Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons: Recent Episodes
WBEZ Chicago
WBEZ's daily talk show brings listeners the news and conversations that matter most to their day-to-day lives.
What is the purpose of schools? Most people would say to teach children to meet their potential and to prepare them for the world. But in her new book “Original Sins: The (Mis)education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism,” Chicago author and sociologist Eve Ewing presents readers with an exhaustively researched history of how U.S. schools have been a place where separation and inequality have been enshrined by design. Reset checks in with Ewing to explore the role of schools in America and a better way forward.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
’Tis the season of love. Whether you’re dating, single, newly wed or married for years, everybody could use a little advice on love and relationships.
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Reset checks in with love guru and psychologist Alexandra Solomon, who is also the host of the podcast “Reimagining Love.”
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Illinois is offering buyers an incentive of $4,000 per electric vehicle. But at the federal level, the Trump administration is moving in the opposite direction, cutting plans for more EV charging stations, among other moves. Reset gets the latest and learns what might be ahead for EVs in Illinois and beyond with Reset sustainability contributor Karen Weigert and Dany Robles, legislative relations director with the Illinois Environmental Council.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan was found guilty on 10 counts and not guilty on 7 counts. The jury did not reach a unanimous decision on 12 other counts, leading to a partial verdict. Reset gets the details from WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Producer: Meha Ahmad, Lynnea Domienik, Alyssa Manthi
Editor: Dan Tucker
Mixer: Ari Mejia
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has detained more than 100 people in the Chicago area in an effort to carry out President Trump’s campaign promise of mass deportations. But on Monday, dozens of stores and restaurants closed as part of Day Without Immigrants in protest and to honor the contributions of immigrants. Reset checks in with Héctor Aguirre, co-owner of La Malinche Coffee and Tea House, a business in Pilsen that participated.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
President Donald Trump unveiled a plan to “take over” the Gaza Strip and displace all the Palestinians living there. World leaders scoffed at the idea, and the White House has since begun to walk it back. Reset checks in with Eman Abdelhadi, assistant professor of sociology, University of Chicago and Deanna Othman, freelance journalist, Chicago media coordinator of American Muslims for Palestine Palestinian Americans.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
As wildfires blaze across LA County, Chicagoans are mobilizing.
Reset finds out how Chicagoans are using their skills to help in a time of crisis. We talk to Sarah Stegner, co-founder of Chicago Chefs Cook, and co-owner of Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook, Ill. We also check in with Terry Nosal, a Red Cross volunteer who flew from Chicago to LA to help.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Some insurers are denying mental health treatment when they deem the patient has started to improve. A ProPublica investigation shows that the level of improvement is hard to measure, and the guidelines insurers are using to make these decisions do not always match mental health providers’ standards of care.
Reset gets the story from ProPublica reporter Duaa Eldeib.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Karina’s Bill was passed by the Illinois General Assembly last Tuesday, closing a loophole that allowed those accused of domestic violence to keep their guns. The measure is named in honor of Karina Gonzalez, a woman from Little Village who – along with her daughter, 15 – was fatally shot by her husband in July 2023. To learn more about what the legislation changes in Illinois, Reset sits down with two advocates who work closely with survivors of domestic violence: Stephanie Love-Pattersono, CEO of The National Network to End Domestic Violence; and Maralea Negron, director of policy, advocacy and research at The Network.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Women who work full time earn, on average, 83.6 cents for every dollar men do. When factoring in race, women of color earn even less on the dollar. To address this persistent gender wage gap, lawmakers amended the Illinois’ Equal Pay Act to make the job application process more transparent. Reset spoke with Sharmili Majmudar, Executive Vice President of Policy, Programs, and Research for Women Employed and Kathryn O’Connor, HR Source’s Director of Compensation about how this could affect salaried and hourly employees, and the adjustments employers will have to make.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Illinois colleges and universities are more expensive than the national average. A new bill could dramatically change how higher education is funded. Reset gets the details from WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Kurian Philip.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Whether you’re a fan of big blockbusters like “Dune: Part Two” or “Wicked” or someone more interested in arthouse hits, there were a lot of movies to choose from in 2024. Reset talks with a panel about what made their best-of lists. Michael Phillips is the film critic at the Chicago Tribune. Ahmed Ali Akbar is a Chicago Tribune food writer and co-host of “Dune: Prophecy The Official Podcast.” Colton Campbell is a manager at the Music Box Theatre.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Chicago’s City Council finally passed the 2025 budget. Meanwhile, the Chicago School Board called a special meeting Friday night to discuss the possible firing of schools CEO Pedro Martinez. Reset breaks down those stories and much more with Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Becky Vevea, Better Government Association president David Greising and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitch Armentrout.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
We’ve talked about the Wrigley Building in What’s That Building before, as part of a summer 2023 series on icons of Chicago architecture. Now Dennis Rodkin is back to tell us about an icon of Christmas created in that iconic building.
A new study from Northwestern shows human beings around the world experience loneliness at similar times in life. The findings show that on average loneliness moves in a U-shaped pattern: highest in young people and older adults and lowest in middle adulthood. Reset discusses loneliness and how we can better address the feeling individually and collectively with study co-author and associate professor Eileen Graham and associate professor at the Family Institute at Northwestern University Michele Kerulis.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Producer: Meha Ahmad, Ethan Schwabe
Editor: Dan Tucker
Mixer: Ethan Schwabe and Ari Mejia
Their sound is effortless, magical and all their own. Chicago duo The O’My’s blends beautiful melodies and raspy, colorful vocals with elements of hip-hop, jazz, soul, blues and house. Their latest album, Trust The Stars, was several years in the making, channeling the group’s natural evolution with passion and grit.
Reset checks in with the men behind the music Nick Hennessey and Maceo Vidal-Haymes.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
From savory waffles made from stuffing to pie for breakfast to soul food egg rolls, the possibilities for Thanksgiving leftovers are endless. Reset gets tips from parenting blogger Jenny LeFlore and Monica Eng, Chicago reporter for Axios and host of the Chewing podcast.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Thanksgiving is all about the blessings of home, but thousands of Chicagoans don’t have shelter this holiday. As temperatures drop, we’ll hear what services exist to help the unhoused find relief with Christine Haley, chief homelessness officer for the state of Illinois and Doug Fraser, executive director of The Chicago Help Initiative.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Chicago footwork is essential to the city’s history of electronic dance music and culture. It was pioneered in the 1990s by dancers, DJs and producers like DJ Rashad, DJ Spinn, DJ Clent, RP Boo and more on Chicago’s South and West sides. And it’s characterized by fast choppy vocal samples, interesting basslines and hi-hats and snares. Resetsits down with Litebulb, Steelo and P-Top of The Era Footwork Crew to learn more about the evolution of Chicago footwork and its continuing legacy.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Producer: Sasha-Ann Simons, Micah Yason, Ethan Schwabe, Mendy Kong
Editor: Meha Ahmad
Mixer: Ethan Schwabe
If you voted in Kane, McHenry, Lake or DuPage county, you had the opportunity to decide whether you’d like to pay a little extra to fund forest preserves. Reset sits down with local conservationist Robbie Telfer of Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves to hear how the voting went and what happens next.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Hamartia comes from Greek tragedy and refers to a hero or heroine’s fatal flaw.
For Meredith Johnston, it’s self-hatred. This is the focus of her new album Hamartia.
Reset sits down with the singer to talk about the inspiration behind the project and getting a taste of Warm Human’s range from electronic to indie to pop.
GUEST: Meredith Johnston, singer and songwriter, Warm Human
Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have different ideas when it comes to both growing housing stock and making it more affordable – a major concern for voters this election.
Reset checks in with Erika Poethig, a leader with the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and board member for the Illinois Housing Development Authority, to help compare the two candidates’ policies and how it would impact people here in Chicago and Illinois.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Immigrant advocacy groups in Chicago are preparing for mass deportations under a potential Trump presidency and a tighter border regardless of who wins. From know-your-rights training, reengaging rapid response teams and preparing legal clinics, advocates say they’re leaning into lessons learned during the first Trump presidency.
Reset speaks with Erendira Rendon, vice president of immigrant justice, The Resurrection Project; Lawrence Benito, executive director, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights; and Antonio Gutierrez, strategic coordinator with Organized Communities Against Deportations to hear more.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
RealPage, a company owned by a Chicago-based private equity group, is facing DOJ and class-action lawsuits alleging that their software for landlords violates antitrust laws. The software, which generates recommended rent prices, is used to price over 70,000 apartments in Chicago alone, according to RealPage’s own data.
Reset sits down with WBEZ data reporter Amy Qin to learn how Chicago renters could be affected.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
The U.S. Mint and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum have collaborated to release quarters with the faces of 25 women throughout history who have changed the country and the world. The series spans over a four-year period to feature artists, activists, scientists, and more.
Reset finds out more about the women featured and their place in American history, with Jennifer Brier, professor of gender and women’s studies and history at UIC.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Researchers haven’t yet been able to pinpoint why breast cancer is becoming more prevalent among younger women, but a study out this year from Washington University charts how those rates play out among demographic groups, with younger Black women seeing the biggest increase in diagnoses. Reset learns more from Kaitlin Washburn, Chicago Sun-Times reporter about what’s driving the trend and what’s being done to address it.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Witnesses have begun to take the stand in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s hand-picked board of education met for the first time. And the city is combining its shelters for migrants and other Chicagoans into a single, unified system.
Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories with Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Reema Amin, WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney and government finance and accountability reporter with the Illinois Answers Project of the Better Government Association Alex Nitkin.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
More than 54,000 incarcerated people, including more than 1,000 in Illinois, responded to a Marshall Project survey about their thoughts on the November election. Reset digs into what they had to say about the issues that matter to them and who they plan to vote for in the presidential race with Nicole Lewis and Jamiles Lartey of The Marshall Project.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Illinois is one of 48 states that revokes the right to vote for people in prison convicted of a felony. But that hasn’t stopped some from learning – and teaching – about voting and political engagement to prepare for when they reenter society. Reset sits down Brian Beals, a Chicagoan who was wrongfully imprisoned for 35 years and taught civics education classes to other incarcerated people.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Let’s be honest. There’s a lot to be stressed out about. And while there are umpteen tips and tricks for de-stressing, one route could be building emotional resilience. Research coming out of Northwestern University shows that positive emotions can help people cope and adapt to stressful situations. Reset sat down with Judith Moskowitz, Chief of Intervention Sciences in the Department of Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University to learn more about the resilience challenge.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Cases of syphilis are on the rise in the United States. Chicago is also mirroring nationwide trends. The sexually transmitted infection was down to just over 30,000 cases in 2000, but that number rose to above 200,000 in 2022. To understand why, and how to slow this trend, we talked with Dr. Kimberly Stanford, associate professor of medicine at UChicago.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
The U.S. Surgeon General says parents across the country are struggling with increased stress and declining mental health.
Parents are juggling work, childcare, education, finances, time management, loneliness and much more.
So we’re revisiting a recent conversation looking at the biggest challenges parents are facing in the U.S. today and how communities are coming together to support parents and children. Our guests are Rosalia Salgado, mother of two from Hermosa, and community healer with Community Organizing and Family Issues; and Teri McKean, parent and director of Crisis and Support Operations at NAMI Chicago.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Open House Chicago is back! The architecture festival will run from Oct. 19 to 20. You’ll be able to see more than 170 buildings for free. And this year, 25 new sites have been added to that list. Reset gets the latest from the Chicago Architecture Center’s Adam Rubin.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Scientists found the comet back in 2023. You can see it now for the next few days. It’s thought that the last time this comet was seen from Earth was 80,000 years ago. Reset checks in with Adler Planetarium astronomer Michael Zevin.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
It’s Filipino American History Month, so we’re learning about how kamayan, the communal style of eating with hands, preserves Filipino culture. Plus, we discuss places in Chicago to sit down to a table covered in banana leaves and delicious Filipino dishes like lechon, longganisa and fish. Reset checks in with local restaurateurs Christine Ledesma, owner and co-founder of Kubo Chicago and Billy Dec, the CEO and founder of Sunda New Asian.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson replaced the entire Board of Education, the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan got underway and the Chicago Bears head to London. Reset dives into these and other top local stories with CW26 reporter and anchor Brandon Pope, WBEZ assistant managing editor Kate Grossman and Better Government Association president David Greising.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
The White Sox and the Bears are seeking public funds to build new stadiums. But real estate professionals have other ideas on how taxpayer money could be invested in Chicago.
Crain’s Chicago Business commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker sifts through the alternatives, which include more funding for police, a reimagining of the Loop as a cultural hub instead of a business center and much more.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Since 1986, Chiu Quon Bakery has been a Chicago staple for traditional Chinese baked specialties. Featured in season three of FX’s The Bear, it’s the oldest Chinese bakery in Chicago, and it has two locations in the city. The bakeries have dozens of different kinds of sweets that are made by hand daily. The specialty treats they offer are part of a dying tradition that their bakery is making sure to keep alive and offer for generations to come.
Reset speaks with one of the co-owners, Joyce Chiu, to learn about the bakery’s story.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
The Chicago River has gone through a lot to shed its cesspool past and enter into its cleaner, shinier present. But has it gone far enough to make the average Chicagoan feel comfortable to take a dip in it?
Reset learns about a unique approach to monitoring the health of the area's rivers from Alaina Harkness, ED of Current and Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University’s Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and what the data can tell us about how the rivers are constantly changing.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
The University of Illinois at Chicago has published an in-depth report studying impact of Mexican Chicagoans, a group that has been historically overlooked as its own data set versus under the umbrella of Chicago Latinos as a whole. According to researchers’ findings, Mexicans are the largest population of Latinos in Chicago and subsequently play a pivotal role in Chicago’s economy.
Reset sat down with Teresa Cordova and Juan Gonzalez, two of the scholars who wrote the report to break down their team’s findings and the importance Mexicans have on informing policies.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Producer: Ari Mejia, Ellie Gilbert-Bair and Lynnea Domienik
Editor: Dan Tucker
Mixer: Ari Mejia
Nnedi Okorafor has been pioneering African Futurism since she began writing, from her award-winning book ‘Who Fears Death’ to the critically-acclaimed Akata Witch series. ‘She Who Knows: Firespitter’ continues to weave science fiction with the African world, exploring what happens when a young girl is chosen for a journey reserved only for boys and men. Reset sat down with Okorafor to learn about the story and her world-building process.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Producer: Sasha-Ann Simons and Ellie Gilbert-Bair
Editor: Meha Ahmad
Mixer: Max Lubbers
Reset learns about efforts to bring resources to survivors and their families experiencing violence from Dr. Ted Corbin, professor and chairperson for the department of emergency medicine RUSH University Medical Center and Dr. John Rich, director of the RUSH BMO Institute for Health Equity.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Extreme heat is the most dangerous weather event in the country, according to the National Weather Service. The elderly, young children and people who work outside are the most vulnerable. Reset hears what’s up with the heat this week and how groups representing people who work outside are responding. Trent Ford, Illinois state climatologist, Miguel Alvelo Rivera, executive director of Latino Union and Gaby Gracia, deputy director of the Great Lakes Center for Farmworker Health and Wellbeing at the UIC School of Public Health join us in conversation to talk about the heat and its effects on Chicagoans.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
PACKS frontwoman Madeline Link felt blessed to write about love that made her “feel wonderful — not deranged,” like relationships in her past. The 2024 album Melt the Honey explores partnership and life with crunchy guitars and loose rhythm sections.
She joins Reset to talk about her love of South America, live music, and paper mache.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
What happened this week, Chicago? Well, the city is making final preparations for the Democratic National Convention, a judge dealt a blow to protest organizers, Riot Fest does an about-face, and a former school official is sentenced to prison for stealing nearly $1.5 million in chicken wings.
Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap, with Julie Bosman, Chicago bureau chief for The New York Times; Carrie Shepherd, Chicago reporter with AXIOS; and WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Producer: Micah Yason, Ellie Gilbert-Bair
Editor: Meha Ahmad
Mixer: Micah Yason and Ari Mejia
The CDC tracker shows coronavirus levels are much higher nationwide than they were this time last year. With infection levels on the rise, should folks get another COVID booster? Are tests effectively catching the latest strains? How long are we supposed to isolate again? To learn more, Reset checks in with UChicago Medicine’s infectious disease specialist Dr. Emily Landon.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
More than half of the average American adult’s diet consists of ultra processed foods.
Foods like the frozen meal you grabbed for lunch, or your go-to morning granola bar or even your plant-based chicken nuggets. All of these foods can be ultra-processed.
And eating these foods has been linked to overeating and higher risks of all kinds of diseases, from diabetes to cancer.
Reset checks in with health coach Rochelle Trotter about how we got here, and how we get out.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Summer is the most delicious time in the Midwest. So what techniques can we use to ensure that we have bites of delicious tomatoes, stone fruit, melons, sweet corn and summer squash all year long?
Reset checks in with a chef and preservation expert.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Producer: Meha Ahmad, Lynnea Domienik, Ellie Gilbert-Bair
Editor: Meha Ahmad
Mixer: Micah Yason
The rich stone edifice of Thalia Hall is a lot to take in. Now a concert venue, this Pilsen building has a history as a gathering place for ethnic communities, and theater for movies and Shakespeare plays.
Reset’s Sasha-Ann Simons and architecture expert Dennis Rodkin head to the beloved music venue for the latest in our series “What’s That Building.”
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Do you avoid the stove and the oven on hot summer days, or do you just sweat it out?
Either way, we’ll get ideas for salads, cooking with appliances besides your stove and marinades for grilling.
Reset gets recommendations for beating the heat and still eating deliciously.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Trump makes false statements about Kamala Harris’ race at a Black journalists’ convention in Chicago. Hundreds gather in Springfield and Chicago in response to Sonya Massey’s death. Lawyers for R&B singer R. Kelly appeal his conviction.
Reset breaks down those stories and more in our Weekly News Recap.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Nestled along Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast sits an old mansion styled after a French chateau. But this isn’t Versailles. It’s Chicago’s International Museum of Surgical Science.
Inside you’ll find some things maybe you’d expect: vintage surgical instruments, skeletons, and archival medical books. But then, it ventures into what feels and looks more like an art museum. Sculptures, murals, and rotating contemporary art exhibitions. And on the fourth floor: the future of surgery in space. The Reset team explores the museum and its “haunted vibes.”
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
You can’t talk about Chicago blues without talking about Muddy Waters. His talent shaped the genre, and fostered a community of legends like John Lee Hooker, BB King and Chuck Berry. So for the latest in our "What's That Building?" series, architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin takes us to Mojo Museum, the 19th century two-flat in Kenwood that was Muddy Waters' longtime home and rehearsal space. The sweet sounds of blues still ring throughout the area today during monthly backyard concerts. And we’ll hear from the family member keeping the blues great’s memory alive.
Megan Hammond came to Chicago in 2018 to study music at Columbia College. Since then, she’s released her own songs that highlight her powerful vocals, artful lyricism and genre-bending range.
Now, she’ll be taking the stage at Lollapalooza as a part of the Chicago Made Music Showcase on Sunday, Aug. 4.
Reset sits down with the singer to hear how she became the artist and musician she is today. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Producer: Lynnea Domienik, Jules Yaeger, Ellie Gilbert-Bair
Editor: Meha Ahmad
Mixer: Max Lubbers
After President Joe Biden announced the end of his reelection bid, he and other Democratic figures shared their support for Vice President Kamala Harris as the new nominee. We talk with Chicago Sun-Times Washington bureau chief Lynn Sweet about what’s next.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
On the Chicago Riverwalk, there’s a museum hidden inside a five-story limestone tower that rises from the DuSable bridge. The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum tells the story of the movable bridge and how the urban river has changed over time.
Two Reset producers headed to check out the gears that move the bridge, the stunning views from inside the bridgehouse and learn the history of the river. It’s the first in a new series highlighting museums in the Chicago area that are off the beaten path.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) arts organizations have seen their funding from major donors nearly double over the past three years. Yet, the authors of a new report worry that this boost is temporary.
Reset hears from a leader in anti-racist advocacy to learn why funding for BIPOC arts has been fluctuating, and what steps advocates may need to take to continue advancing racial equity in the arts.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Rush University Medical Center, Cook County’s Stroger Hospital and UI Health Stroger are preparing for the worst case scenario, be it a mass shooting, an explosion, or tear gas, but say they’re prepared for any contingency.
Reset hears how the hospitals will ensure smooth service in the face of the expected traffic delays and in case of emergency.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Less than two days after an apparent assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, the Republican National Convention kicked off in Milwaukee on July 15th.
Reset checked in with a WBEZ reporter who is on the ground at the RNC to get a preview and hear how the news is affecting delegates.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Fifty years ago, Mafat and Tulsi Patel opened their first grocery store off Damen and Devon avenues. Fast forward to 2024, and Patel Brothers is the nation’s largest Indian grocery chain with 52 stores across the country.
Reset learns how the iconic grocer came to be and the impact of connecting the community with South Asian foods and ingredients with one of the partners, Swetal Patel.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
The Supreme Court recently struck down a decades-old precedent known as ‘Chevron,’ which instructed judges to defer to the expert advice of federal agencies in cases where laws are vague.
Many of the agencies which are affected by the change deal with matters of public health, like the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control, Environmental Protections Agency, or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Reset learns more about how this decision will affect the lives of everyday Americans.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Dr. Anthony Fauci served under seven U.S. presidents. Before COVID-19, he fought the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Ebola, and Zika. Reset’s Sasha-Ann Simons sits down with Fauci to discuss his new memoir, his “nightmare” that came true, and what really went on behind the scenes between him and the Trump Administration.
Sports cars. Divorce. Loneliness after retirement. The 40’s, 50’s and 60’s have gotten a bad rap. But these decades don’t need to be a downer, they can instead be a time of blossoming. That’s an idea championed by Chip Conley, author of Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better With Age.
Reset learns about this idea and ways of creating a vibrant, connected life. We sat down with Conley and Lowell Nelson, a local retiree and volunteer.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
About a decade ago, 38,000 Chicago residents lived more than a mile from a supermarket or superstore. That number jumped to 102,000 residents by 2023, according to a WBEZ and Sun-Times analysis.
A wave of grocery store closures on the South and West Sides last year prompted Mayor Brandon Johnson to propose a city-owned grocery store as one solution.
And community members are building creative models to address this issue sooner rather than later. Reset sat down with three of the people working on bringing their visions of food justice in Chicago to life.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Producer: Micah Yason, Ethan Schwabe, Nadia Hernandez
Editor: Meha Ahmad
Mixer: Micah Yason
Joe Biden and Donald Trump face off in a presidential debate, Chicago makes a deal with some protesters ahead of the Democratic National Convention, and NASCAR gets ready to shut down some Chicago streets.
Reset goes behind these headlines and more in the Weekly News Recap. This week’s panel: Jon Seidel, federal courts reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times; David Greising, president of the Better Government Association; and Carrie Shepherd, Chicago reporter for Axios.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Looking for some fun things to do this summer? Alongside days at the beach or bike rides through a park, maybe check out some live music! Starting today, Reset is profiling a few of the music hot spots in Chicago for our "What’s That Building" series. First up? That warehouse with the iconic roof: The Salt Shed.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Toronto singer and songwriter Abigail Lapell is out with a new album, Anniversary, which features 11 intimate songs that explore youth, grief and eternal love.
The multi-instrumentalist joined fellow Canadian group Great Lake Swimmers at the historic St. Mark’s Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario to record this latest project.
Inspired by many milestones in her life – from turning 40 to the 15th anniversary of her father’s passing – Lapell showcases her vocals, guitar, piano and more on this new project.
Reset checked in with the singer ahead of her Chicago show.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
There’s a type of blues music that is native to Chicago. It can be characterized by its use of guitar, harmonica and rhythm sections.
Between June 6-9, the largest free blues festival in the world is returning to Chicago. Legendary bluesman Buddy Guy will headline in one of his final performances.
Reset checks in with three blues musicians to learn about the scene in Chicago and what to expect for the fest this year.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Dining out can be a treat. But as a guest, interactions with hosts, servers and bartenders can sometimes make or break a meal. And behind the scenes, there are dozens of decisions and approaches for staff to consider.
Reset hears from two hospitality leaders – Patricia Prosen, owner Que Rico Mexican restaurant, and Loren Agron, manager Ed Debevic’s – about how they approach service in Chicago.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is aiming to make good on a campaign promise to expand mental health services.
Six city-run mental health clinics were closed in 2016 under Chicago’s then-mayor Rahm Emanuel. A majority of the closed clinics were on the city’s south and west sides. Two administrations later, Johnson is sharing plans to reopen the first clinic in Roseland.
We dig into the plan and other news out of Chicago’s City Hall, including a potential sidewalk plowing initiative, with WBEZ city politics reporter Tessa Weinberg.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
As the Democratic National Convention and inevitable protests approach, Chicago’s Inspector General is raising the alarm. The IG’s latest report suggests that Chicago police are unprepared for protests and mass gatherings, and warns that police tactics like pepper spray and "kettling" protestors can escalate tensions.
Meanwhile, some experts expect a push of Russian propaganda around the DNC.
We dig into what to know with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Tom Schuba.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Illinois politicians have partisan reactions to Trump’s guilty verdict. Milwaukee braces for the Republican National Convention in July. Democrats decide to nominate Joe Biden virtually ahead of August’s Chicago convention to meet an Ohio ballot deadline. Lawmakers in Illinois approve a $53 billion state budget. Reset dives into these and other top local stories in the Weekly News Recap with Simone Alicea, City Cast Chicago executive producer, Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent and Alex Degman, WBEZ statehouse reporter.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Asian carp is so bountiful in the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, and causes such a problem for the fishing industry here that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources rebranded it as the “copi” fish – short for copious to entice diners to eat it and help control the population. Reset learns more about how the rebrand has worked out for restaurants so far, why some diners are still resisting and what a local entrepreneur is doing to promote the fish.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Chanel Beads is an experimental band that hails from the DIY scene of New York. They just released their debut album Your Day Will Come. It features an array of tracks full of electronic drums, droning violins and heavily-processed vocals. Reset chats with Chanel Beads front person Shane Lavers to learn more about the band and this newest release.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Earlier this year, the city’s Board of Education unanimously voted to remove school resource officers, or SROs, from school buildings. Since then, Chicago Public Schools has come up with a new school safety plan without police officers, that instead explores alternatives that focus on mediation over punishment. Reset checks with Chalkbeat reporter Reema Amin to learn more about this new safety plan.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
There are nearly 9,000 migrant children attending CPS schools. This influx of students is shining a light on CPS’ lack of resources, particularly for Spanish-speaking children. Reset sits down with Chalkbeat reporter Reema Amina and Block Club Chicago reporter Mina Bloom about their latest work investigating how CPS is falling short in meeting the needs of all their students.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
When school lets out for the summer break, many students can lose access to consistent meals. But now, kids experiencing food insecurity will be eligible for a seasonal grocery benefit.
Reset digs into why the Summer EBT program is a big deal — and what other resources families can use this summer. We talk with Man-Yee Lee, director of communications for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Carmen Moorer, youth services manager for the Chicago Heights Public Library.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
What does a bird think when it sees billions of cicadas flying around?
Lunchtime.
More than just a nuisance, periodical cicadas are an important player in the forest ecosystem. A 2023 study published in the journal Science, found that 80 species of birds started eating cicadas instead of caterpillars during the Brood X emergence, which had an effect on trees where the caterpillars live.
Reset learns how the current eruption of cicadas affects the forest ecosystem, and the ripple effects we could be seeing for years to come. We talk to ecologist Zoe Getman-Pickering and Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Co-founders of the folk-punk group AJJ join Reset to discuss their latest album Disposable Everything. The band has eight studio albums and twenty years of performing under their belts. Sean Bonnett and Ben Gallaty talk about the therapy of song-writing, collaborations, and advice for the newcomers.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
MON POD. Using Taste, Smell, Memory To Recreate Lost Recipes
Producer: Lynnea Domienik
Editor: Meha Ahmad
Mixer: Brenda Ruiz
Local indie band Red Scarves is out with their new album ‘Nice Try.’ It features nine tracks that navigate themes of failure, freedom and just doing your best. The four best friends came together during lockdown in the summer of 2020 to write the music for this latest project. Resetsits down with two of the four members of the group, Ayethaw Tun and Ryan Donlin, to learn more about how the band came together, their collaborative process of making music and the journey of releasing ‘Nice Try.’
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
UTOPIA NOW! is the latest from the queer indie super star Rosie Tucker. The album explores the failings of the music industry, the dangers of fame, and reflections on identity. Rosie joins Reset to talk about new music and the artists that inspired their sound.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
A jazz icon to some, a breakout pop star to others, the Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey has skyrocketed into popularity. Her debut album dropped in 2020, and just three years later she won a Grammy for her 2023 album ‘Bewiched’. Reset sat down with the 25-year-old for more on stardom and how her lyrics resonate with fans of all ages.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Producer: Brenda Ruiz, Ellie Gilbert-Bair, Jules Yaeger
Editor: Meha Ahmad
Mixer: Brenda Ruiz
Duke Ellington was born April 29, 1899. Today, 125 years after his birth, a concert series celebrates the pianist and composer's monumental impact on music. Reset talks with Wynton Marsalis, Grammy award-winning jazz master, about Ellington’s enduring impact on music and how he continues to honor Ellington’s legacy.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
The Chicago Bears revealed plans for a new domed lakefront stadium – and successfully drafted their quarterback pick. The family of Dexter Reed filed a civil rights lawsuit over his killing by police. Chicago campuses see anti-war protests, and specialty grocers Dom's Kitchen & Market and Foxtrot face class action lawsuits from now-former employees. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with NBC-5 Chicago’s Christian Farr, Chicago Sun-Times’s Mitchell Armentrout, and Chicago Tribune’s Dan Petrella.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
his attempt at unification comes as the number of migrants staying in shelters has decreased from a peak of nearly 15,000 people in January to about 8,600 as of Wednesday. The city and state has shut down 11 shelters set up specifically for migrants. But combining Chicago’s shelter systems is still a major change – and will require a lot of coordination. Reset learns more about what this consolidation could mean for Chicago from Nell Salzman with the Chicago Tribune, and Jenn Torres, a volunteer helping with migrants.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Outfox Hospitality, the parent company of Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market, is filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, according to food-and-beverage newsletter Snaxshot. The move comes five months after the two Chicago-based companies merged. Reset learns more about what is going on from Eater Chicago’s Ashok Selvam and attorney Connie A. Lahn.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Producer: Max Lubbers Editor: Meha AhmadWhile anyone can get scammed, older adults tend to face higher fraud losses. Victims over the age of 60 lose a collective $28.3 billion annually to scams or financial abuse, according to an AARP report. Still, people of any age can fall for these and other scams. Reset learns more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones with Chicago Sun-Times’s Stephanie Zimmerman, Wayne State University’s Peter Lichtenberg, and Chicago Fed’s Leslie McGranahan.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset. Mixer: Brenda Ruiz
This week marks the 100 year anniversary of the first radio broadcast of National Barn Dance in Chicago. That's a variety show that predates the Grand Ole Opry and is credited with popularizing country music. And it's high time that the genre writ large acknowledges the history and role of Black musicians and fans in shaping the genre, says Francesca Royster, author of "Black Country Music: Listening For Revolutions." We sat down with her to learn more about the history, the opportunity of this moment and of course, to dig into Beyoncé's latest album, "Cowboy Carter."
MIKE is on tour performing his latest album “Pinball,” produced in collaboration with Tony Seltzer. You can catch him at Metro next week.
The 25-year-old artist tells Reset about keeping it real in his music, his friendship with the legendary Earl Sweatshirt and other friends out with new music.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
The first episode of the variety show Barn Dance aired on WLS on April 19, 1924. An event honoring this anniversary imagines what an episode of the show would sound like in 2024, with musicians, historical context and performances. It will be broadcast live on WFMT. Reset learns about the history of country music in Chicago, how the scene has evolved and what characterizes the sound today with Chicago historian Paul Durica, author Francesca Royster, Lawrence Peters of the Lawrence Peters Outfit, and musical director Jefferey Thomas.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Thousands of artists and nearly 200 galleries from around the world are showcasing their work here in Chicago. We check in with WBEZ's Courtney Kueppers. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
The latest jobs report shows the U.S. economy is strong, but how consumers perceive and feel about it isn’t as positive. So, what’s really going on? Reset sits down with Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, to find out how the economy is doing and to get a lesson on how the Fed works.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
The self-described “breeze-pop” duo is out with their debut album. VV Lightbody and Daniel Villareal have paired up to explore a genre that is out of their comfort zone. The self-titled album is wall-to-wall dancy, dreamy, and inspired.
VV and Daniel join Reset to talk about the new release and a show at Thalia Hall in June.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
The Johnson administration has a new chief of staff, and Chicago has its first-ever chief homelessness officer. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra named its youngest-ever conductor and music director. Plus, swimming in the Chicago River? It’s happening.
Reset dives into the top local news with Better Government Association president David Greising, Block Club Chicago reporter Quinn Myers and WTTW host and anchor Brandis Friedman.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
With a new album out next month, Lizz Wright joins Reset to discuss “defining loves” in her life, the artistry she finds in cooking, and growing up steeped in gospel music.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Front person Luz Elena Mendoza Ramos sits down with Reset to talk language and identity in song writing. You can catch their show Sunday, March 24, at Metro.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Producer: Dan Tucker, Sasha-Ann Simons, Lynnea Domienik
Editor: Meha Ahmad
Mixer: Brenda Ruiz
Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who also owns the Chicago Bulls, recently traveled to Springfield to ask the state for public funding to back plans to move the team from 35th Street to the South Loop. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has expressed his reluctance to fund the move whereas Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has been more open to the idea. But as taxpayers, how is this investment going to benefit us?
Reset sits down with public finance expert Justin Marlow of UChicago’s Harris School of Public Policy to talk about why and how our tax money goes toward funding sports stadiums.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
The Bayless Family Foundation is giving grants to Definition Theatre, TimeLine Theatre Company, the Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Remy Bumppo Theatre Company. The funding will go toward theater programming and operations. Reset sits down with TimeLine Theatre artistic director PJ Powers and Chicago Children’s Theatre co-founder and artistic director Jacqueline Russell. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
The sketch comedy and improv show “Black By Popular Demand” examines the Black experience in America, and no topic is off limits. The seriously funny performance is playing at The Second City in Chicago Fridays and Saturdays through March 25.
Reset checks in with the show’s director Rob Wilson.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
To sign up for our daily newsletter, go to wbez.org/resetnews.
Producer: Meha Ahma, Lynnea Domienik, Brenda Ruiz
Editor: Meha Ahmad
Mixing: Brenda Ruiz
Rep. Danny Davis, a Democrat, has been representing parts of downtown Chicago and the West Side since 1997, but he faces a number of challengers in the March 19 primary election.
Meanwhile, in the 4th Congressional district, Democrat Jesus “Chuy” Garcia also has a notable challenger who wants to take his seat.
So, what factors could contribute to who wins in those races? And what do the races tell us about the way the political winds are blowing in the Democratic Party?
Reset checks in with WBEZ city government and politics reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg.
For another dose of Reset — beyond the podcast — sign up for our daily newsletter at wbez.org/resetnews.
City Council approves Gaza ceasefire resolution and Chicago becomes the largest city in the U.S. do so. Mayor Brandon Johnson gives migrants more time in shelters. And Chicago Tribune reporters go on strike for the first time in the paper's nearly 180-year history. Reset hears more about those stories and more with Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Ray Long, AXIOS Chicago reporter Monica Eng and WBEZ city government and politics reporter Mariah Woelfel.
The 1,900 migrants who were set to be evicted from shelters Thursday will now be able to stay until at least mid-March. Reset learns the latest on the 60-day shelter limit, City Council’s upcoming vote on a Gaza cease-fire resolution and how polling staff shortages will impact the Illinois primary election from Tessa Weinberg, WBEZ city government and politics reporter.
As we continue to better understand systems of oppression in America, the question is: What can we do about them? That’s what writer Ijeoma Oluo tackles in Be A Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World — And How You Can, Too. Oluo documents her years spent shadowing movement workers across the country in areas including gender justice, disability justice, systemic racism and education. Reset sits down with Oluo to learn more about her call to action and how people can bring positive change to their own communities.
Since he was just 14 years old, meteorologist Tom Skilling has predicted the weather, and helped Illinoisians understand the science behind it. He’s guided residents through rain and shine, floods and droughts, blizzards and heat waves. He’s chased tornadoes — and been chased by them. Reset talked to the longtime meteorologist about his legendary career ahead of his retirement.
Chicago shaped the early years of Pitchfork, a music review site that laid off half its staff last week. We caught up with the original Pitchfork crew: Ryan Schreiber, founder of Pitchfork, Chris Kaskie, co-founder of Pitchfork Music Festival and former co-owner of Pitchfork, and Amy Phillips, ex-executive editor of Pitchfork to hear the history of the pillar of music journalism. And talked about the future of music criticism with Alejandro Hernandez, freelance music journalist and Britt Julious, music critic for the Chicago Tribune.
Mayor Johnson wants Chicago to say goodbye to gas. Pritzker joins Democratic governors in asking the federal government for help with addressing the needs of migrants. A Chicago police officer is sentenced for participating in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. Nearly a third of alders ask Mayor Johnson to scrap the 60-day shelter limit policy for migrants, while City Council debates cracking down on dollar stores. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap with Leigh Giangreco, government and politics reporter, Crain’s Chicago Business, Brandon Pope, reporter/anchor at CW 26 and Madison Savedra, Block Club Chicago reporter covering Pilsen, Little Village and Back of the Yards.
Art space and gallery Roman Susan in Rogers Park has a new landlord. Loyola University purchased the building it occupies along with other businesses and residential tenants. As Roman Susan’s lease comes to an end next year, the future of the community art space is uncertain. To learn more about it and its impact in Rogers Park, Reset spoke with Roman Susan executive director Kristin Abhalter Smith and managing director Nathan Abhalter Smith.
Check out the rest of our interviews and conversations at wbez.org/reset.
Producer: Lynnea Domienik
Editor: Ethan Schwabe
A new American Cancer Society report shows more adults under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with certain cancers. Some researchers point to changes in lifestyle, environment, ultra-processed foods, or something more unidentifiable. Resetlearns more about this study and cancer outcomes from Dr. Adam DuVall, assistant professor of medicine at UChicago Medicine, and Dr. Christina Annunziata, senior vice president of extramural discovery science at the American Cancer Society.
Producer: Micah Yason
Editor: Meha Ahmad, Ethan Schwabe
As Chicago delayed its 60-day shelter-stay limit due to weather, New York has been enforcing its limit on single adults for months — and in January, started removing families. But advocates in New York City warn of chaos and inhumane conditions as the city has cast migrants on to the street. Reset compares the two city’s responses to the migrant crisis with Michael Loria, a reporter with the Chicago Sun-Times, and Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio with the New York-based outlet, Documented.
Producer: Max Lubers
Editor: Lynnea Domienik, Ethan Schwabe
Under a major bus driver shortage, Chicago Public Schools isn’t providing busing to general education students for the rest of the school year. The district is in early talks with a ride-share service that provides students transportation in other districts across the nation, like Denver Public Schools in Colorado. Reset talks with Jewél Jackson,investigative education reporter for the Illinois Answers Project, and Ismael El-Amin, a parent of two Chicago Public Schools students, on the best way to bridge the gap.
Producer: Max Lubbers
Editor: Lynnea Domienik, Ethan Schwabe
From overseeing the forest preserves’ centennial celebration to making a strategic conservation plan for the next century, Arnold Randall left an indelible mark during his 13 years as the general superintendent of Cook County’s forest preserves. Ahead of his departure from the district, Reset reflects with Randall on his legacy and conservation in Cook County over the past decade.
Continued freezing temperatures add another challenge to housing migrants. Car insurance rates are on the rise. And Illinois releases new assault weapons registration rules after only a fraction of eligible gun owners registered their weapons with the state. Reset breaks down these stories and more with Ravi Baichwal anchor at ABC 7 News, Stephanie Zimmermann, consumer investigations reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times and Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor, WTTW.
Stern Pinball, based in suburban Elk Grove Village, created a new machine styled after Steven Spielberg’s classic summer blockbuster Jaws. Reset gets the scoop from Zach Sharpe of Stern Pinball and horror fan Moses Gibson of The Horror House Shop.
Ask any Midwestern surfer and they’ll tell you: the worse the weather, the better the waves. But beware of wading in those waters unless you know what you’re doing. As surfers navigate both environmental hazards and extreme weather, the difficulty and shared risk has built a tight-knit community on the Third Coast. Reset speaks with local surfers Mo McFadden and Rex Flodstrom and WBEZ freelance reporter Zachary Nauth to learn more about winter surfing on the Great Lakes.
Apartments at a building in south suburban Harvey got boarded up — while some residents say they were still inside. Videos of the situation went viral on TikTok. Reset gets the latest on the story and discusses tenants’ rights across Cook County with Daily Southtown reporter Hank Sanders and two organizers with the Metropolitan Tenants Organization: Philip DeVon and David Wilson.
A group of real estate and business groups are pushing back against the city’s proposed real estate transfer tax that’s meant to combat homelessness, also known as the Bring Chicago Home ordinance. Plus, Brandon Johnson is trying to move away from Tax Increment Financing. Reset learns more from WBEZ city government and politics reporters Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel.
What’s considered a normal blood pressure? How often should I get a Pap test? What am I at risk for at my age? Reset checks in about checkups and screenings with Dr. Sam Wainwright, a pediatrician and health services researcher at University of Illinois Chicago, and Dr. Steven Rothschild, a family medicine physician with RUSH University Medical Group.
A Northwestern law student is suing the Biden administration over what she says is its failure to evacuate her U.S. citizen family members from Gaza. Palestinian American Yasmeen Elagha has spent the last three months talking, negotiating and pleading with different U.S. agencies — and even different governments — for help to get her family in Gaza to safety. Reset sits down with Elagha for more on her story.
A group of Illinois residents have challenged Donald Trump’s candidacy. An undercount of people living in group quarters on the 2020 Census might mean Illinois isn’t losing population after all. Plus, there’s a slew of new laws you may have missed – like an e-cigarette ban in indoor public spaces. Reset breaks down those stories and more with Alex Nitkin, reporter with the Illinois Answers Project, Quinn Myers, Block Club Chicago reporter covering Wicker Park, West Town and Bucktown, and WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp.
The year ahead will be a big one for local politics. Former Illinois House speaker Mike Madigan goes on trial, Alderman Ed Burke will be sentenced after being convicted on 13 charges in his federal corruption trial, the Illinois primary is coming up on March 19, and the Democratic National Convention comes to town this summer. WBEZ government and politics reporters Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel give a preview of the stories that will shape Chicago politics in 2024.
At a breezy 17 minutes, fawn – the 2023 EP from Chicago band OK Cool – explores big topics in a precise yet carefree way. Reset revisits a conversation with Haley Blomquist and Bridget Stiebris – creative partners behind OK Cool – about the duo’s stop-motion music videos, musical inspirations, and their collaborative writing process.
Angel Bat Dawid’s latest album explores the potential “death” of jazz, providing an Afrofuturist requiem to lay it to rest. Increasingly layered, the Chicago artist’s 2023 release also draws parallels to Mozart’s last work.
