, and all eyes are on the tight race to replace longtime retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. We also talk about campaign finances and the use of AI in technology in political ads. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more with Axios Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd, WBEZ politics editor Dave McKinney and local journalist Leigh Giangreco.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
During this final week before Primary Day in Illinois, Republican candidates are making their final pitches to voters for who is best to replace veteran U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.
In The Loop checks in with three candidates in the GOP race: Chicago lawyer Jeanne Evans, entrepreneur Casey Chlebek and former chairman of the Illinois Republican party Don Tracy.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
During this final week before Primary Day in Illinois, the Democratic candidates are making their final pitches to voters for who is best to replace veteran U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.
Polls show Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the lead.
In The Loop checks in with the frontrunners on the campaign trail. You can find our interviews with Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton if you scroll through our feed.
Today, we sit down with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
During this final week before Primary Day in Illinois, the Democratic candidates are making their final pitches to voters for who is best to replace veteran U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.
Polls show Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the lead.
In The Loop checks in with the frontrunners on the campaign trail. We’ll bring you our conversation with Rep. Krishnamoorthi on Wednesday, and you can find our interview with Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) if you scroll through our feed.
Today, we sit down with Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
In the race to replace veteran U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, analysis from the New York Times shows Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton are leading in the polls.
During this final week before Primary Day in Illinois, candidates are making their final pitches to voters, and the process can be a 24/7 grind of glad-handing, raising money and not sleeping.
In The Loop checks in with the leading candidates on the campaign trail. First up: Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02).
We’ll bring you our conversations with Lt. Gov. Stratton and Rep. Krishnamoorthi on Tuesday and Wednesday on this podcast.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
Kristi Noem is out as DHS secretary; meanwhile, Cook County prosecutors dismiss 21 cases against local ICE protesters. Chicago is one step closer to video gambling in bars and restaurants and Jesse Jackson memorials conclude in Chicago.
In the Loop goes behind the headlines in the Weekly News Recap. Today’s panel: Mitch Armentrout of the Chicago Sun-Times, Geoff Buchholz of WBBM Newsradio, and Jake Sheridan of the Chicago Tribune.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
Real estate developer Related Midwest bought the 62-acre site (known as The 78) back in 2016. On Tuesday, it broke ground for the Chicago Fire’s new soccer stadium.
The project’s developers have made many promises to the city from affordable housing, economic growth and developed riverfront. But some residents of neighboring communities still have concerns.
To find out what these concerns are and how developers, sports organizations and neighbors can all work together, In the Loop hears from Sarah Tang with the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community and Roderick Wilson with Lugenia Burns Hope Center.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
Chicago’s premiere alt-weekly has been a hub for art, music, and local investigations since the 1970s. Following a brief hiatus from print, the Chicago Reader is returning to print with a fresh approach to its locally-rooted writing and reporting.
We check in with the Reader’s editor-in-chief Sarah Conway, and features writer Katie Prout, on how its team is building on the legacy of the Reader to create a renewed vision for community-focused journalism.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
About 17 of the 32 people charged with nonimmigration crimes during Operation Midway Blitz have had their cases dropped with no convictions. Regardless, the toll that comes with federal prosecution doesn't just disappear as soon as the case does.
In the Loop talks to Jocelyne Robledo, a defendant of one of the 17 failed prosecution cases and with Jon Seidel, Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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