In this April 2023 conversation, Angel Bat Dawid joined Reset to talk about her early days learning the clarinet, her goals for teaching Black children and the 1959 documentary that inspired her latest work.
As Reset wraps the year, we’re giving some of our favorite interviews with musical guests an encore presentation. Today, we take a look back at a conversation with DJ Mochi and DJ IGGY – the founders of Global Currency – and play some tunes from South America, Africa, and more.
Your upcoming holidays may be full of movie nights and good food. So, why not combine the best of both worlds? From Big Night to Tampopo, Reset digs into the films that inspire us to eat and cook delicious food with Monica Eng, Axios Chicago reporter and co-host of Chewing Podcast, and Jesse Dukes, co-host of Upper Middlebrow.
Sports writer Rick Telander started writing poetry when he was hospitalized with a serious illness and thought about what kids who were in his situation might be going through. Reset talks with Telander about seeing his longtime side project come to fruition with the publication of Sweet Dreams: Poems and Paintings for the Child Abed.
If you liked this conversation, check out our full catalog of interviews with Chicago artists and newsmakers at wbez.org/reset.
Chicago-based Foxtrot Market and Dom’s Kitchen and Market — both upscale supermarkets with food service — will join forces. Reset talks with Virginia Lee, a market research expert and Food Institute writer, about what the merger means.
To explore our full catalog of interviews, head on over to wbez.org/reset.
After having often felt like the only Native or queer person in a room, River Ian Kerstetter set out to make her own space with TIES Poetry, a series of open mics and readings celebrating Indigenous queer, trans and Two-Spirit writers.Reset talks with Kerstetter about the group and their own artistic journey.
For more conversations like this, check out our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
The new bookOur Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement introduces readers to a figure whose story has largely been overshadowed– until now. Reset learns more about how Moon shaped the Civil Rights Movement from author and historian Tanisha Ford.
For more conversations like this, check out our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
Chicago politics can be complicated, but jury members in former and longtime alderman Ed Burke’s corruption trial had to quickly get up to speed. Reset gets the latest on the trial from WBEZ city government reporter Mariah Woelfel.
For more conversations like this one, browse our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
At least 26 trans or gender-nonconforming people have been killed in the U.S. this year, the majority of whom were Black trans women, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Transgender Day of Remembrance reminds us to pause and mourn these people’s lives — as well as celebrate the resilience of the trans community. Reset discusses the meaning of Transgender Day of Remembrance with Zahara Bassett, founder and CEO of Life Is Work, a West Side social service agency for trans and non-binary people.
For more conversations like this, check out our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
Jessie Montgomery, CSO’s Mead Composer-in-Residence, is nominated for “Best Contemporary Classical Composition.” CSO’s audio engineer Charlie Post has picked up a third nomination for “Best Engineered Album, Classical” with the CSO album Contemporary American Composers. Reset checks in with Montgomery and two CSO musicians to celebrate the honor and talk classical music in the modern day.
To hear more conversations with Chicago’s 2024 Grammy nominees, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Dom Flemons is a Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter and folklorist up for Best Folk Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. Flemons sat down with WBEZ’s Jason Marck to talk about some of the big ideas that run through his work, like preserving and pushing forward Black musical traditions.
Check out more of our conversations with Grammy-nominated Chicago talent at wbez.org/reset.
Kurt Elling has been a jazz singer for nearly 30 years. He’s won two Grammys and been nominated for more than a dozen. And now he’s snagged another nomination in an all new category: Best Alternative Jazz Album.
Reset chats with Kurt Elling about his latest album “SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree” after working on it with fellow musicians Charlie Hunter, Corey Fonville and DJ Harrison during the COVID-19 lockdown.
We spoke to Kurt as a part of our Chicago Grammy nomination week. To hear more of those interviews, go to wbez.org/reset.
The 2024 GRAMMY nominations are in and Chicago artists are getting some love.
Reset talks with Chicago’s Third Coast Percussion about their latest nomination and learns more about the group with ensemble members David Skidmore and Robert Dillon.
You can engage with Reset in so many ways! Along with our live show and podcast, you can also sign up for our newsletter at wbez.org/resetnews.
A $336 million loan will be used over five years to primarily fund the city’s program that replaces lead service lines when they break or leak. The Department of Water Management’s other programs to replace lead service lines at daycares and for low-income homeowners will continue. Reset learns about the scope of this effort and how this could help improve Chicagoans’ water from Reset sustainability contributor Karen Weigert and commissioner of the Department of Water Management Andrea Cheng.
To check out our entire catalog of interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
One of Brandon Johnson’s top City Council allies resigns his leadership post; state legislators wrap up fall veto session; President Biden visits UAW workers at Belvidere auto plant and is met with protesters. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in our Weekly News Recap with Leigh Giangreco, government and politics reporter for Crain’s Chicago Business; Ravi Baichwal, anchor at ABC7; and Jon Seidel, federal courts reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times.
If you want to check out more Reset conversations, go to wbez.org/reset.
Each day Mohammed Abu Realh and his nephew, Mohammed AbuSafia, wait to hear from their remaining family in Gaza. In the last month, they’ve lost more than 30 relatives in airstrikes.
Reset sits down with them to remember their family’s lives, and talk about the continued fear they’re facing.
To hear more of Reset’s coverage on the local impact of the ensuing war, go to wbez.org/reset.
Producer: Max Lubbers
Editor: Ethan Schwabe, Daniel Tucker, Max Lubbers
In March, Chicago voters will get to decide the future of the city’s Bring Chicago Home ordinance. The ordinance would raise the city’s tax rate on properties sold for over a million dollars and would lower tax rates on properties sold for less than that. According to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s camp, this referendum is a key part of his plans to address homelessness in Chicago.
Reset hears from Bring Chicago Home organizers Kennedy Bartley of United Working Families and Electa Bey of Communities United. We also hear from Farzin Parang of the Building Owners and Managers Association to understand what those opposed are concerned about.
If you want to listen to more Reset, you can check out our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
On Monday, Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th Ward, resigned from two key leadership positions at the urging of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus after an interaction Ramirez-Rosa had last week with Ald. Emma Mitts, 37th Ward. Reset learns more.
For the second Halloween in a row, Chicago saw a mass shooting. Reset learns about the shooting that happened in North Lawndale over the weekend and what survivors need to heal from the physical and emotional trauma of gun violence.
If you want to listen to more conversations exploring topics that impact Chicagoans, check out wbez.org/reset.
Disco is at the root of many of our favorite music genres today, but there’s more to its history than Saturday Night Fever, and you don’t have to look far to find it. Reset learns more about The War on Disco and the genre’s influence on popular music from Ayana Contreras, music and content director at our sister station Vocalo 91.1 FM.
If you want to check out our entire catalog of interviews, go to wbez.org/reset.
Chicago Public Schools doesn’t track immigration status, but this year nearly 8,000 students are enrolled in the district as English-language learners, compared to a yearly average of around 3,000. Reset speaks with Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Reema Amin to learn more about a program at Brighton Park Elementary to support the unique needs of migrant students.
Chef Sohla El-Waylly’s debut cookbook explains the hows and whys of cooking, introducing the fundamental skills any home cook needs to be confident in the kitchen.Reset speaks with the chef about her career and Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook.
If you want to check out our entire catalog of interviews, go to wbez.org/reset.
Do you have a morning ritual? For Chicago pianist Pat Leary, each day starts behind the keys improvising beautifully calming tunes. He recorded this practice and turned it into an album. And Reset chats with the musician to learn more.
If you want to check out our entire catalog of interviews, go to wbez.org/reset.
If you’re an avid public radio listener, you’re probably familiar with the weekly educational program Science Friday. And if you’re a fan, you have a chance to catch host Ira Flatow and the rest of the SciFri team on Sunday, Oct. 29 for a special live event!
Reset chats with journalist and host Ira Flatow to get to know him more and learn more about the Don’t Be A Stranger event.
Check out our entire catalog of Reset interviews at wbez.org/reset.
Halloween is just around the corner and do you know what winged animal might be waiting there, too? Bats!
There are swarms of bats making their ways through Chicago as they migrate to warmer places to get away from the cold.
Reset talks with Liza Lehrer, assistant director of the Urban Wildlife Institute at Lincoln Park Zoo, to learn about our bat friends.
Visit wbez.org/reset to hear more of our interviews like this.
Craft cannabis growers in Illinois face systemic obstacles to gaining a foothold in the industry, so Illinois is investing millions in an effort to solve the problem. Reset learns more from Alex Nitkin, reporter with the Illinois Answers Project of the Better Government Association.
There are nine officers who were on a leaked membership list for the anti-government group the Oath Keepers currently serving in the Chicago Police Department. Reset learns about the investigation into the way these officers interacted with the public and what’s being done to address the extremism and racism within CPD with WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos and Chicago Sun-Times criminal justice reporter Tom Schuba.
For more interviews like this one, go to wbez.org/reset.
Anti-hate group the Anti-Defamation League and the University of Chicago’s Chicago Project on Security and Threats surveyed 8,000 American adults to learn about the connections between antisemitic views, political violence and antidemocratic conspiracy theories.
We talked through the results of the survey, how they connect to antisemitism we’ve seen since the start of the Israel-Hamas war and what the poll might tell us about the 2024 presidential election cycle in the U.S.
Check out more conversations like this at wbez.org/reset.
Chicago DIY superstar Sen Morimoto says his forthcoming album “Diagnosis” is a commentary on capitalism, the music industry and more. Ahead of the November 3 album release, we had a listening party with Sen.
Check out more conversations like this at wbez.org/reset.
Cities like Chicago and New York have more migrants than they can handle. St. Louis says it would like more migrants to come to town. We get the story from Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, WBEZ race, class, communities reporter.
At Morton College in Cicero Thursday, you can visit a “human library.” No, we’re not kidding. It’s a library where you can “check out” a person — like you would a book — to listen to their life story. Each “reader” can ask questions that you might avoid in polite conversation.
Reset spoke withPrairie Markussen, organizer of a “human library” event at Morton College, and Alejandro Joleanis, a human “book” participating in the library.
Lawmakers in City Council have until the end of the calendar year to approve the budget. Reset talks with WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg about the process as well as steps the administration is taking to house migrants ahead of the cold winter months to come.
Last year, 60 people died from opioid-related overdoses on the CTA, according to an analysis by the Chicago Reader. Reset talked with impacted Chicagoans and the reporter who broke down those numbers.
A Palestinian American boy and his mother were stabbed by their landlord, in their home on Saturday, October 14. The boy died and the mother is in critical condition. The accused killer yelled anti-Muslim epithets and stabbed the child 26 times. Reset hears how media and political rhetoric of the Israel-Hamas war may have played into this attack. Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Chicago office of CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, also explains what he hopes U.S. politicians and Chicagoans will learn from the tragic story.
Actor Brought a Vice is a new record from Chicago band Young Man in a Hurry. Frontman Matthew Baron joins Reset to talk about the new release.
Check out more interviews like this one at wbez.org/reset.
Mayor Brandon Johnson called housing an “essential focus” of his administration’s focus. The question is, will he be able to put the money where his mouth is? Reset sits down with stakeholders to hear what they want to see from the administration and what housing investment could look like under the mayor’s proposed budget plan.
To hear more conversations like this one, check out our full archive at wbez.org/reset.
After three open heart surgeries, Donnie Seals Sr. knew he had to change his life, so he took up cycling. His son joined him in the pursuit, eventually proposing an epic bike ride from St. Louis to Chicago to celebrate his dad’s health — and they caught it all on film. Reset talks with the father-son duo about what this journey meant to them, and how it takes on health disparities in the Black community.
Like the Reset podcast? Then you’re going to love our daily newsletter. Subscribe at wbez.org/resetnews.
Johnson spoke Wednesday at City Council, laying out his plans for Chicago in the coming fiscal year. This is his full address.
President Biden spoke to the nation Tuesday afternoon after a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This is his full address.
Evanston-based housing advocacy group Open Communities recently filed a federal lawsuit alleging companies using AI to discriminate against renters — specifically renters that would use housing vouchers.
Reset spoke to WBEZ race, class, communities reporter Esther Yoon-Ji Kang about the story and learned how leasing companies use AI chatbots.
You can listen to more of our interviews at wbez.org/reset.
When you think of postpartum depression, often you’ll think of mothers. But did you know fathers can also suffer from the condition?
Reset spoke with Dr. Sam Wainwright of UI Health’s Two-Generation Clinic and his patient Lushon Lee about this effort to understand postpartum depression among new fathers.
You can check more of our conversations at wbez.org/reset.
For many Native Americans, their families have lost their language and history because of years of Indigenous people forced to go to boarding schools where they had to assimilate to white culture.
Reset spoke with president of the American Indian Association of Illinois, Dorene Wiese about preserving languages and oral history.
To hear more conversations like this one, you can find an archive of our work at wbez.org/reset.
October is Filipino American History Month. It’s a time to reflect on the experiences of people that came before, connect with others in the community and build a stronger sense of identity being Filipino American.
Starting October 6, an exhibition called “More Than Lumpia” will be held at the Catacombs Gallery at the Epiphany Center for the Arts until November 17. It aims to challenge stereotypes and narratives about Filipino Americans and shed light on the work of Filipino artists who are often underrepresented in the art space.
We spoke with Cesar Conde, an artist and curator of the exhibition, to learn more about it and discussed with artists Abby Mendoza and Jimmy Bulosan about exploring their identity through art.
For more conversations like this, check out our entire catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
Ramon Diaz is a former Northwestern football player who played from 2005 to 2008. Now, he’s bringing a lawsuit against the school, alleging hazing and racist treatment.
Reset gets the latest on the multiple allegations against Northwestern and what’s next.
You can check out more of our conversations at wbez.org/reset.
Galleries, museums and theaters are still feeling the impact of the pandemic. According to a report on the health of arts and culture in the city, donations, memberships and attendance numbers are down and haven’t gotten back to pre-pandemic levels.
Reset learns about what’s been happening and discusses potential solutions Leslé Honoré, poet and CEO of Urban Gateways, Kacie Smith of Arts Alliance Illinois and Kara Riopelle, managing director at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
If you love Reset, then you’ll also love our daily newsletter! You can sign up at wbez.org/resetnews.
Meta, Bloomberg and others pirated more than 190,000 e-books to train generative AI, according to a dataset made searchable by The Atlantic.
The news has sent shockwaves through the publishing industry.
Reset speaks with Chicago authors Rebecca Makkai, Sonali Dev, and Ben Austen about their copyrighted material being used to train generative AI without their permission.
You can also find our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset
Borrowers suffering from financial hardship and other classes of people with outstanding federal student loans could benefit from President Biden’s latest efforts to wipe out student debt. The news came just as payments resumed after a suspension during the pandemic. Reset gets the latest on student loan forgiveness from WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip.
And don’t forget, we’re bringing you conversations like this every day. Find our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
The Talking Heads 1984 classic concert film Stop Making Senseis back in theaters, and this time it’s in 4K.
Reset hears from Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune, Camryn Lewis of Music Box Theatre and WBEZ’s Lisa Labuz.
For more stories like this, check out Reset’s daily newsletter. You can sign up at wbez.org/resetnews.
In another installment of What’s that Building, Reset gets a glimpse into the history of an elegant 100-story high-rise on the Mag Mile. Reset talks to journalist Dennis Rodkin about 875 N. Michigan’s unique design, why the name changed from the John Hancock Center, and what happened to the Signature Room.
A decades-old Illinois law is supposed to prevent Black drivers from being pulled over disproportionately, but it’s not working. In fact, the numbers are going in the wrong direction.
Reset checks in with Alden Loury and Matt Kiefer from WBEZ’s data team for more on their investigation.
For more deep dives into local news, check out Reset’s daily newsletter. It arrives in your inbox Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. You can sign up at wbez.org/resetnews.
The Johnson administration is ditching INVEST South/West, the Lightfoot-era program that aimed to bring economic development to underserved neighborhoods. It says it has its own approach.
Meanwhile, the mayor and his allies are under fire for hiring a controversial security firm to monitor tent housing for migrants.
Reset talks with WBEZ city government and politics reporters Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel.
You can learn more about the Chicago region in Reset’s daily newsletter. It arrives in your inbox Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. Sign up at wbez.org/resetnews.
Math scores remain low and low-income students are especially lagging, according to Chicago Public Schools data released this week. Reset talked with CPS director of math to hear about the district’s strategies to address the gap – and WBEZ’s Sarah Karp, who has covered this issue.
Nearly a decade after medical marijuana became legal in Illinois, senior citizens are the fastest-growing age group of cannabis users. Reset speaks with Dr. Rahul Khare, founder and CEO of Innovative Care, Tom Gliszewski, owner of the Chicago Cannabis Company, and Jungle Cae, a social media cannabis educator, to learn more about safely using pot.
TV and film production has slowed to a near-halt after unions for actors and writers started striking earlier this summer. But this week, the Writers Guild of America is set to return to the negotiating table with major Hollywood studios. But what about SAG-AFTRA’s effort? Reset checks in with Charles Andrew Gardner and Courtney Rioux, two local union members, about the progress of their strike.
Comedian Maggie Winters is About to Blow Up! This week, we hear from the Chicago-native about how her experience growing up in the city has shaped her journey in comedy, including her recent one-woman comedy show.
On September 8, 2023, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake devastated major cities in Western Morocco. The death toll is close to 3,000 and thousands more have been injured. Days later, heavy rainfall broke two dams in Libya leading to massive flooding killing over 2,000 people. Reset talks with an international relief organization about efforts to respond to these disasters.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a plan to move roughly 1,600 migrants from Chicago police stations to tent camps around the city. These tents are being modeled after the ones built in New York City that can house up to 1,000 people. Reset turned to WBEZ city government and politics reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg to get the latest on that plan and on the city’s financial forecast.
More than a dozen states have passed laws that restrict the full participation of transgender students in K-12 schools, according to a Chalkbeat analysis. And at least 18 states have passed laws restricting gender-affirming health care for minors. Reset speaks with an organizer and a parent on how Illinois has become a new home for people leaving states that have passed laws targeting trans youth and adults.
The $3.7-billion project — 50 years in the making — has reached what transit officials call “the final phase” of the federal funding process. When complete, the Red Line will include four new stops, including a new terminus at 130th Street near Altgeld Gardens. Reset checks in with community leaders from the far South Side: Cheryl Johnson with People for Community Recovery, Rev. Otis Moss III from Trinity United Church of Christ, and Andrea Reed with Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce. And they sound off about the potential positive impacts of connecting their neighborhoods to the El system.
With writers and actors on strike, studios are banking on reality TV more than ever. From The Golden Bachelor to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Primetimer editor-in-chief Danette Chavez, WBEZ Morning Edition anchor Mary Dixon, and CW26 anchor and reporter Brandon Pope tell us what they’re watching – and skipping – this fall.
The political career of the nation's longest serving state House Speaker comes to an end, while prosecutors prepare for the trial of Ed Burke. Plus the Taste of Chicago returns to Grant Park as the city’s first casino gets ready to open its doors. Reset breaks down these top local stories and more with Melody Mercado, Block Club Chicago reporter, Rick Pearson, chief political reporter at the Chicago Tribune, and Brandon Pope, reporter and anchor at CW26.
Chicago is one of the nation’s freight hubs and the 17th most ozone-polluted city in the country, which the American Lung Association says can lead to heart and lung conditions and, in some cases, even death. Reset hears from two experts — Brian Urbaszewski from the Respiratory Health Association and Northwestern postdoctoral scholar Sara Camilleri — on a new study showing how Black and brown Chicagoans have borne the brunt of the city’s pollution.
We’re back with another update on the Johnson administration. This week, we’re taking a look at the long-awaited Medinah Temple temporary casino. WBEZ’s city government and politics reporters Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel give us the latest updates on what’s left to be done before opening day.
From Chinese bao and Haitian doumbrey, to Filipino lumpia [loom-pee-AH] and South Asian samosas, Reset talks with event organizer Mónica Félix and Phillipe Sobon, a founder of Polombia, a participating restaurant, about how dumpling-like dishes can be unique in every culture.
Chicago is losing a war with city rats. Reset discusses the root of the rat problem and takes a close look at a recent investigation into possible solutions. We spoke with Better Government Association reporter Casey Tuner, Block Club Chicago reporter Mina Bloom and Landmark Pest Solutions’ Rebecca Fyffe.
Inspired by the 1976 electronic album for plants and plant people, the Empty Bottle is organizing a celebration of electronic music and plants at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Reset learns more about the two day event from Brent Heyl, an organizer of Plantasia, and musician Jonn Wallen.
Illinois politicians press the federal government to grant work permits to migrants and questions remain about the White Sox game shooting as the team announces its new General Manager. Reset breaks down these stories and more with Alice Yin, politics reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Patrick Smith, criminal justice reporter at WBEZ, and Brandis Friedman, WTTW co-anchor and correspondent and host of “Chicago Tonight: Black Voices”.
For the past three summers, the lakefront near Buena Park on the North Side has been home to a popular event: Friday Morning Swim Club. It started with a handful of friends and grew exponentially — nearly 3,000 people participated at its peak this summer.
Reset talks with reporter Katie Anthony, and Megan, an attendee, about the popular swim club and what led to its cancellation.
In the latest in our series of Chicago’s Architectural Icons, we learn about the history of the gorgeous Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette from Dennis Rodkin, real estate reporter for Crain’s Chicago Business.
This year the Chicago Public Library system is celebrating 150 years of service to Chicagoans, and a lot has changed in the last century and a half. With a library card, Chicago residents can stream movies and music, get digital magazine subscriptions, listen to audiobooks, and so much more! Reset turns to a CPL branch manager, Kendall Kidder-Goshorn, to learn tips and tricks to make the most of your library card.
The Chicago City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate gave initial approval for Chicago to buy land to convert a Marine Corps training center into a temporary migrant shelter. We got an update on the groundwork the Johnson administration is laying to create more infrastructure for newly-arriving migrants. We talked to WBEZ politics reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg.
The health benefits of therapeutic writing have been studied since the 1980s, but a new study from researchers at Boston University found that writing exposure therapy is as effective as other forms of therapy recommended by the Department of Veterans Affairs to treat post traumatic stress disorder. We talked to one of the authors of the study, Denise Sloan, who’s a psychologist and the associate director of the Behavioral Science Division of the National Center for PTSD, and Professor of Psychiatry at Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University.
The Electronic Funds Transfer Act – passed in 1978 – is meant to protect U.S. consumers from being defrauded when they make a transaction via an ATM, debit card or direct deposit or by point-of-sale and phone transactions. But the law makes an exception for wire transfers. And in recent years, wire fraud has exploded as scammers are making use of the loophole. According to the FBI, its Internet Crime Complaint Center received reports of this type of fraud totaling $2.4 billion in losses in 2021. Reset sat down with Stephanie Zimmermann, consumer investigations reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, to learn more.
Starting September 1, Swedish Covenant Hospital in Lincoln Square, Chicago will combine midwives with obstetricians in a single department to care for pregnant people. The move scales back a midwifery program that some patients praise as defining their pregnancy and delivery experience. We talked to two journalists, WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch & Block Club Chicago’s Kayleigh Padar, to learn more about this shift and how midwives can play a fundamental role in patients’ care experience.
What did you do this summer? If you’re anything like the children of WBEZ staff, you made the most of your time off. From an alpaca farm in Korea to staycations at the local pool, the kids of WBEZ shared the favorite things they did this summer and what they’re looking forward to this school year. We talked to nine-year-olds Auggie and Ethan, eight-year-old Kezzia and four-year-olds Claire and Margot.
From Barack Obama to Jay-Z, comedian Jay Pharoah is best known for his uncanny impressions. Pharoah sits down with Reset ahead of his show and comedy special taping at The Den Theatre in Wicker Park on Saturday, Aug. 26.
Bomb threats force suburban libraries to close their doors. A jury finds longtime chief of staff to former House Speaker Madigan guilty. And a Chicago alderman calls for a quiet zone around a downtown clinic that provides abortion services. Reset breaks down these top local stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Nader Issa, WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg and Washington Post national and breaking news reporter Kim Bellware.
Investors are suing the successful Chicago restaurant, saying its owners misappropriated Paycheck Protection Program funds for personal use, including the purchase of a $2 million Learjet in 2021. Reset checks in with WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos.
Summer is THE time for festivals in Chicago, and this weekend has a slew of them! We chat with Sandra Treviño, an organizer of the LatiNxt Festival, and a participating artist, Alex Aguayo of Chicago band Cabeza de Chivo. They tell us the festival celebrates the diverse genre of Latin music and how it’s evolved over time. We also learn about the connection between dance and the environment people can experience at the Uptown Rhythm Festival with event organizer Shiwali Tenner, Chi-Nations Youth Council member Anthony Pochel Tamez and Soul Line dancing teacher Adjora Stevens.
Experts are urging residents to stay cool this week as a heat wave pushes through Northeastern Illinois. Temperatures may reach the triple digits, and it will feel even hotter. Reset checks in with Illinois State climatologist Trent Ford about why we’re seeing such hot weather and what people need to do to stay safe.
Ever wondered about life down in the depths of the ocean? For many of us, the deep ocean remains a mystery. In her new book, The Underworld, explorer and author Susan Casey uncovers the mysterious world of sea creatures and objects beneath the waves.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s allies want him to make good on his campaign promises, but 100 days into his first term, some say he’s less ambitious than his predecessors and hasn’t achieved enough. The mayor has defended his approach, saying it’s important to spend time building bridges. Reset checks in with WBEZ city government and politics reporter Mariah Woelfel about what the new mayor has accomplished so far.
A city law is supposed to protect abortion seekers from harassment by anti-abortion protesters as they enter clinics, but enforcing the buffer zone around the medical facilities has been a challenge. Reset hears from 34th ward Alderman Bill Conway about changes he says could strengthen the so-called “bubble ordinance” in Chicago.
Shopping on State Street holds fond memories for Chicagoans, but the growing popularity of online shopping has pushed storefront vacancies to record levels.
A new city-commissioned panel offers recommendations on how to revitalize State Street. We checked in with two experts on the panel: Mark Kelly, former Commissioner of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and Michael Edwards, president and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance.
Director Andrew Davis is best known for his 1993 action-thriller “The Fugitive,” starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones. The Chicago-set film celebrates its 30th anniversary this month. And the film showcases a wide scope of early-’90s Chicago – from the realistic chaos of Cook County Hospital to a two-flat on 90th and Houston. A native Chicagoan, Davis says his local roots influenced his works, with other movies set in the city such as “Stony Island.”
Reset talks with the director about the role Chicago plays in his work.
Held v. Montana is the first lawsuit of its kind to go to trial, with plaintiffs ranging from age 5 to age 22. It’s also a landmark ruling: climate change must now be considered when approving or renewing future fossil fuel projects in the state. Reset gets reaction from Danica Sun and Natasha Bahtia, youth climate activists in Illinois, and what they’re working on here. Then we turn to two policy experts: Howard Learner of the Environmental Law and Policy Center, and Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University, to learn what kind of related lawsuit could be possible in Illinois.
With free jazz and hip-hop influenced samples, the new album from the Chicago-based multidisciplinary artist takes the shape of a fictional pirate radio station, preaching ideas for a new future and societal change. The new album, released last month, is called New Future City Radio. Reset talks with Locks about meaning, multimedia collage, and his work as an educator.
Chicago Public School students are heading back to the classroom, with thousands still unclear how they’re getting there. President Biden issues a disaster declaration for Cook County and a man is sentenced for setting fire to a Peoria Planned Parenthood. Reset goes behind those headlines and more with Monica Eng, Chicago reporter for AXIOS; Becky Vevea, bureau chief for Chalkbeat Chicago; and Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune state government reporter on the Weekly News Recap.
Rising seniors and incoming college students have big decisions to make: from how to pay for college to picking a major that will pay off in the long run. From FAFSA to scholarships to finding a lucrative career.
Reset gets tips on how students and families can prepare for college finances. We also get advice on how to find out the cost (and pay-off) of a major. For help, we turn to Lynne Baker with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and Stacia Edwards, City Colleges of Chicago Deputy Provost.
Chicago Public School leaders say they want to fix special education services in the district. And that fix becomes increasingly urgent, as the number of CPS students who rely on special ed has grown steadily since 2018. But some parents say the district is focusing too much on legal mandates and not quality education. WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp shares the latest on how Chicago schools are serving students with special needs and what more parents and faculty are calling for.
Perfectionism is harming us – at least, according to Chicago author L’Oreal Thompson Payton. She stops by Reset to talk about her new book, growing up with the idea of “working twice as hard to get half,” and how breaking her Peloton streak helped her ditch perfectionism.
Summer vacation might be fun, but all play and no work can make Jack a dull boy. Or rather, it can make students run the risk of losing some of the lessons learned and academic gains from the previous school year. And this can mean starting the next school year on the wrong foot.
We hear from UChicago Education Lab’s Monica Bhatt, Northwestern School of Education and Social Policy’s Paula Hooper, and Mama Fresh blogger Jenny LeFlore, on how parents and teachers can work to get their students back on track sooner rather than later.
Pediatrician Dr. Allison Arwady led the Chicago Department of Public Health through the COVID-19 pandemic. A Lightfoot appointee, Arwady’s leadership has been scrutinized by progressives and ultimately led to her dismissal by Mayor Brandon Johnson. We spoke with Becky Vevea, Bureau Chief for Chalkbeat who has followed Arwady’s career.
A recent study from the Medical University of Poland found that just 4,000 steps a day can reduce your risk of death of any cause. So, say goodbye to that 10,000 step goal. We know that there are health benefits – both physical and mental – of walking, but we wanted to hear from the average Chicagoan about why they love to walk. Reset walks the walk with guides who lead walking tours about the art and joys of walking. Linda Tinson leads Walking Meditation at Unity Chicago and is a nurse practitioner, Maria Barwegen, Free Chicago Walking Tours, Hillary Marzec, Inside Chicago Walking Tours, Dr. Sheila Dugan, professor and chairperson of the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rush University medical center
Mayor Brandon Johnson has chosen 29 year CPD veteran Chief of Counterterrorism Larry Snelling as top cop after a month-long wait. Reset discusses what challenges Snelling will face if he’s confirmed with Chip Mitchell, WBEZ criminal justice reporter
Fixing stuff around your house can be intimidating. You need the right tools, parts and know-how to take on many home or car projects. Fortunately, there are places and people in Chicago who are here to help. Reset talks to Tessa Vierk, founder of the Chicago Tool Library, Nancy Bennett, education manager at Rebuilding Exchange and Molly Heyen, co-founder of Gearhead Workspace about their workshops and programming that teach all things DIY. Then they talk to advocates Gay Gordon, executive director of The Repair Association and Kyle Wiens, founder and CEO of iFixit about the Right To Repair movement.
Fewer performances, less staff – those are just a few ways arts organizations have had to cut back to keep their doors open. But that can’t go on forever; could there be a better way? Reset learns how arts organizations are funded and how it needs to evolve to keep up with the changing entertainment economy with Claire Rice, executive director, Arts Alliance Illinois Julie Jenkins, artistic director of The Midnight Circus and Dave McDermott, executive director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
As two business women, actress Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis know that it’s easy for a house to get out of control when trying to juggle family and work life. That’s why in their new show, “Honest Renovations”, they want to make the lives of families easier by giving the home a makeover. Reset talks to the co-hosts about their new project and what it was like to get their hands dirty with the construction.
We learn more about the role of fentanyl in causing opioid overdoses to reach record highs in Cook County, the nine-year-old shot while playing outside, and the woman tapped to chair the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Reset breaks down these top local stories and more with Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor, WTTW, John Fountain, journalism professor, Roosevelt University and David Greising, president of the Better Government Association.
Artists from across the globe have gathered in Chicago this week for Titan Walls, the city’s 5th annual mural festival. Festival goers can enjoy food and drink while watching more than a dozen artists paint murals on the walls of District Brew Yards in the West Loop. Reset talks about the ins and outs of public art with Chicago-based muralists.
Crafting can be the low-commitment, low-stakes and low-cost relationship you need in your life. Reset discovers more on how to let your creative side shine, and maybe learn a new skill with Greta Johnsen, host of WBEZ’s Nerdette podcast, Donna Palicka, owner of Sister’s Art Studio, Shaun Devine, founder and instructor of Chicago School of Woodworking, Andy Kuby, turning-saw instructor at Chicago School of Woodworking and Chris Busse, owner of Penguin Foot Pottery.
Since the start of the pandemic, people have opened more than 70 million new credit card accounts. In addition to the quantity of cards, interest rates have also been rising, reaching 22.2% in May. Reset talks to Michelle Singletary, personal finance columnist with the Washington post, to learn what this means for the average consumer and best practices for navigating and paying credit card debt.
Gov. JB Pritzker approved a commission to explore whether or not Illinois needs a new flag. The current one — which has been the same for about a century — has a lot going on. An American eagle clutching a stars-and-stripes-decorated shield while taking a bite out of a red banner in the foreground. There’s a yellow sun over blue water in the background, and a gray rock bearing the years 1818 and 1868. But what would an updated flag look like now? What should it look like? We turn to a longtime flag maker for his take. Reset talks to Carl “Gus” Porter III, owner of WGN Flag Company for insight on what makes a flag iconic.
Over 47,000 Illinoisians lost Medicaid coverage at the start of August and hundreds of thousands more could lose coverage before the redetermination process is complete. Reset discusses how to get reinstated and what residents need to do to prove coverage eligibility with Samantha Olds Frey, CEO of Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans.
Trauma can be passed down from generation to generation. It can impact families and whole communities and our relationships with both. But how do you identify it and – more importantly – break the cycle and take the first step towards healing?
Reset sits down with Dr. Niranjan Karnik from the University of Illinois Chicago, Amanda Seanior with RUSH’s Division of Community Behavioral Health, and Vee L. Harrison, with the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force and author of Hood Healing.
Illinois drivers’ car insurance rates are going up – and women, renters, and drivers with any credit score below an “excellent” rating may be among the folks getting hit the hardest. Reset digs into what’s going on and what drivers can do about it with Chicago Sun-Times consumer investigations reporter Stephanie Zimmermann.
Cooking after a long day at work can feel like a chore even if it saves you a buck. Today, Reset talks with a few folks about how to put the fun back in cooking and cook like a pro even if you’re a kitchen novice. Our guests are Lisa Counts, executive chef at The Chopping Block and Jordan Wimby, a food preservationist and cultural historian.
Kindergarten classes in 2027-2028 will have a focus on “play based learning.” Reset discusses the impact with an early childhood education expert Katherine Zinsser, psychologist and UIC associate professor.
Life can get a little sour between work and politics and our personal lives, but never fear! National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day is here! Reset checks in with bakers Joana Fischer, owner of Twisted Cookie and Michelle Manske, kitchen manager at Defloured bakery, to hear about their favorite chocolate chip cookies.
More lawsuits filed against Northwestern University in sports hazing scandal. Meanwhile, 40 teens are arrested in South Loop after a disorderly Sunday night. Plus, businesses brace for hundreds of thousands of Lollapalooza fans. Reset goes behind the headlines with.Rummana Hussain, editorial board member and columnist at Chicago Sun-Times, Carrie Shepherd, Chicago reporter for Axios and Dan Mihalopoulos, WBEZ investigative reporter on government and politics.
Chicago is one of 18 communities across the country to participate in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s project to train citizen scientists to measure and map the hottest parts of cities, known as urban heat islands. Reset learns how this data will help the city of Chicago reduce the health impacts of extreme heat with Kyra Woods, project manager for the Office of Climate and Environmental Equity, Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility and Dulce Garduño, volunteer with Heat Watch program.
Mies Van Der Rohe is practically a household name for some Chicagoans due to his many buildings around the city. Today in another installment of our Chicago Icons series, Reset gets to go inside one of his modern marvels on the lakefront.
Large crowds, summer heat and parking: what could be worse? Reset discusses how to navigate those issues and get the most with WBEZ Lollapalooza veterans Dave Miska, Studio Operations Manager, WBEZ, Mary Dixon, Morning Edition Anchor, WBEZ, and Stephen Bekoe, Vocalo morning host and producer to learn how to make the best out of the weekend.
Do you have the gift of gab? Well, whether you love small talk or you don’t, we could all benefit from learning how to have better and more engaging conversations. Reset has a conversation about having conversations and how to navigate tough discussions with Paula Marantz Cohen, author of Talking Cure: An Essay on the Civilizing Power of Conversation; dean of the Pennoni Honors College and professor of English at Drexel University, Stephanie Boron, assistant clinical professor at Northwestern University and Danielle Portis, licensed clinical professional counselor at Rose Gold Crowns
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is supporting an additional levy on sales of homes over $1 million to fund services for unhoused people. Meanwhile, Chicago’s interim police superintendent is in hot water, the city budget process is about to kick into gear and street vendors are calling on Mayor Johnson for help. Reset discusses those stories with WBEZ reporters Tessa Weinberg, Mariah Woelfel and Esther Yoon-Ji Kang.
SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America are on strike simultaneously for the first time in 63 years. Reset learns about the demands of writers and actors and explores how this national strike is impacting our local scene with Eric Chaudron, executive director of SAG-AFTRA Chicago, Ilyssa Fradin, SAG-AFTRA member and National Board Representative for the Chicago Local, Martín Zimmerman, WGA West Captain and playwright and actor J. Nicole Brooks.
We’re riding another wave of COVID-19 as we enter August. Cases and hospitalizations are on the rise, according to the CDC. Reset gets the latest on what we need to know moving forward with Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist with Duly Health and Care.
From sipping wine while shopping to more self-checkout, the customer experience at grocery stores has been changing in recent years. Reset learns about those changes with Steve Caine, expert in Bain & Company’s Retail and Customer Strategy and Marketing practices.
The U.S. population of adults over 65 is rapidly growing. So how do we meet the challenge of caring for an aging population? Reset learns about creating a long-term care plan and finding resources for caregivers.
Ethan Schwabe, Reset’s engineer and occasional music correspondent, shares interviews with attendees and artists at Chicago’s iconic Pitchfork Music Festival.
Northwestern University faces a new lawsuit from a former female volleyball player amidst its hazing scandal. Meanwhile, another Chicago Park District lifeguard is fired after allegations of misconduct surfaced two years ago. Plus, City Council alders complain of criminal activity outside neighborhood migrant shelters. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Angela Rozas O'Toole, WBEZ senior editor for politics and government, John Chase, deputy metro editor at the Chicago Tribune, and Christian Farr, NBC-5 Chicago reporter.
Two lawsuits filed against two large Cook County landlords allege that blanket policies of rejecting rental applicants with prior eviction filings discriminate against Black applicants. Reset learns more about the lawsuits and what housing advocates hope to accomplish with Dennericka Brooks, director of the Housing Practice Group at Legal Aid Chicago, and Emily Werth, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Illinois.
Chicago has changed a lot in the last century. And every day, it can feel like another local longtime bar or shop is forced to shutter. But there are some things you can still rely on, like the mom-and-pop shop that’s been around the corner forever. Reset meets a few of the Chicagoans at the helm of longtime family shops for advice.
Housing prices are hitting an all-time high in Chicago, and it’s making the city the hottest market in the nation. Reset find out why with Dennis Rodkin, residential real estate reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business.
Every summer, Chicago officials release recommendations on how to stay cool in extreme heat. But the suggestions can be challenging to follow for people experiencing homelessness. Reset talks through available options for unhoused people and what else can be done to support them with Andy Robledo, a Chicagoan providing tents to homeless encampments and Colleen Ryan, nurse practitioner with Heartland Alliance Health.
Organizers and officials recently held a summit to discuss how the city responds to mental health crises, with Mayor Brandon Johnson saying he would invest in more social services.
Reset discusses how it could affect Chicagoans with Northwestern University’s Dr. Eric Reinhart, anthropologist of policing, prisons, and public health, and Emily Piff, member of Jewish Council on Urban Affairs.
Millions of borrowers will have to start paying back their student loans starting this fall, after three years of payment pauses.
Reset digs into what borrowers need to know and do to prepare themselves for October. Our guests are Lisa Philip, WBEZ higher education reporter, and Jack Wallace, the head of government affairs and industry relations at Yrefy.
Chicago’s $3.8 billion Deep Tunnel flood-control project was seemingly ready to go before the torrential downpours in early July. But as the rain came down, runoff overflowed onto streets and into residents’ homes in what would become a record-setting storm. So why didn't the Deep Tunnel system reduce floods like it’s supposed to?
Reset gets the latest from Chicago Tribune environment and public health reporter Michael Hawthorne.
July is Disability Pride Month — a time to celebrate those with a range of physical and mental abilities. But one of the key issues the disabled community still faces is accessibility in the workplace.
Reset discusses what’s being done to help with a panel of Chicago disability advocates: Daisy Feidt, vice president of Access Living; Jamie Sandberg, assistant director of Duman Opportunity Center at Jewish Child and Family Services of Chicago; and Emily Blum, executive director of Disability Lead.
July is Disability Pride Month — a time to celebrate those with a range of physical and mental abilities. But one of the key issues the disabled community still faces is accessibility in the workplace.
Reset discusses what’s being done to help with a panel of Chicago disability advocates: Daisy Feidt, vice president of Access Living; Jamie Sandberg, assistant director of Duman Opportunity Center at Jewish Child and Family Services of Chicago; and Emily Blum, executive director of Disability Lead.
The recent case of a Little Village mother and daughter fatally shot in their home highlights the need for greater protections for survivors of domestic abuse. Reset talks with folks who work with survivors about how society can step up to better assist and protect them. Our guests are Stephanie Love-Patterson, executive director of Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC), and Maralea Negron, director of policy, advocacy, and research at The Network.
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie may be perfect opposites on the vibe spectrum, but that’s not stopping crowds of moviegoers from pairing them together for a five-hour double feature. Reset hears from Chicagoans gearing up for the experience, which folks are calling OppenBarbie, Barbenheimer or Boppenheimer. Our panel is Ross W Berman IV, wrestling journalist; Brianna Wellen, writer and editor at Primetimer; and Daniella Mazzio, writer and performer.
Illinois becomes the first state to eliminate cash bail. Kim Foxx publishes names on State’s Attorney’s “Do Not Call” list of officers they will not call to testify in court. Jesse Jackson passes the torch at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Reset goes behind the headlines of these stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. Our panel this week: Amy Guth, host of Crain’s Chicago Business podcast “The Daily Gist”; Patrick Smith, WBEZ criminal justice reporter; Alex Nitkin, reporter with the Illinois Answers Project for the Better Government Association.
A proposal in Chicago’s City Council would end lower minimum wage for tipped workers like waitstaff and bartenders. But the proposal faces opposition from the hospitality industry. We turn to Ald. Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward, one of the council members behind the proposal, for more.
We check in with Maureen Ryan, author of the new book Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood, about what led to the current double strike in Hollywood and what needs to change to get the industry back on track.
At this time, Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability does not have “sufficient evidence” to recommend disciplinary actions be taken against officers. Reset discusses the ongoing investigation with Andrea Kersten, chief administrator, COPA
Voguing is a dance style created by Black and Latino queer communities that went mainstream in the ‘90s, when big acts like Madonna started incorporating the style into their work. WBEZ podcast host Erin Allen reached out to Reset because she was struggling to find a place in Chicago that taught the dance style. For our “Lost & Found” series, Reset got in touch with TEXTUREDance in Buena Park to learn about voguing’s roots and a few moves to boot.
A team of WBEZ reporters spent a day embedded on the West Side where migrants are in a holding pattern, staying in the 12th District police station, a tent city or a nearby shelter. The result is a look into a slice of the migrant experience, and the network of Chicagoans who have stepped up to help them.
Reset talks to WBEZ reporters Kristen Schorsch, Mariah Woelfel, and Claudia Morell. We also check in with Erika Villegas, a volunteer helping migrants at the 8th District police station, and Sonia Lopez, employee of New Life Centers.
Artificial intelligence can do a lot, but can it write a poem as lovely as a tree? The explosion of AI technology has placed a vulnerability on the creative world. Writers of novels, poetry, and scripts all face the possibility of being replaced by software coded to mimic their own human experiences (see: the current Hollywood crisis and strikes). But many artists have remained confident in the idea that a computer simply can’t beat the creativity and emotion of the human soul.
But that’s not for lack of trying. Writer Robbie Q. Telfer investigates this through his latest book of poetry “lonely line breaks: ChatRQT.”
Reset sits down with the poet about the book and his experiences with AI.
It’s been a couple weeks since the SCOTUS decision, so how will the country’s selective schools continue to promote diversity? Reset discusses what’s next with Oiyan Poon, associate professor affiliate of higher education leadership at Colorado State University and Anthony Chen, associate professor of sociology at Northwestern University.
The civil rights organization Rainbow PUSH has welcomed a new leader after its longtime president and founder, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, formally announced his exit Saturday. To learn more about Jackson’s legacy and the future of the organization, Reset sits down with Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, U.S. Senator from Illinois (1993-99), and Delmarie Cobb, political strategist who worked for Rev. Jackson’s presidential campaign in 1988. Correction: The interview refers to the announcement and event happening on Sunday. It was on Saturday.
Thursday evening the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability announced the three finalists seeking the title of Chicago’s top cop: Chicago Police Department veterans Angel Novalez and Larry Snelling, and Shon Barnes, the police chief in Madison, Wisconsin. This leaves Mayor Brandon Johnson with about 30 days to make a decision. Reset gets the latest updates on the search and hears more on the finalists.
“Live on Logan” is a free weekly jazz show hosted in Palmer Square this summer. Reset will talk with the Chicagoan who founded the series and a musician performing this weekend. Plus, a family farm in Wisconsin hosts an annual music festival with deep roots in Chicago’s DIY scene. We’ll talk with a prolific local musician who co-organizes the fest.
Hazing scandal hits Northwestern University football program; tornadoes touch down in the suburbs and near O’Hare Airport; community activists protest for better living conditions for migrants. Reset goes behind the headlines of these stories and more with Alden Loury, WBEZ data projects editor, Heather Cherone, Chicago politics reporter for WTTW and Mick Dumke, editor and reporter for Block Club Chicago.
The Food and Drug Administration approved Thursday the first over-the-counter birth control pill in the U.S. Reset learns more about the medication and what its approval means for contraceptive access in Illinois and beyond with Kai Tao, co-founder and principal of Impact and Innovation at Illinois Contraceptive Access Now.
The Chicago SummerDance series is back! All dancers, no matter the age or skill level, are invited to take free dance lessons happening at parks all across the city. This kick-off event on Saturday, July 15, will happen in partnership with Taste of Chicago at Pullman Park. Reset learns more about the event and what to look forward to.
Northwestern football head coach Patrick Fitzgerald was fired Monday after allegations of abuse. Now, baseball coach Jim Foster is under fire. Reset discusses the updates about the current investigations with Jonathan Bullington, senior reporter at Chicago Tribune and Cheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributor.
Research shows that screens – and the hyper-social connections they provide – can trigger dopamine responses in users so frequently it can turn us into actual addicts. And for kids, that’s especially concerning. That’s why some people are trying “anti-dopamine parenting.” Reset checks in with two experts on what a digital rest could look like for kids. Devorah Heitner is author of Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World and Growing Up in Public. Dr. Khalid Afzal is assistant professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Chicago Medicine.
When Wendy Singer’s daughter was going through a mental health crisis, she didn’t know where to turn for help. Her experience led to the creation of a new comprehensive, free guide for parents and caregivers when a child is going through a serious mental health challenge. Reset talks to Singer about her new guide.
After the Chicago area got battered by rains, flooded basements, and more rain to come, Reset checks in on what non-profits and elected officials are doing to combat climate change and mitigate flooding. We talk to Trent Ford, Illinois state climatologist, Kyra Woods, policy director for Chicago’s Environment and Sustainability Team, and Margaret Frisbie, executive director for the Friends of the Chicago River.
Mayor Johnson released a 223-page report charting his four-year plan for Chicago. We talked to WBEZ city government and politics reporters Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel to learn more about Johnson’s vision for the city.
The Illinois EPA announced an “Air Pollution Action Day” for the thirteenth time this year. Those announcements are issued when air quality is at or above an unhealthy level for sensitive groups, and the first half of 2023 has had more than any year in the last decade. So what should we do when there’s an advisory, and how does poor air quality affect our mental and physical health? We spoke to Zac Adelman, executive director of the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium, Stacy Montgomery, researcher with Northwestern’s Climate Change Research Group, Steve Mosakowski, director of respiratory care at RUSH university medical center, and Gina Ramirez, Midwest outreach manager at Natural Resources Defense Council.
Meta just rolled out its Twitter competitor, Threads. And as other social media platforms like Spill, Mastodon, Bluesky and Post are hitting the market, what does this mean for the future of social media? Reset discusses with Ross Schulman of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Naomi Nix of The Washington Post, Jim Speta of the Northwestern University School of Law, Arionne Nettles of the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism and Paul Booth of DePaul University.
The COVID-19 pandemic threw many young people off the path to graduation or getting jobs out of school. So, how do you reach the folks not in school or in the workplace? Reset checks in with Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Mila Koumpilova about her reporting on programs working to get these young people back on track.
The COVID-19 pandemic threw many young people off the path to graduation or getting jobs out of school. So, how do you reach the folks not in school or in the workplace? Reset checks in with Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Mila Koumpilova about her reporting on programs working to get these young people back on track.
According to a recent Harvard Business Review report, women in leadership positions face ageism at every age. Reset chats with UChicago professor Amy Hilliard, Rohini Dey of Vermillion and Let’s Talk Womxn and Karen Layng, national president of the board of directors of Girl Scouts USA to hear how they’ve navigated discrimination in the workplace and how they’re changing things for future generations of working women to come.
Artist Edra Soto immigrated from Puerto Rico to Chicago in 1998. Since beginning her life as a transplant to Chicago, she’s worked on a decade-long project exploring how she is inhabiting space in a new country, culture and home. As well as highlighting Puerto Rican architecture and its roots. through her sculptures. Reset chats with the “GRAFT” artist to learn more.
Dom Flemons is on a mission to uncover, preserve and push forward America’s musical past — particularly Black musical traditions.The world renowned singer-songwriter and folklorist sits down with Jason Marck, host of WBEZ’s Radio Z and senior producer of Curious City, to talk about some of the big ideas that run through his work.
The second season of the hit FX show The Bear makes a point of highlighting the vibrant restaurant and bar scene across Chicago. Reset talks to two foodies about the show’s portrayal of some of city’s most beloved spots.
Record rain floods basements and puts a damper on NASCAR’s downtown street race. Mayor Johnson shakes things up at the Chicago Board of Education. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Jacoby Cochran, City Cast Chicago Host, Brandon Pope, reporter/anchor at CW 26, and Hannah Meisel, politics reporter, Capitol News Illinois.
Mayor Brandon Johnson shook things up Wednesday when he replaced nearly the entire Chicago Board of Education with new appointees. The seven-seat board that was once largely filled with consultants, bankers and lawyers will now be dominated by educators and education activists. Reset gets the rundown on what this means for Chicago schools.
The pandemic changed how and where we work from, and recent articles suggest remote work could be detrimental to our physical and mental health. Reset digs into those claims and learns what employees need to feel fulfilled wherever their ‘office’ may be.
Northwoods Baseball Radio Network on WSLP-AM features fictitious matches between teams such as the Baraboo Bombers vs. the Big Rapid Timbers and the Old Timers Exhibition! Reset learns more on the eclectic broadcast from its creator and host, Mr. King.
Over a year since the overturn of Roe vs. Wade and many states across the country have instituted abortion bans. For high-risk pregnancies that often means a tough decision between finding out-of-state means for reproductive care or delivering a child with little to no chance of surviving. Reset hears from a high-risk pregnancy patient and healthcare experts on the issue.
On the heels of another violent Fourth of July weekend, Reset checks in with a panel of anti-violence workers trying a variety of solutions to end cycles of violence in Chicago.
The Mellon Foundation granted Chicago $6.8 million to invest in several monument projects. One of those will include the Rekia Boyd Project on the West Side. Reset talks to Scheherazade Tillet, executive director of A Long Walk Home and one of the organizers of the monument.
Actor Judy Greer has made a career out of being one of the most versatile people in any room or set in Hollywood. With more than 150 film and TV credits to her name, you’ve seen her in everything from rom-coms like “13 Going On 30" to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And this month, you can see her debut at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre with the play “Another Marriage.” Reset sits down with the booked-and-busy actress to go behind the curtain of her new play and talk about working in a fickle and changing industry.
Chicago is home to several mural corridors – from Pilsen to Rogers Park. These murals tell stories and are available for everyone to see. Reset learns more about the art form from muralists Sandra Antongiorgi and Rahmaan Statik, and also Robert Herguth, who writes the weekly Murals and Mosaics newsletter for the Chicago Sun-Times.
On July 4, 2022, seven people died and dozens more were wounded in a shooting during Highland Park’s annual Independence Day parade. An upcoming documentary called “Memorial” features the stories and voices of survivors of the Highland Park shooting. We talk with Highland Park-born filmmaker and director Jonathan Siskel, and two survivors of the shooting, Jacqueline von Edelberg and Rachel Lander.
A new report by Crain’s Chicago Business reveals the sky-high construction costs for housing developments being built through the city’s Invest South/West initiative — one of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s signature programs. Reset learns more about the cost disparity and what the status of the project is under the Johnson administration with Alby Gallun, Crain’s Chicago Business senior reporter covering real estate and David Doig, president of Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives.
Kara Jackson is known for being the National Youth Poet Laureate from 2019 to 2020. And now, she’s receiving glowing reviews for her debut album, Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love. The Chicago-based singer-songwriter joins Reset to talk about her inspirations, her mandatory piano lessons growing up in a musical household and other local artists who encouraged her latest work.
Some Chicago drivers experience road rage over street closures for NASCAR race; Canadian wildfires fill Chicago’s air with smoke and haze; President Biden comes to town for fundraisers and kicks off his political messaging with what he calls “Bidenomics”. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Mike Flannery, political editor at Fox 32 News, Ben Kesling, reporter, Wall Street Journal and Derrick Blakley, former CBS2 Chicago politics reporter Journal
Season two of FX’s The Bear is a hit – receiving a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans are raving about everything from the story telling, the food to the cameos. Reset chats with Michael Muser, co-founder of Ever in the West Loop, one of Chicago restaurants featured on the show
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit this week against the city of Chicago and the Chicago Police Department over unlawful traffic stops. The suit alleges that Black drivers are four to seven times more likely than white drivers to be pulled over and that Latino drivers are twice as likely. Reset hears more about the suit from Alexandra Block, Senior Supervising Attorney for the Criminal Legal System and Policing project at ACLU Illinois.
FACETS movie theater and Color Comics are coming together to host a screening and discussion about Black women in science fiction and fantasy TV shows. They’ll explore the characters of Star Trek Discovery’s Michael Burnham, Lovecraft Country’s Hippolyta and Doctor Who’s ‘The Fugitive Doctor. Reset hears from one of the panelists, WBEZ audio producer Cianna Greaves, to learn more.
This morning the Supreme Court ruled in a landmark affirmative action case stating that race-based admissions practices at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina are unlawful. Reset talks to University of Illinois Chicago law professor Steve Schwinn and WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip about what the ruling will mean for the future of college admissions.
The long-anticipated street race is finally happening this weekend and everyone has an opinion. Reset chats with Neil Steinberg, columnist for Chicago Sun-Times and two locals who are looking forward to NASCAR.
Wildfire smoke from Canada continues to smoother Chicago today. Experts anticipate the air quality index, as tracked by Air Now, could exceed Tuesday’s high of 288 - the second highest ranking that government agency tracks. Reset hears from Kelly Nichols, Senior Manager of Policy & Advocacy, Respiratory Health Association of Chicago and Dr. Ravi Kalhan, Northwestern Medicine deputy division chief of pulmonary and critical care medicine on what to expect
A proposed ordinance would create protections for some of Chicago’s most iconic vintage outdoor signs. Reset learns about the history of these signs, and their importance in the urban landscape and about restoring vintage signs from a Martin Treu, author of Signs, Streets, and Storefronts: A history, of architecture and graphics along America’s Commercial Corridors.
Chicago’s hourly minimum wage is set to rise to $15.80 starting July 1, while tipped workers will get paid $9.80 an hour.
Reset learns more about the so-called “subminimum wage” for tipped workers and the latest on discussions around phasing it out. We check in with Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa of the 35th Ward; Sam Toia, president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association; and Terri Evans, owner of Windy City Ribs & Whiskey.
As Chicago’s youth start their summer jobs, we follow up on Mayor Johnson’s campaign promise to bring more employment opportunities. WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg gives us the update.
Research shows that queer youth who are supported by their families grow up to be happier and healthier adults. But some parents can feel unequipped to navigate their child’s coming out.
Reset hears from two Chicago families about their experience navigating and supporting their own LGBTQ children: Florrie Chappa with the group Mama Bears joins the show with her son Javier Chapa with Howard Brown Health, and Mike Mazzeo, a parent of a nonbinary child.
The library is open, free of charge to all, bringing resources for accessing knowledge. And In the midst of battles over freedom of speech and book bans, the Chicago Public Library is committed to being a sanctuary for books.
Reset talks with Alison Cuddy, host of the podcast Library for the People, about the ways the library has lived out its mission and served the people of Chicago for the past 150 years.
This week, Supreme Court justices are expected to drop opinions on several cases about major issues including student loan forgiveness and affirmative action.
Reset learns more about how they could rule with Steven Schwinn, professor at University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.
The NASCAR Chicago Street Race will take place on July 1 and 2, bringing tens of thousands of spectators to downtown and closing off many roads to cars, buses and pedestrians.
Reset hears from 1st Ward Ald. Daniel La Spata about what to expect before, during and after the events.
The former warehouse district of Fulton Market was a hub for meatpacking and meat wholesalers in the 19th and 20th centuries. But as the price of rent continues to increase in the area, many of these shops have left.
Reset learns about Peoria Packing’s history as a mainstay in the West Loop and the changing nature of the neighborhood. We talk with Paul Durica, director of exhibitions at Chicago History Museum.
Reset hits the road and heads to South Shore for a day of barrel racing and horse tricks. The Broken Arrow Riding Club’s Speed and Action Rodeo and Horse Show is an annual event that puts a spotlight on the city’s little-known cowboy scene.
Reset spends the day at the rodeo and learns more about the often-overlooked contributions of Black cowboys in American history. We talk to documentarian Charles Perry; Murdock, director and president of Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club; and club members Amber Leslie, Korey Flowers, and Devyn Branscomb.
Chicago’s NASCAR race is gearing up. Illinois scales back healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants. Cook County projects a nearly $86 million budget. And one Chicago startup is on a mission to make sustainable seafood with fungi.
Reset goes behind the headlines of these stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Paris Schutz, WTTW reporter and anchor; Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent; and Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government and politics reporter.
After some time on the road, Fran is back in Chicago. The local indie band will perform at the Empty Bottle on Friday. Doors open at 9 p.m.
Reset talks to frontwoman and songwriter Maria Jacobson about the tour, her band’s latest album Leaving and the inspiration she gleaned from Alan Watts and his book The Wisdom of Insecurity.
Summertime is in full swing! From festivals to art exhibits to live music performances, there are hundreds of things to do in the city this season. Reset gets a taste of the summer fun with the folks behind upcoming events and WBEZ’s latest summer guide.
As we approach one year since Roe v. Wade was overturned, there is a lot of process. States across the U.S have banned the right to abortion, and some of those laws are having unintended consequences for mothers and families. Reset hears from providers and patients affected by the Dobbs v. Jackson decision last summer and how Illinois is protecting mothers.
Mifepristone has recently been in the headlines after conflicting court rulings about the abortion drug's FDA approval more than 20 years ago. But even before that, the drug had been the subject of controversy. Cover Up: The Pill Plot, is a new podcast series that shares the shocking story of how mifepristone was smuggled into the U.S., kicked off a U.S. Supreme Court battle, and led to the founding of a secret lab to manufacture a copy of the drug. Reset talks to creator and host of the series, TJ Raphael, about why this history has yet to be told and what it reveals about the current debate.
Ten organizers, artists and advocates are receiving a no-strings-attached $25,000 grant to support their work in the fields of art, media, storytelling and justice. The award is given annually by the Field Foundation, with support from the MacArthur Foundation.
Reset learns more about who the leaders are and the future they envision for Chicago. We talk to Mark Clements, community organizer at the Chicago Torture Justice Center; Glo Choi, community organizer at HANA Center; Ling Young, youth organizer at Southside Together Organizing for Power; Vanessa Harris, president and founder at Strategy for Access Foundation; Yvette Moyo, founder and executive director at Real Men Charities.
City Council goes for a vote today on making the Warehouse a Chicago landmark. Music director and resident DJ Frankie Knuckles helped the Warehouse grow to be regarded as the birthplace of house music. Reset speaks with DJ Lady D Jackson and DJ Terry Hunter about what this landmark status would mean for the city and the iconic music genre.
The city of Chicago will be receiving nearly $7 million dollars to fund eight memorial projects including a memorial dedicated to survivors of torture by the “Midnight Crew” in the South Side. Reset learns about this effort to honor over 100 survivors of police torture from Dan Mihalopoulos, investigative reporter for WBEZ’s government and politics team.
Chicago renters must make at least $50,000 a year, or work two jobs at minimum wage, to afford a modest one-bedroom apartment. That’s according to a new study by Housing Action Illinois and the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Reset discusses the causes of and solutions to the lack of affordable rental housing in Chicago and Illinois with Bob Palmer, policy director for Housing Action Illinois.
Health experts are raising the alarm on rising rates of depression, suicide and other mental health issues among U.S. teens. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youth between the ages of 10 to 25 years old make up 15% of all suicides. Reset discusses why the teen mental health crisis is happening, the role social media plays and how Chicago-area organizations are working to address the problem.
Mayor Brandon Johnson is a month into the job; so how’s it going? Reset talks to WBEZ reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg to get an update on Johnson’s initial political and policy moves, his negotiating style with City Council, how well he's keeping campaign promises and his handling of the city’s resource crisis for asylum seekers.
Juneteenth has only been a federal holiday since 2021. If it’s new to you or you want to learn more, here are some resources.
Almost 70% of visitors to national parks in the U.S. are white, and Black people are the most underrepresented group to visit them. Reset meets Chevon Linear and Kameron Stanton, the Chicago couple working to change that through their popular TikTok account Black People Outside and through meet-up events.
Hip hop marks its 50th anniversary this summer. For Juneteenth, we look back on that history and celebrate highlights of the genre.
Five fresh hip-hop and R&B tracks are "In Rotation” all month on Vocalo Radio, WBEZ’s sister station. Chicago emcee Jovan Landry brings the heat on a new catchy tune with an uplifting message, singer th0rn’s latest track will make you want to dance, and up-and-coming Chicago artists Elijah LeFlore and Galaxy Francis team up for a summer banger. Michigan musician Bri Miller and Ohio native Amar Miller also top the list with their smooth vocals.
Reset learns more about the new songs and the artists behind them.
Reset talks with florist John Pendleton of Black Men Flower Project, which allows Black men to give other Black men a bouquet.
Asylum seekers, NASCAR, a ban on book bans, and the latest from City Hall. Reset goes behind the headlines of these stories and more with David Greising with the Better Government Association, Brandis Friedman with WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight,” and WBEZ reporter and editor Natalie Moore.
Chicago is a deep dish and tavern-style town, but there’s good pizza by the slice available if you know where to look. Join Reset and Curious City as we go on the hunt for delicious single slices around the city.
Reset heads out to Chinatown to hear about some key sites in the neighborhood, including the Chinatown Gate on Wentworth Ave. just south of Cermak Road. Sasha-Ann Simons speaks with What’s That Building contributor Dennis Rodkin of Crain’s Chicago Business.
Since February, police officers have been turning unhoused people away at O’Hare International Airport so they won’t sleep there. The situation is just one sign of how persistent and pervasive homelessness is in Chicago. Shelter beds are full, and recently arrived asylum seekers are also in need of the social safety net. Reset learns more about the options left for the city’s unhoused population and what solutions social service agencies and the city’s new administration are considering with guests Elvia Malagón, social justice and wage gap reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, and Ali Simmons, case and outreach worker with the Law Project of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
lllinois Democratic lawmakers continue pushing to keep abortion accessible after the U.S. Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade last year. Since then, five measures expanding and protecting abortion access passed in Springfield, while GOP lawmakers have failed to pass anti-abortion-rights bills. Reset talks to Mawa Iqbal, statehouse reporter for WBEZ about the efforts.
Earlier this year, Illinois formed the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission to look into economic inequities due to the impacts of slavery. Reset learns more about the commission’s mission and work with Illinois State Rep. Will Davis (D-Homewood) and Marvin Slaughter, chair of the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission.
In another installment of our series “What’s That Building,” Reset learns about a building in the West Loop that played an important role in Chicago’s transit history with Dennis Rodkin, residential real estate reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business.
Longtime Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak says he’ll be leaving the show after its 41st season, which starts in the fall. He was raised in Chicago and initially pursued a career in radio. Reset learns more about Sajak’s Chicago roots and the void he’ll leave in the game show world with Darel Jevens, entertainment editor for the Chicago Sun-Times
In his show “Little Syria,” MC and rapper Omar Offendum explores the forgotten history of Syrian Americans in Manhattan. Offendum performed earlier this month at the Old Town School of Folk Music, along with DJ Thanks Joey and Chicago-born multi-instrumentalist Ronnie Malley. Reset sat down with the three artists to talk about weaving both different languages and genres in his music.
A downtown building known for its legacy pipe and cigar lounge, holds layers of history dating possibly as far back as before the great Chicago fire in 1871. Reset’s architecture sleuth, Dennis Rodkin, reveals the stories within this classic marvel in The Loop.
Widespread catalytic converter theft has cost millions of dollars in repairs for car owners across the city. A Chicago Sun-Times analysis looks into how the thefts are pulled off and how the city is working to crack down on the crime. Reset speaks with Stephanie Zimmermann, consumer investigations reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, to find out what you should know about the issue.
How is Chicago responding to the growing sense of loneliness in the U.S? Reset talks to groups working to build social connection and community in the area. The panel features Jeremy Foster, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago; Julia Logan Labow, director of impact and learning at OneTable; and Jacob Rosenblum, Shabbat dinner host for OneTable.
According to recent data from the U.S Census Bureau, Americans are spending more time alone. But what happens when a lack of social connection leads to loneliness? Reset talks to Eve Escalante, clinical social worker with RUSH University Medical Center, about what’s behind the so-called “loneliness epidemic” in America and ways to build connections.
Stalled trains and blocked railroad crossings have created dangerous conditions for residents of cities like Hammond, Ind., for decades. Now a first round of federal funding aims to change that. Reset talks to Joce Sterman, national investigative reporter for InvestigateTV, to learn more about the $570 million nationwide plan.
Typically Reset’s “What’s That Building?” series feature architecture stories often lost to history or overlooked in the Chicago area. Over the next few episodes, however, the series is giving a fresh look at some of the city's most iconic buildings. What better place to start than with the gleaming Wrigley Building on the riverfront? Reset talks to its architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin to get the story.
Former President Donald Trump is set to be arraigned in federal court again — this time in Florida. A grand jury has indicted him on seven counts related to classified documents he stored in his Mar-a-Lago home. He has denied any wrongdoing. Reset hears reactions from Congressman Mike Quigley, who represents Illinois’ 5th District. Then Reset turns to Alvin Tillery, professor of political science and director of the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy at Northwestern University, to hear what the charges could mean for Trump’s presidential campaign.
Chicago’s tourism industry rebounds, with hotels setting a record for highest occupancy rates. Meanwhile, three Chicago chefs take home the coveted James Beard Award. Reset goes behind the headlines of these stories and more with Alex Nitkin, reporter with the Illinois Answers Project for the Better Government Association, Carrie Shepherd, Chicago reporter for Axios, and Rummana Hussain, editorial board member and columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times.
The tension between the PGA and Saudi-backed PIF has been growing for years. The two are now united in a historic merger in an attempt to move past antitrust lawsuits, accusations of human rights abuses and confusion among players. Reset gets analysis from Chicago-area golf expert Rory Spears, co-host of Golfers on Golf Radio, and editor and director of content for Golfersongolf.com.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on two cases challenging affirmative action by the end of June. One case alleges Harvard’s admissions policies discriminate against Asian Americans. Reset checks in with WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip for what to expect from the ruling and how Asian Americans got wrapped up in the debate.
For their Chicago’s 50 Closed Schools project, WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times education reporters investigated the impact of massive school closures a decade ago. Reset dives into their latest story on the so-called “welcoming schools” that received displaced students with reporters Sarah Karp and Nader Issa.
A surge in calls for shelter requests is overwhelming Chicago’s 311 help line. Reset discusses how the hotline works and what can help the city’s shelter system serve unhoused people and asylum seekers better with WBEZ reporters and a panel of advocates and shelter workers.
The Chicago area has been blanketed by dandelion-like fluff for the past week. Reset learns more about what’s behind the weird event and the role the plant its from plays in the ecosystem with Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, Jessica Turner-Skoff, science communication leader, Morton Arboretum, and Jalene LaMontagne, professor of biological sciences, DePaul University.
How do you like the sound of the Arlington Heights Bears? Well, how about the Naperville Bears? That’s right. The Chicago Bears are now exploring the western suburb as a potential spot for its new stadium. Reset checks in with WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout for the latest.
The Field Museum is welcoming its newest and biggest addition to its collection of dinosaurs. In the main hall, you can find a 46-foot-long cast of one of the most scientifically up-to-date Spinosaurus in the world. Reset puts on its paleontology hat and learns more about the dinosaur with Jingmai O'Connor, an associate curator of fossil reptiles.
From construction on the Kennedy Expressway to road closures because of Nascar, traffic in Chicago is getting worse. Reset discusses how the congestion is affecting drivers and potentially putting cyclists and pedestrians in danger with Rick Resnick of See it All mini tour bus company, Audrey Wennink of the Metropolitan Planning Council and Sharon Hoyer, a cyclist and Streetsblog freelance journalist.
If your lawn has not looked quite as green and lush as usual, you can blame a “flash drought” and one of the driest months of May in 150 years. And if you’re getting air quality alerts in your area, you can blame Canada. Reset checks in with atmospheric scientist Scott Collis.
The director of the new A24 film “Past Lives” joins Reset to talk about going from the stage to the big screen. After working as a playwright for the past 10 years, Celine Song is starting her career in film. She sat down with us to talk about making a movie about real life and touching on themes of love, fate and immigration.
While Pride Month is usually packed with events to celebrate and support the LGBTQ community, queer families are often left with a few options. To learn more, Reset chats with Keewa Nurullah and Kristen Kaza, co-organizers of a free, all-ages Pride event.
Chicago welcomes patio season with a win for restaurants. We talk with Chicago foodies Nick Kindelsperger, Marnie Shure, and Jack Dengel about the city’s new permanent outdoor dining policy and our favorite spots to wine and dine this summer.
Looking for a theater experience that beats the summer blockbusters? Music Box Theatre will be screening William Castle’s House on Haunted Hill on June 7 and 8, complete with gimmicks the legendary director was known for. Reset learns more about Castle’s contributions to the genre, and what the theater is planning for the event with Morgan Wiercinski and Jeremy Marder, co-programmers of the event.
Looking for a theater experience that beats the summer blockbusters? Music Box Theatre will be screening William Castle’s House on Haunted Hill on June 7 and 8, complete with gimmicks the legendary director was known for. Reset learns more about Castle’s contributions to the genre, and what the theater is planning for the event with Morgan Wiercinski and Jeremy Marder, co-programmers of the event.
Chicago’s City Council approves $51 million for migrant services. Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers pass a new budget in Springfield. Reset goes behind those headlines with A.D. Quig, Cook County and Chicago government reporter for the Chicago Tribune, CW 26 reporter/anchor Brandon Pope and WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg.
Reset sits down with comedian Hari Kondabolu to chat about his new material and his executive producer role on a film about immigration and the rise of the far right in the U.S. and Germany.
Illinois leads the nation in the number of lead service lines, yet it received a smaller share of federal funding to replace those lead pipes than states like Florida and Texas. Reset gets the details from Michael Hawthorne, an environment and public health reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Reset breaks down what the debt ceiling deal could mean for your student loans with Cody Hounanian, executive director of the Student Debt Crisis Center, and Jack Wallace, the head of government affairs and industry relations at student loan refinance group Yrefy.
In a 34-13 vote Wednesday, Chicago’s City Council approved $51 million to help care for migrants. The decision came after an intense debate among council members and residents. Reset gets the latest from WBEZ reporters Indi Khera and Mariah Woelfel, who have been covering the migrant crisis.
Companies are keeping prices the same while shrinking quantities. While inflation has dropped from its 40-year high in June 2022, the phenomenon of “shrinkflation” has not disappeared. Many items, from paper towels to Oreos, are getting smaller while prices remain the same. Reset talks to Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter Stephanie Zimmerman and consumer advocate Edgar Dworsky about why “shrinkflation” is happening and about its impact on consumers.
A bill that’s passed in both the Illinois House and Senate would provide basic protections for freelancers requiring clients to pay them within 30 days of work completed. But it still needs Governor J.B. Pritzker’s signature to be law. Reset digs into how this legislation protects freelancers’ right to compensation with two freelancers: writer Anna Burgess and audio producer Mary Mathis.
Swimming season is here. Reset discusses water safety with Chicagoan Dave Benjamin, co-founder and executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Benjamin has made it his mission to prevent drownings in Lake Michigan and beyond.
From housing to health, Chicago agencies, groups and individuals are taking on the challenge to help asylum seekers create a home in the city. Reset checks in with people working on the ground to support migrants and learn about an effort to provide trauma-informed training to volunteers.
Half of Chicagoans witness a shooting by age 40, according to a recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association. And the average age for witnessing the shooting is only 14 years old. Reset learns about how this trauma can impact young people’s developing brains and discusses efforts to help students heal and turn the tide of violence.
After months of hype and controversy, the live-action remake of the Disney princess classic, “The Little Mermaid,” is finally in theaters. Reset talks to culture writer Brittney Pierre and CW-26 anchor Brandon Pope about their thoughts on the film.
Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions many people make in their lifetimes, but many people have been avoiding making moves due to high interest rates and high prices. Now, things could be starting to change in the Chicago area. Reset talks with a real estate expert Ilyce Glink about how to navigate this unique market moment.
In what ways is democracy under threat in the United States? And how do we strengthen our union? Those are two of the key questions posed in a new series of reports, editorials, podcasts and radio segments from WBEZ and the Sun-Times called “The Democracy Solutions Project,” which will run through the 2024 presidential election. The project is a partnership between Chicago Public Media and the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government at the Harris School of Public Policy. Reset sits down Eric Liu of Citizen University to hear more about the role civic engagement can play in strengthening democracy.
In what ways is democracy under threat in the United States? And how do we strengthen our union? Those are two of the key questions posed in a new series of reports, editorials, podcasts and radio segments from WBEZ and the Sun-Times called “The Democracy Solutions Project,” which will run through the 2024 presidential election. The project is a partnership between Chicago Public Media and the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government at the Harris School of Public Policy. To kick off the project, Reset sits down with the center’s director Will Howell.
As we celebrate Memorial Day, Reset talks to a veteran and service member parent working to serve veterans in need.
The rapper Kayo explores loss, acceptance and perspective in his latest work. Ahead of his show at the Epiphany Center next week, the artist stopped by WBEZ’s performance studio to share some songs and his story. Reset sits down with the Chicago-based rapper to hear about his journey so far and what’s to come.
A new police training program is underway in Chicago. And it’s drawing from successes in departments in other major cities like New York and LA. The Policing Leadership Academy will focus on just that: training police leaders and supervisors. But even though it’s here in Chicago, the lesson plan won’t be based on practices within the Chicago Police Department. As the academy welcomes its first cohort, Reset turns to Roseanna Ander, Executive Director of the Crime Lab, Kenneth Corey, Former New York Police Chief of Department and Director of Outreach and Engagement at the University of Chicago Policing Leadership Academy, and Charlie Beck, former LAPD Police Chief and interim Chicago police superintendent in late 2019 to early 2020, who helped design the six-month program.
Illinois lawmakers pass a budget and wrap up their spring session. Neighbors on Chicago’s Northwest side are divided over proposals to shelter migrants at local City College. Reset goes behind the headlines with Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter, Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor for WTTW-TV, and Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city politics reporter.
The upcoming Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions is raising questions about legacy admission policies and other practices that tend to favor white, wealthier students at the expense of historically underrepresented ones. Reset speaks with WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip on the latest from the case.
Back in October, the FDA announced a shortage of amphetamine mixed salts, more commonly known as Adderall, which is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. This has had real impacts on individuals and families in Chicago trying to get their hands on the stimulant. So, what’s behind the shortage? Reset dives into a conversation about the demand for ADHD medication, overdiagnosis and what it’s like living and treating the condition with Steven Meyers, licensed clinical psychologist with Chicago ADHD Associates and Zoe Smith, child and adolescent clinical psychologist and assistant professor with the department of psychology at Loyola University.
Dirty cars, crime and significant delays are a few of the problems riders have pointed out about the Chicago Transit Authority in recent years. Reset discusses the woes of riding the CTA with Natalie Moore, interim editor of WBEZ’s Race, Class and Communities Desk and Cassie Walker Burke, external editor at WBEZ. Then we hear from Illinois State Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), co-chair of Mayor Johnson’s transition team transportation subcommittee and Brian Steele, CTA spokesperson about how they plan to address the issues.
Chicago is having an urban wildlife moment. Has this always been the case, or is this emergence of city critters indicative of something bigger? Reset checks in with a panel of wildlife experts and ecologists, including Seth Magle, director of the Urban Wildlife Institute at Lincoln Park Zoo, Al Scorch, botanist with Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t, Tyler LaRiviere, Chicago Sun-Times photographer and Rebecca Fyffe, urban wildlife manager.
West Side Chicagoan @mycousin_tiera is being heralded by some as the city’s best kept comedy secret. You might recognize her from short Instagram and TikTok skits which have garnered millions of views. Now, the mother whose punchlines often focus on what it’s like to raise children, is on a multi-city comedy tour with stops in the Chicagoland area this weekend. Reset gets to know comedian Tiera Oleary and hear what to expect from her stage performance.
After a five-year investigation, the AG’s office released a 696-page report showing that the Catholic church failed to acknowledge hundreds of clerics and brothers who abused at least 1,997 across Illinois dioceses. Reset talks with Bob Herguth of the Chicago Sun-Times who has been covering the investigation for years and Larry Antonsen, an abuse survivor and leader of SNAP Chicago, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
Hope Chicago is a college-access nonprofit that launched in 2022 with the goal of getting more Black and brown students from the South and West sides into college. But, it doesn’t stop there. The group also wants to send parents to college too. Reset checks in with CEO Janice Jackson to learn more about the organization’s work and hopes for the future.
Around the Chicago area, cicadas are starting to emerge, and you could see many, many more soon. Next year, the din will get even louder as 13-year and 17-year periodical cicadas come out of the ground. Reset checks in with Allen Lawrance of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago to learn everything there is to know about the fascinating insects.
New reporting from Block Club Chicago shows that Chicago City Council’s Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights didn’t meet for more than a year as the city struggled with its migrant crisis. Reset checks in with Block Club’s Mick Dumke.
Ready for Summertime Chi? Lake Michigan and the Chicago River are fantastic ways to enjoy your Chicago summer. Reset hears about all the reasons to appreciate our lakefront and waterways and gets some aquatic inspiration to kick off our summer. We check in Marlon Harvey, commodore at the Jackson Park Yacht Club; Alex Surmach, vice president of the board of directors at Learn Scuba Chicago; and John Quail, director of conservation at Friends of the Chicago River.
Illinois lawmakers are back in the Capitol this week for an extended spring session after failing to agree on and pass a budget. For more on what the sticking points are and what else is on the agenda before the spring session wraps up, Reset gets a Springfield update from WBEZ statehouse reporter Alex Degman.
Chicago is home to a rich arts scene, but advocates say more can be done to support arts education, expand access to the arts and recognize that the arts can be a powerful economic engine for the city. Reset talks to Leslé Honoré, poet and CEO of Urban Gateways, Monica Trinidad, co-founder of For the People Artists Collective, Abby Pucker, founder of GERTIE, a Chicago arts wayfinding platform, about the ways the Johnson administration could lean into the arts. The trio are co-chairs of Johnson’s transition subcommittee on arts and culture.
WBEZ is out with a new guide to 80 markets you can find in Chicago and the suburbs this summer, just in time for farmers market season. Reset learns more about where to find fresh produce, flowers and other extras at markets in the region with Julia Binswanger, WBEZ audio producer and curator, Veah Larde, market manager at Austin Town Hall City Market, and Liz Abunaw, founder and owner of Forty Acres Fresh Market.
It’s AAPI Heritage Month. Reset invited three Asian American artists in Chicago’s thriving music scene to talk about the AAPI’s community’s contribution to the arts. Sen Morimoto, Yna Pineda, and Stuti Sharma share their fave AAPI musicians in Chicago, discuss resources the city may be lacking and talk through how their heritage influences their craft.
Brandon Johnson is inaugurated as Chicago’s new Mayor. Illinois lawmakers work to wrap up their spring session. Reset breaks down those stories and more with Alice Yin, politics reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Christian Farr, NBC-5 Chicago reporter, Angela Rozas O'Toole, WBEZ Politics & Government editor.
A new WBEZ project called First 12 Weeks chronicles the journeys of three new mothers. From isolation to breastfeeding to expectations, these mothers faced a lot in just the first few weeks postpartum. But, they also persevered through. In the final installment of the series, Reset discusses the challenges new LGBTQ+ parents face with Elly Fishman, reporter and WBEZ contributor and Dr. Liz Glassgow, executive director of Innovations to Improve Maternal Outcomes in Illinois and medical director of the UI Health Two-Generation Clinic
Asian Americans have been reported to be the fastest-growing racial group in the country. And this is also a time when AAPI representation in the media has been growing and celebrated with historic wins for films like Everything Everywhere All At Once. While more representation and visibility of AAPI folks is still needed, it begs the question of what’s next? Reset dives into a discussion with writer and fire performer, Michi Trota, and environmental justice fellow at the Grist, Siri Chilukuri, about the growth of representation for the Asian American Pacific Islander community, and what to do with more visibility.
The saga continues for the Illinois assault weapons ban as the question of “Can I legally buy an assault rifle?” has a new answer for the third time this year. Reset hears from statehouse reporter for WBEZ, Mawa Iqbal, and Highland Park Survivor, Ashbey Beasley, on the latest.
A new WBEZ project called First 12 Weeks chronicles the journeys of three new mothers. Today, we hear the story of Asel, a new mother and Kyrgistanian immigrant. Reset talks with reporter Elly Fishman and Annie Conquest, a certified nurse-midwife at Erie Family Health Centers.
Reset discusses the barriers and stigma Asian Americans face when it comes to both physical and mental health, and how groups are working to increase access to culturally-competent care They speak to a panel of experts featuring Heain Chung, director of direct services at KAN-WIN, Brandon Liu, licensed marriage and family therapist and Shobhana Johri Verma, executive director of South Asian American Policy and Research Institute.
The pandemic affected employment in a massive way, but it especially affected young people. And not all young people have recovered or been able to make their way into the workforce. Between 2019-2021, the unemployment rate has almost doubled for Black women, from 32 to 59 percent. Reset learns why and what efforts there are to address these barriers with Matthew Wilson, Associate Professor of Economic & Workforce Development and UIC Great Cities Institute.
A new WBEZ project called First 12 Weeks chronicles the journeys of three new mothers. Today, we hear the story of Kristal from West Englewood. Reset talks with reporter Elly Fishman and Kristal’s caregiver Karie Stewart, a certified nurse-midwife in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at UI Health.
During his life and since his assassination, Martin Luther King Jr. was and has been the face of the Civil Rights movement, but how much do you know about the man behind the myth? Reset talks with author Jonathan Eig about his biography King: A Life. It taps new material, including an unpublished memoir by King’s father and FBI surveillance tapes, to give a full, unflinching portrait of King.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has released plans for how he’ll tackle youth employment, crime and public safety, but he hasn’t said quite as much about how he’ll go about reopening shuttered mental health clinics, a pledge he made on the campaign trail and in his inaugural address. Reset learns more about that and the first four executive orders Johnson issued on his first day in office from Tessa Weinberg, WBEZ city government and politics reporter.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has been inaugurated. Listen to his address in full in today’s other episode. For some analysis, we talked to Northwestern University professor Jaime Dominguez, WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel,WBEZ data projects editor Alden Loury, and Connie Mixon, a professor of political science at Elmhurst University.
The city of Chicago has a new Mayor. In his inaugural address, Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke about his upbringing and humble beginnings, key moments in Chicago history and his hope and pride in Chicago. Here’s Mayor Johnson’s full address. Check out our analysis in another episode out today.
James Beard-Nominated Chef Abra Berens focuses her latest cookbook, Pulp: A Practical Guide to Cooking with Fruit, on varieties grown along the “Fruit Belt” along Lake Michigan. Reset learns more on how Berens cooks her favorites into sweet and savory treats.
Britain’s popular and wholesome baking competition returns stateside with its spin-off “The Great American Baking Show.” And this season, Chicago is well represented, with three local residents heading to the English countryside and competing to best impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. The Chicago contestants Martin Sorge, Sarah Chang and Nirali Chauan, join Reset for more on competing in the famous bake-off tent, the terror of the technical challenges and the friendships made along the way.
In his show “Little Syria,” MC and rapper Omar Offendum explores the forgotten history of Syrian Americans in Manhattan. Offendum will be performing Friday and Saturday night at the Old Town School of Folk Music, along with DJ Thanks Joey and Chicago-born multi-instrumentalist Ronnie Malley. And for their Chicago show, Offendum will pay homage to the city’s rich history of Arab American communities. Reset sits down with the three artists to talk about weaving both different languages and genres in his music.
Chicago braces for possibility of more migrants arriving from Texas as pandemic border restrictions are lifted. Brandon Johnson prepares for his inauguration as Chicago’s next Mayor. Reset goes behind the headlines with Rummana Hussain, Chicago Sun-Times.editorial board member and columnist, Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent and Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune state government reporter.
Chicago’s ushering in a new City Council next week, and its members are younger, more progressive and more diverse than any previous council in the city’s history. Reset heard from Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa of the 35th Ward about this historic group.
The Jazz Institute of Chicago is cultivating the next generation of musicians. The Institute provides opportunities for middle and high school students to learn improvisations on jazz standards alongside experienced musicians. Reset talked with three participating students — Brandon Harper, Zach Bezirgan and Oscar Evely —as well as the Institute’s executive director, Heather Ireland Robinson, about the institute's teaching philosophy.
A new survey found that more and more working Americans say they don’t feel confident they’ll have enough money to live comfortably when they retire. And nearly half of all Baby Boomers report having no money saved for retirement. Reset turns to Christine Benz, a personal finance and retirement planning expert, for advice.
A recent Chicago Tribune investigation found that lead is showing up in the water at public schools all across the state. Reset learns more about the findings and the impact lead can have on kids from Emily Hoerner, Chicago Tribune investigative data reporter.
Season five of WBEZ’s Making podcast brings you the origin stories of some of the world’s biggest leaders and game changers. The latest installment begins with a two-part exploration into the making and “unmaking” of Chicago’s Kanye West, now known as Ye. Reset chats with Making host Brandon Pope.
Monday, May 8 marked the start of Mayor Lightfoot’s final week as mayor of Chicago, and she delivered a goodbye address. Reset hears what she said and reviews her tenure with Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government and politics reporters.
The Chicago Bears are one step closer to moving away from Soldier Field to northwest suburban Arlington Heights. The team filed paperwork Wednesday to begin the demolition of the Arlington International Racecourse, which sits on the site of their proposed new stadium. Reset gets the latest details on the team’s next steps from WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout.
Get Reset in your inbox every morning by signing up for our newsletter.
While Nashville often gets the credit for being the home of country music, Chicago has played an important role in the genre’s history since the very beginning. In his new book, Country & Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival, author Mark Guarino celebrates the artists, venues, and organizers who made up the vibrant folk and country scene throughout the city. Reset talks to the author and musicians Robbie Fulks and Jane Baxter Miller, who were part of the scene in the ’80s and ’90s
The state’s historical relationship of being hands-off with regulating car insurers is leading to potential negative outcomes for consumers. Reset learns the details from Chicago Sun-Times reporter Stephanie Zimmerman and hears from State Rep. Will Guzzardi who wants to pass legislation to combat the potential rate hikes.
With a South by Southwest debut, and Bonnaroo in their future, it’s safe to say local indie-trio Friko are blowing up. The band joins Reset in the WBEZ’s performance studio to play a LIVE set and chat about putting a song together, their friends in the scene, and plans for the future.
Real estate investor Twenty Lake Holdings bought the land Chicago’s Greyhound station is situated on last year and plans to turn the plot into residential developments. If the station were to close, Chicago would become the largest metropolitan area without an inter-city bus terminal. Reset discussed the implications of a closure or relocation on riders with Lee Bey, Chicago Sun-Times editorial board member and architecture critic.
After the Northern District refused several lawsuits attempting to block the ban, a Southern District judge has ruled in favor of allowing assault weapons across the state. The ruling comes in the midst of a flurry of lawsuits and legislation following the Highland Park shooting. Reset checks in with WBEZ statehouse reporter Mawa Iqbal.
The two mile stretch of shopping along 26th street in Little Village is the second-highest-tax-revenue generating shopping district in the city of Chicago. Jennifer Aguilar, a former member of the group’s board, will lead the organization that supports Mexican and bilingual businesses across Chicago. Reset sat down with her to find out her top priorities in her new role.
Brandon Johnson will be inaugurated as Chicago’s 57th mayor on May 15. Reset talks with Emma Tai, one of the co-chairs of the overall team, about how the work of planning the next administration is coming together.
In what ways is democracy under threat in the United States? And how do we strengthen our union? Those are two of the key questions posed in a new series of reports, editorials, podcasts and radio segments from WBEZ and the Sun-Times called “The Democracy Solutions Project,” which will run through the 2024 presidential election. The project is a partnership between Chicago Public Media and the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government at the Harris School of Public Policy. To kick off the project, Reset sits down with the center’s director Will Howell.
Mayor Lightfoot is sounding the alarm as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott prepares to bus more migrants to Chicago starting Monday. Recently arrived asylum seekers, including children, are sleeping on the floor of police stations as the city and aid organizations struggle to provide housing and services to an increasing number of migrants arriving from Central and South America. Reset checks in with Laura Mendoza, immigration organizer with The Resurrection Project, and Mario Garcia, executive director of Onward Neighborhood House — two groups working on the ground to help migrants in Chicago.
Producers: Daniel Tucker, Lynnea Domienik, Meha Ahmad, Stephanie Kim
Editor: Andrew Meriwether, Meha Ahmad
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has decided not to run for a third term, leaving the seat up for grabs next fall. Kim Foxx made history in 2016 when she became the first Black woman to be elected Cook County State’s Attorney. The progressive prosecutor announced Tuesday she won’t seek another term. Reset discusses what’s next for Foxx and the country’s second-largest prosecutor's office with WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith.
Chicago leaders are working on a new vision for downtown development over the next two decades and will kick off their planning process with a public webinar Thursday. What does the updated plan mean for the Loop’s future? We’ll get background from a reporter and hear from community members on what the city should prioritize.
Chicago’s first-ever poet laureate is avery r. young — an award-winning composer, teacher, visual artist and producer. young believes poetry is all around us, and that our earliest exposure comes from learning something as simple as the cadence of the alphabet. In his new role, he’ll act as an ambassador for poetry in Chicago, and create new public programming for young people and students. Reset sat down with the poet to hear more.
In 2021, the U.S. life expectancy was about 73 years for men and about 79 years for women – the biggest gap in a quarter-century. Boys and men at every age are at higher risk of death than girls and women, according to the CDC. Some people point to biological factors — like high levels of testosterone weakening the immune system — while others point to social factors such as masculinity and a lack of support. Reset discusses what’s behind the growing longevity gap between men and women, and what can be done to improve physical and mental health outcomes among men. We talked to Dr. Omer Raheem from the University of Chicago, Dr. Sam Wainwright from UI Health, Todd Adams, executive director of MenLiving and Erik Treese and Mervin Colin Canham from the ManKind Project.
The Chicago-based nonprofit Surviving the Mic is led by, and serves, Black and brown femme survivors of sexual harm. After years of being volunteer-run, it’s now a nonprofit — allowing the group to reimagine how a healing art space can also function as a spiritual, church-like community. The group will begin hosting so-called Survivor’s Revivals on Sundays featuring poetry, storytelling and meditation. Reset learned more about the group and how its members are creating a space for survivors of sexual violence to heal. We spoke to executive directors Niiki Patin, Mojdeh Stoakley and Saunté Harden-Tate.
Financial aid letters aren’t federally regulated and can vary wildly from college to college. Most high school seniors across the country must decide where to go to college in the fall by May 1. Money can play a big role in which school they pick, and that can be challenging if you don’t have a good grasp of what your financial aid package offers. Reset learns more about how to understand those award letters from WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip.
Lawmakers across the country have proposed over 100 pieces of legislation related to banning health care options for LGBTQ people. Indiana and Idaho are the latest states to pass bills that limit access to gender-affirming care for minors. Reset digs into why this care has become a target for GOP lawmakers with Lauren Chapman, digital editor for Indiana Public Broadcasting and Nora Huppert, staff attorney at Lambda Legal, and hears the personal story of a transgender woman living in Indiana.
Americans spend roughly $1,300 every year on prescription drugs. The Kaiser Family Foundation found that cost leads people to not fill prescriptions, skip doses or cut their pills in half to ration the medicine. Reset learns why drug prices are so high, and offers recommendations on how to navigate options for lowering the amount you pay monthly.
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its most stringent rules to date on tailpipe emissions. The agency believes these rules could reduce CO2 emissions by 7.3 billion tons through 2055 and could result in 67% of vehicles being electric by 2032. Reset talks to Dany Robles from the Illinois Environmental Council, Brian Urbaszewski from the Respiratory Health Association, and Larissa Koehler from the Environmental Defense Fund about what impact the rules could have on the climate and public health.
A large gathering in the Loop over the weekend turned violent, leaving two teenagers shot and more than a dozen people arrested. Reset checks in with Kara Crutcher from Good Kids Mad City to hear how city officials are responding, and what solutions are on the table to prevent further violence among young people.
Some are hailing the diabetes medication Ozempic as a miracle drug, while others claim its weight loss side effects perpetuate disordered eating. And as the drug continues to make headlines, it’s becoming harder to access for people who need it to manage their diabetes. Reset talked to Dr. Disha Narang, an endocrinologist at Northwestern Medicine, and Dr. Kim Dennis, a psychiatrist at SunCloud Health, to discuss the mental, physical and ethical implications of Ozempic.
The Chicago musician Angel Bat Dawid draws parallels between Mozart and the ’60s documentary “The Cry of Jazz” in her latest album, Requiem for Jazz. Angel joins Reset to talk about the new album, her hopes for future Black musicians, and her early days learning the clarinet.
Do you have to be wealthy and knowledgeable about everything there is to know about art to be a collector? Not according to Chicago artist Patric McCoy. In our Chicago Innovator series, we get to know the people shaking up the city. In this installment, Reset talked to McCoy about his journey to embracing the term “art collector,” and about his new exhibit, which chronicles Black gay culture in the 80s.
Independent artists have it harder than ever and big streaming platforms pay less than a penny per listen. So how can you give back to the person behind that song you have on repeat? Reset learns more about finding new artists and supporting them outside of the streaming platforms. We spoke to Sen Morimoto, musician and co-owner of Sooper Records, Shane Bradley, AKA DJ Moonlanding, Marketing Director at Audiotree Music, and Stephen Bekoe, a host at our sister station Vocalo.
An investigation from the Chicago Tribune shows how a cascade of failures within the Cook County criminal justice system leads most murder cases to take four years to go to trial, with some lasting up to or more than a decade. Reset talks with journalists Megan Crepau and Joe Mahr, who reported “Stalled Justice,” and with Shapearl Wells, a Chicago woman who’s still seeking justice in her son’s death.
The Lutheran School of Theology has been a modernist mainstay in Hyde Park since 1967. Now the school along with its neighbor, McCormick Theological Seminary, has been purchased by the University of Chicago. Reset talks to architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin to learn about the history of the buildings and how they’ll be incorporated into the UChicago campus.
Reset speaks to mayor elect Brandon Johnson about his victory and his initial plans as the new mayor of Chicago.
Today marks 55 years since the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., who was killed during Holy Week (the time between Palm Sunday and Easter). Reset talks to Vann Newkirk, host of The Atlantic’s new podcast “Holy Week,” which explores the week following King’s assassination, and how it set the stage for today’s fight over voting rights, redlining and critical race theory.
How did one state Supreme Court race become possibly the most consequential election of 2023? Reset learns what the state race could mean for abortion access in Wisconsin, and how this will impact services provided in Illinois. Reset checks in with Molly Beck from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Brigid Leahy, vice president of public policy for Planned Parenthood Illinois Action.
In 1997, thirteen-year-old Lenard Clark was brutally beaten by three white teenagers in Bridgeport for being Black in a white neighborhood. A new podcast by Yohance Lacour, who covered the incident and its aftermath as a young journalist, revisits the story decades later in “You Didn’t See Nothin.” Reset spoke with Lacour to learn more about the new series.
After a spike of shootings in 2016, Chicago stepped up its violence prevention efforts. Reset sat down with some of the leaders of this endeavor to learn what’s changed in the eight years since the movement began. We talked to Dominique McCord from Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, Teny Gross from the Institute for Nonviolence, Chris Patterson from Illinois’ Office of Firearm Violence Prevention, and Kanoya Ali from Chicago CRED.
A new three-part documentary tells the story of the last season the White Sox played at the original Comiskey Park before it was demolished in the early ’90s. Reset learned a piece of Chicago baseball history from Matt Flesch, the producer and director of the docuseries “Last Comiskey.”
Do you know what a police officer does on a day-to-day basis? It’s not something Chicago’s Police Department grants public access to, and it’s what Chicago’s new Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability leader Anthony Driver says has led to a lack of empathy and understanding between the community and police. Reset spoke with WBEZ reporter Patrick Smith to learn more.
This year the jazz fusion ensemble Snarky Puppy won their fifth Grammy. Michael League, founder and bandleader, joins Reset to chat about the band's beginnings, his label GroundUP Music and how sounds from around the world influence his work. You can catch Snarky Puppy this evening at the Riviera Theatre this evening.
Several recent polls show a tight race between Chicago mayoral runoff candidates Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas. City Council members are pushing to have more independence from the next mayor. Plus, the Fed’s star witness takes the stand in the ComEd bribery trial. Reset breaks down these top local stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with Kim Bellware, national and breaking news reporter for The Washington Post, John Fountain, journalism professor at Roosevelt University and Heather Cherone, Chicago politics reporter for WTTW.
On March 30, Reset’s Sasha-Ann Simons sat down with mayoral hopefuls Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson for their last forum before the April 4 runoff.
In his latest book, An Immense World, science writer Ed Yong takes a break from his tireless pandemic reporting for The Atlantic to invite readers inside the wondrous and innumerable different ways animals perceive the world around them — from bees and songbirds to scallops and crocodiles. Reset talked to the award-winning writer to learn more about the book and some of his favorite quirky wildlife.
Spring this year in Chicago means flowers blooming, pollen galore and (because of that pollen) what’s shaping up to be one of the worst allergy seasons in recent history. Reset spoke to allergist Dr. Baiju Malde from Northwestern about how to muscle through an epic sneezing season. We also learned how climate change plays a hand.
There are nearly 100 crisis pregnancy centers in Illinois, but many of them do not provide abortion care, medication or contraceptives. A proposed bill would allow people to sue the centers for deception, misrepresentation of facts and interfering access to abortions. Reset discussed the proposed legislation with WBEZ reporter Mawa Iqbal and Megan Jeyifo, executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund.
The Chicago Sun-Times editorial board says that “us vs. them” thinking in economic development needs to become a thing of the past and that lifting up neglected neighborhoods in the city can benefit Chicago as a whole. Reset talks with editorial board member and architecture critic Lee Bey.
The Chicago-based group Queers on the Rocks is building a community of LGBTQ climbers and promoting representation of queer athletes. Reset talked to group organizers Danya Rosen and Daniel Bedoya.
The Covenant School in Nashville is the latest school to be targeted by a mass shooter. What do schools in Illinois do to prepare for a school shooting? And what runs through the minds of educators when they hear about Sandy Hook, Uvalde and now Nashville? Reset spoke to two local education advocates for their perspective: Katherine Buitron-Vera, former school safety consultant and volunteer with March Fourth, and Nate Pietrini, executive director at High Jump and former principal at Hawthorne Scholastic Academy.
Yesterday a 28-year-old shooter killed three 9-year-old children and three staff members — all in their 60s — at an elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee. In a twist of fate, Ashbey Beasley, a survivor of the Highland Park shooting, was in the area during the attack. Reset checks in with Beasley about Monday’s tragic events and her push for gun reform in Washington.
hat were the mayoral hopefuls like as kids? Teens? Young adults? Brandon Johnson is the son of a pastor and one of 10 kids in a family who lived in Elgin. Paul Vallas, the second of four kids, started life in Roseland and as a teen moved to suburban Alsip. Reset heard from WBEZ reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg to learn more about the candidates’ backstories.
All Advocate Health Care locations in the Chicago area are dropping mask requirements and easing visitor limits starting Monday. The policy changes at the health care system will affect patients and care teams at locations in Chicago, the suburbs and Northwest Indiana. Reset hears the details of Advocate’s plans from Chicago Sun-Times reporter David Struett and checked in with University of Chicago infectious disease specialist Dr. Emily Landon.
Barbara Gaines has directed more than 60 productions since founding the Chicago Shakespeare Theater in 1986. We talked to the artistic director ahead of her final production of "The Comedy of Errors," which runs through April 23.
Back in 2019, a wave of younger, more progressive aldermen joined Chicago’s City Council, some of them self-identified Democratic socialists. This year, they won a second term. Reset is joined by two progressive aldermen — one soon to start his third term in office, the other his second — to hear about their plans for the coming years and how they see themselves working with a Vallas or a Johnson administration. Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th Ward joined the council in 2015. Alderman Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward, joined in 2019.
More dramatic testimony in the ComEd trial. Abortion opponents descend on the State Capitol. Meanwhile, endorsements continue to roll in for Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in our Weekly News Recap with Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor, WTTW-TV, A.D. Quig, Cook County and Chicago government reporter for the Chicago Tribune and Jon Seidel, federal courts reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Chicago Police Department has prioritized seizing illegal guns. A new investigation suggests that tactic is not leading to meaningful improvements to public safety and that it’s upending the lives of Black men in the city, who have guns seized at five times the rate of any other racial group. Reset learns more about the arguments for and against this tactic and what happens when police prioritize seizing guns with Lakeidra Chavis and Geoff Hing from The Marshall Project.
A new report shows no state in the country has enough affordable housing for the families most in need. Reset discusses what’s driving the shortage in Illinois, how a lack of affordable housing can put a family’s health at risk and how organizations and lawmakers are working to close the gap with Bob Palmer, policy director of Housing Action Illinois, Amanda Henley, community expert of the Housing Committee at the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Nancy Heil, chair of the Housing Committee at the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Guacolda Reyes, chief real estate development officer of the Resurrection Project and Illinois State Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago).
“Three Black women. Three generations. No filters.” That’s the tagline for WBEZ’s latest podcast. Reset sits down with “When Magic Happens’ hosts Cheryle Jackson, Jennifer “Shea Love” Long and Taylor Coward.
Match Day is when medical students find out where they’ll be doing their residencies. It can be a festive, or stressful, affair, with schools hosting ceremonies for students and families. Reset checked in with two medical students at RUSH Medical College — Jordan Cisneros and Sharice Hall — to hear about the process of getting their match and to hear about the challenges Black and Latino med students face on their journeys to becoming MDs.
A collection of South Asian art, donated by the late arts patron Marilynn Alsdorf is causing problems for the Art Institute of Chicago and raising questions about origin and ownership. ProPublica and Crain’s Chicago Business recently published an investigation which uncovered evidence that at least several pieces in the large collection were stolen and exported illegally. Reset sits down with Elyssa Cherney from Crain’s and Steve Mills from ProPublica to learn more. We also hear from Erin Thompson from the City University of New York. She’s the only art crime professor in America.
In Chicago, the unofficial marker of spring is when the music festival lineups for Lollapalooza and Pitchfork are released. Reset reviewed the 2023 headliners and musical guests for the fests with Ayana Contreras, content director for Vocalo and Leor Galil, writer for the Chicago Reader.
Hundreds of thousands of lead pipes need to be replaced. Homes are flooding due to climate change. Water bills are too high for some residents to afford. And parts of Chicago’s shoreline are falling into the lake. Those are a few of the water issues Chicago’s next mayor will need to address, according to a new op-ed in the Chicago Sun-Times.
Reset speaks with Joel Brammeier, president and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, for more.
Teonna Rainwater’s story of abuse is just one of the brutal pieces of historical fiction in the “Yellowstone” prequel “1923.” The hit series has a stellar cast that includes Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren and Hammond, Indiana’s own Aminah Nieves.
Reset learns more about Nieves and what it’s like to play her character Teonna Rainwater.
It’s been two decades since the U.S. invaded Iraq over alleged weapons of mass destruction. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed, and no “WMDs” were found. Today many analysts say the war and 2011 American withdrawal destabilized the country and paved the way for the Islamic State’s rise to power in 2014.
Reset hears from Iraqi refugee Ekram Hannah (with MIRA: Middle Eastern Immigrant and Refugee Alliance) and Thomas Day, a former military journalist and veteran, about how they are reflecting on 20 years since the start of the war.
Tens of thousands of children in the Illinois foster care system face a constant cycle of being moved from one place to another. Reset speaks to CBS-2 Chicago investigative journalist Dave Savini about his team’s investigation into this ongoing issue.
Religious imagery, small town ideals, and complicated relationships shape the work of Andy Shauf, a Canadian singer-songwriter. We discuss his interest in God as a concept and the new album Norm.
Andy Shauf joins Reset ahead of his show in Chicago.
The trial of the so-called “ComEd Four” is now underway, and the search for Chicago’s next police superintendent is on. Meanwhile, mayoral endorsements keep rolling in. Reset breaks down these top local stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with The Washington Post’s Kim Bellware, Chicago Tribune’s Ray Long and former CBS-2 politics reporter Derrick Blakley.
The Shedd Aquarium and The Morton Arboretum have been named the first Centers for Species Survival focused on trees and freshwater species. They’re now part of a network of nine other centers around the world.
Reset learns more about how this designation will expand their conservation efforts globally. We check in with Chuck Knapp, vice president of conservation research at Shedd Aquarium and co-chair of the IUCN SSC Iguana Specialist Group; Silvia Alvarez Clare, director of global tree conservation at the Morton Arboretum; and Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility.
Groups opposed to the Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern merger say they don’t want the additional noise, potential disruptions and increased risk of crashes and exposure to hazardous materials the merger could bring. Reset learns more about the deal from WTTW investigative reporter and producer Jared Rutecki.
Four people with connections to ComEd and former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madgian go on trial over an alleged bribery scheme to push the utility company’s legislative agenda in Springfield. WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos and Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter Jon Seidel join Reset to explain the players, the stakes and what it all means for Illinois politics.
Chicago’s next mayor will have to choose the new Chicago Police Department superintendent. Reset hears analysis from police accountability experts and a former CPD sergeant about what they’d like to see in the next hire and what challenges lie ahead.
A new CDC study reveals an increase in the rate of unexpected deaths among infants during the first year of the pandemic, particularly among Black infants. Reset speaks with health experts about risk factors for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUIDS), and how to be proactive about infant safety.
Illinois is now the third state in the U.S. to mandate paid leave to be used for any reason. Reset checks in with WBEZ statehouse reporter Alex Degman for the latest details of the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, which Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Monday.
Paul Vallas has positioned himself as the “tough on crime” candidate. Meanwhile, Brandon Johnson is calling for a comprehensive approach to public safety. Northwestern University professor Andrew Papachristos joins Reset to discuss what’s shaping the candidates’ views and what research shows about efforts that really work on the ground.
The lawsuit against JUUL Labs is one of several steps the city of Chicago has taken in recent years to stop smoking rates from climbing. Reset checks in with Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Alison Arwardy about how vaping affects teens’ lungs and overall health and how the city plans to use the settlement money to fight underage smoking.
New data out Tuesday show inflation remains a thorn in the side of the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, bank failures have Americans on edge. Reset checks in with NPR chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley for the latest on inflation, recent bank failures and what it all means for the economy.
State lawmakers passed a law eliminating cash bail, as part of the SAFE-T Act, that went into effect Jan. 1. But some prosecutors filed lawsuits challenging the law’s constitutionality, putting the law on hold a week into the new year. WBEZ reporters Mawa Iqbal and Shannon Heffernan join Reset to discuss the oral arguments heard by the state’s highest court Tuesday morning.
Screening, Assessment and Support Services, or SASS, is an Illinois program that focuses on connecting kids from low-income homes with mental health services. But some children are falling through the cracks. Reset digs into a WBEZ investigation of the issues and shortfalls with reporters Kristen Schorsch and Sarah Karp.
Around the world, young people are on the frontlines of the fight to protect our planet from climate change. And for good reason — they’ll bear the brunt of destruction. Reset talks to author and environmentalist Bill McKibben about why “experienced Americans” over 60 also play a vital role in taking on climate action.
The FAA has approved the Rockford International Airport’s plan to build a road through a section of native dry gravel prairie, home to an endangered species called the rusty patched bumblebee. Reset hears from environmental activist Robbie Telfer of the group Save Bell Bowl Prairie about how we got here and how this will impact some of the last prairieland in Illinois.
You can see award-winning movies from international film festivals at the Gene Siskel Film Center through the end of March. Eleven of them are directed by women. To mark International Women’s Day, Reset talks to Rebecca Fons, director of programming at the Siskel about the festival and some of her favorite women-directed films from the series.
Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson will face off in the first mayoral runoff debate Wednesday night at 6 p.m. on NBC 5 and Telemundo Chicago. Reset discusses with Tessa Weinberg, WBEZ city government and politics reporter.
In cities across the country, fewer people are going downtown than they did before COVID-19. Here in Chicago, developers have responded to the city’s request for proposals with six ideas for how to bring LaSalle Street back to life. Reset gets the details from Block Club Chicago reporter Melody Mercado.
The group Mariachi Sirenas is challenging stereotypes while honoring Mexican traditions. Reset sits down with members Ibet Herrera and Laura Velazquez to learn more about their music and roots.
New EPA data show that air pollution from Chicago and the rest of Cook County makes its way to neighboring states, and Wisconsin suffers the worst. Reset checks in with Chicago Tribune environmental reporter Michael Hawthorne for more on how Chicago and its suburbs are polluting places like Wisconsin, Michigan and even Connecticut.
A $200 ticket for truancy. A $175 fine for having a vape pen. A $450 ticket for disorderly conduct. In schools across Illinois, students are being ticketed and fined for minor offenses that previously may have warranted a trip to the principal’s office or detention. Reset talks to reporters Jennifer Smith Richards and Jodi Cohen who have shone a light on the ticketing. Their work has prompted a bill in Springfield that aims to make the practice illegal.
Pandemic-era federal funds were a lifeline for Chicago theaters. Now, those federal funds are drying up. And theater seats aren’t filling up at the same rate as before the pandemic. Do theaters need to rethink their business model to stay alive? Reset checks in with Jeannie Lukow, executive director of Porchlight Music Theater, Kara Riopelle, managing director with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago Tribune critic Chris Jones and Claire Rice, executive director, Arts Alliance Illinois.
In recent decades, more women have pursued higher education and have joined the workforce, helping narrow the wage gap between men and women during the '80s and '90s. But that progress has stalled over the past two decades, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis. Reset talks to Felicia Davis Blakley, president and CEO of Chicago Foundation for Women and Sharmili Majmudar, executive vice president of policy and organizational impact at Women Employed about closing the gap in the Chicago area.
The Chicago mayoral runoff pits a serial schools CEO against a former high school social studies teacher backed by the teachers union. Reset talks to Chicago education reporters Sarah Karp and Mauricio Peña about the candidates’ deep ties to education and different approaches to schooling.
For the past five years, U.S. attorney John Lausch has led major corruption cases against Ald. Ed Burke and former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. His last day as U.S attorney for the Northern Illinois District is March 11. Reset discusses his time in office and his impact on Chicago and Illinois politics with Jon Seidel, federal courts reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times.
The 23-year-old Chicagoan has appeared on Showtime’s hit show “The Chi,” and hosts his own youth-led talk show. Reset talks to the multi-talented actor about his love for performing, networking and giving a platform to young people for our series on black joy.
Chicago’s new police District Councils are designed to bring more community input to police oversight and accountability. The three-member councils can recommend policies but not enact them — so what power do they really have? Reset talks to three newly elected representatives: Anthony Michael Tamez, 17th Police District Council member; Brad Kessler, 18th Police District Council member; and Daniel Martin, 16th Police District Council member.
By the time Wednesday morning came around, people across the city already knew who their aldermen-elect were. Some wards are seeing familiar faces while a handful are welcoming fresh faces. Reset sits down with Alderwoman-elect Julia Ramirez of the 12th Ward and Alderperson-elect Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward to talk about their plans.
Chicago voters were focused on crime and public safety when deciding on who should be the next mayor of Chicago. Reset hears from WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith, Elmhurst University professor Connie Mixon and Democratic political strategist Delmarie Cobb about the role this issue played in the election.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her bid for a second term in office. Meanwhile, former CPS CEO Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, the top two vote getters, will head to a runoff on Apr. 4. Reset checks in with Johnson the morning after he learned he’s still in the running to be the next mayor of Chicago.
Reset analyzes the results of Chicago’s municipal election — from a historic mayor’s race to aldermanic races to police district councils. Panelists include WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ data projects editor Alden Loury and Northwestern University political science professor Jaime Dominguez.
Chicagoans use the CTA to get around the city and use the color lines depending on where they need to go. But color coding isn’t always how the trains were organized. Reset talks to reporter Kayleigh Padar and transit historian Graham Garfield about when the color system was adopted and how some long-time Chicagoans are still nostalgic for the old days.
The Century and Consumers Buildings on State Street have a commanding presence in Chicago’s Loop. But after 17 years of being held in limbo, the federal government plans on spending $52 million to demolish them. Reset learns more about the pair of early 20th-century skyscraper structures and the fight to save them with Dennis Rodkin, residential real estate reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business.
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Biden v. Nebraska today, the case that will decide the fate of the president’s student loan forgiveness program. Reset hears analysis from Steven Schwinn, professor at the University of Illinois Chicago Law School, NPR higher education reporter Elissa Nadworny and directly from people who would benefit from having their debt forgiven.
It’s Election Day in Chicago. Are you prepared? Reset discusses what to expect at the polls and gets a quick voter guide on key races in this year’s municipal election from Tessa Weinberg, WBEZ city politics and government reporter and Amy Qin, WBEZ data reporter.
Chicago is struggling to keep up with the number of migrants coming into the city. As officials scramble to open more housing, Chicagoans are stepping up to help migrants themselves. Reset gets the latest on how those efforts are shaping up with Elvia Malagón, social justice and wage gap reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, Evelyn Figueroa, director of Pilsen Food Pantry and Jen Durham, volunteer for Nuevos Vecinos. Then Reset talks to WBEZ education reporter Nereida Moreno about migrant students in CPS.
The Bronzeville high school on Chicago’s South Side has been fertile ground for numerous writers, civil rights leaders, professional athletes and more. For the latest in our “What’s That Building?” series, Reset hears from Dennis Rodkin of Crain’s Chicago Business about the history of the school and why it’s produced so many illustrious alumni.
Chicago has a “strong mayor” system, and during the pandemic, Mayor Lightfoot gained additional emergency powers. Things work differently in Phoenix, Ariz., which operates under a “weak mayor” or “council-manager” system. Reset examines the benefits and drawbacks of how things work in Phoenix, and what lessons Chicago can learn with David Swindell, associate professor and director for the Center for Urban Innovation at Arizona State University and Rick Naimark, former deputy city manager at Phoenix City Council.
In May, COVID-19 public health and national emergency declarations will end. That means hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents could lose access to Medicaid starting this summer. Resets speaks with healthcare experts Samantha Olds Frey and Jeff McInnes to learn more.
Unprecedented turnover among alderpersons, new ward boundaries and — possibly — a new mayoral administration could usher in a major sea change in how the Chicago City Council does business. Reset explores the challenges and opportunities for the legislative body after the Feb. 28 election with Alex Nitkin, Better Government Association reporter, Erin Hegarty, city hall reporter for The Daily Line, Jamie Nesbitt Golden, Bronzeville reporter for Block Club Chicago and Joe Ferguson, former City of Chicago Inspector General.
With the municipal election next week, Reset is revisiting our “Re-Imagine Chicago” series. What is the history of Chicago’s aldermanic system, and how does it impact residents and the city’s ability to get things done? Reset discusses with Chicago History Museum curator Julius L. Jones, 20th Ward Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor and 22nd Ward Alderman Michael Rodriguez.
Spoken word poetry got its own Grammy category this year and J. Ivy’s album, The Poet Who Sat By The Door, makes him the first to win. Reset chats with the Chicago-born artist about his journey, from being assigned poetry homework to writing his latest album.
A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Turkey-Syria border region Monday, just weeks after a two other major quakes devastated the region. Reset hears from humanitarian advocates Amina Demir, COO at Zakat Foundation and Dr. Zaher Sahloul, president and co-founder of MedGlobal, about how to best support their recovery efforts.
With the municipal election next week, Reset is revisiting our “Re-Imagine Chicago” series. Is Chicago's City Council set up to best serve its residents? The "strong mayor" form of government has its pros and cons, but what could a better system look like? Reset explores that question with Dick Simpson, professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, former aldermen of the 44th ward (1971-1979), Helen Shiller, former alderman of the 46th ward (1987-2011), and Will Howell, director of University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government at the Harris School of Public Policy.
Rebecca Makkai pulls from her own life to explore the country’s problematic obsession with true crime in her new novel. Reset talks with her about the intersection of cancel culture, systemic racism and the fetishization of the missing white woman in I Have Some Questions For You.
Early in-person voting and mail-in voting are underway for Chicago’s 2023 municipal elections. Whether you’ve dropped off your ballot or are waiting until election day on Feb. 28, we’ve got you covered. Reset breaks down voting options and voter turnout with Max Bever, director of public information at the Chicago Board of Elections.
Rochelle Trotter founded R’Culinare Consulting to help businesses reach their goals in the food and beverage industry. Through her non-profit The Charles and Rochelle Trotter Culinary Endowment, she’s also helping young people break into the industry. Reset talks with Trotter about creating and spreading joy through food.
WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo features movers and shakers who work to bring healing, joy and inquiry to their communities throughout Chicago as part of the Chi Sounds Like series. Reset highlights a Vocalo feature about painter Ennis Martin.
Around 12 million people in America over the age of 40 have a visual impairment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For Low Vision Awareness Month, Reset checks in with Julie Tye and Douglas Walker of the Winnetka-based nonprofit Hadley about its free tools and resources for people with vision loss.
WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo features movers and shakers who work to bring healing, joy and inquiry to their communities throughout Chicago as part of the Chi Sounds Like series. Reset highlights a Vocalo feature on a training coordinator for a nonprofit saving lives through first response training.
We take a listen to Governor Pritzker as he provides an overview of his proposed budget for Illinois. And Reset checks in with WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney and two lawmakers after the speech.
Producer: Michael Liptrot, Meha Ahmad
Editor: Andrew Meriwether, Meha Ahmad, Dan Tucker
After a tumultuous few years, the Chicago Reader moved to non-profit status in 2022. A six-month nationwide search for the right person to lead the new organization led to tapping a homegrown talent with experience at the Better Government Association and other Chicago-based organizations.
Reset checks in with the former publisher and the publisher-to-be who starts in mid-February.
Plus-size fashion has come a long way in the 119 years since Lane Bryant opened its doors in 1904, but it still has a long way to go. Many people still struggle to access the same clothing options as straight-size people. Reset learns more from fashion blogger Natalie Craig and journalist Gianluca Russo, author of The Power of Plus. Then we’ll hear from Jovana Savic, founder of Thick Mall, a local vintage market offering more options to plus-size customers and local writer Megan Kirby who covered Thick Mall for the New York Times.
This newest WBEZ podcast shares stories of Asian Americans and their relationships with identity, confidence, and success. Reset chats with the hosts Susie An and Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, along with producer Stephanie Kim to get a behind-the-scenes look at the pod.
A lifetime ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood was instituted in 1985, but change is afoot. Reset hears from Dr. Anu Hazra, University of Chicago infectious disease specialist, Jim Pickett, senior advisor with AVAC, Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention, Luke Romesberg, director of Youth Housing Program at the Center on Halsted, and Jennifer Brier, professor of history and gender and women’s studies, UIC.
Many asylum seekers arrive in Chicago with little knowledge of where they’ll sleep or how they’ll access food and care, especially mental health care. Reset hears about one migrant’s experience from Chicago-Sun Times journalist Elvia Malagón and from professor and social worker Aimee Hilado about what support migrants needs most.
Structural fatphobia is everywhere, including the skies. Almost no one can get comfortable on airplanes, and that’s especially true for fat and plus-size people. Reset speaks to podcast hosts Nicci Nunez and Alex Stewart who are leading trips around the world for plus-size people.
Chicago has some major decision-making to do in the February 28 election, and WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times are here to help you get up-to-date on the issues you care about. Reset talks to politics editors Tony Arnold and Angela Rozas O’Toole about the new mayoral questionnaire and quiz.
For countless Americans, the start of a new year brings renewed goals of weight loss, exercise and trying the latest diet trend. But for the sake of both mental and physical health, advocates are calling for a weight-neutral approach to fitness. Reset learns about what that would look like with Louise Green, C.P.T., plus-size trainer and founder of Big Fit Girl and Mirna Valerio, runner, speaker and author of A Beautiful Work in Progress.
Residents in Chicago and surrounding areas held vigils and protests demanding police accountability after the release of body cam footage that showed Memphis police officers brutally beating 29-year-old Tyre Nichols. He later died from his injuries. Reset talks with Sharon Fairley from the University of Chicago Law School, co-founder of the Let Us Breathe Collective Damon Williams and founder of the Lake County Chapter of Black Lives Matter Clyde McLemore.
A new grant from the city’s tourism arm Choose Chicago seeks to help 12 Chicago neighborhoods draw more tourism: Auburn Gresham, Austin, Back of the Yards, Englewood, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, New City, North Center, North Lawndale, Roseland, South Chicago and Hyde Park. Reset hears more about the program with vice president of Choose Chicago Rob Fojtk and hears from folks in neighborhoods who could receive this money.
Nominations for this year‘s Academy Awards were released this week, with the film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” leading the pack with 11 nominations. Meanwhile, critically-acclaimed films like “The Woman King,” “Till” and “Nope” were shut out of Hollywood’s biggest night of the year. Reset talks with a pop culture writer Michi Trota and a cinematic superfan, Jeremy Marder from the Music Box Theatre, for their takes on this year’s nominees.
In this installment of Reset’s on-going series “What’s That Building?” the show learns about a mini-architecture district in Hammond, Indiana, just over the border from Illinois. Reset hears from its architectural sleuth, Dennis Rodkin, about the First Baptist Church in Hammond, and how it came to preserve so much building history.
Companies that make disposable and reusable period products like tampons, cups, pads and underwear aren’t required to list the chemicals they contain. This came into focus after popular period underwear brand Thinx settled a class action lawsuit that alleged the company’s marketing misrepresented the safety of the products. Reset learns from health experts Anna Pollack and Jhumka Gupta of George Mason University about the research that goes into ensuring these products are safe and accessible.
Lunar New Year started Sunday. It’s supposed to be a time of celebration. But how might mass shootings targeting Asian Americans impact local Lunar New Year events? Reset is joined by Tuan Huynh and Van Huynh who are organizing festivities in Chicago, Alderwoman Nicole Lee and Stephanie Foerster from the Uptown Chamber of Commerce.
Reset architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin takes us to the Sheldon and Harriet Peck Homestead, a confirmed Underground Railroad site in west suburban Lombard.
As we mark three years with COVID-19, the FDA has announced the U.S. will soon move to a single dose of vaccine each year, like an annual flu shot. Reset checks in on that as the importance of sleep for our health with infectious disease specialist Dr. Mia Taormina of Duly Health and Care.
Jan. 22 marked 50 years since Roe v. Wade. Reset discusses the past, present and future of reproductive rights with journalist Shefali Luthra and abortion advocate Alicia Hurtado.
The Preston Bradley Center has been a staple of Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood since 1925. It was recently under threat of demolition, but former Uptown resident Dan Ivankovich decided to save the building and transform it into a multi-purpose space to serve the local community. Reset learns about the building's history and what it might look like in the future with Dennis Rodkin, reporter for Crain’s Chicago Business.
We ALL like to dance. A couple Chicago DJs are proving just that with their party, Global Currency, celebrating international club music inspired by one of Chicago’s musical exports — house music. DJ Mochi and DJ IGGY join Reset to share some tunes from South America, Africa, and more.
The Illinois Rifle Association sues to stop the state’s weapons ban, Nicor Gas proposes income-based utility rates, and the Chicago Bears have their sights set on Arlington Heights. Reset goes behind the headlines with Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor, WTTW-TV, Carrie Shepherd, lead producer of the podcast City Cast Chicago, and Steve Daniels, Crain’s Chicago Business senior reporter.
In our series “Lost And Found,” Reset helps listeners locate things in the Chicago area they’re struggling to find. In this installment, digital engagement producer Claire Hyman helps a set designer find fabric, wallpaper and more. And Bob Doepel, founder of Chicago Scenic Studios, explains a day in the life of a set designer.
Instances of LGBTQ hate crimes are increasing across the country, and Chicago isn’t immune. This week, a hammer-wielding man yelled slurs and attacked a queer-owned business in Rogers Park. Reset talks with journalist Jake Wittich, and Slo’mo producer Kristen Kaza about the impact of these attacks and what can be done to preserve safety in queer spaces.
In our series Lost and Found, producers track down things in Chicago that a Google search can’t uncover. Elizabeth emailed the show asking where she can find her friend’s favorite drink: Swedish egg coffee. Reset brings on producer Claire Hyman and Tre Kronor owner Patty Rasmussen to learn about the history of the beverage and how to make it.
An Asian American student was stabbed multiple times in the head while waiting to get off a bus at Indiana University. The attack has yet to be called a hate crime, though the attacker reportedly targeted the victim because she was “Chinese.” It’s clear that anti-Asian violence continues even past the surge the U.S. saw in 2020. But what more needs to be done? Reset discusses with a panel of Asian American activists and community members.
University of Illinois Chicago United Faculty union takes to the picket line after failing to reach an agreement with UIC administration. Reset hears from WBEZ reporter Lisa Philip and UIC faculty member Kate Floros.
Winter storm Elliott brought ice, sub-zero temperatures and high winds to much of the U.S. leading to a cascade of cancellations and delays over the busiest travel weekend of the year. On Monday alone there were over 4,000 flight cancellations in the U.S. and over 9,000 delays.
Reset learns how this happens, what you need to know as a passenger, and what advocates are pushing for to make travel smoother. We talk to David Schaper, NPR transportation correspondent, and Andrew Appelbaum, staff attorney for Flyers Rights.
Chicago R&B artist Ravyn Lenae is out with her debut album Hypnos. It’s been four years since she released her last EP, and fans are overjoyed. Ravyn joins Reset to discuss musical inspirations, Chicago artists and her new music. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
We're revisiting our conversation with Jess Shoman, frontwoman of the band Tenci. She joined Reset to discuss her music, recent tour and Chicago’s DIY music scene. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us
Saba’s latest album “Few Good Things,” took almost four years to finish. “Part of the personal evolution that you hear is just the time spent sitting with the record, tweaking the record, and being able to be present,” he told Reset. The Chicago hip-hop artist takes us inside his follow-up to 2018’s “CARE FOR ME” and tells us how vulnerability fuels his process. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Guten tag! It’s the winter season in the city, and you know what that means! We get to see annual beloved events again like Christkindlmarket.The bustling seasonal market is one of the most iconic winter traditions in Chicago. And who doesn’t love to swing by and get a drink in one of their famous mugs? But do you know the history and significance behind these markets?Reset hears from local Chicago German cultural experts.GUEST: Monica Jirak, Executive Director of Dank HausMaren Biester, CEO of German American Events, Organizers of the ChristkindlmarketsFor more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Illinois lawmakers finish up year’s final legislative session by compromising on controversial criminal justice bill and gather in Springfield to unveil a new historical marker. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in our Weekly News Recap. GUESTS:Alice Yin, politics reporter for the Chicago TribuneChristian Farr, NBC-5 Chicago reporterDan Mihalopoulos, government and politics reporter with WBEZFor more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Spotify tracked our listening history, and YOURS, all year to give you Spotify Wrapped. Are you uneasy yet?Reset shares our favorite songs of the year and digs into the good, the bad, and the ugly of Spotify.GUEST: Tammy McCann, award-winning Chicago singerIsabel Reidy, lead singer of indi-pop band Izzy TrueChe “Rhymefest” Smith, Chicago hip-hop artist and humanitarianFor more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
The world’s leaders met in Egypt for the COP27 summit on climate change — and these Chicago teens met with them.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference is an annual convening of countries to talk about and address climate change issues. The summit has youth observers — and this year, some of them were from Chicago. Reset talks with youth climate activists Antonio Padilla and Fatima Perez, high school seniors and members of Zero Waste Ambassadors at Solorio High School, about their experience at COP27.
Congress passed a bill forcing an agreement between companies and rail workers to avoid a rail strike. Reset talks to a labor expert Robert Bruno, professor and director of the Labor Education Program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, to find out what this means for rail workers and other unionization efforts around the country.
Here’s what to look out for when doing your holiday shopping online.Reset learns how to tell good and bad quality items when shopping online with Heather Kelly, Tech reporter for the Washington Post.
A recent lawsuit mandates the Chicago Police Department must change their gang-database. Mayor Lightfoot says there are ‘legitimate’ reasons for the Criminal Enterprise Information System, and rejects ideas of abolishing it. Reset learns more about the system and how advocates want to see it changed with Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW.
For decades the Magnificent Mile on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue was a staple of downtown. But in the last few years, the number of vacancies along Chicago’s iconic downtown stretch has continued to rise. A group of business owners and urban planners think it’s time to rethink what the Mag Mile could be and have some ideas. Reset sits down with Judy Crown, freelance reporter with Crain’s Chicago Business, and Mag Mile business owner Nichole Benolken to learn what could be in store.
Abortion bans might be the law of the land in some states, but they don’t have jurisdiction on the skies. Volunteer pilots can fly right through loopholes to get patients seeking abortion care across state lines.
Reset gets the scoop on Illinois nonprofit Elevated Access from freelance journalist Elly Fishman and Mike, a pilot and founder of Elevated Access.
Six groups are fighting for their chance to revitalize their community and win $10 million.
Today Reset discusses a plan that could provide Chicago’s South Shore with more affordable housing, a health center and commercial spaces. We talk to Leon Walker with DL3 Realty; Ms. Jera Slaughter, resident of South Shore and founder of the South Shore 7th Ward Community Council and Community Round Table; and Anthony Simpkins, president of Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago.
Reset sits down with Chicago-based DJ Terry Hunter about his recent Grammy nomination for his remix of Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” and how he wants to see house grow in the future.
Behind every great movie is an equally great score. And there is a long tradition of orchestras playing movie scores live—including this weekend at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.Reset talks to the CSO at the Movies conductor Richard Kaufman and a local music critic Britt Julious about The Princess Bride in concert.
Thanksgiving is a time filled with food, loved ones, and more food. So much food we aren’t sure what to do with the rest. Reset speaks with Jordan Wimby, known as Melanin Martha — a food preservationist and cultural historian — about new ways to use your Thanksgiving leftovers.
Children and preteens wield $1.2 trillion in purchasing power every year. This is through items they buy directly, or that they convince their parents to buy for them, according to a 2018 Viacom report. And tech companies know it. Reset learns more about the effects tech and advertising can have on children’s learning and values with Susan Linn, psychologist, child play expert and author of Who’s Raising the Kids?: Big Tech, Big Business, and the Lives of Children.
Reset sits down with Ebony Scott, CEO of Scott School of Careers, who opened several nursing schools herself across the city to find out how she did it and what compelled her to take action.
The 2022 World Cup is underway in Qatar. The host country has received pushback on a number of recent decisions, from the sale of beer to players’ right to protest.
Reset checks in with Brian Sandalow, contributing sports writer to Chicago Sun-Times and two professors from Northwestern in Qatar — Susan Dun and Craig LaMay — about the tumultuous backdrop of this year's World Cup.
Ten million dollars is up for grabs to fund real estate and community development plans in the South and West sides. This grant comes out of the Pritzker Traubert Foundation and will be awarded in December.
Reset sits down with one of the six finalists to talk about the need for a community hub and to centralize resources for youth, seniors and returning citizens in Back of the Yards. We hear from Craig Chico, president and CEO of Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council; Father Dave Kelly, executive director of Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Back of the Yards; and Matt Mosher, partner and cofounder of Park Row Development.
There are more than 20,000 stillbirths in the U.S each year, but research suggests that many of them could be preventable.
Reset speaks with ProPublica investigative reporter Duaa Eldeib, and Dr. Bob Silver, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Utah, to learn about the obstacles to preventing stillbirths, and how more babies could be delivered safely.
After a shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado over the weekend killed five people and injured dozens more, people are devastated.
We talk with local voices Kristen Kaza, producer of Slo’mo, one of Chicago’s longest running LGBTQ centered parties; and McKensie Mack, founder and CEO of MMG Earth — a Black and non-binary led research and change management firm — about what they’re feeling when safe spaces are no longer safe.
There is no more walking down the streets of Chicago. The lake has taken the land. This is the story of a new audio drama called Lake Song. Reset explores the story of success and survival in the future Windy City with Jeremy McCarter, founder and executive producer for Make-Believe Association, and Laura Alcalá Baker, co-creator, casting director and line producer for Lake Song.
Cook County unanimously passes next year’s budget, while Cook County homeowners finally get a look at their property tax bills. Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot rolls out an ambitious plan for the CTA. Reset goes behind those headlines and more with Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent, Monica Eng, Chicago reporter for AXIOS, and A.D. Quig, Cook County and Chicago government reporter for the Chicago Tribune in our Weekly News Recap.
Thanksgiving is nearly here, and as you get ready for the big meal, we’re telling you all about our favorite new food spots to hit up when you’re hungry. Reset digs into local foodies’ Nick Kindelsperger, food critic for the Chicago Tribune, and Steve Dolinsky, author and the NBC-5 food reporter, about new restaurant picks and we share our own.
Reset digs deeper into efforts to cultivate living landscapes in manmade environments like the roofs of buildings across the city. Molly Meyer, CEO and founder of Omni Ecosystems, and Mike Repkin, director of research and development at Omni Ecosystems, join us to talk about why reconnecting with nature that way is so important.
If your neighborhood has historic disinvestment, few grocery stores and you don’t have a car, you might have to take two buses just to get the food you need. A new initiative in Bronzeville is hoping to bridge this gap with an app that calls an electric rideshare vehicle to your door, bringing green technology to the neighborhood and addressing entrenched problems. Reset talks to Paula Robinson, managing member at Bronzeville Partners LLC, and Billy Davis, general manager at Jitney EV, to talk about this initiative and how intentional workforce development is essential in making sure South Side residents benefit from the transition to a green economy.
Black and Latino residents in Chicago are more likely than their white counterparts to be exposed to industrial pollution. As a result, they have higher rates of asthma and other chronic health conditions. Reset explores why environmental racism exists on the South Side, where the industrial hotspots are today, and how local leaders are working toward environmental justice with Karen Weigert, Reset Sustainability contributor and director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, Gina Ramirez, mother living on the Southeast Side and Midwest outreach manager for Natural Resources Defense Council, and Naomi Davis, founder and president of Blacks In Green.
Duckworth plans to push for an assault weapons ban, stronger benefits for U.S. veterans and their families, water protections and more when the next Congress is sworn in in January, and she says there’s a lot of important work to do before that during the lame duck session. Reset talks to newly-reelected U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth about those priorities and why she believes bipartisanship is still a possibility, even with a divided legislative branch.
Whole Foods just checked out of Englewood, and it’s just one of the grocery stores that closed recently on the city’s South and West sides. Will millions in city subsidies deliver healthy solutions for food deserts? Reset talks with Alderman Jason Ervin, 28th Ward, as well as Asiaha Butler, executive director of R.A.G.E Englewood, who is looking to expand food access.
Chicago City Colleges and the non-profit One Million Degrees announced a new partnership to provide students mentorship, coaching and professional development support. Reset talks with Aneesh Sohoni, CEO of One Million Degrees, and Juan Salgado, Chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago, to learn more about the partnership and its potential impact.
In 2018, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless proposed an ordinance that would tax home sales over $1 million at a higher rate in an effort to fight homelessness in Chicago. On Monday, Mayor Lightfoot and her allies in City Council blocked a hearing for that ordinance, known as Bring Chicago Home. Reset breaks down what happened and what’s next with Carla Johnson, grassroots leader with the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, and Ald. Matt Martin, 47th Ward, and Ald. Maria Hadden, 49th Ward, the two sponsors of the ordinance.
As outside temperatures drop, so has new music from a handful of rising Chicago artists. Bundle up to a range of sounds from musicians Human Bloom and Sam Hudgens, DIY R&B songstress ALIAH, and rapper Vicki Street. Plus, singer ASXA returns with powerful vocals. Reset sits down with Vocalo Radio’s Stephen Bekoe to hear his top 5 picks “In Rotation” for November.
Industries like tech and business are difficult to get into if you don’t have the access to opportunities that will teach you the things you need to know. One of the finalists of the Pritzker Traubert Foundation’s $10 million dollar Chicago Prize wants to bring those opportunities to Greater Grand Crossing. Reset talks to finalists Rhonda Hopps, executive director for the Comer Education Campus, Greg Mooney, board chair for the Comer Education Campus, and Vondale Singleton, founder of C.H.A.M.P.S. Male Mentoring Program, to hear their pitch to increase access not only in their community, but to neighboring communities.
Twitter has long been a crucial place for socializing and sharing information, especially among marginalized communities, but the chaos unleashed by Elon Musk’s takeover has many worried that their beloved forum is dissolving before their eyes. Reset breaks down what’s next for Twitter’s chronic illness community with Brianne Benness, host of the podcast No End In Sight and creator of #NEISVoid, and for Black Twitter with Keith Reed, contributing writer at The Root and co-host of the podcast Run Tell This.
Major technology companies like Meta, Twitter and Salesforce all announced layoffs over the last several weeks. But smaller start-ups, including some here in Chicago, are also making cuts. Reset speaks with an expert on venture capital, Craig Wortmann, and a local tech journalist for Crain’s Chicago Business, John Pletz, to find out what this latest wave of layoffs means for Chicago and for the economy. We also hear from Danielle Abril, Washington Post reporter, about tips for surviving a layoff.
How the Light Felt, the latest album from Chicago alternative band Smut, is out now. Reset checks in with vocalist Tay Roebuck, bass and synth player Bell Cenower and guitarist Andrew Min.
Winter is right around the corner, so it’s time for some indoor fun. Reset gets board game recommendations from JP Nery, owner of Chicagoland Games.
Congressman Chuy Garcia joins the mayoral race. Democrats dominate the midterms. Chicago’s City Council approves Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s 2023 budget. Reset goes behind those headlines and more with Chicago Tribune chief political reporter Rick Pearson, CW 26 reporter and anchor Brandon Pope, and FOX 32 political editor Mike Flannery.
A hidden door in what looks like a laundromat. A theater with dining-room-style seating where magicians come right to your table. All this is an ordinary evening at the Chicago Magic Lounge in Andersonville. Reset learns more about their shows with Joey Cranford, CEO and co-founder of Chicago Magic Lounge, and speaks to one of their current magician residents Paige Thompson.
So many people are suffering silently due to long COVID. But, they’ve also come together to support each other in their fight for access to quality care. Reset talks with Dr. David Putrino, director of rehabilitation innovation for the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, Dr. Pete Thomas, internal medicine and preventive community medicine specialist at Howard Brown Health in Chicago, Kathie Kane-Willis, director of policy and advocacy at Chicago Urban League, and Samantha Lane, LCSW for Humboldt Park Counseling and host of the Long COVID Support & Processing Group. We also dive deeper with Netia McCray, director of education for the COVID-19 Longhauler Advocacy Project, Fiona Lowenstein, founder of the Body Politic COVID-19 Support Group and editor of The Long COVID Survival Guide and Chimére L. Smith, long COVID patient consultant in Baltimore.
The polls closed last night, and some races in other states are still too close to call. But most results are in for Illinois and Cook County elections. Reset breaks down everything you need to know about the midterm elections with, Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter, Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter.
Imagine being a student-athlete. You secured your athletic scholarship and got accepted into college. But then, the NCAA tells you that you’re academically ineligible to play in school. This isn’t an uncommon situation. Reset discusses the challenges of navigating certain academic requirements set by the NCAA and talks to Joyce Anderson, co-founder and COO of Honest Game, a group working with high schools and students to prepare them to play in college.
A few months ahead of Chicago’s municipal elections, aldermen approved the mayor’s spending plan 32-18. Reset explores the biggest takeaways from Chicago’s newly-approved budget with WTTW politics reporter Heather Cherone.
Games are fun, but are they art? One philosopher makes the case. Reset talks to C. Thi Nguyen, associate professor of philosophy at the University of Utah.
Cultivate Collective is combining wellness and sustainability to bring greener options and opportunities to the Southwest Side. They’re one of six groups from the South and West sides that are in the running for a $10 million dollar grant from the Pritzker Traubert Foundation. The Chicago Prize will be awarded to the group with the best pitch for a development project in their neighborhood on the South or West sides.
Reset explores speaks with Niquenya Collins, president of Cultivate Collective; Sarah Elizabeth Ippel, board member of Cultivate Collective and executive director of the Academy for Global Citizenship; and Kris De la torre, sustainability officer for Cultivate Collective.
Typically, karaoke go-tos include Whitney Houston or ABBA. But Edgewater resident Jason E. Jackson subverted those expectations when he went the operatic route to win the first Chicago Sings Karaoke competition.
Reset riffs with Chicago’s first-ever karaoke champion.
The respiratory illness RSV is straining pediatric hospitals across the country, with Advocate Children’s Hospital’s chief medical officer tweeting: “We are in a major crisis and we absolutely need all hands on deck for our children!!!”
Reset checks in with Dr. Mia Taormina of Duly Health and Care about what signs to watch out for when it comes to RSV.
In an effort to expand bike transit to the South and West sides, the Chicago bike shop Working Bikes partnered with Divvy to train future bike mechanics. The program pays a weekly stipend and could lead to employment at Divvy. Reset speaks with the instructor for the program Xail Hernandez and one of the graduates, Eli Jackson.
Reset goes behind the biggest local headlines with Lynn Sweet, Washington Bureau Chief for the Chicago Sun-Times, Carrie Shepherd, lead producer of the podcast City Cast Chicago, and Alex Degman, statehouse reporter for WBEZ.
The latest jobs report out Friday shows the U.S. economy added 261,000 jobs in October. But can job growth stay strong as the Federal Reserve works to tamp down inflation? Reset checks in with Diane Swonk, chief economist at financial services firm KPMG.
A patient at Northwestern Medicine’s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute is expected to go home this week after receiving the state’s first heart donated after circulatory death. Reset learns more from the institute’s Dr. Jane Wilcox about how this technology could help save countless lives.
Food waste emits methane as it breaks down, a process that contributes to global warming. Reset talks to Jonathan Pereira, executive director Plant Chicago and Amy DeLorenzo of the Illinois Food Scrap and Composting Coalition about composting pumpkins after Halloween to keep them out of landfills. Plus, we get some pumpkin cooking tips from Jordan Wimby, a food preservationist and cultural historian also known as “Melanin Martha.”
For decades chemical relaxers have been central to the hair regimen of many Black women. Recently, court cases and ongoing studies have challenged that these same chemical relaxers are linked to cancer.
Reset convenes a panel featuring Arionne Nettles, lecturer at Northwestern University; Mary Mitchell, Chicago Sun-Times columnist; and Dr. Maya Green, Chief Medical Officer at Howard Brown Health on what this means for Black hair.
Reset talks about recent reports of ring-wing campaign mailers disguised as newspapers with NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik and WBEZ politics reporter Dan Mihalopoulos. Then Reset learns about the importance of media literacy with Michelle Ciulla Lipkin, executive director of National Association for Media Literacy Education, and Alex Mahadevan, director of MediaWise at the Poynter Institute.
If you’re not going to fight for your community, then who is? Residents of the Southeast Side came together when a car-shredding facility planned to move its factory to their neighborhood. But with General Iron behind them, what’s left to do in the fight for clean air and water on the Southeast Side? Reset talks to two local residents: Gina Ramirez, Midwest outreach manager for the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Vanessa Bly, co-founder of Bridges // Puentes Justice Collective about their work to improve the lives and health of their neighbors.
The recent attack of Paul Pelosi has once again put a spotlight on rising political violence in the U.S. It’s just one of many examples of threats and attacks, particularly by far-right groups, that have occurred in the wake of Donald Trump’s former presidency. Reset speaks with historian Kathleen Belew about why we’re seeing this rise and violence and how it might affect the election just one week away.
One community-based project will get $10 million from the Pritzker Traubert Foundation for the best plan to improve the lives of residents on the South or West Side of Chicago through economic development projects.
Reset speaks with Theodore Joseph of the Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative; Ayesha Jaco with West Side United; and Kemena Brooks with Community Builders, to learn about their Chicago Prize submission to create a safer and healthier community in West Garfield Park.
The Supreme Court heard two cases that could determine whether colleges and universities are allowed to consider race as one of many factors in the admissions process.
Reset discusses what we learned from Monday’s oral arguments with Steven Schwinn, professor of law at University of Illinois Chicago Law School and co-editor of Constitutional Law Prof Blog. Then Reset learns what local college students have to say about affirmative action with Nereida Moreno, WBEZ education reporter.
A good Samaritan’s work is currently at risk of being undone by the city and some neighbors.
Andy Robledo has been supplying Chicago’s homeless with high-quality tents for about a year to brace for colder weather. But now some of those tents face removal by the city.
Reset finds out more about Robledo’s efforts and what the city’s “sweeps” of tents and encampments could mean for Chicago’s unhoused.
Kevin Morby latest album, This Is A Photograph, explores anxiety, love, and even mortality.
Morby sat down with Reset to discuss his musical influences, his latest tour, and his midwestern roots.
Weapon modifications like switches and extended magazines are making guns deadlier.
Reset hears from Chicago Sun-Times reporters Stephanie Zimmerman and Frank Main to find out where this hardware is coming from and how it's affecting violent crime.
Candidates up and down the ballot are making their final pitches to voters ahead of the midterms, reported hate crimes are up in Chicago, and more local workers are unionizing as inflation puts the squeeze on Americans.
Reset goes behind the headlines with its panel guests: Kimberley Egonmwan, commentator for WVON and attorney, Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter, Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor, WTTW-TV.
Sports journalist and cultural commentator Jemele Hill’s new memoir Uphill is a thought-provoking, humorous and inspiring account of her rise to becoming an influential sports journalist and media iconoclast. Reset learns from Hill about growing up in Detroit, being a Black woman in sports media and how she found her voice as a writer and cultural critic.
Chicago is known for its architecture boat tours. Some companies run a haunted version, which is a treat, not a trick. Reset sets sail on one such tour and talks with Patrick Croft and Jake Thomas, haunted boat tour guides with Seadog River Tours.
From plants and critters dying to the passing of our loved ones, death and decay is all around us, and one Chicago professor argues there’s beauty in it. Reset talks with Liam Heneghan, DePaul professor of Environmental Science and Studies, about how we benefit from death and decay.
From Resurrection Mary to the Candyman, there is no shortage of urban legends and ghost stories in Chicago. What is behind all this local mythology and lore? Author and historian Adam Selzer joins Reset to dig into what goes bump in the night in Chicago.
Tinikling is a traditional Filipino dance that involves bamboo sticks, a lot of jumping and a bit of danger. But for many Filipinos, it’s more than just a dance. Reset talks with Ginger Leopoldo, executive director of Center for Immigrant Resources and Community Arts-Pintig, or CIRCA-Pintig. We also hear from dancers Neil Lagatao and Ysabel Claudio, students at Loyola University and members of KAPWA Loyola.
The Whole Foods on 63rd and Halsted is the largest grocery store in Englewood, but it’s closing for good on November 13. Reset talks with Cecile De Mello, executive director Teamwork Englewood, Asiaha Butler, executive director of R.A.G.E Englewood, Sana Syed, senior director of strategic initiatives with the Inner-City Muslim Action Network and Go Green On Racine, Ezra Lee, farm manager for Growing Home, and Daniel Mackey, workforce development manager for Growing Home.
The Pritzker Traubert Foundation is set to invest $10 million dollars into a single community-driven initiative aimed at bettering the lives of residents on the South or West Side of Chicago. Reset sits down with Abraham Lacy and Florence Hardy of the Far South Community Development Corporation, one of the finalists for the prize.
Neighborhoods across Chicago are hiring private security firms to combat crime. Reset talks with Ald. Sophia King, 4th Ward, about why she’s bringing the idea to Bronzeville. Then, researchers Macro Fabbri from the University of Bologna and Will Pelfrey from Virginia Commonwealth University explain what research tells about the effectiveness of private security patrols.
You likely know Joe Trohman best for his role as the guitarist and founder of Chicago band Fall Out Boy. But his new autobiography, None of This Rocks, reveals much more about the artist and his relationships, as he tells Reset.
The Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, is coming up Monday and you might consider celebrating it with a variety of South Asian desserts. Reset talks with Ashok Selvam, editor of Eater Chicago, and Jasmine Sheth, James Beard Foundation grant winner and creator of Tasting India, about South Asian desserts to celebrate the holiday this year.
Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap with Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter, Jacoby Cochran, City Cast Chicago host, and Ray Long, Chicago Tribune investigative reporter and author of The House That Madigan Built: The Record Run of Illinois’ Velvet Hammer.
Hate crimes against the Asian American Pacific Islander community have been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Reset talks with Seong-Ah Cho, director of organizing for Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago and Natasha Chan, board member for Asians are Strong, about the steps they and their organizations are taking to combat that hate.
Americans now owe $877 billion on their credit cards. Reset talks with Olga Gorbachev, associate professor of economics at the University of Delaware and Chrisitan Weller, fellow at the Center for American Progress about how debt is affecting families and what it could mean for the economy.
About 100 million Americans now use TikTok, including two-thirds of teens. “We’re not talking about a dance app,” Abbie Richards, a researcher who studies disinformation on TikTok, tells the Washington Post. “We’re talking about a platform that’s shaping how a whole generation is learning to perceive the world.”
Reset checks in with Washington Post tech reporter Drew Harwell to examine the spectacular rise of the world’s favorite video-sharing platform and what comes next for TikTok and its users.
Thousands of Central and South American migrants have arrived in Chicago, and leaders across the city are rushing to provide adequate housing and support for them. But some aldermen are calling on Mayor Lightfoot to do more.
For more on what efforts are happening right now to support asylum seekers in Chicago, Reset checks in with 12th Ward Ald. George Cardenas; Stephanie Willding of Community Health; Mario Garcia with Onward Neighborhood House; and Swathi Staley of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
A new poll from WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times finds more than half of Illinois voters are in favor of keeping abortion legal.
Reset talks with WBEZ politics reporter Kristen Schorch for more on what this issue means for voters.
Reset sits down with author Stephanie Foo to discuss her memoir What My Bones Know. The book details Foo’s struggle with Complex PTSD, a little understood disorder. She explores her childhood trauma, the impact of C-PTSD on her life and others, and how she found recovery.
Kroger and Albertsons, the owners of Mariano’s and Jewel Osco chains, recently announced a $20 billion merger. Locally, this deal unites one of the oldest Chicago franchises with its primary competitor. Reset checks in with listeners and with Ashok Selvam, editor of Eater Chicago, and Brianna Wellen, associate editor at The Takeout.
After 15 years of planning and fundraising, leaders broke ground on the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago. Reset checks in with the organization’s executive director Lisa Yun Lee and the vice chair of its board Crystal Palmer.
From "Making Oprah to Making Obama, WBEZ is bringing listeners another season of the podcast that explores the roots and early years of icons, leaders and game changers.
Reset sits down with the new host of Making, Brandon Pope, about what to expect this season.
AT&T admits to bribery, agrees to a $23 million fine, while additional charges are filed against former House Speaker Mike Madigan.
Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap with WBEZ reporter Mike Puente; WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos; and Kimberley Egonmwan, commentator for WVON and attorney.
Spend this fall season extra caffeinated. Reset digs into what makes a delicious cup of coffee. Also: the return of Coffee Con!
We talk to Kevin Sinnott, host and creator of Coffee Con; Hara Kumaran, roaster for Metric Coffee; and Felton Kizer, co-founder of Monday Coffee.
Ladonna Freidheim, a wheelchair dancer, has tried to join dance classes before, only to be met with: “What about our floors?”
So how can dance studios make sure they’re opening their doors to people of all abilities? Reset explores what accessibility looks like in the dance world with Sarah Najera, artistic and executive director of MOMENTA Dance Company, and Ladonna Freidheim, wheelchair dancer and founder of ReinventAbility.
Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle is urging people to apply for a guaranteed income program called the Cook County Promise. About 32,000 applications will be chosen at random, and the winners get those monthly $500 payments for two years to spend however they choose.
Reset checks in with Preckwinkle about the basics of the program. We also hear from Rachel Pyon with Equity and Transformation, a group of activists that have started their own guaranteed income program in West Garfield Park.
We dig into what you need to know about why kids are filling up hospital beds this season, and how to keep children in your life safe, with Dr. Kshetrapal, emergency medicine physician at Lurie Children’s Hospital.
Could voluntary mediation be the answer to building trust between Chicagoans and police officers?
The city of Chicago launched a new pilot program that brings in mediators to guide conversations between police and people filing low-level misconduct claims against them.
Reset talks about the benefit of community-police mediation and how successful this practice has been in other cities with Rae Kyritsi, programs director at the Center for Conflict Resolution in Chicago, and Jules Griff, director of the New Orleans Community-Police Mediation Program.
The demand for LGBTQ representation in literature is growing across genres. Reset talks to authors Bea Hitchman and Anita Kelly and bookseller and TikTokker Laynie Rose Rizer.
From iconic spots to little-known hidden gems, your chance to explore the city in a new way has arrived.
Every October, the Chicago Architecture Center hosts a public festival that celebrates design throughout the city, and this year visitors have the opportunity to visit over 20 neighborhoods and culturally significant sites.
Reset hears about the festival and what to expect from this year’s open house from Hallie Rosen, Director of Program Director of Program Operations and head of Open House Chicago
Chicago faith leaders delivered sermons about mental health issues to destigmatize the subject and provide congregants with resources. Reset talks with Pastor Ira Acree of Greater St. John Bible Church and Katie McKillen, Chicago Regional Vice President of Evolent Health.
Russian forces Monday launched the most violent attack Ukraine has seen in months. In what Russian president Vladimir Putin called a reaction to an attack on a Russian bridge, Russian missiles targeted cities across Ukraine, including the capital, Kyiv. So far 11 have been reported dead and more than 60 have been injured.
Reset checks in with Ukrainian Americans in Chicago: policy expert John Hewko, CEO of Rotary International; Iuliia Skuibida, a refugee camp volunteer; and history educator Olya Soroka with the Holodomor Descendants Network.
In recent years, there’s been a lot of movement on recognizing the enduring culture, history, and impact of Indigenous peoples. And yet the way it’s taught in schools still has a long way to go. But the way it’s taught in schools still has a long way to go.
Reset talks with Patty Loew, Northwestern University professor and citizen of Mashkiiziibii; and Gina Caneva, a library media specialist at East Leyden High School in Franklin Park.
Chicago multi-instrumentalist Nnamdi visits Reset on the release day of his impressive new album, Please Have A Seat. He also shares who he’s excited about in the Chicago music scene, and why he’s already looking ahead to what’s next.
DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is an Obama-era policy that granted protected legal status to undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. But this week, the 5th Circuit court in New Orleans, La. declared DACA to be illegal.
The court allowed current recipients to reapply, keeping the status of the program unchanged, but the future of it uncertain.
Reset hears from DACA recipients Erendira Rendon, vice president of immigrant justice at The Resurrection Project; and Dulce Dominguez, development director at Alianza Americas.
Pritzker and Bailey faced off on TV, just in time for early voting to begin; several children were among victims of gun violence over the weekend; and the Chicago Red Stars owner is out in the wake of a women’s soccer abuse scandal.
Oh, and Chicago is about to kick off a citywide karaoke contest.
Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap with AXIOS’s Monica Eng, Lynn Sweet of r the Chicago Sun-Times, and the BGA’s David Greising.
Agriculture is a vital industry that we all rely on — after all, it’s what feeds us. But in 2020, the industry was responsible for 11.2% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, which contributes to a warming planet. This, in turn, creates challenges for growers whose seasons are impacted by intense rainfall and warmer night time temperatures.
Reset learns more about this with Illinois state climatologist Trent Ford; Liz Moran Stelk, executive director of Illinois Stewardship Alliance; and Andy Hazzard, founder of Hazzard Free Grain farm in Pecatonica, IL.
There has been no end in sight to the debate around a Black actress playing Ariel in the upcoming live-action “Little Mermaid.” But the debate, the backlash, and the never-ending nitpicking doesn’t end there. Reset talks through the problematic reasoning against Black actors in recent fantasy shows and films, and the importance of diversity on screen.
The Onion is going to the mat to protect the right to parody. And their brief filed with the Supreme Court reads like, well, a hilarious Onion article. Reset checks in with Onion head writer Mike Gillis.
In his new book Boys Will Be Humans, actor Justin Baldoni creates an instructional guide to unlearning toxic masculinity and embracing emotions.
Reset sits down with leaders of the BASE Chicago, an organization based in West Garfield Park that provides a range of programming for urban youth from baseball and softball training, to violence prevention and even college readiness.
A new independent investigation shows abuse allegations were swept under the rug as coaches moved from team to team. Reset talks through the report with two sports reporters and explores how it could impact generations of young female soccer players to come.
No new property taxes, funds to support migrants, an increase in the police budget, and more were included in Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s budget address Monday. Hit play to listen to the full speech.
In 1919, Chicago erupted into race riots after white beachgoers killed a Black teen named Eugene Williams. Poet Eve Ewing tells the story of that so-called "Red Summer" in her poetry collection 1919. Now, playwright J. Nicole Brooks has re-imagined Ewing's poems as a play, which debuts at the Steppenwolf Theatre on Oct. 4. Reset sits down with Ewing about the adaptation, the emotional weight of that summer in 1919, and how it continues today.
There are 44,000 federal rules, laws and policies that restrict and sanction people after incarceration that pose “permanent punishments.” WTTW is hosting a four part mini-series exploring the barriers that exist for the 3.3 million people in Illinois that have been incarcerated. Reset hears more about the series and how permanent punishments impact people’s lives from WTTW host Brandis Friedman, Marlon Chamberlain of Heartland Alliance’s Fully Free campaign and Celia Colón, founder of Giving Others Dreams.
No matter how hard we try, we all generate trash. And the fabrics we don’t want anymore — clothes, towels, blankets, rags — are harder to recycle than they might seem, as most fabrics are a mix of fibers and material types, requiring different techniques that can’t be done on a large scale.
A local weaver implements sustainable techniques at an artist-run industrial mill in Humboldt Park–but even so, there’s still fabric scraps leftover. So she’s trying out a community approach to deal with these scraps. It involves a people-powered fabric shredder.
Due to declining enrollment, Chicago is no longer the country’s third-largest school district. Northwestern unveils plans for a new football stadium in Evanston. Reset takes a deep dive into these stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap with Natalie Moore, WBEZ reporter on the Race, Class and Communities desk, Mick Dumke, reporter and columnist ProPublica Illinois, and Heather Cherone, Chicago politics reporter for WTTW News.
OK, bakers! Get your starters ready.
Cooler weather calls for heartier meals that aren’t complete without breads of all kinds, shapes and sizes. (also bonus: it’s Bread Week, GBBO fans!)
Reset checks in with a local James Beard Award-winning baker about his new bread cookbook.
To reduce their carbon footprints, New York and Los Angeles have banned gas-powered stoves and heating in new construction. Chicago is taking a different approach.
A new ordinance requires new homes to be “electric ready.” The city isn’t banning gas appliances in homes, but wants residents to more easily be able to switch to electric ones if they choose. But how can people who can’t afford to buy a new home be part of this transition?
Reset finds out more about electrification, and checks in with an advocate to learn more about these efforts.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
The nearly dozen suits, filed in Lake County, claims the shooting was “predictable and preventable.” They add to the over 100 charges the shooter already faces, which include first-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm.
Reset get the details and learns how the suit could impact the alleged shooter’s pending criminal case.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Yes, hackers can spy on some of what you’re doing on your laptop if you’re browsing the web in a coffee shop. But public networks are worlds safer than they were a few years ago.
Reset learns the do’s and don’ts of using public WiFi networks.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Invest South/West is Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s signature economic development plan.
Reset explores why so few projects appear to be moving forward three years since the mayor announced the program. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
We spoke to learn why people are targeting these books, and what libraries are doing to protect access to challenged titles.
GUEST: Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association and executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation at American Library Association Commissioner Chris Brown, Chicago Public Library
The city is pushing for 1,000 new housing units to revitalize Lasalle Street. Despite being synonymous with Chicago’s financial services industry, Lasalle Street has a higher vacancy rate than any other area downtown.
Reset talks to a reporter for a breakdown of the city’s goals and plans.
GUEST: Melody Mercado, Block Club Chicago reporter covering the Loop, West Loop, River North and the Gold Coast
The pandemic has forced many people to rethink their job paths, so Reset talked to three professional coaches about how to take the next step in our careers.
GUESTS: Phoebe Gavin, career and leadership coach and executive director of talent and development at Vox.com Kate Brooks, board-certified career coach and counselor Bianca Jeanty, career coach and speaker
Coach K and Coach Knikkie bonded over a love of the sport, and cheer each other on, even when their teams face off, which was another record setting event in Illinois.
Reset sits down with the coaches and learns about what drives and unites them and how they hope to draw positive attention to their schools.
GUEST: Konesha Rhea, Head Varsity Football Coach DuSable Panthers Jouscelyn Mayfield, Christian Fenger Academy High School
Abbott Elementary is back after collecting a few awards at the Emmys. Reset chatted about our initial impression of the start of Season 2 with a TV critic and panel of Abbott fans.
GUEST: Danette Chavez, Editor-in-Chief of Primetimer Brandon Pope, reporter/anchor at CW 26 Arionne Nettles, journalism lecturer at Northwestern University
More migrants are bused up to Chicago from Texas, Mayor Lightfoot appoints a new North Side alderman, while City Council approves a measure to protect abortion access.
Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
GUESTS: Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune state government reporter Erin Hegarty, City Hall reporter, the Daily Line Christian Farr, NBC-5 Chicago reporter
Only two Chicago spots made the New York Times’ 2022 list of America’s best restaurants. But we think they overlooked some of our other great restaurants. Because regardless of what kind of food you’re in the mood for, you’ll easily find it in Chicago.
Reset talks through our overall favorite spots and what you should order when you visit for yourself.
GUEST: Aimee Levitt, freelancer and former deputy editor at Eater Chicago Steve Dolinsky, author and the NBC-5 food reporter
Have your airport experiences in Chicago been sub-par? You’re not alone. A recent survey of the country’s airports found that travelers are increasingly frustrated with O’Hare and Midway airports.
Reset hears more about how those airports are ranked.
The warming planet is causing more intense storms and extreme weather, which is forcing millions of people to flee their homes around the world. Some experts say this problem will only get worse as conditions become more unbearable.
Reset talks with Juan Declet-Barreto with the Union of Concerned Scientists and Gaia Vince, author Nomad Century: How Climate Migration Will Reshape Our World.
Chicagoan Crystal Dyer wanted to help the young people in her Austin community be exposed to the beauty of the wide world. A travel agent herself, she knew what getting out of your environment and exploring the world could do to your perspective.
So she began a program to do just that: connect at-risk youth—many of whom may have never been on a plane before, or owned a passport — with different countries, cultures and people.
Reset talks to Dyer about why she chooses travel to connect with youth
Efforts to ban books are on the rise, presenting challenges to schools and libraries across the country.
And a new report from PEN America says challenges to library books are not just coming from concerned parents, but are actually part of an organized political effort.
Reset checks in with Jonathan Friedman of PEN America and Susie An, WBEZ education reporter to learn more about the report and what’s at stake
Earlier this year, Chicago chefs rallied to cook for Ukrainians — it was an event that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in humanitarian aid due to the war in Ukraine.
Now, local chefs are teaming up again — this time, for the Tigray region of Ethiopia.
Ethiopians in the country’s northern Tigray region are experiencing possibly the worst health crisis in the entire world. This is due to a two-year conflict between the ruling party and the central government, as well as the worst drought the country has seen in 40 years.
Reset talks to two of the organizers behind Chicago Chefs Cook For Tigray to find out more about what to expect at the night of culture and food.
Sterigenics in Dupage County and two companies in Lake County used the cancer-causing chemical ethylene oxide in sterilization processes for years before nearby residents began to report higher-than-normal levels of a number of cancers.
Reset speaks with Michael Hawthorne, reporter at the Chicago Tribune, about the first lawsuit against Sterigenics over use of the known carcinogen, which Springfield considered banning in 2019.
Volunteers and nonprofits are meeting people as they arrive and helping to provide housing, healthcare and food. But these immigrants are in a precarious position because they can’t legally work in the country until six months after they submit their asylum application. Meanwhile, that application process requires money for legal fees, and many of the non-profits that help immigrants with this process are at capacity.
Reset speaks with Laura Mendoza, immigration organizer, The Resurrection Project, Johannes Javi, director of ICDI’s Chicago Immigrant Transit Assistance program, Nicole Hallett, director, Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, University of Chicago Law School, Ed Pratt, Executive Director, Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants, about local efforts to support migrants’ needs in the short- and long-term needs
Sweater weather is just around the corner but with it comes flu season.
Reset answers your most asked questions about colds, flus, covid and monkeypox with the help of Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist with Duly Health and Care
Critically-acclaimed band, Whitney, released their 4th album, SPARKS, this past week. The new album experiments with synthesizers and other electronic elements that make the new record a departure from the band's typical sound.
Reset caught up with the band about the inspiration behind the new record.
GUESTS: Julien Ehlrich and Max Kakacek, members of the band, Whitney
MIllions of Illinois taxpayers will soon receive one-time tax rebates, while republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey releases his tax returns for public scrutiny.
Reset goes behind the headlines on the Chicago News Recap.
GUESTS: Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government reporter Mike Lowe, reporter for WGN TV News
More than a hundred thousand refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine are here in the United States. Many of those refugees are children, and one place here in Chicago that is stepping up to help is Saint Nicholas Cathedral School in Ukrainian Villages. This school year they have taken in 75 Ukrainian refugee students, bought supplies for their families, and created an English immersion summer camp for the last weeks before school starts.
Reset checks in with principal Anna Cirilli on how things are going, and with Anna Savchenko, the reporter who visited the school for WBEZ.
GUESTS: Anna Cirilli, principal at St. Nicholas Cathedral School Anna Savchenko, education reporter, WBEZ
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
In a new report from the New York Times and non-partisan research group Child Trends, the number of children living in poverty in the U.S. dropped significantly from the early 1990s to just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reset speaks with one of the authors of the report, a reporter from the New York Times and researcher at Northwestern University on the findings and their implications.
GUESTS: Dana Thomson, senior research scientist at Child Trends Jason DeParle, reporter for the New York Times Christine Percheski, associate professor of sociology at Northwestern University.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
The Chicago Skyway is under new management: the Australian company Atlas Arteria, which owns and operates toll roads in Europe and the United States. In 2005, Chicago leased the Skyway to private shareholders. The shareholders can buy or sell, but the city has to remain in the agreement for 99 years. Reset learns more Chicago Tribune reporter Robert Channick and toll road expert Robert W. Poole, director of transportation for the Reason Foundation.
The nonprofit civil rights advocacy organization Color of Change presented its Black Tech Agenda to members of Congress this week in a push for policy solutions to advance racial equity in the technology industry. Reset learns more about the group’s plan from Washington Post reporter Cristiano Lima and Rashad Robinson, president of the advocacy group Color Of Change.
What seemed like a simple international aid project spirals out of control. How (Not) to Build A School in Haiti details the long and complicated process it took to build a new school in a rural town north of the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The project comes to a sudden halt when a headstrong American construction worker clashes with a Haitian leader.
Reset talks with a Chicago-based filmmaker and a Haitian creole translator about how the development process comes to life on screen.
Lake Michigan could be the home of Illinois' first off-shore wind farm. The Rust Belt to Green Belt Act could help fund wind turbines 15 miles off the coast of Chicago’s Southeast side.
Reset talks to one of the sponsors of the legislation as well as a reporter and community organizer about the details.
Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) celebrates its 25th anniversary with an anniversary fundraising gala this Saturday, September 17th, at The Geraghty. Among its many initiatives, IMAN advocates for access to fresh produce, runs a health center and a grocery store, and provides resources to ease the transitions of formerly incarcerated people.
Reset talks with executive director Rami Nashashibi and deputy executive director Alia Bilal about IMAN’s past, present and future.
Chicago received torrential rainfall leaving entire blocks submerged underwater in parts of the city. Reset speaks with an atmospheric scientist and other experts, as well as Chicagoans affected by the storm.
A new investigation from ProPublica reveals a million-dollar Instagram verification scheme. Reset talks with ProPublica reporter Craig Silverman to learn more about the inner workings of the scheme and the motivation of its users.
As football season kicks off, Bears release plans for a new stadium in Arlington Heights. Plus, aldermen feel the pressure over a near ten percent pay raise, while more announce they’re leaving City Council. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap with Paris Schutz, correspondent and anchor, WTTW-TV, Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune reporter, and Alex Nitkin, Better Government Association reporter.
The lab was one of three cities to receive a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. Reset checks in with Cristina Negri, director of Argonne’s Environmental Sciences Division and CROCUS lead and Naomi Davis from Blacks in Green.
After experiencing a surge in medical misinformation during the pandemic, Dr. Vineet Arora and Sara Serritella decided medical professionals needed training to help combat it. Reset sits down with Dr. Arora and Serritella to learn about their new course and how to prevent medical misinformation from spreading.
Ibram X. Kendi’s new picture book Magnolia Flower celebrates its release this week. The book, adapted from a short story by Zora Neale Hurston, tells the story of Magnolia, the daughter of parents who escaped slavery and the Trail of Tears. It features vibrant illustrations of the characters and the island where they find freedom by the artist Loveis Wise. Reset talks with Ibram X. Kendi.
New COVID-19 vaccines are available to Chicago residents this week. The city has received 150,000 doses of both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech boosters, which target omicron subvariants. Reset gets the latest from Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Sex work is a broad umbrella that encompasses various forms of labor. Similar to workers in other fields who push for unionization, sex workers often experience unsafe situations, like overpolicing and physical violence. However, sex workers have long been excluded from unions because of the stigma attached to their line of work.
Reset checks in with activists who are working to change the paradigm.
GUESTS: Rebelle Cunt, a writer, activist, and founder and director of Heaux History, a multimedia archive that explores the history of Black, Brown and Indigenous sex workers and erotic labor Audrey Winn, trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Labor
What does safety look like? What do we need to be safe? What threatens that safety? Reset hears from Andrea Ritchie, co-author of the new book No More Police: A Case for Abolition and explores new ways to think about public safety.
Since the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Illinois medical professionals and advocates are working to make sure people have access to contraceptive care. Reset talks with Dr. Debra Stulberg, primary care physician at the University of Chicago Medical Center, and Kate Thiede, executive director of Illinois Contraceptive Action Now, an organization working to get free and low-cost contraception to people.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning released the August Jobs Report. The report shows that though employers hired over 300,000 new workers, unemployment rose slightly to 3.7% as more people look for jobs.
Reset breaks down the data with Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG financial services firm.
The art rock duo OHMME recently announced that they will be changing their name to FINOM. The band is made up of Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham, who are veterans in Chicago's DIY music scene. They test the boundaries of their voices and their instruments to create a strange yet spellbinding sound. Reset sat down with FINOM to talk about the name change and break down some of their music.
Through sports, Milligan’s team is overcoming ageism they face in their older years… and racial injustice they experienced in their youth. Through training, participants learn that it’s never too late to dream.
For some parents, the average cost of childcare in Illinois exceeds the annual tuition for most of the state’s public universities.
The aldermanic exodus from City Council continues, Chicago’s Inspector General criticizes police policy of canceling days off and the prosecution rests in the R. Kelly trial. Reset goes behind the headlines with Erin Hegarty, City Hall reporter for the Daily Line, Kimberly Egonmwan, commentator for WVON and attorney, and John Byrne, senior political reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Advocates say flooding disproportionately impacts low-income people of color in Chicago. A neighborhood think tank found that about 75% of all flood damage claims paid between 2007 and 2016 were in predominantly Black and brown communities. Reset explores how what seems like an individual problem on private property is actually a systemic issue with Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, Leslé Honoré, communications director for the Center for Neighborhood Technology, and Bob Dean, CEO, Center for Neighborhood Technology.
In the inaugural Bulls Fest, the Chicago Bulls bring together some of the hottest musical acts, the arts, and of course, basketball for the two-day event.
Reset learns more from Adrienne Scherenzel-Curry, VP of community engagement for the Bulls Jamiece Adams, founder of Swish Queer Basketball Club, and Zissou Tasseff-Elenkoff, owner and curator of All Star Press.
Ald. Tom Tunney, 44th, announced Tuesday that he won’t seek reelection in 2023. He’s just the latest in a wave of aldermen who have resigned, announced their retirements or thrown their hats into the ring in the mayoral race.
Reset looks ahead to local elections with Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government reporter, Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW, and Jake Wittich, Block Club Chicago reporter.
The state Supreme Court has long been in Democratic hands, but Republicans are pushing to regain control this November. Reset hears about the GOP strategy and what influence a right-leaning court could have on life in Illinois with Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter.
Despite universal free pre-K in Chicago, enrollment in South and West-Side schools lags behind the city average. Reset checks in with WBEZ education reporter Nereida Moreno. We also hear from Michelle Morton, a parent ambassador for the organization Community Organizing and Family Issues. She goes door-to-door spreading awareness and helping parents with the preschool enrollment process.
The Heart of Afghanistan is a band made of three family members that tells the history of Afghan music and poetry through performance. Reset sat down with one member, Elham Fanoos, to learn more about the band's story and their current tour.
Both groups can enter on humanitarian parole, but Afghans have to pay $575 for the application and Ukrainians are not required to do so. It’s one of several key differences that make it much harder for Afghans to enter the country. Reset talks to Adam Bates, policy counsel for the International Refugee Assistance Project.
The pandemic has undoubtedly affected all the relationships in our lives, our friendships in particular. So how can we get back on track and start making platonic connections or rebuilding friendships that fell to the wayside? Reset gets tips from Kat Vellos, connection coach; author of We Should Get Together: The Secret To Cultivating Better Friendships and Connected from Afar.
President Biden has announced up to $20,000 of student loan debt forgiveness per individual who makes less than $125,000 a year. The announcement has sparked relief and ire, with some people saying it’s too much money, and others saying it doesn’t go far enough. Reset hears reactions from Chicagoans who are having some of their debt forgiven.
Former Alderman Patrick Daley Thompson heads to prison in Wisconsin and a Chicago cop charged in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol rejects a plea deal. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines with Carrie Shepherd, lead producer, City Cast Chicago podcast, Brandon Pope, reporter/anchor at CW 26, and Patrick Smith, WBEZ criminal justice reporter.
Chef Jessica Pamonicutt champions Indigenous foods in her catering business. Though these ingredients have been hard for Native people living in urban areas to access for generations, factors including climate change and inflation are making them more inaccessible than ever. Reset sits down with Chef Jessica to discuss her inspiration, connecting with her cultural identity through food, and the importance of food sovereignty.
This week the U.S Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield spoke to address food insecurity worldwide and in the region. Reset spoke to the Ambassador about her visit and how global food security issues affect Chicago and Illinois.
The Inflation Reduction Act gives residents incentives to make their homes more energy efficient through building upgrades. Advocates say these renovations could save you money.
Reset speaks with policy experts – Ari Matusiak, CEO of Rewiring America, Jen Walling, Executive Director at Illinois Environmental Council, and Dave Kolata, Executive Director at Citizen Utility Board – to understand how these incentives will be implemented and who will have access to them.
With a statewide election just over two months away, candidates are in full-on campaign mode. Reset takes a look at campaign ads and political messaging with Connie Mixon, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Urban Studies Program at Elmhurst University, and Delmarie Cobb, a political strategist.
Podcast nerds everywhere have thought, at one time or another, that they should make a podcast with their best friends. That’s just what former NPR host Sam Sanders, author Saeed Jones, and Broadway producer Zach Stafford are doing with Vibe Check. The weekly podcast series from Stitcher, which aims to tackle news and pop culture through a Black and queer lens, recently debuted.
WBEZ recently held an open mic in Ukrainian Village and people with ties to Ukraine shared their stories of leaving Ukraine, living with fear and anger, and figuring out ways to help out. Reset spoke to WBEZ reporter Anna Savchenko, who hosted the open mic, and participants Olha Tsvyntarna, Dania Hrynewycz, and Harrison Jozefowicz.
In the wake of the Uvalde and Highland Park mass shootings, the safety of students is front of mind for many parents. But is more police in schools the answer? And what other approaches can work?
Reset explores the role that police play in some Chicago-area schools and across the country and discusses what other models are being used to ensure students stay safe. Our guests are Micere Keels, associate professor of comparative human development at UChicago, Benjamin Feigenberg, associate professor of economics at the University of Illinois Chicago, Ling Young, youth organizer at STOP Chicago, and Anna Durr, restorative justice coordinator at STOP.
In the wake of the Uvalde and Highland Park mass shootings, the safety of students is front of mind for many parents. But is more police in schools the answer? And what other approaches can work?
Reset explores the role that police play in some Chicago-area schools and across the country and discusses what other models are being used to ensure students stay safe. Our guests are Micere Keels, associate professor of comparative human development at UChicago, Benjamin Feigenberg, associate professor of economics at the University of Illinois Chicago, Ling Young, youth organizer at STOP Chicago, and Anna Durr, restorative justice coordinator at STOP.
In the first three months of 2022, traffic deaths in the United States hit a 20-year high, according to a report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last week.
Reset talks with Ald. Matt Martin, 47th Ward and three local organizers — Courtney Cobbs, co-founder of Better Streets Chicago, David Simmons, executive director of Ride Illinois, and Jim Merrell, managing director of advocacy at Active Transportation Alliance — to discuss what road safety looks like in Chicago and what improvements can be considered.
A new report published by the Chicago Monuments Project recommends the removal of 13 monuments across Chicago, in addition to funding for new monuments to be designed and installed. Reset talks with Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW, and Rebecca Zorach, professor of Art and Art History at Northwestern University to discuss the report and its implications.
We hear plenty about the “red flags” you should look for in a relationship but not nearly enough about the “green flags.” Reset talks to Anita Chlipala, dating and relationship therapist, and Bela Gandhi, dating coach and founder of Smart Dating Academy, on what works in a relationship and how to spot it.
The 8-track record blends elements of rock, dance, and Latin music together to create a unique sound. It’s out now. Reset checks in with Fernando De Buen López from Así Así.
The Lesbian Bar Project listed only 21 lesbian bars in the country two years ago, and none were in Chicago. Reset looks at why there are so few queer women focused spaces in the city and how they are evolving with Renauda Riddle, owner of Nobody’s Darling, Hannah Viti, DJ at Party SloMo, and Zoe Schor, owner of Dorothy.
Hundreds of thousands of local students prepare to return to school, while politicians head to Springfield for the Illinois State Fair. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines with Heather Cherone, Chicago politics reporter for WTTW News, Ray Long, Chicago Tribune investigative reporter, and Sarah Karp, WBEZ education reporter.
In Chicago, 2,400 kids lost parents to gun violence over a five-year period, according to an analysis by the Washington Post. Reset hears from Oji Eggleston, executive director of Chicago Survivors, and John Woodrow Cox, staff reporter at the Washington Post who talked with kids and their families to explore this little-discussed facet of America’s gun violence epidemic.
Most colleges and universities have rolled back masking and testing mandates. Reset checks in with Elissa Nadworny, NPR education reporter, and Robert Jones, chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, to hear what schools are doing.
After being sexually assaulted by a man who was later arrested for alleged gropings in downtown Chicago, one survivor said it was very difficult to get law enforcement to take her story seriously. Reset talks with Block Club Chicago reporter Melody Mercado and Mallory Littlejohn, legal director at the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, about what happened and what needs to change.
A national hotline is available for people looking for support or resources related to sexual assault. The number is 1-800-656-4673.
The Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Biden this week will pump billions of dollars into green technologies. Reset checks in with Washington Post Innovations reporter Pranshu Verma.
Rates of preeclampsia were already on the rise among pregnant Americans for decades — then came COVID. A study published last week found pregnancy and birth outcomes worsened in the United States during the pandemic.
Reset checks in with a senior author of the study Dr. Jose Figueroa, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Eleni Tsigas, CEO of the Preeclampsia Foundation, and Dr. Melissa Simon, OB-GYN at Northwestern University Medicine.
Drivers from Uber and Lyft have asked for the option to unionize, and now food delivery drivers from companies like DoorDash and Grubhub are joining in. Reset hears more about what local and national ride-share and delivery advocacy groups want from Chris Liebelt from Chicago Uber Drivers and Lenny Sanchez from Independent Drivers Guild.
R. Kelly returns to the courtroom to stand trial for federal child pornography charges. Earlier this year, the R&B singer was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sex-trafficking. Reset digs into the trial and how it fits into a larger conversation around gender-based violence with Salamishah Tillet, co-founder of A Long Walk Home.
In Fixing Legal Injustice, former public defender and death row expert Andrea Lyon explains what is wrong with the criminal justice system through her clients’ stories and historical perspective, and she proposes one solution— an independent Defender General of the United States.
Jess Shoman, from Tenci, and Dan Wriggins, from Friendship, chat with Reset ahead of their show this evening at the Hideout. You can find more about the show at the Hideouts website.
In The Last White Man, Mohsin Hamid takes a page out of Franz Kafka’s book when his own main character wakes up one day looking completely differently. Reset talks to the critically-acclaimed author about how his latest work explores race and belonging.
A community effort to boot Riot Fest from Douglass Park on Chicago’s West Side is gaining momentum. Reset hears from organizers about what some residents are demanding, and how festival organizers and the city are responding.
From a budget forecast to what’s believed to be the biggest mass exoneration in U.S. history, it’s been a busy news week in Chicago and Illinois. Reset digs deeper into those stories and more on the Weekly News Recap with Chicago Tribune reporter A.D. Quig, City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran and David Greising of the Better Government Association.
It’s an expansive region, stretching from the Appalachian foothills to the Great Plains. But the exact states are up for debate. Reset settles the debate with listeners and a data columnist working to define regions in the U.S. using Airbnb data.
Studies have shown a connection between working fewer hours and lower carbon emissions. But experts say the environmental benefits of a shorter workweek depend on how people spend their time when they’re not on the job.
After years with the Chicago Reader and decades in community journalism, publisher Tracy Baim will turn over leadership to fresh voices by the end of the year. Reset sits down with Baim to learn about her inspiration and visions for the future.
The national organ transplant system has run for 36 years but a report from the White House shows it’s repeatedly failed and crashed for hours at a time. Reset hears more about why this program has never been audited and how it could be improved from The Washington Post’s Joe Menn.
Indiana has become the first state to pass a new abortion ban since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June. But it likely won’t be the last. Reset talks to Shefali Luthra with The 19th and WBEZ reporter Michael Puente about the state of abortion rights in Indiana and nationwide.
With the two-year student debt moratorium set to expire this month, Reset gets advice on how to keep payments under control from Yanely Espinal with Next Gen Personal Finance.
In a new series called “Reset Lost and Found,” producers track down things in Chicago that a Google search can’t uncover — like where to find Swedish egg coffee in Chicago. In the first edition of the series, Reset freelance producer Claire Hyman teaches us how to make the beverage and Tre Kronor owner and chef Patty Rasmussen gives us a history lesson.
A month after the deadly Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park, Reset checks in with North Shore superintendent Michael Lubelfeld about his district’s plans for school safety and mental health for the upcoming school year.
Why do we find ourselves having to buy new devices every few years? And is that by design? Reset turns to Washington Post tech columnist Geoffrey Fowler for answers, and discusses how consumers can push the tech industry to create longer-lasting products.
Devon Price didn’t realize he was autistic until after he finished his Ph.D. in psychology. Now, he’s devoting much of his career to researching and writing about autism. Reset learns more about the inequities autistic people face and how to find community as an autistic adult.
Governor JB Pritzker declares monkeypox a public health emergency while his Republican challenger comes under fire for an old social media post. Reset does a deep dive on those stories and more with WBEZ’s Dave McKinney, The Daily Line’s Alex Nitkin and NBC 5 Chicago reporter Christian Farr.
In a surprise announcement last week, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin announced a compromise deal on climate, health care and taxes. Reset sustainability contributor Karen Weigert breaks down the details of the Inflation Reduction Act.
In his new book, Northwestern University professor Steven Thrasher shows the inequalities in who is able to survive viruses and how systems of oppression keep people sick. Reset learns more about 'The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide.'
With local leaders vying to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Reset looks back at the fateful 1968 convention with film and media professor Heather Hendershot.
Seventeen-year-old Hadi Abuatelah was released from custody Tuesday, after being hospitalized for injuries sustained during his arrest. A video widely shared on social media shows Oak Lawn police officers tackling and beating the teen, whom they say resisted arrest after being pulled over. Reset gets the latest from Chicago Sun-Times reporter Andy Grimm and CAIR-Chicago staff attorney Emma Melton.
With abortion almost completely banned in Wisconsin, some providers are making long commutes to serve patients across the Illinois border. Reset learns more about the partnership from WBEZ public health and politics reporter Kristen Schorsch and Kristen Schultz of Planned Parenthood of Illinois.
People across the internet are raving about Beyonce’s seventh studio album Renaissance, which draws influence from house and disco music. But does it get the Chicago house seal of approval? Tiffany Walden of The TRiiBE and legendary Chicago house DJ Darlene Jackson weigh in.
The Bear on FX and Hulu is the breakout show of the summer. The dark comedy explores grief, family and food with plenty of easter eggs for the sharp-eyed Chicago viewer. Reset sits down with the show’s lead actor about what brought him to the role and his hopes for Season 2.
The self-proclaimed beat scientist talks about his career and what can be expected from his latest record, In These Times. Reset talks to the Chicago-based jazz artist ahead of his show at the Salt Shed this week.
Millions of doses of updated COVID-19 booster shots could be available in the U.S. by early September, according to Pfizer and Moderna. Reset checks in with infectious disease specialist Dr. Mia Taormina for the latest COVID-19 news and guidance.
Erika Sánchez’s memoir Crying in the Bathroom tells the intimate story of her life. Discussing everything from white feminism to body image, to her battle with depression, Sánchez holds nothing back and, in turn, offers readers a look into the life of a woman who’s come into her own — by her own terms.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants a dome on Soldier Field, Google is buying the Thompson Center and Illinois remains a monkeypox hotspot. Reset dives deeper into those stories and more on the Weekly News Recap with WTTW’s Paris Schutz, AXIOS Chicago reporter Justin Kaufmann and Chicago Tribune’s Rick Pearson.
Today is National Chicken Wing Day. Whether you like them sweet, savory or Chicago-style, we’ve got you covered. Reset explores the best spots in town with Chicago Tribune food critic Nick Kindelsperger and gets recommendations from listeners.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Margo Jefferson has been lauded as one of the most nuanced thinkers on race, class and feminism working today. Reset talks to the Chicago native about her new memoir, 'Constructing a Nervous System.'
The tech giant’s move into the glassy state office could bring thousands of jobs downtown. But what will this mean for the historical legacy of the building? Reset brings on Jonathan Solomon with the Chicago firm Preservation Futures and Crain’s Chicago Business reporter Danny Ecker to discuss.
Last fall, Lewis Medina saved a driver stuck in a railroad crossing as a train was approaching at 40 mph. He stops by Reset to share his story and how he feels about receiving a 2022 Carnegie Medal.
Last spring, Tony Rivera helped rescue his neighbor from a brutal stabbing. Reset learns more about his story and what it means to be honored with a 2022 Carnegie Medal.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday that there were 344 monkeypox cases in Illinois. That’s a big leap from last Friday, when there were 238 reported cases. We check in with Dr. Anu Hazra, University of Chicago infectious disease specialist and Aaron Gettinger, Hyde Park Herald reporter.
A new study by the U.S. Census Bureau and Harvard University found that more than two-thirds of millennials live within 100 miles of where they grew up. In Chicago, three-quarters of people who grew up in the area stayed close by. Reset brings on Ben Sprung-Keyser, a lead researcher of the study, to discuss what the report tells us about the labor market.
Monarch populations have gone down between 22% and 72% over the past 10 years, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Reset turns to Allen Lawrence with the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum for more.
The Funnel explores love and ancestral power shared across generations of Black women facing housing injustice in Chicago. Reset talks with director Charlene Carruthers to learn more about the new short film.
If you’re looking for an out-of-this-world festival, the Cosmic Country Cookout on Sunday is bound to have something you’ll love. Reset talks with event organizer Sully Davis and Lavender Country’s Patrick Haggerty for more details.
From shipwrecks to singing port-a-potties, Secret Northwest Indiana serves as a history book and travel guide about hidden gems in the Hoosier state. Reset talks with author Joseph Pete for more.
Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger is in the national spotlight for leading Thursday’s Jan. 6th committee hearing while Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky makes her own headlines in D.C.
Reset takes a deep dive into those stories and more on the Weekly News Recap.
Chicago’s own Chance the Rapper recently shared about his new music and future plans with WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo Radio. Reset hears highlights from the interview with Vocalo’s Ayana Contreras.
Reset discusses why Europe is experiencing record-setting heat and how Chicago’s new 10-year plan looks to address rising temperatures with Reset Sustainability Contributor Karen Weigert, Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford and Chicago Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar.
Reset gets tips for finding a love connection offline with freelance writer Amanda Chatel and Chicago dating experts Bela Gandhi and Anita Chlipala.
Chicago Public Schools has full-time librarians at only about 20% of its schools, and students of color are hit the hardest by this shortage. Reset learns more about this issue with Chicago Sun-Times education reporter Nader Issa and two CPS librarians who were recently laid off.
Three Chicago police officers have died by suicide in July. Reset discusses what can be done to address mental health challenges facing the Chicago Police Department with Alexa James, a former CPD mental health adviser. Plus, we get the latest on the new 988 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline with Philip Martinez of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Illinois.
So far this year, there have been nearly 350 homicides and over 1,000 shootings in Chicago. Now, many anti-violence groups throughout the city are getting federal COVID relief money to ramp up their efforts. Reset learns more from WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith.
Pharmacists in some states with abortion bans are reportedly refusing to fill prescriptions for methotrexate because it can be used to end a pregnancy. Reset discusses why access to methotrexate and other drugs could become an issue of sex discrimination in post-Roe America with Vox senior correspondent Ian Millhiser and Dr. Cuoghi Edens with the University of Chicago Medicine.
If you’re looking for an excuse to get out on the water this summer, the Shedd Aquarium wants to float an idea by you: kayaking for conservation on the Chicago River. Reset dives deep into the program with Jaclyn Wegner, the aquarium’s director of conservation action.
Aldermen debate ethics reforms in City Council, Illinois prepares for increased demand in abortions from women in neighboring states, and the Chicago Cubs are getting sued.
Reset takes a deep dive into these stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.
A new investigation shows 6 out of 10 Illinoisans get their drinking water from a facility where forever chemicals have been found. Reset talks to Chicago Tribune reporter Michael Hawthorne for more details.
Surging costs for food, gasoline and rent played the biggest role in pushing inflation to a new 40-year high. Reset digs into the latest numbers with NPR’s Scott Horsley, and hears from Chicago restaurant owners about how rising prices are affecting their businesses.
Reset’s live broadcast at the Shedd Aquarium got truly wild with a green-winged macaw, a red-footed tortoise, and animal care specialists Katie Majerowsk and Charlie Jacobsma.
Reset sits down with Cook County ethnobotanist Adam Kessel to learn about Indigenous conservation techniques and native plants in the Chicago area.
More than 100 million Americans are in medical debt, according to a new investigation by Kaiser Health News and NPR. Reset learns more about what’s driving America’s medical debt crisis with lead investigator Noam Levey.
A new three-part PBS docuseries follows a Midwest couple as they embark on a cross-country road trip to explore Islam’s rich history in the U.S. Reset talks to Mona Haydar and Sebastian Robins about their experience on The Great Muslim American Road Trip.
As BA.5 becomes the dominant COVID-19 strain in much of the country, Reset checks in with an expert to find out what precautions we should be taking.
GUEST: Hannah Barbian, virologist at Rush University Medical Center
President Joe Biden signed an executive order on abortion access Friday, two weeks after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Reset discusses what the federal action means for reproductive rights with University of Chicago’s Lee Hasselbacher, Brigid Leahy with Planned Parenthood Illinois Action and Diana Parker-Kafka of Midwest Access Coalition.
Phoenix Mercury star center Brittney Griner pleaded guilty Thursday to drug charges in Russia and faces up to 10 years in prison. But the U.S. says she’s been wrongfully detained, leading many of her supporters to wonder why officials haven’t done more to intervene.
GUESTS:
Julie DiCaro, writer and editor at Deadspin Cheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributor
A devastating Fourth of July massacre in Highland Park, a prison sentence for former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson and NASCAR racing through Chicago streets. Reset takes a deep dive into these stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with The Washington Post’s Kim Bellware, ProPublica’s Mick Dumke and WGN-TV reporter Mike Lowe.
Teen superhero Kamala Khan has taken the small screen by storm in the new Disney+ show, Ms. Marvel. But she’s been around in comics, including a new graphic novel collecting the first five issues of Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit.
Reset talks to the first South Asian woman to write Kamala Khan in the comics.
Reset talks to sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh about his new book The Tomorrow Game, which follows the story of two rival teens on the Chicago’s South Side and a community that’s trying to save them from gun violence.
As we learn the identities of the seven people killed in the Highland Park parade shooting, their loved ones are speaking out about how they want them to be remembered. Reset hears from WBEZ education reporter Susie An, who talked to the friends, families and neighbors of those who were killed or injured in the deadly attack.
A shooter opened fire on a July 4th parade route in suburban Chicago, killing seven people and injuring dozens more. Reset checks in with WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp and Chicago Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet, who was at the parade, for the latest on how the community is responding.
Dr. Tali Raviv, associate director of the Center for Childhood Resilience at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, explains how to discuss the tragic mass shooting in Highland Park, Ill., with children of different ages.
The Highland Park shooter was arrested “peacefully” despite being heavily armed. Meanwhile, an unarmed Black man in Akron, Ohio, was shot 60 times and killed by officers. Reset checks in with Brookings Institution senior fellow Rashawn Ray, who says the two stories help illustrate the fact that Black people are many times more likely than white people to be killed by police in the U.S.
Reset goes behind the week’s headlines, in Chicago and beyond with John Byrne, senior political reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Brandon Pope, reporter and anchor at CW 26 and Heather Cherone, Chicago politics reporter for WTTW News.
Chicago cheese expert Cara Condon took home the 2022 Cheesemonger Invitational top prize in New York. Reset learns more about her win.
Planned Parenthood of Illinois is working to break down barriers to prenatal and postpartum care for Black birthing people. Reset gets the latest on the new Bridges to Prenatal Care program and more from their director of health equity and impact, Deloris Walker.
While abortion is still legal in Illinois, experts expect the overturning of Roe v. Wade to have a lasting impact on existing healthcare inequities in the region. Reset discusses the relationship between abortion access and pregnancy health outcomes with Dr. Sadia Haider, division director of family planning at Rush University Medical Center, and Mathematica health analyst Sara Bovat.
Black Chicagoans are six times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white Chicagoans, according to a 2019 city report. Reset breaks down national and local efforts to make pregnancy and childbirth safer for Black parents with Jamila Taylor with The Century Foundation and Dr. Candice Robinson of the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Reset breaks down everything you need to know about the race for Illinois governor with WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney, Chicago Sun-Times Washington bureau chief Lynn Sweet and David Greising, president and CEO of the Better Government Association. Plus, we check in with GOP strategist Chris Robling about what Republicans are prioritizing ahead of the midterm elections.
For decades, researchers have chased a pharmaceutical cure for memory loss to no avail. But research released last year suggests that dementia rates have actually declined in the United States over the last decade.
Reset talks with the co-authors of American Dementia: Brain Health in an Unhealthy Society.
GUEST: Dr. Daniel R. George, medical anthropologist and associate professor at Penn State College of Medicine Dr. Peter J. Whitehouse, professor of neurology at Case Western Reserve University and professor of medicine at the University of Toronto
Before Roe v. Wade went into effect in 1973, abortion was illegal in the U.S. And people seeking the procedure were forced to receive care outside of the healthcare system and in the shadows. Linda Buczyna shares her story with Reset.
Reset digs into the conservative movement that successfully overturned Roe. Plus, we look at the Democratic strategy to protect abortion rights at the federal level and what the Supreme Court’s ruling could mean for the midterm elections.
GUESTS: Mary Ziegler, law professor at the University of California, Davis; author of Dollars for Life: The Anti-Abortion Movement and the Fall of the Republican Establishment Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief
Abortion is now illegal in at least 10 states. More total or near-total bans will go into effect soon. Reset checks in on states that neighbor Illinois where it’s now impossible or nearly impossible to have an abortion.
GUESTS: Molly Beck, Wisconsin politics and state government reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sarah Fentem, health reporter at St. Louis Public Radio Aprile Rickert, health reporter at WFPL News in Louisville, Kentucky.
As the nation continues to react to the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and debate a path forward, faith communities remain divided over whether people should have the right to an abortion.
GUESTS: Eman Abdelhadi, assistant professor of comparative human development at University of Chicago Rabbi Amanda Green, associate rabbi at Chicago Sinai Congregation Joanne Terrell, associate professor of Theology, Ethics & the Arts at CTS who is ordained in Christianity and Buddhism Nadiah Mohajir, founder and co-executive director of HEART Women and Girls, a national reproductive justice and education organization
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Reset talks to someone who works on the frontlines of abortion access. Christy Uchida is a volunteer host with the Midwest Access Coalition, which provides logistical support to people who have abortions.
With the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade, Illinois is now one of the only states in the Midwest where people can access abortion care. Reset checks in with Dr. Erin King, executive director of Hope Clinic for Women, and Dr. Amy Whitaker, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood of Illinois.
In a much-anticipated decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, the Supreme Court reverses the constitutional right to an abortion Friday. Reset gets the latest from WBEZ public health and politics reporter Kristen Schorsh and Amanda Becker, Washington correspondent for The 19th News.
Title IX turns 50 today. Elizabeth Tang with the National Women's Law Center tells us more about the landmark law. Plus, we hear from Melissa Isaacson, a former high school athlete who was among the first generation of Title IX beneficiaries.
The Supreme Court is set to rule on a case that could prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating power plant emissions. We learn more from Northwestern law professor David Dana and Reset sustainability contributor Karen Weigert.
A new national study is seeking a diverse group of participants to prevent future memory loss and to find treatment that works for everyone. Reset talks with neurologist Dr. Neelum Aggarwal for more on the study.
After 47 people were shot in Chicago over the weekend, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx weighs in on what more action can be taken to curb gun violence.
In his new book "An Immense World," Ed Yong takes readers inside the wondrous and innumerable different ways animals perceive the world around them. Reset checks in with the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer to learn more.
This month, President Biden signed an executive order combating “discriminatory legislative attacks” following a wave of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures across the country. Reset talks to three Chicago-based advocates to understand what this order means.
Food preservationist and cultural historian Jordan Wimby — aka ‘Melanin Martha’ — is addressing access, trauma, queerness and self-care through cooking.
Chicago blues guitarist Melody Angel is bringing a youthful edge to the blues with her new album Foxy. We hear her story and her music.
Author, speaker and podcast host Luvvie Ajayi tells us about her latest book Rising Troublemaker: A Fear-Fighter Manual For Teens.
Chef Erick Williams of Virtue Restaurant & Bar in Hyde Park is the James Beard Award for best chef in the Great Lakes region.
Reset producer Brenda Ruiz introduces us to Williams and Beard finalists Jason Hamel of Lula Cafe in Logan Square and Genie Kwon and Timothy Flores of Kasama in Ukrainian Village.
The governor’s race, the mayor’s race, tornado sirens in Chicago and much more. Reset breaks down the biggest stories of the week.
GUESTS: Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent Jacoby Cochran, host of City Cast Chicago Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government reporter
Chicago author Toya Wolfe’s debut novel Last Summer on State Street is a coming-of-age story about growing up in the Robert Taylor Homes in Bronzeville in the late '90s.
In the last two years, the number of police officers inside Chicago Public Schools has dropped by one-third. Since 2020, it’s been up to local school councils to decide whether to keep officers in the building.
As prices continue to rise, Reset breaks down the latest inflation data and explores WBEZ’s new guide to the best free activities and events in Chicago this summer.
As a Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade approaches, Reset talks with two women who decided to end their pregnancies.
Everything you need to know about the Jan. 6 hearings on Capitol Hill. Plus, why likely GOP voters in Illinois still back Trump.
Reset talks to Chicago actor and producer Bashir Salahuddin about what it was like to play alongside Tom Cruise in the new film Top Gun: Maverick, and his big plans for the third season of HBO’s South Side.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Mayor Lightfoot kicks off her reelection campaign. Plus, a new Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ Poll reveals a shift in the Republican race for governor.
Reset goes behind the headlines in the Weekly News Recap.
Half a million Chicagoans live in food deserts. We meet four local leaders working to solve that problem.
When children are released from the Cook County Juvenile Center on Chicago’s Near West Side, they’re expected to be picked up by a guardian. But many kids under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services are not assigned housing and are forced to wait in jail until a guardian arrives — sometimes for months. Reset gets the latest from the WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith, who uncovered the story.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
The half-millimeter-long robotic crab joins a menagerie of tiny robots inspired by the natural world. Reset checks in with Northwestern University professor John Rogers about the tiny crab and other creations his team developed that could soon help monitor air quality, track disease outbreaks and even clear clogged arteries within our bodies.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Illinois has the eighth strictest gun laws in the nation, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Reset talks with reporters and an expert to understand what separates Illinois from states with even stricter gun laws.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Artists owned and operated, the founders of local record label, Sooper Records, join Reset to explain how the business started, their own beginnings in Chicago’s music scene and share some of the music from artists on their label.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
An ethics bill stalls in Chicago’s City Council. Meanwhile, the mayoral race heats up with two new candidates.Plus, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul files the state’s first-ever hate crime lawsuit. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines in the Weekly News Recap with Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Ray Long, Alex Nitkin with the The Daily Line and WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Chicago had its most violent Memorial Day weekend in five years. However, new data from the Chicago Police Department show shootings this year are below the pace of 2021 and 2020.
Reset gets the latest on these trends, and what residents are doing to keep communities safe. Plus, we’ll look at how Illinois schools are preparing students and teachers for an active shooter.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Earlier this year, Illinois First Congressional District Representative Bobby Rush announced that he will not be seeking reelection after holding the position for nearly three decades. Now, there are 21 candidates vying for his seat.
Reset learns more about some of the candidates and what’s at stake for the voters of the first district.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
The Second Amendment is only 27 words long, but the text has been fiercely debated for centuries. Debate focused on the meaning of militias and who belonged to them until the Supreme Court ruled in District of Columbia v. Heller that private citizens have a right to handguns in the home for protection.
Reset learns more about the history of the Second Amendment and how it’s interpreted today.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird has a new album out June 3rd. It’s called Inside Problems. Bird joined Reset last month to discuss performing, song-writing, and the violin he bought when he was sixteen years old.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Workers at two Starbucks in Edgewater neighborhood become the first in Chicago to vote for unionization, while Chicago prepares to roll out a universal basic income program.
Reset goes behind the week’s headlines in the Weekly News Recap.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
After the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, many are wondering how we can create safe, nonviolent communities.
Reset talks about gun violence prevention and restorative justice with Dion McGill of Strengthening Chicago’s Youth at Lurie Children’s Hospital and Sara Knizhnik with the Gun Violence Prevention Initiative for the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
A gunman killed 19 children and two teachers Tuesday at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, a small city west of San Antonio. The 18-year-old shooter was a student at the local high school and was killed by law enforcement. Parents and children alike are struggling to manage their stress and fears in the wake of the massacre.
Reset gets the latest from a reporter on the ground in San Antonio, takes time to hear from Chicagoans in that aftermath, and a doctor offers some mental health advice to help them cope. We also dig into why there has been so little movement on gun legislation since Sandy Hook in 2012.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Chicago prides itself on its beautiful outdoor spaces — but when you look at the lack of seating and amenities in places like Grant and Millennium parks, it makes a person wonder: just who are Chicago’s downtown parks designed for?
Reset checks in with Chicagoans who sparked a conversation on social media about public spaces, and digs into the history behind them with a professor of urbanism.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
As carjackings have increased during the pandemic, some Chicago neighborhoods are turning to private security firms to patrol their streets. Hyde Park, Bucktown, and now Lincoln Park’s Fullerton area have all hired P4 Security Solutions, a private security company which hires off-duty police officers to keep watch and report suspicious activity to the Chicago Police.
Reset talks with a reporter who covered this story, as well as a resident of Bucktown. We also hear from the private security company providing the guards.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Chicago R&B artist Ravyn Lenae is out with her debut album Hypnos. It’s been four years since she released her last EP, and fans are overjoyed.
Ravyn joins Reset to discuss musical inspirations, Chicago artists and her new music.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Chicago’s controversial new ward map gets approved. Meanwhile, Mayor Lori Lightfoot pushes for an earlier curfew for teens under 18. Plus, Illinois becomes the first state in the Midwest to ban “ghost guns."
Reset goes behind the headlines in WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
The nationwide shortage of baby formula continues to be a source of stress for families with little ones. In Chicago, organizations across the city are collecting donations to help.
Reset learns more about where to donate or find baby formula in the Chicago area, and why breastfeeding isn’t the ultimate solution to the crisis.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Chicago Beyond is bringing together correctional officers and administrators, formerly incarcerated people and their families to shift the current understanding of safety, which they say is based on control, to one that makes people whole. They are launching this initiative next week.
Reset checks in with people impacted by the carceral system who are leading this work. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Reset brings on Alexa James with NAMI Chicago to discuss how the nationwide mental health workforce shortage is affecting Illinois providers. Plus, we check in with Natali Rehman, director of behavioral health at the Inner-City Muslim Action Network, and Jennie Hull, chief program officer for Lakeview Pantry, about how Chicago social service organizations are stepping up to help.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
A Chicago pastor and an activist share what’s running through their minds in the aftermath of the racist attack at a New York grocery store.
We're revisiting our conversation with Jess Shoman, frontwoman of the band Tenci. She joined Reset to discuss her music, recent tour and Chicago’s DIY music scene.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Chicago is now at “medium” risk for COVID-19 transmission. Meanwhile, the City Council strikes a tentative deal in the ward remap saga. Plus, President Biden visits Kankakee and Chicago.
Reset goes beyond the headlines with WTTW co-anchor and correspondent Brandis Friedman, City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran and WBEZ city government reporter Mariah Woelfel.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
April saw a price spike of 0.3%, which is a breath of fresh air from March’s striking 1.2% jump. Experts say that we’re past the peak of inflation, so does this mean there’s light at the end of the tunnel?
Reset checks in with prices in housing, food, gas, and more.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Will Chicago’s 36th Ward really resemble a ‘pool noodle’?
Enough members of Chicago’s City Council have reached a tentative compromise on the city’s ward remap, the full council still has to confirm the remap in a vote next week. If approved, it would take the issue off the June ballot and out of the hands of voters.
Reset hears more on the deal and reaction from both sides.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
This month, Chicago Public Schools is launching the “Please Stay” suicide prevention and mental health campaign for students in grades 7-12. The effort is in response to the rise in depression, self-harm and suicide among U.S. children and teens.
Reset checks in with WBEZ education reporter Susie An, Dr. Sameer Vohra with the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership and Dr. Niranjan Karnik with the Institute for Juvenile Research at University of Illinois Chicago to discuss what Illinois schools and organizations are doing to help students prioritize their mental health and to get the help they need.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill in August 2021 that allows Cook County staff attorneys to represent undocumented immigrants in federal court.
Saba’s latest album “Few Good Things,” took almost four years to finish. “Part of the personal evolution that you hear is just the time spent sitting with the record, tweaking the record, and being able to be present,” he told Reset. The Chicago hip-hop artist takes us inside his follow-up to 2018’s “CARE FOR ME” and tells us how vulnerability fuels his process.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Mayor Lightfoot announces the former Chicago Tribune publishing plant in River West as the site of the city’s first casino. Plus, Chicago unveils its bid to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention as the downtown area continues to see a spike in crime.
Reset goes behind the week’s headlines in the Weekly News Recap.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Sasheer Zamata has kept busy since leaving SNL. She’s starred in Hulu’s hit show Woke and ABC’s Home Economics, and has also produced stand-up comedy specials.
Reset checks in with the comedian as she embarks on a nationwide comedy tour to talk about how her childhood impacted her performance trajectory and what she’d like to say to fans who ask her why she doesn’t do impressions.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Chicago had 178 homicides during the first four months of this year, according to a report from the city’s police department.
Reset discusses how the data compares with previous years and gets the latest on CPD’s plan for addressing homicides and violent crime as we head into the summer.
Plus, last week on Holocaust Remembrance Day, anti-Semitic leaflets were left outside homes in north suburban Highland Park and Glencoe. Experts say it’s not an isolated incident.
Reset learns more about how officials are responding and digs into a new report that shows anti-Semitic incidents reached historic levels in 2021.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
A leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion suggests the nation’s highest court is ready to overturn Roe v. Wade. Reset discusses what this could mean for reproductive rights in the U.S. and if Congress could take action in the absence of Roe with Amanda Becker, Washington correspondent for The 19th. Plus, we hear from Gov. JB Pritzker about the future of abortion access in Illinois.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset.
Reset explores key races ahead of Illinois’ primary election on June 28.
GUESTS: Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW News Hannah Meisel, NPR Illinois government and politics editor
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Parents and teachers protest Chicago Public Schools budget cuts and the head of the Chicago Reader steps down amid employee protests.
Reset goes behind the headlines in the Weekly News Recap.
GUESTS: Alex Nitkin, City Hall reporter for The Daily Line Patrick Smith, WBEZ criminal justice reporter
Trees and wetlands sequester carbon, suck up storm water, provide relief from extreme heat and help purify the air. A recent IPCC report found that the restoration of both are important in responding to climate change.
Ahead of Arbor Day, we learn about efforts in the Chicago area to create more wetlands, plant more oak trees and create tree canopy in areas that have low canopy coverage.
GUEST: Lydia Scott, director Chicago Region Trees Initiative, The Morton Arboretum, Paul Botts, executive director The Wetlands Initiative Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, Doug Widener, executive director of the Lincoln Park Conservancy, Lauren Umek, urban ecologist and project manager for the Chicago Park District
This week, two Illinois Starbucks coffee shops won union elections, Chicago Reader staff’s protesting forced one of the co-owners to step down, and University of Illinois Chicago graduate students bargained for higher wages. Guests: Katie Prout, staff writer, The Chicago Reader and member of the union’s bargaining committee, Yasmin Zacaria Mikhaiel, audience engagement manager, The Chicago Reader and union member, Michael Mueller, shift lead at Starbucks in Cary, Illinois, Matt DeVilbiss teaching assistant, PhD candidate, organizing chair of UIC’s graduate employees organization, Bob Bruno, director of the labor education program at the School for Labor and Employment Relations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
New data from the Chicago Department of Public Health shows that Chicagoans’ life expectancy dropped almost two years on average in 2020. For Black and Latinx residents, life expectancy decreased by an even greater margin.
Reset learns more about Chicago’s plans to address the gap from Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady, ACCESS Community Health Network CEO Donna Thompson and Ayesha Jaco, executive director at West Side United.
Nearly 1 in 6 restaurants around the country have closed during the pandemic, according to industry estimates. Those left standing are faced with rising inflation and supply chain issues. So second-generation restaurateurs in the Chicago area say they’re leaning on their parents’ advice and legacy to weather the economic storm, and taking the moment to consider reinvention.
Guests: Lori Seay co-owner of Soul Veg City restaurant, Arel Israel, co-owner of Soul Veg City restaurant
Producer: Stephanie Kim, Andrew Meriwether
Host: Sasha-Ann Simons
Reset goes behind the headlines of the week’s top stories, from the chaos around mask guidance on air and train travel, to the fight to save Chicago’s “free and freaky” alt weekly. GUEST: Brandon Pope, reporter/anchor at CW 26, Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent
In her new book The Memory Librarian, Janelle Monáe expands on the afrofuturistic world of her album Dirty Computer. The collection of five short stories center around Black and queer protagonists on a journey of self-love and discovery.
Reset talks to Monáe about entering the literary space, afrofuturism and finding joy ahead of her book talk on Friday at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago.
Guest: Janelle Monáe, singer-songwriter, actor and author of The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer
How is Illinois’ weed industry doing two years in? The state promised legalizing recreational cannabis would bring a windfall of tax revenue and would incorporate social equity as a core value of the industry. Reset checks in with Tom Schuba, a Chicago Sun-Times reporter covering cannabis, about what progress has been made and what still needs to be done.
More than 150 Chicago-area convenience stores are now selling a new low-nicotine cigarette that can help you smoke less.The company, 22nd Century Group, is able to market the product in this way after gaining special authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.
Reset learns more about this decision, what it means for the tobacco industry at large and why it’s drawn criticism from some medical experts.
GUESTS: Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune health care business reporter John Pritchard, vice president of regulatory science for 22nd Century Group Thomas Carr, national director of policy for the American Lung Association
Earlier this year, Congress passed the No Surprise Act, that looked to cap big bills from private medical companies and independent physicians. Yet, uninsured patients are still being blind-sided in tens of thousands of dollars in bills.
Reset examines the inaccessible healthcare here in Chicago.
GUESTS: Kristen Schorsch, WBEZ’s public health and politics reporter Carrie Chapman, senior director of policy and advocacy at the Legal Council for Health Justice in Chicago Edith Avila Olea, policy manager with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Illinois lawmakers pass a $46 billion budget plan over the weekend after a marathon session in Springfield. Meanwhile, another candidate enters the 2023 mayoral race. Plus, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s pick for Chicago’s next inspector general passes a key test.
Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap with The Daily Line reporter Erin Hegarty and David Greising, president and CEO of the Better Government Association
Harold Washington died months into his second term as Chicago’s first Black mayor but he left an impact people can still see in the city today.
Reset hears about a new exhibit at the Harold Washington Library celebrating his contributions to Chicago.
You can learn more about Harold Washington’s time in politics and relevance today At the Table with Laura Washington & Lynn Sweet virtual event, April 21st.
GUEST: Stacie Williams, Division Chief of Archives and Special Collections at the Chicago Public Library
Comedian Negin Farsad is coming to town to showcase her new stand-up show, Negin Farsad Presents: An Evening of Comedy From Her Mouth Hole. Reset chats with her about creating art in quarantine, hosting a podcast and mixing politics with humor.
GUEST: Negin Farsad, comedian
Maternal deaths rose during the first year of the pandemic by 14 percent, according to a new report from the National Center for Health Statistics. But the mortality rate of Black women was nearly three times that of white women.
For Black Maternal Health Week, Reset learns more about the health disparities Black women are more likely to face during and after pregnancy and local efforts to reduce them.
GUESTS: Karie Stewart, director of midwifery services at UChicago Medicine Stephanie Ivey, patient at UChicago Medicine Felicia Davis Blakley, president and CEO of the Chicago Foundation for Women
Illinois Democrats have approved a balanced budget plan for 2023 that includes $1.8 billion in tax cuts and direct inflation payments for thousands of residents across the state.
Reset checks in with two reporters for the latest in Springfield.
GUESTS: Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter Hannah Meisel, NPR Illinois government and politics editor
Lawmakers looking to get tough on crime and give back money to taxpayers before wrapping up the spring legislative session. South Side Alderman Ray Lopez becomes the first candidate to challenge Mayor Lightfoot, while the Mayor’s gas giveaway proposal stalls in City Council. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
GUESTS: Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor, WTTW-TV John Chase, Deputy Metro Editor, Chicago Tribune
The Biden administration announced Wednesday it’s again extending the moratorium on federal student loan payments until Aug. 31. The U.S. Department of Education also plans on resetting the accounts of seven million borrowers who are in default.
Reset learns more about how these repeated extensions are affecting borrowers and what else could be done to address the $1.6 trillion Americans owe in student debt. GUEST: Natalia Abrams, president and founder of Student Debt Crisis Center
In his new book The Emergency: A Year of Healing and Heartbreak in a Chicago ER, Dr. Thomas Fisher takes us back to the early, scary days of the pandemic, when almost everything was unknown and a violent summer ensued.
Reset talks with the doctor about his experience and how the pandemic exposed racial inequalities in the healthcare system. GUEST: Dr. Thomas Fisher, emergency medicine physician, UChicago Medicine
Crowds are returning to airports for spring break travel, but will high fuel prices impact airfares? And is it time to drop the COVID travel restrictions? Reset hears from two travel industry experts.
GUESTS: Elaine Glusac, Frugal Traveler columnist for the New York Times Joseph Schwieterman, Director of DePaul University’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development
Psychedelics are largely illegal throughout Illinois but ketamine is available for therapies.
Reset hears from the sponsor of a bill seeking to decriminalize plant-based psychedelics, and from a Chicago group about the psychedelic therapies they offer.
GUEST: Representative La Shawn K. Ford - D, 8th District of Illinois, Judy Seals, nurse practitioner at Field Trip Health Center in Chicago
Mayor Lightfoot reignites a monumental debate, announcing the statue of Christopher Columbus statue may return to Grant Park. Meanwhile, Democrats eye Chicago as a potential host city for the 2024 convention. Reset talks with WVON commentator and attorney Kimberley Egonmwan and Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter Tina Sfondeles about the Chicago area’s biggest stories of the week. GUEST: Tina Sfondeles,Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter, Kimberley Egonmwan [ee-GO-wen], commentator for WVON and attorney
Gov. JB Pritzker is pledging new resources to help fight the opioid epidemic in Illinois. Reset takes a closer look at the state’s plans and talks to two advocates working on the ground on the West Side of Chicago. GUEST: David Jones, Illinois’ new chief behavioral health officer, Luther Syas, director of outreach at the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force, Gail Richardson, outreach specialist at the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force
In July of 2020, city crews quietly and quickly removed the Christopher Columbus statue from Grant Park after protesters tried to pull it down themselves. Now, she says the statue may be returning to its pedestal. Reset talks to Northwestern University art professor Rebecca Zorach about how statues can help frame our understanding of history, and what should be done about monuments that are deemed problematic. GUEST: Rebecca Zorach, Professor of Art and Art History, Northwestern University
Chicago’s City Council unanimously confirmed Nicole Lee as the new alderman of the 11th Ward at its Monday meeting. Reset gets an update on this and more from WBEZ reporters Becky Vevea and Mariah Woelfel.
Guests: Becky Vevea, WBEZ political reporter, Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ reporter city government reporter Producer: Brenda Ruiz, Andrew Meriwether Host: Sasha-Ann Simons
Hollywood wrapped its biggest night of the year with a bang, with plenty of surprises, laughs and drama.
From CODA winning Best Picture to the slap heard around the world, Reset recaps the highs and lows of the 94th Academy Awards with two film critics and a movie superfan.
GUESTS: Michael Phillips, film critic at the Chicago Tribune Brandon Weiss, Music Box Theatre concessions Robert Daniels, freelance film critic with RogerEbert.com and the New York Times
City Council enters a new era of electronic voting and area drivers line up for a mayoral candidate’s free gas. Get all the news of the week in a half hour on the Weekly News Recap.
GUEST: Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent Alex Nitkin, city hall reporter, The Daily Line
With a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across the country— the majority of which target trans people — 2022 is being called “the worst year for LGBTQ and trans people.”
Reset talks through the recent deaths of two Chicago trans women and the violence their community faces on a regular basis. GUEST: Iggy V Ladden (they/them), licensed therapist, Founder of Chicago Therapy Collective Aster Gilbert (she/they), Manager of the Training & Public Education Institute, Center on Halstead
Since the start of the pandemic, the national coalition Stop AAPI Hate has tracked over 10,000 incidents of verbal harassment and physical assault against Asian people nationwide. Reset discusses the problem and solutions with Josina Morita, commissioner of the Illinois Asian American Caucus, and Grace Pai, executive director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago.
It’s been two years since Gov. JB Pritzker declared a statewide stay-at-home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois. Since then, the pandemic has taken many twists and turns and has shaped our lives in countless ways.
Reset reflects on the lessons we’ve learned and what we want to take us with moving forward. GUEST: Jonathan Malesic [ma-LESS-ik], author of The End of Burnout: Why Work Drains Us and How to Build Better Lives
The confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson kick off Monday. Her nomination is being praised by Democrats and condemned by the GOP.
Reset previews what to expect from the hearings for President Biden’s pick. GUEST: Steven Schwinn, Professor of Law, University of Illinois Chicago Law School; Co-Editor, Constitutional Law Prof Blog
Crime and policing dominated the local news cycle this week. The mayor’s vaccine deadline for Chicago Police came and went, and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx declined to press charges against the officers who shot and killed Adam Toledo and Anthony Alvarez last March.
Plus, the city’s ward remapping may end up in the hands of the people. And former mayoral candidate Willie Wilson gives gas away for free, with lines around the block. GUESTS: Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW News Patrick Smith, WBEZ criminal justice reporter
Illinois’ senior senator will have a front row seat to history being made, as Judge Jackson could soon be the nation’s first Black female Supreme Court Justice. But the Republican National Committee has called Jackson a radical, left wing activist. How will Sen. Durbin keep the hearings from turning into a bitter partisan process?
The senator also shares his concerns over what’s next in Ukraine, and gives a look ahead to Democrats’ priorities for the midterms. Guest: Sen. Dick Durbin
Reset checks in with a police accountability expert following State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s decision not to file criminal charges against the officers who shot and killed 13 year-old Adam Toledo and 22-year-old Anthony Alvarez. GUEST: Craig Futterman, Clinical Professor at University of Chicago Law School; founder of Civil Rights and Police Accountability Project of the Mandel Legal Aid Clinic
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill into law, which would limit discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in elementary schools. And now, similar measures are being introduced in at least seven other states.
Reset uncovers the effects these restrictions could have on queer youth across the U.S. GUESTS: LaSaia Wade, founder and CEO of Brave Space Alliance Dr. Joseph Mello, political science professor at DePaul University
Russia attacked a military base just outside Lviv, Ukraine, near the Polish border this weekend, killing at least 35 people.
Reset checks in with freelance journalist Julian Hayda, who’s reporting on the ground in Lviv, about the aftermath of that attack and the latest developments in the war in Ukraine. Guest: Julian Hayda, freelance journalist, 3rd generation Ukrainian-American, former WBEZ producer (Three Holy Hierarchs Kyiv Theological Seminary)
Chicago schools remove its mask mandate. Mike Madigan pleads not guilty. Plus, actor Jussie Smollett is sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months of probation.
Reset goes behind the week’s headlines on the Weekly News Recap with Crain’s Chicago Business government and politics reporter A.D. Quig and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Nader Issa. GUEST: Nader Issa [NAY-der EE-suh], Chicago Sun-Times reporter, GUEST: A.D. Quig, government and politics reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business
Hazel M. Johnson founded People for Community Recovery to address tenant issues at Altgeld Gardens, including concerns about asbestos, lead contamination and high rates of cancer among residents. She died in 2011.
In honor of Women’s History Month, Reset checks in with Johnson’s daughter, and current executive director of the People for Community Recovery, to hear more about her legacy and the work that continues.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
In the latest round of economic sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, President Joe Biden announced Tuesday a ban on U.S. imports of Russian oil. The move comes as the country is already seeing record-high gas prices. GUEST: Ryan Kellogg, professor and deputy dean for academic studies at the UChicago Harris School of Public Policy, Molly Hart, AAA spokesperson
It has taken more than 100 years and 200 tries for congress to pass a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime. But, on Monday, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act passed the Senate unanimously. We heard from Reverend Wheeler Parker, Emmett Till’s cousin, and Alvin Tillery, an associate professor at Northwestern University, about why this bill took a century to pass and what it means for racial justice activists. GUEST: Professor Alvin Tillery, Director of the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy; and Associate Professor of Political Science and African American Studies, GUEST: Rev. Wheeler Parker, cousin and last witness to Emmett Till
From Issa Rae to Jonelle Monae and from Stacey Abrams to Kamala Harris, there is no shortage of the amazing Black women who shape, inspire and change us. In honor of them, Chicago artist Harold Green III aims to honor and celebrate trailblazing Black women through art and poetry in his upcoming book Black Roses. Guest: Harold Green III, author
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan faces federal racketeering charges. Plus, Illinois and Chicago lift their mask and vaccine mandates as the state’s public health director announces she’s stepping down.
Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap. GUEST: Rachel Hinton, Better Government Association reporter, Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune state government reporter
Reset talks to the retired DEA special agents who took down Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar in the early 1990s. Javier Peña and Steve Murphy served as consultants on the first two seasons of the Netflix series Narcos, which follows Ecobar’s rise to power as head of the Medellin Cartel. They’re scheduled to speak Friday at City Winery. GUEST: Javier Peña, retired special DEA agent, Steve Murphy, retired special DEA agent
In his first State of the Union address Tuesday, President Joe Biden addressed the Ukraine crisis and tackled a wide range of issues affecting Americans, including inflation and childcare. Reset checks in with a Democratic speechwriter for the biggest takeaways and possible missed opportunities. GUEST: Jason DeSanto, senior lecturer in the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law; Democratic speech writer
All throughout the pandemic, we’ve heard countless facts and figures about the toll COVID-19 has taken on our world. But what often gets lost in the data are the people we’ve lost and the loved ones who are left grieving.
Reset hears from two women who lost their husbands to the virus, and what they want people to understand about their grief. Guest: Dr. Sandra McGowan, physician at McGowan Family Health and Wellness Center, Pamela Addison, founder of the Young Widows and Widowers of COVID-19 Facebook group
Ukrainian-Americans in Chicago speak out as Russian troops continue to attack their home country.
Reset hears from two Ukrainian-Americans in Chicago. Guest: Dan (Ihor) Diaczun, president of the UCCA - IL, Maria Bandrwisky, grad student in Chicago
Chicagoans are reacting to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and prepare for the lifting of mask and vaccine mandates. Guests: Kimberley Egonmwan, commentator for WVON and attorney Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor, WTTW-TV
Illinois plans to lift mask and vaccine card requirements by Feb. 28, and Chicago and Cook County will follow suit. Reset discusses how restaurant owners and workers feel about the change. GUEST: Sam Toia, President & CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. Robert Gomez, owner of Beat Kitchen and Subterranean
President Biden says Russia has officially begun its invasion of Ukraine. Reset checks in with Congressman Mike Quigley about what the escalating conflict means for Ukrainians and the NATO alliance, and how new sanctions against Russia might be felt in Chicago. GUEST: Rep. Mike Quigley, IL D-Chicago
WTTW’s FIRSTHAND: SEGREGATION docuseries puts a human face on the impact racial divisions have on individuals across the city through 15 personal stories.
Reset speaks with the executive producer and director of the docuseries to learn more. GUEST: Dan Protess, Executive Producer, Teresa White, José Rico, Executive Director, Nan Parson of Action Ridge
A special immersive concert at the Symphony Center this weekend will pay tribute to important moments and figures in Black history. Saturday’s Freedom, Justice and Hope performance will feature award-winning jazz musician Wynton Marsalis with the Jazz at Lincoln Center and Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson as a special guest.
Reset learns more about the event and how the arts have shaped justice movements in America.
Illinois’ gubernatorial race heats up and a member of the Daley dynasty is convicted of tax fraud. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
For some, the news that Illinois will be lifting mask and vaccine card mandates by the end of the month is a relief — a sign that the worst part of the omicron surge is behind us. But for immunocompromised people, that’s not the case. Reset talks to infectious disease specialist Dr. Emily Landon and Atlantic staff writer Ed Yong, who wrote about this issue in the magazine. Plus, we hear from immunocompromised people and caregivers of immunocompromised people about their thoughts.
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is celebrating 100 years of helping Chicagoans understand what’s happening in the world and Chicago’s place in it. Reset gets the latest on the Ukrainian crisis and discusses whether diplomacy is still an option to avoid war. GUEST: Ivo Daalder, President, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
The steel mill owner Cleveland-Cliffs has agreed to pay $3 million to settle lawsuits by government and non-profit organizations. The company is accused of violating the Clean Water Act more than 100 times, including a cyanide and ammonia spill in August 2019 that killed thousands of fish and closed Lake Michigan beaches.
Reset checks in with one of the environmental groups behind the lawsuit for the latest. GUEST: Howard Learner, ELPC’s Executive Director
A group of youth organizers in Chicago is calling on state lawmakers to pass legislation that would restore voting rights to people in Illinois prisons.
Reset checks in with the nonprofit Chicago Votes for more on SB 828 and what residents can do to get involved.
GUESTS: Frederique Desrosier, policy associate at Chicago Votes Katrina Pfidd, communications and digital strategy manager at Chicago Votes
Sasha Ann Simons, Block Club Chicago reporter Kelly Bauer, and NBC 5 Chicago reporter Christian Farr go behind the week’s headlines in WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap. Guests: Christian Farr, NBC-5 Chicago reporter Kelly Bauer, breaking news editor Block Club Chicago
Declining birth rates and the outmigration of Black families away from Chicago are leading to a decline in the number of school-age children across the city, according to a study by a local education advocacy group. This trend can be found in cities across the country and has real implications for the revenue CPS receives as well as the quality of resources available to students.
Reset checks in with an analyst who conducted the study. Guest: Hal Woods, Chief of Policy Kids First Chicago
A viral tweet from journalist Vikkie Walker sparked a nationwide conversation about pay transparency after she posted her salary so anyone applying to her old job would know how to negotiate pay. So, why are we so secretive about salaries? And what’s at stake when we keep that information to ourselves? Guests: Victoria Walker, journalist Andrew Challenger, senior vice president at employment consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas
Reset tackles the taboo topic of pay transparency.
A downstate judge has overruled Illinois’ mask mandate in schools.
Reset hears from parents on both sides of the masking divide and gets an update from a Springfield reporter about how the Governor plans to appeal.
Illinois Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger was one of just 10 House GOP members who voted to impeach President Trump after the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. And he’s one of just two Republicans on the House Committee investigating that attack. What’s his political future?
Reset gets you up to speed with all of it during our Weekly News Recap with WBEZ’s Dave McKinney and Alex Nitkin from The Daily Line.
Two experts discuss Chicago Public Media’s acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times and other models for reinvigorating local news coverage. Guests: Mark Jacob, independent journalist Victor Pickard, professor at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania
The 2014 murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald and the trial of his shooter, former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke, was supposed to be a watershed moment for the Chicago Police Department and the city itself.
Reset discusses how much Chicago and CPD have changed in the last three years with an attorney who led the negotiations of Chicago’s consent decree and a law professor.
This February marks the 46th recognized Black History Month, but the history behind this commemorative month begins further back in time right here in the Windy City. Reset checks in with an urban historian for the story.
Restaurant work and rest don’t often mix, but after a brush with death, one local chef is giving herself and her staff a chance to take a deep breath and relax.
Reset checks in with her about this and other shifts she’s making as well as with a reporter who writes about the food and beverage industry. GUEST: Bo Fowler, chef and owner of Owen and Engine and Bixi Josh Noel, Chicago Tribune reporter
Reset talks to WTTW co-anchor Brandis Friedman and Chicago Tribune City Hall reporter John Byrne for the big headlines of the last few days in the Weekly News Recap.
The year 2022 is being labeled as the “Year of Healing” for Chicago, which will focus on restorative racial transformation around the city. Reset checks in with Candace Moore, the city’s first chief equity officer, to understand what she has in plan for this year.
What role does money play in child development? New research suggests it could affect brain activity. Reset digs into the study and discusses the implications for policies and programs in the U.S. with one of the co-authors of the report and a local researcher.
Omicron may have reached its peak, but protests over vaccine and mask mandates seem to be on the rise. Suburbs from north suburban Highland Park to Naperville are grappling with protests over COVID policies at restaurants and museums, and west suburban St. Charles has closed its public library indefinitely for in-person services after receiving threats over its mask mandate. Reset checks in with a local elected official and a business owner from Highland Park on navigating the protests.
It’s been 49 years since Roe v. Wade established the Constitutional right to a safe and legal abortion. But now, due to restrictive state laws, women are traveling across state lines to abortion-friendly havens like Illinois to get the procedure. Reset talks to a bioethicist and the head of a downstate abortion clinic about the future of reproductive rights in the U.S. and the politics around Roe.
Chicago passes the Omicron peak as Lori Lightfoot returns to CIty Hall after testing positive for COVID, and the gubernatorial race heats up with an injection of big bucks to J.B. Pritzker’s campaign war chest. Reset checks in with local journalists about those stories and other big news of the week.
Reset interviews WBEZ’s CEO, Matt Moog, about the company’s acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times.
The opioid crisis has gotten less attention during the pandemic, even though deaths have reached record-breaking numbers. What can we do to limit overdoses?
As Omicron cases continue to strain hospitals across the country, the Surgeon General is warning that the worst is yet to come. Here in Cook County, new data shows that Black Chicagoans and suburban residents over 60 are dying at disproportionate rates.
As the omicron wave continues, Mayor Lori Lightfoot tests positive for COVID-19. Students return to classrooms this week after a standoff between the city and the Chicago Teachers Union. Plus, employees at the Art Institute of Chicago vote to form a union.
Reset digs into what you need to know before you head out for a COVID-19 test. We check in with Block Club Chicago breaking news editor Kelly Bauer and Steve Bernas with the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois for the latest.
School counselors and social workers were among the CPS staff who have been locked out of the google classroom by Mayor Lightfoot in the past week, during the standoff between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools. Reset checks in with a counselor and social worker from a North Side CPS school about how the lockout has impacted their work.
Over the last year, at least 19 states have passed laws making it harder to vote. Since January 6th, 25 religious leaders from around the country have been on a hunger strike to urge Congress to pass voting rights legislation. Reset talks with Rev. Otis Moss, who is one of the hunger strikers.
It’s been one week since Cook County and Chicago rolled out a vaccine mandate for most indoor spaces. The order requires customers five and older to show proof of vaccination at restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters. Reset checks in with several business owners and staff for an update on how they’re handling the mandate.
Cook County launches vaccine mandate for restaurants, bars and gyms; Chicago cancels school after teachers refuse to teach in-person, and longtime Congressman Bobby Rush announces retirement. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap with WVON’s Kimberly Egonmwan and the Chicago Tribune’s Dan Petrella.
Reset brings on a WAMU Reporter, Margaret Barthel, who covered the Jan. 6 insurrection in the U.S. Capitol to reflect, and Chicago Sun-Times Federal Courts reporter, Jon Seidel, discusses the charges and sentences for people from the Chicago region who participated in the insurrection.
As the omicron variant continues to spread the country, Chicago is implementing new vaccine mandates for indoor venues to encourage residents to get their shots. Meanwhile, the Chicago Teachers Union votes to switch to remote learning amid the post-holiday COVID surge. Reset checks in with the city’s top doc, Dr. Allison Arwady, for the latest COVID guidelines.
Hospitalizations from COVID-19 are at an all-time high in Illinois, and doctors, nurses and staff are under tremendous pressure.
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
If you give your parents new tech, chances are you’ll have to be their tech support and install it for them. Heather Kelly, technology help desk reporter at The Washington Post helps Reset cover what you need to know when they ask other tech questions so you sound like a pro.
Reset Sustainability Contributor, Karen Weigert, gives a retrospective on the sustainability highs and lows for 2021. She’s joined by Naomi Davis of the environmental justice coalition “Blacks In Green” to evaluate the progress in Chicago for the last year in defeating environmental racism and inequity.
City Council holds its last session of 2021, passing the sports betting ordinance and unanimously approving a near 3 million dollar settlement for Anjanette Young, for a wrongful raid Chicago police carried out on her home. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
A new investigation from the Better Government Association lays out the failed promises of jobs and housing made to Cabrini’s residents — predominantly Black Chicagoans — and where those promises stand today. Reset gets the details from investigative reporter Alejandra Cancino.
Reset checks in with the Cook County Department of Public Health to discuss how experts are handling the messaging around COVID and its new variants -- and how the county hopes to reach people who are still skeptical about vaccines.
Inflation’s at its highest level in 39 years. What’s behind the trend and when might it end?
As all Illinois counties enter a “high-transmission” zone and the omicron variant arrives in Chicago, Reset checks back in with Dr. Mia Taormina for the latest public health guidance.
Disagreements about vaccines have highlighted growing divisions in our country— and, for some of us, our homes, too. Reset explores what happens when couples and co parents don’t agree on vaccines with Jessica Calarco, associate professor of sociology at Indiana University, and Lyz Lenz, author of the newsletter Men Yell at Me.
Actor Jussie Smollett is found guilty of five charges that he staged and made a false report of a hate crime against himself. City Council struggles to redraw the ward boundaries and the new Omicron variant arrives in Chicago as COVID cases and hospitalizations surge throughout the state.
President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of consequences if his country invades Ukraine. Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley gives Reset his take on the crisis and other news from Capitol Hill.
The federal infrastructure bill includes a provision that will make transit stations across the country fully accessible. The All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Act sets aside $1.75 billion in grants for upgrades and improvements to meet or exceed the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reset checks in with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth for the latest on the ASAP Act, which she helped introduce, and the $2 trillion social spending plan.
An investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times and Better Government Association found tens of thousands of people jailed on low-level drug possession cases had their charges routinely dropped in Cook County, but the consequences are costly. Reset checks in with reporters and local drug policy experts for details and analysis.
For decades, researchers have chased a pharmaceutical cure for memory loss. But despite the fact that no disease-modifying biotech treatments have emerged, new research suggests that dementia rates have actually declined in the United States over the last decade. Why is this happening? And what does it mean for brain health in the future?
Reset talks with the co-authors of American Dementia: Brain Health in an Unhealthy Society.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Illinois is in the midst of a COVID surge, surpassing 11,000 new cases for the first time this year, while newly released standardized test scores show the impact the pandemic had on learning. Plus, the latest on the criminal trial of actor Jussie Smollet. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
Spotify Wrapped lists are out. What songs did you listen to this year? Which did you turn to just get you through it? We break out our playlists and share our favorite tracks, ear worms and guilty pleasures as the year winds down.
On the heels of the opening oral arguments in the biggest challenge to Roe v. Wade that has come before the Supreme Court, Reset asks local leaders and experts about their reactions.
There’s one day left before Chicago City Council members have to pass the final remap of Chicago’s 50 wards. A heated battle between the city’s Black and Latino caucuses have forced both sides to give ground in time for the final vote. Reset checks in on where things stand.
A new strain of COVID-19 has been detected in at least 15 countries. Reset checks in with a New York Times science reporter for the latest on the Omicron variant and how the U.S. is preparing for its arrival.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
When we see relatives and friends at the Thanksgiving table this year, the conversation may turn to politics, the pandemic, social and racial justice, and other topics where people don’t always agree.
Reset talks to a conflict resolution specialist about setting boundaries with loved ones and strategies to diffuse dinner-table squabbles.
Recent court cases have many thinking about what makes the jury system flourish and fail. Reset hears from an expert on what you should know about the jury selection process.
Kyle Rittenhouse took an AR-15 assault-style rifle across state lines and shot and killed two people, but a jury ruled that he was acting in self-defense and the verdict was “not guilty” on all charges.
Reset talks with a Second Amendment expert about what this says about gun rights in America and learns how right-wing extremist, vigilante and militia groups are responding to the verdict.
Despite the Nordic country’s utopian reputation, Finns of African descent often face racial profiling and discrimination. WBEZ’s Natalie Moore talked with Finns of African descent about their experiences living in the social welfare state.
Today Kyle Rittenhouse was found not guilty on all charges. Reset talks to an array of journalists and experts about the verdict. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in the Weekly News Recap.
Cooler weather means more time indoors, and that can often mean more screen time. So, how do we set boundaries that work? Listeners call in with their life hacks.
Most Chicago journalists spend a lot of time pointing out what’s wrong with our city. Jon Hansen’s doing something different. He hosts Block Club Chicago’s podcast It’s All Good, which celebrates Chicagoans who are doing something good for their neighborhood.
The American Trucking Associations says the industry faces a shortage of 80,000 drivers. That’s up 30% from the estimated shortage before the pandemic. Reset explores why Illinois trucking companies are concerned about this issue and what the shortage means for the supply chain crisis.
Most NPR listeners recognize David Sedaris from what’s become a holiday tradition: the re-airing of his 1992 account of spending two Christmas seasons working as an elf at Macy's in New York. Since “Santaland Diaries,” Sedaris has penned numerous books, become a regular contributor to The New Yorker and been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
President Joe Biden pledged to replace every lead pipe in the U.S. Illinois lawmakers estimate the state will receive at least $1.7 billion to improve its drinking and wastewater infrastructure. Biden also expects the bill to help close the digital divide. Reset asks experts what investments may be in store for Illinois.
Chicago cancels school to motivate parents to vaccinate as COVID cases rise. The Chicago Police Department cancels days off in anticipation of a verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse murder trial. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in the Weekly News Recap.
Some of My Best Friends Are... is hosted by Khalil Gibran Muhammad and Ben Austen, two best friends who grew up together on Chicago’s South Side in the 1980s. They invite listeners in with engaging conversations on how race affects their friendships and work, while using pop culture and historical events as a guide. Reset checks in with the duo behind the mic.
A new Amazon Fresh grocery store housed at the former Dominick's grocery in Morton Grove will open Thursday. The store will join others that offer “Just Walk Out” and other new technology that allow customers to skip a checkout line altogether. Reset brings on an expert to discuss how this might change the grocery store landscape.
It’s one of the most shameful chapters in Chicago police history. For a decade, a unit led by former police sergeant Ronald Watts terrorized residents of the Ida B. Wells housing project on the city’s south side, fabricating charges and planting evidence. Reset has the latest on what’s becoming Cook County’s largest-ever exoneration.
Reset chats with Sonia Manzano about her new kids TV show highlighting problem-solving strategies for kids and cultural diversity. Manzano is best known for her role as Maria on Sesame Street.
Three top Chicago Park officials are fired over lifeguard sexual assault scandal and the standoff over vaccine mandates between Mayor Lightfoot and the head of the Fraternal Order of Police continues. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines on the Weekly news Recap.
After weeks at a shelter where no staff members speak their languages, some Afghan refugee children have hurt themselves and others. After a ProPublica investigation, Illinois lawmakers demanded a probe into conditions. Reset checks in with the ProPublica reporter about her investigation.
Pediatricians and pharmacies are preparing for the newest round of COVID shots, which could start being offered in the next few days. About 15 million doses are already being shipped to vaccination sites throughout the country, but some parents still have concerns when it comes to their kids.
Actor and former White House staffer Kal Penn joins Reset to discuss his new memoir, You Can’t Be Serious. The book is a series of funny, awkward and inspiring stories about his life, from his early roles in Hollywood to finding love in Washington D.C. Penn will speak at the Chicago Humanities Fest on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021 at 7 p.m.
Pedro Martinez has been in charge at Chicago Public Schools for a little more than a month, and what a month it’s been. Reset checks in with Martinez about the role schools will play as pediatric COVID-19 vaccines begin to roll out in Chicago as well as other topics like dwindling enrollment and student mental health during the pandemic.
Illinois politicians wrap up the fall legislative session in Springfield by repealing the state’s abortion parental notification law and passing a new Congressional map, as Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger announces he won’t seek reelection. Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s 2022 budget sails through City Council, but she remains at odds with the police union over vaccine mandates.
Reset broadcasts live from the Farm on Ogden in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. The show will tour the facility, meet staff and community leaders, and learn how healthy food provides physical, mental and spiritual wellness.
John Lithgow’s list of accolades includes two Tonys, six Emmys and two Golden Globes. Now, the veteran actor leads the cast of James Patterson’s latest audio murder mystery The Guilty. The drama is available Oct. 28 on Audible.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
The Chicago Reader started small. But over the decades, the alt-weekly pioneer has influenced and shaped the news ecosystem in Chicago and beyond.
Reset reflects on the Reader’s greatest achievements and changes as it marks its 50th anniversary, and asks listeners about their experience with the paper.
Chicago’s inspector general is charged with getting the mayor and city agencies to be transparent, ethical and accountable. Reset talks with the man who held that job for 12 years, overseeing the Daley, Emanuel and Lightfoot administrations.
Legislators are back in Springfield debating Congressional maps, abortion laws and law enforcement changes. And mourners honor Chicago civil rights icon Timuel Black. Reset goes behind the headlines in our Weekly News Recap.
Last year 26,000 students applied to the city’s eleven selective enrollment high schools. Less than five thousand were offered spots. CPS says new changes to the admissions process will promote equity and access. Reset hears from the head of High Jump, a non-profit helping talented low-income middle schoolers prepare and apply for high school.
The Biden administration on Wednesday announced new details about its plan to roll out vaccines for children ages 5 to 11. Reset checks in with a White House reporter and pediatrician for the details.
Illinois’ population declined for the first time ever in the 2020 census, resulting in the loss of a U.S. House seat. Reset examines the new Congressional map drawn up by Illinois Democrats.
The Chicago Sky on Sunday won its first championship and the city’s first basketball title in 20 years. Reset checks in with Cheryl Raye-Stout for the details.
Chicago historian and civil rights activist Timuel Black dies at age 102. Park District CEO Mike Kelly resigns over the city’s lifeguard abuse scandal. Plus, first lady Jill Biden visits Chicago to honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Reset goes beyond the headlines in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons.
Chicago civil rights activist and cultural icon Timuel Black died Tuesday at age 102. He was a historian, teacher, storyteller and music-lover who dedicated his life to ending segregation, voter disenfranchisement and discrimination. Reset pays tribute to the legend and speaks with several people who knew and worked with him.
As Joe Ferguson wraps up his final days as Chicago’s inspector general, he releases two new audits sounding the alarms on fire department response times and City Council finances.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Reset talks with an epidemiologist whose research powered a pending Congressional bill. The “Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021” links poor maternal health outcomes for Black women to climate change and environmental racism
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, 120,000 people of Japanese descent were forcibly removed from their homes, uprooted from the lives they built and stripped of their civil rights. The aftermath of Japanese American incarceration led to a national movement for reparations. Reset learns about a new multimedia experience about the Japanese American redress movement in Chicago and the lessons their story holds for communities seeking justice and healing today.
President Joe Biden visits Chicago, Mayor Lightfoot and Kim Foxx go head to head, and shots are fired between Illinois billionaires. Also: an actor buys Bozo. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
As aldermen work on new ward boundaries, the Chicago Advisory Redistricting Commission has published its own independent map. Reset talks with two of the commissioners on why they believe City Council should vote on their independent “People’s Map,” which includes fewer gerrymandered wards and attempts to give residents fair and equitable representation in city government.
We talked to ADP’s chief economist Nela Richardson to break down the latest report, and ask why the economic recovery hasn’t impacted everyone.
WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell joins Reset for a recap of Monday’s Chicago Police budget hearing.
On the night of Oct. 8, 1871, a fire broke out in Chicago. It started in or around a small barn owned by Patrick and Catherone O’Leary and would ultimately shape the city into what it is today. Historian Carl Smith joins Reset to tell the real story of the blaze that destroyed — and ultimately redefined — Chicago.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announces she’ll seek a fourth term and Northwestern University temporarily suspends Greek life after multiple women allege being drugged at frat houses. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
Public Media and the Chicago Sun-Times are in talks about joining forces to become a single nonprofit news organization. CPM’s board of directors approved the proposed deal in a meeting Wednesday night, paving the way for CPM to acquire the Sun-Times, a move that would create one of the largest nonprofit news organizations in the nation.
A government shutdown will go into effect Thursday at midnight if Congress does act to fund the federal government. Meanwhile, lawmakers are getting closer to voting on two massive pieces of President Biden’s agenda: A $1 trillion infrastructure package and a $3.5 trillion spending plan. Reset checks in with a local lawmaker who sits on the powerful Appropriations Committee.
Phoebe Robinson’s new book of essays Please Don’t Sit On My Bed In Your Outside Clothes is out September 28. Reset talks with the comedian, actor and author.
The police killing of George Floyd ignited nationwide protests in the summer of 2020. More than a year after Floyd’s death, where are we when it comes to police reform?
Mayor Lightfoot unveils her budget proposal for 2022 while continuing to receive opposition from the police union over the vaccine mandate.
Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
Female sexual anatomy, especially the vagina, has been, and still is, one of the most politicized, misconstrued and misunderstood aspects of human biology. Reset meets an OB-GYN who demystifies and empowers the vagina in her new book.
For more than 40 years in Chicago, Pastor T.L. Barrett has been delivering sermons, speaking up for civil rights and political issues, and singing gospel songs on the piano with his congregation. Now, his life’s work will be captured in a new five-album collection, I Shall Wear A Crown. Reset sits down with the South Side preacher to discuss the new box set, his life and career, and his hopes for the future.
Sky Day Project brings together artists and scientists to contemplate, discuss and act on the climate crisis. Each September, SkyDay Project encourages school-aged children to look up and photograph the sky in support of the climate and planet. Reset learns more about the project’s approach during the COVID pandemic.
The White House originally planned to roll out COVID-19 booster shots starting Monday. Then, on Friday, an advisory panel for the FDA voted against recommending a third shot for most Americans. Reset checks in with an infectious disease specialist to break down the latest on boosters.
The subject of countless documentaries, movies and biographies, it’s hard to determine just what is left to learn about Muhammad Ali.
Filmmaker Ken Burns joins Reset to discuss his comprehensive look at Ali’s life, with footage even his family has never seen.
Illinois’s last Sears store prepares to shut its doors, Chicago Park District Inspector General resigns as its revealed the State’s Attorney is investigating allegations of sexual abuse by city lifeguards, and Mayor Lightfoot announces a plan to sue gang members for their assets. Reset’s Weekly News Recap goes behind the week’s headlines.
A South Side Chicago mother faces first-degree murder charges for the shooting death of her young son, but her family says the real culprit here is mental illness. And though family and colleagues around the woman reportedly did attempt to connect her with help, her husband said “it was too late.”
Reset talks with NAMI Chicago about how to connect to resources, practice conversations with family, and other ways to help loved ones with mental health issues.
Author and alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra stops by Reset to preview his forthcoming podcast, Mind Body Zone: Living Outside the Box. It’s available on September 12 on Audible.
Reset talks to comedian Chris Witaske, the creator of the popular Chicago Party Aunt Twitter account, to discuss his new Netflix series and how it celebrates the “best damn city in the world.”
Could postal carrier schedule changes deliver worse service and delayed mail to the Chicago region? Reset checks in with the president of the Chicago letter carriers union and takes listener calls.
Veteran Chicago journalist Carol Marin joins Reset to share her memories of 9/11 and lessons she wants to pass on to the next generation of journalists.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul opens an investigation into the Joliet Police Department, and Chicago Police move closer to finalizing a new 8-year contract. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
Reset talks with a survivor of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks about where he finds hope as we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
From COVID-19 to climate change and gun violence, kids have a lot on their minds these days. A new Illinois law will soon let them take off five mental health days a year.
Hurricane Ida’s flooding caused massive death and destruction in the northeast, leaving communities across the country questioning how prepared they are for extreme weather.
Reset examines how prepared Chicago is for climate change.
Illinois lawmakers hold a one day session in Springfield where they redraw legislative maps, charge forward with changing energy policy and reject an ethics bill.
Reset goes behind the headlines of the week’s news.
In Part Three of our collaboration with The Trace, Reset continues exploring what resources survivors of gun violence in Chicago need, and what recovery looks like without it.
In this interview, we turn to experts on the front lines of providing long-term support and wraparound services to survivors.
GUESTS: Eddie Bocanegra, senior director of READI Chicago Dr. Tanya Zakrison, trauma surgeon at UChicago Medicine
In Part Two of our collaboration with The Trace, Reset continues exploring the stories of survivors of gun violence in Chicago — what resources they need, and what recovery looks like without it. In this interview, residents Les Jenkins and Natalie Manning share what their roads to recovery have looked like, and what resources they could have used from the city.
Of every six people shot in Chicago, five survive. But while much of the attention from the media, law enforcement, city leaders and the public is on homicides, there is a hidden crisis across the city: survivors face physical, psychological and emotional recovery with little to know help.
In Part One (of three) of our collaboration with the nonprofit newsroom The Trace, Reset learns the stories of survivors of gun violence in Chicago: what resources they need, and what recovery looks like without it.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating to help other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
At Sullivan High School on Chicago’s North Side, more than 40 languages are spoken and students hail from over 50 countries.
As world events force residents to leave their home countries and flee to America for safety, the school’s population demographics tend to change.
Journalist and author Elly Fishman joins ‘Reset’ to discuss what makes Sullivan High so special as she documents in her new book, ‘Refugee High: Coming Of Age In America.’
Governor JB Pritzker reinstates the mask mandate indoors while Chicago’s police union pushes back on Mayor Lori Lightfoot requiring COVID vaccines of city employees.
Reset goes behind the week’s headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
Education innovator and former Chicagoan Manish Jain calls, “[t]he modern factory-schooling education system…one of the greatest crimes against humanity.”
Reset asks Jain, co-founder of Swaraj University in Udaipur, India why he believes we must “hack” our education system.
Stanford political scientist Terry Moe argues that, while urban school systems are in desperate need of innovative reforms, productive change is often blocked by stiff resistance from education’s vested interests — notably, teachers unions and school boards.
Moe joins Reset for the latest installment of our series “Re-imagine Chicago.”
A national coalition of teachers (“Rethinking Schools”) is pushing back against white backlash to antiracist school curriculum like Critical Race Theory (CRT).
A Seattle-based teacher tells Reset how Black history in schools will help deconstruct systemic racism and break the “school-to-prison pipeline.”
Two veteran education journalists: WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp; and Lorraine Forte from the 'Chicago Sun-Times' editorial board and 'Catalyst Chicago' discuss the uphill history to improving Chicago area schools. From decades of reporting, they’ve seen and heard it all.
An infectious disease specialist shares the latest public guidance about COVID-19, boosters, mask mandates and more.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
In our final conversation for “Reimagine Chicago: Public Safety,” we talk to the deputy inspector general of Chicago and a civilian within the police department to discuss why some reforms are harder than others to get done.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
In the U.S. we’ve been trained to call 911 almost regardless of the circumstances, and who responds to those calls? Police officers. Even when they may not have specialized training for the crisis at hand. But what if it were different? What if police didn’t handle mental health calls? Or property crime? Or paperwork? Could fewer responsibilities lead to better policing? Reset explores those questions for the latest in our series, “Re-Imagine Chicago.”
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
U.S. police departments kill far more citizens per 10 million people than departments in any other developed nation. Why is that? And what can Chicago and other U.S. cities learn from other cities and countries? Reset brings on Washington Post columnist and author Radley Balko and Rutgers University sociologist Paul Hirschfield for the latest in our series “Re-Imagine Chicago.”
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Chicago has the second-largest police force in the country, one with a stained history and a complicated relationship with the communities it policies. So what would it take to achieve significant and efficient reform in CPD? For the latest in our series “Reimagine Chicago,” Reset digs into public safety and policing.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
The city mourns a slain officer, relations grow tense between Mayor Lightfoot and CPD, and the Mayor and police worsen, and Illinois is expected to win big in Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure bill.
Reset goes behind the week’s headlines in the Weekly News Recap.
A former Chicago alderman with some big ideas helps us wrap up our series on how community investment and economic development could work better in Chicago.
How can community investment and economic development work better for all Chicago residents?
Reset checks in with two top city officials to hear their ideas and to hear them react to some creative solutions proposed earlier in our Re-imagine Chicago series.
For our series Re-Imagine Chicago, Reset checks in with an expert on public finance and municipal economic development and TIF critics for their creative ideas for re-imagining one of the city’s key economic development tools.
In the second installment of our series Re-imagine Chicago, we explore how community investment works in the city. We learn about how recent Chicago mayors have approached economic development at the neighborhood level. We also hear from people working in two Chicago neighborhoods about what type of investment they need.
Pritzker announces a statewide schools mask mandate, Cubs move closer to a sports betting building and the latest on the cannabis lottery.
After a week of exploring how Chicago’s City Council and mayoral system work, we take stock of what we learned and what we can change.
Reset talks to the city's top watchdog, a longtime alderman, and a community leader for what solutions they think are needed.
Toronto and Chicago have a few things in common. But their city council and ward system look pretty different. So what can Chicago learn?
Chicago has a “strong mayor” system, and during the pandemic, Mayor Lightfoot gained additional emergency powers. Things work differently in Phoenix, Ariz., which operates under a “weak mayor” or “council-manager” system. Reset examines the benefits and drawbacks of how things work in Phoenix, and what lessons Chicago can learn.
All week, we’re asking: how can the government in Chicago work better for its residents? It’s part of our series “Re-Imagine Chicago,” where we pull back the curtain on the city’s major institutions and systems, and explore how they could work better.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Is Chicago’s City Council set up to best serve its residents? The “strong mayor” form of government has its pros and cons, but what could a better system look like? In the first installment of our “Re-imagine Chicago” series, we dive into the powers of two engines that make Chicago run: the mayor and the aldermen.
Lollapalooza rocks Chicago as COVID cases surge, causing new mask requirements. Plus, Chicago Police reach a tentative contract agreement.
From COVID-19 to the heat to athletes being open about the mental strain of performing at the highest level, the Tokyo Olympics have been anything but ordinary.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
President Biden was one of the original backers of the Americans With Disabilities Act. But does it go far enough?
Joe Mansueto, the billionaire founder of Morningstar, continues to look for ways to invest in Chicago, its people, and its neighborhoods.
Chicago is preparing to welcome thousands of people downtown for Lollapalooza as city officials warn about an uptick in COVID-19 cases.
Crime continues to make headlines, City Council approves civilian oversight of police and Pritzker makes little news with reelection bid.
The City of Chicago’s brand new ‘Strategic Plan for Transportation'’ aims to transform mobility and access “...in the wake of the pandemic, economic, and racial justice…”
Overdose deaths in the U.S. spiked to a record 93,000 last year, according to new federal data.
Opioids are at the heart of these tragedies. Reset asks two experts to explain the factors driving these deaths and what can be done about it.
The Delta variant is now the dominant COVID-19 strain around the world. Here in the U.S., areas with low vaccination rates are battling outbreaks driven by the variant.
Reset brings on Pulitzer Prize-winner Ed Yong for the latest on the COVID-19 surge in neighboring Missouri and why this year might be worse than last year for some communities For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
In over three decades working in a largely white-male dominated profession, Annette Nance-Holt has risen to the top. As Chicago’s first female Fire Commissioner, she’s vowed to create a Fire Department that reflects its communities.
Reset finds out what changes trailblazing Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt hopes to bring to the Chicago Fire Department. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Lightfoot administration departures continue with resignation of two commissioners. Chicago Police Supt. David Brown and Gov. JB Pritzker stop by the White House this week for presidential meetings. Plus, COVID-19 infections are rising again in parts of the state.
Reset goes behind the headlines with local journalists on the Weekly News Recap.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Starting today, tens of millions of families are beginning to receive monthly payments of up to $300 per child. It’s part of the newly expanded Child Tax Credit under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
Reset brings on experts to discuss what you need to know about the advance payments and opens the phones to listeners to hear about how the funds will help their families.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Internet companies get away with sneaking additional fees into the fine print all the time. We talk to tech columnist Geoffrey Fowler about how to avoid the extra charges.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
New research out of Iceland shows promising results for shorter workweeks. Researchers say employees were happier and, in some cases, more productive. So is it time for more U.S. companies to move to a four-day workweek?
Reset brings on an expert on work optimization and opens the phones to listeners to discuss what the ideal work schedule is and how the pandemic has affected the way we view work-life balance.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
How do we navigate the pandemic amid changing guidelines and new information about the virus, variants and vaccines?
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
President Biden visits Mchenry County to outline his plan for middle class families, Chicago’s Inspector General announces his resignation and Illinois announces its first vaccine lottery winner.
Reset goes behind the headlines of the week’s news.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Do Chicago’s “cleaning” of homeless encampments protect the health and safety of residents? Or do they perpetuate the cycle of homelessness?
President Joe Biden will visit Illinois Wednesday for the first time since taking office. Reset checks in with NPR White House correspondent Asma Khalid for the details.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
hildcare is one of the biggest expenses and worries of families in this country. Governor Pritzker is making permanent a pandemic policy of $1 per month child care for families with incomes up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
The latest on efforts to fight crime, both in the city and City Council. The minimum wage increases to $15 an hour for most workers in Chicago, and Illinois lawmakers deliver a tough message to the postmaster general.
Reset goes behind the week’s headlines with two local journalists.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Reset talks with a Chicago Fire chief about proper fireworks safety on July 4. Residents in some neighborhoods have complained of upper respiratory sickness they believe was caused by illegal fireworks activity on their blocks.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
The local media landscape has been changing lately, with many journalists stepping down. And now Chicago is also saying goodbye — well, almost — to another longtime newsman: Phil Ponce.
Reset sits down with Ponce for a look back on his legendary career.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Some see aldermanic prerogative as essential to making Chicago the city that works, while critics say it’s why Chicago is one of the nation’s most corrupt cities. Mayor Lightfoot campaigned on a promise to limit aldermanic powers, but are her reform efforts inciting a City Council revolt?
Reset asks: What exactly is aldermanic prerogative?
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
After 15 months of COVID-19 shutdowns and attendance restrictions, city and state officials are now allowing music venues to operate at 100 percent capacity.
Reset brings on two local venue owners to discuss their experience during the past year and what they are banking on for the future.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
A vote to rename parts of Lake Shore Drive after Chicago’s first non-indigenous settler, John Baptiste DuSable, was once again delayed after an angry confrontation between the mayor and Ald. Jeanette Taylor. Meanwhile, in the western suburbs, neighborhoods continue to clean up following a fierce tornado.
Reset goes behind the week’s headlines with local journalists. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Sleepaway camp is a right of passage for some kids and a significant milestone. While it’s exciting, it can also be worrisome. As families prepare to send their kids off to overnight camp, actor Jamie Lee Curtis and Audible are releasing season two of her kids podcast, Letters from Camp.
After a year of on-line life and learning, parents are struggling with how to unplug their kids from the technology that kept them connected during the pandemic. How to keep the battle over screen time from turning into a screaming match.
Reset talks tech with Washington Post technology reporter Heather Kelley. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Investigators in Benton Harbor, Mich. are reopening the 30-year-old cold case of Black teen Eric McGinnis’s death, following the emergence of a new eye witness. Chicago author Alex Kotlowitz
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Even as customers return to cabs and ride shares, companies are finding it hard to get drivers back behind the wheel. A.D. Quig of Crain’s Chicago Business explains why. Plus, we hear from riders and drivers.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
Lawmakers were back in Springfield dealing with energy, an elected school board and gun control. Meanwhile, Illinois rolls out a shot at big money in a special lottery for vaccinated residents.
Reset goes behind the headlines with local reporters.
Reset checks in with members of the Humboldt Park Gators, Chicago’s only all-girls baseball team, as they compete against boys’ travel teams from the city and nearby suburbs this summer.
Overwork and long hours contributed to more than 745,000 deaths worldwide in just one year, according to a recent study from the World Health Organization.
Reset dives into how overwork is deadly, and best practices for prioritizing one’s mental and physical health while not sacrificing professional success.
Affordable and quality childcare services are rare, sometimes costing as much as public university tuition. But this is not a new issue and has been challenging the industry before the pandemic.
Reset brings on a reporter to talk more about how childcare services and providers are doing as the world slowly opens back up.
“Boystown” is the nickname first used in the 1980’s to describe Chicago’s North Side LGBTQ neighborhood around Wrigley Field. But LGBTQ activists are asking the name be dropped, arguing it excludes lesbian, transgender and other queer residents and visitors.
Reset explores the debate over renaming “Boystown” to Northalsted.
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
So far this year in Chicago, 147 kids have been shot and more than 20 have been killed, according to the latest data from the Chicago Police Department.
Reset talks to two organizations about the impact of gun violence on children and families in Chicago and solutions to the ongoing issue.
Fifteen states and Washington DC signed onto a memorandum of understanding to accelerate efforts for the electrification of trucks and significantly cut carbon emissions.
Reset talks with experts and a community activist about how the effort will cut the current disproportionate number of deaths of people who live in marginalized communities. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
The McAninch Arts Center premiered their Frida Kahlo exhibit on Saturday in suburban Glen Ellyn. The museum and the town are ready to celebrate the exhibit, and the visitors will make their way to celebrate a summer of related events in what is being called “The Year of Frida.”
Today on Reset, we talk to the director and the curator of the exhibit on what to expect at the exhibit and how Glen Ellyn was picked to celebrate the works of the internationally known Mexican artist.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
New ethics laws, an elected school board for Chicago and a bill allowing college sports betting. The pandemic brought on a backlog of bills in Springfield.
Reset gets a rundown on which bills did and didn’t make it through Springfield this week. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
New language within a bill headed towards governor Pritkzer allows for rewording of government positions to make them more gender neutral. In Chicago, that means a change in title for the position from alderman to alderperson.
Today on Reset, we bring on a politics reporter and an alderman to speak on the significance of the change in language.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
The name “Lake Shore Drive” is as Chicago as our famous 7-topping hotdog, but some aldermen want to honor Chicago’s first non-native Black resident by renaming part of the drive after Jean Baptise Point DuSable.
WBEZ's Natalie Moore helps Reset take the pulse of listeners about the proposed change, which is expected to be voted on in City Council in June.
If you’re fully vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control says you can shed your masks and go back to many of the activities you stopped doing because of the pandemic. But how do we know who is fully vaccinated and who’s not?
Reset brings on a bioethicist and opens the phones to listeners to discuss the COVID-19 honor system and other ethical challenges during the pandemic.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
Clean energy, ethics, an elected school board and marijuana expansion — COVID-19 caused a backlog of bills in Springfield. Now legislators are frantically trying to finish up the spring session by Monday’s deadline.
Reset gets an update on state legislation and finds out what’s been happening with police reform in Chicago, as well as a stalled plan to rename parts of the Outer Drive after Jean Baptiste DuSable.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
A year after the killing of George Floyd, companies and corporations took major steps to combat racial inequity and diversity within its organizations. From addressing hiring discrepancy to incorporating more people of color in leadership, those are just of the few steps companies have taken to combat systemic racism in this country.
Reset speaks with a reporter and ceo more about the significance of this past year in corporate America.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
The Chicago City Council is taking up a number of major ordinances and measures Wednesday, including renaming the iconic outer Lake Shore Drive.
WTTW’s Heather Cherone gives Reset a City Council update.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
One year after George Floyd’s murder, his death has amplified the Black Lives Matter movement around the world and sparked new conversations around policing and racism in schools and workplaces and between family and friends.
Reset brings on two guests and opens the phones to listeners to reflect on the one-year anniversary of Floyd’s murder and how to find healing from “racial battle fatigue.” For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
A new bill would require Illinois school districts to add media literacy instruction as part of their computer literacy curriculum.
Reset checks in with a co-sponsor of the legislation and a media literacy expert for more
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons, this week joined by Brandis Friedman of WTTW and David Greising of the Better Government Association
There’s not another country in the world with more kids living in single-parent households than in the U.S. And for a lot of those families, the pandemic has been especially challenging.
Reset brings on a researcher — and opens the phones to listeners — to learn more about how the pandemic is overloading single-parent households and what can be done to support these families. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Two City Hall reporters grade the mayor's first two years in office and take a look at what she may prioritize in the second half of her term.
As the pandemic lifts, Governor JB Pritzker says it’s time to phase out the statewide ban on evictions. Reset takes listener calls and learns about the state’s new Illinois Rental Payment Program.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Chicago and Illinois entered the “Bridge Phase” of the pandemic on Friday, which allows for greater capacity limits at bars, restaurants and other businesses. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines saying vaccinated people can skip masks in most public settings. So, how are Chicagoans feeling about these changes?
Reset takes listeners' calls and brings on Jenny LeFlore of Mama Fresh, a blog that connects Chicago moms to kid-friendly events around the city.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
Illinois moves to the next-to-last phase of Gov. JB Pritzker’s reopening plan. More fans will soon be allowed in Chicago stadiums. Plus, Northwestern’s athletic director resigns.
Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Reset brings on Democratic state Sen. Mike Simmons to discuss his new proposal to ban hair discrimination in Illinois schools.
Journalist Arionne Nettles said she noticed the relatively little recognition Black mothers received for their efforts to deter gun violence in their communities. And so, she spent eight months speaking with Black mothers across the U.S. about how gun violence has shaped their lives and solutions they envision.
Reset talks to Nettles about her New York Times piece, and to two of the Chicago mothers she interviewed for their solutions.
The pandemic is causing a home buying frenzy in Chicago. Plus, we remember architect Helmut Jahn. He died in a cycling accident Saturday at age 81.
Reset’s “What’s That Building?” contributor discusses what’s driving the real estate market to new highs and what Jahn’s legacy will be in Chicago.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
Resignations of top leadership at the Cook County State's Attorney and Civilian Office of Police Accountability offices. Governor Pritzker is ready to loosen COVID restrictions and wants the state fully reopened by June 11. Chicago prepares for a pre-pandemic summer as Ravinia and Grant Park Orchestras announce their musical lineups and the Chicago Auto Show returns to McCormick Place.
Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Weekly News Recap with guest host Susie An.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Sheriff Tom Dart is urging Cook County residents to take advantage of his newly unveiled Community Resource Center for those facing mental health, substance abuse and housing issues. He joins Reset more on the one-stop support agency.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Gun violence is on the rise in Chicago. More than 1,000 people have been shot in the city so far this year. Last year at this time, only 720 people had been shot.
Reset checks in with the violence prevention program, Rapid Employment and Development Initiative, or READI Chicago, to discuss solutions to Chicago’s gun violence. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
A new study by Pew says Asian Americans are the fastest growing immigrant group in the U.S., and some talented teens talk mariachi music for Mother’s Day.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
News broke Monday morning that Janice Jackson, CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, is leaving the district after three years at the helm.
Reset discusses the news and what it could mean for students, teachers and the district as a whole as planning is still underway for how to re-open schools in the fall.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
Another alderman comes under federal indictment. This time he’s a nephew of one mayor and grandson of another. Video released of another fatal shooting by Chicago police renews calls for foot pursuit reform and Illinois loses a Congressional seat. Plus, as the weather warms, the city loosens COVID restrictions, in hopes for a normal summer
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
As the world draws closer to pre-pandemic “normal”, there is a renewed government focus on equitable transit solutions in the Chicago region.
Reset turns to a regional transit head, and to Cook County public officials to hear their plans. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Millions of people, especially people of color, are cut off from quality food, jobs, healthcare and education because they lack access to suitable transportation.
Reset asks the scholar and researcher who coined the term “Transit Deserts” for suggestions on solutions.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Many have heard of “driving while Black”, but also “biking while Black” or even “walking while Black”, can have deadly consequences for Black Americans.
A public health historian and scholar explains for Reset how legacy policies, planning and practices disproportionately endanger African American pedestrians, joggers and cyclists. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Professor Julian Ageyman originated a concept called “Just sustainabilities", which says that, “Who can belong in cities will determine what cities can become.” Agyeman joins Reset to discuss how transit justice fits into his concept of cities and equitable city life.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
In this bonus Sunday podcast, Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
The federal government took swift action after guilty verdicts were announced in the police killing of George Floyd, with the Department of Justice announcing an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department. Here in Chicago, both the City Council and public high schools met in-person for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
As air travel opens up slowly, United Airlines aims to address the industry-wide lack of diversity in the cockpit. By 2030, the Chicago-based airline plans to hire 5,000 new pilots with half of them being women and people of color.
Reset learns more about the new diversity goal and other ways the industry can better support women and people of color.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
After former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts in the murder of George Floyd, how do we make meaningful change in our policing system to prevent future police killings?
Reset checks in with a criminal law expert and a scholar who studies race and policing in America.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Latino community leaders and lawyers are asking the Department of Justice to investigate the fatal police shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo. Meanwhile, Ruben Roman, 21, who was with Toledo the night of the shooting and was charged with firing his gun before police arrived, has been released on bond. His bail was paid for by the non-profit Chicago Community Bond Fund.
Reset checks in with a criminal defense lawyer and a courts reporter for the latest in the case.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Advocates from the anti-violence initiative Increase the Peace held a peace walk for Adam Toledo Sunday night in Little Village. Executive director Berto Aguayo joins Reset to discuss how Chicago’s Latino community is healing following the release of body cam footage that captured a Chicago Police officer shooting and killing the 13-year-old last month.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Dr. Nogzi Ezike talks to Reset about the uptick in cases, traveling and how the pause in use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is impacting Illinois.
ideo drops of the fatal police shooting of 13-year old Adam Toledo. High schools set to re-open in Chicago. COVID-19 continues. And much more.
Reset breaks down the biggest local stories of the week in the Weekly News Recap.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Many little kids go through a phase where they say they want to grow up to be a police officer. So how do you talk to them about the police-involved deaths and shootings that are all over the news?
As officials release body-cam footage of a Chicago cop shooting 13-year-old Adam Toledo in Little Village, Reset brings on an expert to discuss how to talk to kids and teens about this incident, the video and the systemic problem with police shootings across the country.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
WBEZ reporter Patrick Smith updates us on the CPD video of the shooting of 13-year old Adam Toledo. And UIC law school associate dean Samuel Jones gives us his take on police accountability in Chicago and beyond.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
The Biden administration says it will not develop mandatory vaccine passports, but leaders and businesses around the world are split on the idea.
Reset takes a closer look at vaccine passports and why they’re stirring debate.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Why are Black women dying of COVID-19 at three times the rate of white men? Also, we catch you up to speed on the latest COVID and vaccine news in Chicago and Illinois.
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
Activists and city officials react to the Adam Toledo shooting. The suburbs hold elections. Plus, COVID infections and vaccinations are up.
Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Like it’s done with every newspaper in its portfolio, New York-based hedge fund Alden Global Capital was going to purchase, then gut Tribune Publishings. Then two journalists from Chicago Tribune went on a quest in search of a new investor for the company. Now an unforeseen contender has emerged, showing up with a higher bid than Alden.
Gary Marx, former investigative reporter at the Chicago Tribune and one of the two journalists leading this campaign joins Reset to give us the latest.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
President Biden announced on Tuesday that every American adult will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations on April 19th.
Various community stakeholders tell Reset what the announcement could mean for Chicago-area residents.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick explore the legendary life of writer and adventurer Ernest Hemingway in a new three part, six-hour documentary series on PBS. Reset takes a closer look at the making of Hemingway.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
White populations in U.S. jails have jumped significantly in recent years, while Black and Hispanic populations have steadily declined. Some experts say that these trends might sway white Americans’ to rethink the shared costs of the nation’s incarceration system.
Reset brings on two legal experts who co-authored a recent piece on the topic to discuss these trends and what they might mean for reformers looking to end mass incarceration. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
COVID-19 numbers jump in Chicago, the Loretto vaccine scandal widens, and cops shoot and kill a 13-year-old Little Village. WTTW’s Paris Schutz and WBEZ’s Patrick Smith take you inside those local and state stories and others on WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Rabbi Robert J. Marx was a lifelong champion for justice. He founded the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs in 1964 as a way to mobilize the Jewish community to stand up for economic, racial and social justice. Marx also worked closely with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Reset talks to two of his disciples, who reflect on Rabbi Marx’s life, legacy and lasting impact on Chicago and beyond. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
With so many kids experiencing ACE’s or Adverse Childhood Experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, we revisit a conversation around a 2019 study that shows the more ACE’s a kid has growing up, the more likely they will have health problems or shortened life spans as adults For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
Why does the legal system seem tilted towards law enforcement? Why is it so difficult to get a conviction for murder or excessive force for a police officer, even in a high-profile case where video evidence seems to back up the charge?
Reset looks for answers from Craig Futterman, a law professor at the University of Chicago who specializes in civil rights and police accountability. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
As more states move to make all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, Rutgers University is requiring all students to get vaccinated before arriving on campus in the fall. Now, Illinois State University and other public higher education institutions across the state want to follow suit.
Reset discusses what this means for college campuses, and how schools and students have been navigating the pandemic at large. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19
Coronavirus cases continue rising across Chicago and Illinois. A Loretto Hospital executive at the center of a vaccine scandal resigns. Plus, Evanston becomes the first city in the U.S. to offer Black residents reparations.
Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
In the era of COVID-19 and deep inequality, local governments say community engagement has become essential to delivering equitable outcomes.
Reset talks with Chicago and suburban elected officials on how they’ve changed the way they seek residents input before making decisions. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
U.S. Landfills are at 85 percent filled, and that is a big problem because we’ll continue to keep on making trash, but won’t have anywhere to put it.
Today on Reset, we have an innovator who is breaking down and recycling our waste using an unlikely method-mushrooms! For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
While anti-Asian attacks and violence have increased at an alarming rate in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic, experts and advocates say these attacks aren’t new.
Reset talks to a historian and two activists about the long history of systemic racism and discrimination against Asian communities in the U.S. and ways to support Asian American and Pacific Islander communities moving forward.
Cook County residents haven’t had to worry about it for a year, but the reprieve is over: jury duty is back. After a long delay due to the pandemic, jury trials are starting back up today in Cook County. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx joined Reset for more on what her office will be focused on — from violent crimes to carjackings — as jury trials resume. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Gov. JB Pritzker unveils his plans to reopen the state and expand vaccine eligibility. Illinois lawmakers begin the redistricting process. Plus, a shooting spree in Atlanta sparks fear and anger in Chicago-area Asian communities.
Reset breaks down the biggest news of the week in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
The Atlanta shootings on Tuesday have sparked fear and anger in Chicago-area Asian communities. Six of the eight victims were of Asian descent — a reminder of the ongoing wave of anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination across the country. Over the last year, nearly 3,800 incidents of racism and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the U.S. have been reported to Stop AAPI Hate.
Reset talks to WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, a local official and a community leader about the rise in anti-Asian attacks and ways to move forward. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
A new program from the Illinois Housing Development Authority is looking to help those Illinoisans most burdened by student loan debt in an effort to boost homeownership in the state. We talk to the head of the IHDA about the program and why this is a priority.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
Over the years, Mexican-American poet and best-selling author Sandra Cisneros has earned many awards and accolades. Now, she has a new honor to add to the list: the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame’s Fuller Award for lifetime achievement.
Reset talked to Cisneros about receiving the award, her relationship with Chicago and her love for the city's writing community For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
The House Theater and Hubbard Street Dance are two well-known members of Chicago’s arts community. And each has recently named a new artistic director.
Reset talks with them about the big task of navigating House and Hubbard out of the choppy waters of the pandemic.
Reset checks in with an infectious disease specialist for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
Each week, WBEZ and Reset take you inside the biggest local and state stories from the last 7 days with help from 2 great guests. This week, WBEZ’s Patrick Smith and Block Club Chicago’s Dawn Rhodes break down everything from COVID-19 vaccine distribution to the stimulus package to what Chicago is doing about a rash of police suicides. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
For the final entry in this edition of our Closing the Gap series, Reset explores disparities in mental health care and how the coronavirus pandemic is changing the way we think about this issue.
We look at how local government — past and present — has handled mental health policy. Plus, Ald. Rosanna Rodriguez Sanchez discusses her push to reallocate city dollars away from police and into public mental health services. And the CEO of Chicago-based Thresholds talks about taking calls from residents across the state who are struggling with anxiety and depression
Today, or closing the gap series looks at cultural and racial disparities in accessing and providing quality mental health care, especially for family therapy.
Reset hears from an expert on how to bring equity into treatment.
Then, research shows that the entire human body holds vital answers to healing from mental trauma.
Two experts share with Reset their experience with the healing power of Movement Therapy. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Reset continues our weeklong series Closing The Gap with a focus on the availability-or the lack of it-of mental health treatment in Chicago.
We look back at the city’s decision to close 7 clinics under Mayor Daley, then half of the 12 remaining clinics during the Emanuel administration.
Then we talk to Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, who was among those who raised concerns about the 2012 closings and the impact it might have on his jail population.
Finally we visit with Jennifer Smith, program director at the Encompassing Center, a mental health clinic on the west side created by and for members of the community. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
After a year of social isolation, record job losses, and more than half a million deaths in the U.S. alone, experts say the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to a national mental health crisis.
For our ongoing series Closing the Gap, Reset explores disparities in mental health care, how the pandemic is impacting our bodies and minds and what resources are available in the Chicago region. We’ll also introduce you to individuals and organizations working to uplift residents during this difficult time.
Reset checks in with an infectious disease specialist for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
Reset breaks down the biggest local news stories of the week with a couple of great journalists. Host Sasha-Ann Simons is joined this week by Paris Schutz of WTTW-11 and Mary Ann Ahern of NBC-5 For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
These days… there’s a lot to be afraid of. The pandemic, for one. Losing a loved one. Lack of job security. Trying something new. Spiders. But what do you do when fear creeps up on you? How do you fight the thing you’re afraid of?
In her new book, Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual, Chicago best-selling author Luvvie Ajayi [uh-JAH-ee] Jones talks about how to confront and overcome the fear that holds you back. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
Actor Daniel Kaluuya accepted a Golden Globe on Sunday for his role as Fred Hampton in the new biopic Judas and The Black Messiah. In his acceptance speech, Kaluuya called for people to learn more about Hampton's life, not just his death.
Reset brings on a leading expert on the Illinois Black Panther Party and Fred Hampton for his take on how well the movie treats Hampton’s story. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
After laying low at his Florida estate for a month, Trump blasted the Biden administration, and promised to stay in the Republican Party for a possible 2024 run for presidency at ;ast weekend’s CPAC convention
Reset checks in with Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger about how much power Trump still holds over the Republican Party and what’s next for Republicans, nationally and in Illinois.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
A group of Black Chicago Police officers have formed a professional organization to lend their voices to solving long-standing tensions between law enforcement and communities of color.
Reset hears from two founding members of the Black Public Safety Alliance, which had its official launch over the weekend.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
Reset breaks down the biggest news stories of the week in our Friday News Roundup with host Sasha Ann Simons and this week’s guests, AD Quig of Crain’s Chicago Business, and David Greising of The Better Government Association. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Thousands of pieces of delayed or undelivered mail. Inaccurate reporting of mail conditions. Mail sitting at post offices for days. These are some of the issues flagged in a recent report from the USPS Office of the Inspector General investigating complaints involving four post offices on the South and West Sides.
Reset takes a closer look at ongoing mail issues in the Chicago area and what’s being done to address them.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
As facts on the ground change around the COVID-19 virus, so do the rules in Chicago about where we can go and what we can do safely.
Reset checks in with Dr. Allison Arwady for the latest on the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine, vaccine supply in Chicago, and what folks need to know before heading back to the lakefront and public parks. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
In recent weeks, public health measures around the pandemic have improved, but the U.S. economy is still facing dire straits as Congress decides what steps to take next.
Reset brings on a national economist to discuss where things stand, when we could see improvements and answer listener questions.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
COVID-19 has shown companies that flexible work practices are not only possible but should become an option as offices open up again, and many employees say they no longer want to work five days a week in the office.
Reset looks at the factors business leaders are weighing as they decide whether to bring employees back to the office.
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
Actor Steven Yeun talks about making “Minari”, and how it’s the first film he’s been involved with that shows the immigrant experience through the eyes of a recently-arrived Korean family to the U.S.
Governor JB Pritzker lays out his budget plan and promises no tax hikes. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is in hot water with the city’s inspector general. Plus, a political career spanning half a century is cut short by the fallout from a federal bribery scandal.
Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Friday News Roundup with host Sasha-Ann Simons. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan on Thursday announced he’s resigning from office at the end of February. The 78-year-old Democrat has been a fixture and a power player in Springfield for half a century, but questions about his ties to the ComEd bribery scandal laid him low in recent years.
Reset looks back on Madigan’s reign in Springfield and gets reaction from state lawmakers. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker delivered his State of the State address Wednesday on his plans for next year’s Illinois state budget.
Reset digs into the main takeaways with WBEZ’s Tony Arnold and checks in with a lawmaker for her reaction.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker delivered his annual State of the State address today. We've got expert analysis from WBEZ reporter Tony Arnold in our companion podcast. This is the governor's complete address
Monday night’s snowstorm created hazardous road conditions for commuters throughout the Chicago region.
Reset brings on a local meteorologist, a traffic reporter and hears from for the latest on the storm and its impact on the region. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
The latest COVID-19 stimulus bill earmarked $15 billion for arts funding, including relief for concert venues and theaters. Reset checks in with the head of Chicago’s Congo Square Theatre to discuss how artists are getting through the pandemic and what to expect from their 2021 production schedule.
Chicago’s deep freeze is expected to stick around for a while and could be the longest cold snap in February in 60 years. The leaves many homeless Chicagoans vulnerable to the bitter cold amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reset checks in with local organizations working toward long-term solutions to homelessness in the city and around Illinois
American carmaker General Motors on Thursday announced an ambitious plan to only sell zero-emission vehicles by 2035. Reset finds out if the news is as game-changing as it sounds. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
Leisure and hospitality businesses are suffering due to COVID-19, but many in the industry are fighting — and getting creative — to survive.
Reset hears from a hotel union that’s working to help its Chicago-based workers survive job losses and a local chef who is helping provide mutual aid for others in her industry as COVID-19 continues to force restaurants and other food businesses to close. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
The U.S. is currently grappling with how the country approaches issues of race. One seemingly counterintuitive question: Is recognizing a Black History Month a good thing? Meaning, does it still help with the struggle for racial equity? Some critics say the month marginalizes the Black experience, while many others continue to see it as a crucial time to recognize Black history.
Reset brings on the current head of the Smithsonian — the first Black historian to ever hold the position — and two Black writers who have depicted the Black American experience to weigh in on those questions. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot sends her “best and final offer” to the Chicago Teachers Union, raising the stakes for a strike. Illinois loosens COVID-19 restrictions across the state. Plus, the Obama Presidential Center gets the greenlight to break ground in 2021 after years of delays.
Reset breaks down the biggest news of the week in our Friday News Roundup with host Sasha-Ann Simons. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Chicago recorded 51 homicides in the first month of 2021 — the highest number of January homicides in four years. This comes as city leaders grapple with a recent spike in carjackings. Mayor Lightfoot says CPD is adding 40 more police officers to address the growing number of cases. Reset brings on the head of the Chicago Police Department for more on the city’s response. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Chicago residents 65 and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as a part of Phase 1B. However, many in this group are finding the technological landscape daunting and difficult to navigate.
Reset brings on an elder care expert and a medical researcher focused on Chicago’s gaps in health information to lay out the issue and offer possible solutions. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
On Inauguration Day, working artists kicked off the Be An #ArtsHero campaign, a 100-day push for legislation that will help arts workers survive a pandemic that has brought their industries to a standstill.
Reset checks in with one of the campaign’s organizers and hears from a reporter covering how the pandemic has hit one prominent arts organization in Chicago. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
COVID-19 vaccines are still a scarce resource. But a growing number of reports show that some individuals are getting vaccinated ahead of more vulnerable candidates.
Reset brings on two medical ethicists to weigh in on the current picture around and possible steps for prevention.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup takes you inside the biggest local and state stories of the past 7 days. This week on the roundup we’re joined by WTTW’s Brandis Friedman, and WBEZ’s Becky Vevea
In the final installment in our most recent Closing the Gap series, Reset explores disparities in vaccine access and distribution in the greater Chicagoland region
In the latest installment in our series Closing the Gap, Reset explores disparities in COVID-19 vaccine access and distribution in the greater Chicagoland region.
In the latest installment in our series Closing the Gap, Reset explores disparities in vaccine access and distribution in the Chicago region.
The series continues with a closer look at the push for diversity in clinical trials with Chicago’s first two COVID-19 vaccine trial participants and two health care workers leading efforts to vet the vaccine at the local and national levels.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
In the latest installment in our series Closing the Gap, Reset explores disparities in vaccine access and distribution in the greater Chicagoland region.
The series kicks off with three thought leaders’ recommendations on what needs to happen in the current and coming phases of vaccine rollout to ensure our most vulnerable populations are prioritized for vaccination.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, checks in to provide clarity and answers to listeners' COVID-19 questions, comments and concerns. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.
For more Reset interviews and news, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating to help other listeners find us. For more about the show, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter @WBEZreset.
A new president, changing COVID-19 regulations in Illinois, and a looming Chicago teachers strike are some of what we're covering, as WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup takes you inside the biggest local and state stories of the past 7 days. This week on the roundup we’re joined by WTTW politics reporter Heather Cherone, and WBEZ Illinois politics reporter Dave McKinney
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, head to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
After 4 years of chaos and thousands of Americans dying every day from COVID-19, President Biden’s administration needs to get to work. Fast.
Reset talks about the president’s priorities for his first 10 days in office, and we’ll compare and contrast his speech with inaugural speeches of the past.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Reset brings on an expert to offer advice on how to discuss thorny topics like the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and impeachment with kids of all ages.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, gor to the WBEZ website and follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady explains the city’s latest COVID-19 vaccination and mitigation efforts.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, head to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, checks in to provide clarity and answers to listeners' COVID-19 questions, comments and concerns. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.
For more Reset interviews and news, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating to help other listeners find us. For more about the show, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter @WBEZreset.
WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup takes you inside the biggest local and state stories of the past 7 days. This week on the roundup we’re joined by Amanda Vinicky, longtime statehouse reporter for WTTW, and David Greising, president of the Better Government Association.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, head to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Reset checks in with a local Republican leader to discuss the historic impeachment vote against President Trump and how that may impact the future of the GOP in Illinois.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
The Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Greater Chicago initiative is virtually hosting its fifth annual National Day of Racial Healing on Jan. 19. This is against the backdrop of last week’s violent seizure of the U.S. Capitol by rioters, including avowed white supremacists.
Reset brings on one of the lead organizers and two youth leaders to discuss what they have planned for the day.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
The battle against right-wing extremists who are threatening violence in U.S. capitals ahead of next week’s inauguration.
Plus Chicago FOP president John Catanzara’s comments after last week’s coup attempt has brought condemnation, but he still backed by the majority of the rank-and-file
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
After more than three decades at the helm, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is suspending his campaign to retain his powerful leadership position. Madigan won only 51 votes in a closed-door roll call held Sunday by House Democrats.
Reset discusses what led to Madigan’s decision and what it means for the future of the Democratic Party in Illinois.
For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announced this week he will not file charges agains Rusten Sheskey or any of Sheskey's fellow officers on the scene in connection with the shooting in the back of Jacob Blake in August.
Reset brings you reaction and context from a reporter, the head of Black Lives Matter in Lake County, and one of the Blake family's attorneys.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, head to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
President Trump's most radical followers storm the U.S. Capitol, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is steady, but slow, and Mayor Lightfoot threatens teachers who don't show up for school. We'll take you inside those stories and more on WBEZ's Weekly News Roundup.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
For the first time since the War of 1812, the U.S. Capitol was breached as right-wing extremists whipped into a frenzy by President Trump stormed the complex.
Reset talks to a reporter who was trapped in the building during the takeover and brings you reaction from a range of Illinois lawmakers.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Reset talks to 2 experts who explain how smaller, achievable goals are the key to success, and failure will only make you stronger and wiser.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Reset checks in with Dr. Allison Arwady about the latest on COVID-19 in Chicago and the city’s vaccination distribution plans.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
To say it’s been a wild 2020 in Illinois and Chicago politics would be an understatement. The year started with the legalization of marijuana, saw a pandemic that shut down every corner of Illinois, streets filled with protesters in the wake of a police killing, boarded up storefronts, and even the early release of former governor Rod Blagojevich.
Reset breaks down those stories and more during our Year In Review: Chicago and Illinois Politics in 2020.
GUESTS: Heather Cherone, Chicago politics reporter at WTTW
David Greising, president and CEO of the Better Government Association
As many as 50 million Americans will experience food insecurity by the end of 2020, up from 35 million this time last year. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed an increasing number of people to the financial brink and turning to food pantries for assistance.
For the latest installment in our “Closing The Gap” series, Reset brings on experts, policymakers and residents to discuss the fight against food insecurity and explore personal solutions to closing the hunger gap.
GUESTS: Diane Schanzenbach, director of the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University
Kate Maehr, CEO of Greater Chicago Food Depository
Angela Odoms-Young, associate professor of kinesiology and nutrition in the UIC College of Applied Health Sciences
What is the hunger industrial complex, and who is pulling the strings in our nation’s food system? In the latest installment of our Closing the Gap series, Reset brings on a food security expert who says the problem is much bigger than we think — and that “more food” is not the answer to ending hunger in the U.S.
Also, a farmer joins the show to share why agriculture is the “revolutionary” solution to historic injustice for Black people.
GUESTS: Andy Fisher, executive director of EcoFarm; author of Big Hunger: The Unholy Alliance Between Corporate America and Anti-Hunger Groups
Kamal Bell, CEO of Sankofa Farms
What does a household that is food insecure look like? And who is most impacted? We talk to folks who have experienced food insecurity in their own families. We also hear from one of Illinois’ biggest food banks about how they’re addressing the “invisible” problem of hunger in the suburbs.
Food insecurity is one of the nation’s leading health crises, affecting 1 in 6 people — and the pandemic is making things worse. Now, with illness and record job loss, more people than ever are worrying about barren cupboards.
So what does food insecurity look like in Illinois? Who is most affected, and what resources are available to help residents make ends meet? In this four-part series, Reset takes a deep dive into what food insecurity looks like in Chicago and the suburbs, and how local organizations are working to close the gap in certain communities.
GUEST: Craig Gundersen, professor of agriculture and economics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; creator of Feeding America’s “Map The Meal Gap”
President Trump attacked Congress’ $900 billion COVID-19 emergency relief package.
Reset talks to a congressional reporter and business writer covering the relief efforts, and a columnist who explains why the money earmarked for restaurants won’t be enough to keep businesses afloat.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Chicago’s City Council held a hearing Tuesday morning to find out more details about the wrongful raid on Anjanette Young’s West Side home. The hearing comes as lawmakers and community leaders are calling for swift police reform in Chicago and Illinois.
Reset talks to an activist working with Chicago lawmakers to draft legislation that would restrict no-knock warrants and raids in the city.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Congress’s latest $900 million stimulus package includes $600 checks to eligible Americans, $13 billion in food assistance, and protection for renters. What it doesn’t include is the funds struggling state and local governments were hoping for from Capitol Hill. We check in with a few experts on what the aid package includes, where it falls short, and what it means for Chicago and Illinois.
Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
In this bonus podcast episode,Reset shares an incredible audio documentary from WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp that takes listeners inside the challenges of teaching during the pandemic.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
A COVID-19 vaccine arrives, Gov. Pritzker wrestles with a massive state deficit, and Mayor Lightfoot finds herself in a real jam over a botched CPD raid. Those are just some of the state and local stories we dive into with Dawn Rhodes of Block Club Chicago and Paris Schutz of WTTW.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
A new Kaiser study showed that 35% of Black people were either ambivalent toward or disinterested in getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Reset unpacks what’s behind the distrust of the vaccine with a Chicago community health professional and a historian who specializes in Black medical history.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
An investigation by CBS 2 reporter Dave Savini forced the Chicago Police Department to release disturbing body-cam footage of officers conducting a “wrong raid”, leaving an innocent woman traumatized.
Savini joins Reset to talk about that incident, and more than 50 others he found where CPD officers smashed down doors and held frightened women and children at gunpoint.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Emergency room doctors, nurses and other front line medical workers have put their lives on the line to care for others during the pandemic. That’s why they’re the first to get the new vaccine.
Reset talks to one of the doctors who gave someone their first vaccine dose today. Plus 2 people who run community health facilities talk about the challenges of getting the vaccine to skeptical patients.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Emergency room physicians, nurses and folks in long-term care facilities will be some of the first people in the Chicago area to receive the Pfizer vaccine. The vaccinations are scheduled to begin Tuesday at Loretto Hospital on Chicago’s West Side.
Reset checks in with some of the people who will be first in line to see how they’re feeling and what’s on their minds. We talk with WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch to hear more about the city and state’s plans for distributing the vaccine.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
After 15 years in broadcasting, with high-profile gigs in Washington D.C. and Toronto, Sasha-Ann Simons has landed in Chicago as the new host of Reset.
WBEZ’s Susie An talks with Simons about her journey, the unique perspective she brings to Reset listeners, and why she just can’t stop dancing!
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
How does the city and state plan to roll out the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine when they arrive? What’s going on with the plan to possibly re-name Lake Shore Drive? Those are just some of the state and local stories we’ll tackle with WBEZ’s Dave McKinney and WTTW’s Heather Cherone on WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup
Weekly jobless claims in the U.S. jumped to 853,000 last week — the highest since September. Nearly every state saw an increase in claims, with Illinois leading the pack.
Reset takes a closer look at what these numbers mean for the state of economic recovery in the U.S.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
President-elect Joe Biden won Georgia by less than 13,000 votes, thanks in part to a large Asian American turnout.
But election season isn’t over yet for Georgia, with two senate runoff elections coming up in January. Reset checks in with organizers in Chicago and Atlanta to discuss their “get out the vote” efforts and the unique challenges of rallying a diverse community.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
School districts in Illinois and across the country are scrambling to find substitute teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s part of a growing teacher shortage nationwide.
Reset takes a closer look at how the pandemic is exacerbating the substitute shortage in the Chicago area and how local districts are ramping up their recruitment efforts.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
During this pandemic organizations fighting against poverty have stepped up to create Mutual Aid programs for people throughout Chicago, including My Block, My Hood, My City.
The non-profit’s CEO and founder Jahmal Cole joins Reset to talk about what his organization is up to this holiday season, and how you can help.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
The alarmingly rapid spread of the coronavirus, hospital systems on the brink, trouble ahead for House Speaker Mike Madigan and more. NBC-5’s Mary Ann Ahern and WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopolous give you context and understanding to the biggest local and state stories this week.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, head to the WBEZ website and follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
WBEZ archivist Justine Tobiasz recently uncovered a short audio documentary on the life and death of activist, organizer, and Black Panther leader Fred Hampton. Hampton was killed by Chicago police while sleeping in his home on Dec. 4th, 1969.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Illinois prisoners rely on grievances to flag dangerous conditions, from guard abuse to unsanitary conditions and poor medical care. But with virtually no oversight, the system leaves thousands of prisoners vulnerable to harm.
Reset brings on WBEZ’s Shannon Heffernan for more on the issue.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
This year, World AIDS Day is a reminder that the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t the only public health crisis the world is facing right now.
Reset discusses the importance of World AIDS Day and the parallels between AIDS and COVID-19.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Chicago Public Schools officials are determined to get students back to in-person learning after winter break. But the Chicago Teachers Union remains in opposition, saying that even with the district’s COVID mitigation efforts, it’s still not safe enough to return to in-person learning. Reset sits down with CPS CEO Janice Jackson for more on the district’s decision.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating and a review. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Millions travelfor the holiday against the advice of medical experts and local leaders trying to flatten the surge of coronavirus. Meanwhile, Mayor Lightfoot gets her 2021 budget, and Mike Madigan tries to hang on to his speakership in the Illinois House. WTTW’s Heather Cherone and WBEZ’s Becky Vevea take on all the big local and state stories in our Weekly News Roundup.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Five successful Chicago musicians who love tight harmonies came together to do what they love best: sing. A few times a year, their schedules would permit them to gather, and those occasional gigs at the Hideout became legend. Fast-forward more than 5 years — work and families and COVID-19 has made scheduling tougher than ever, but The Flat Five have managed to release a second album, Another World.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Feelings of isolation can lead to depression, substance abuse, and worse for millions during a normal holiday season. Add in the anxiety and social distancing of a global pandemic, and you have the recipe for more mental health crises.
Reset talks to two experts about how to recognize and beat some of those feelings in the age of COVID-19.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Although numbers are down, millions will still travel over the Thanksgiving holiday despite pleas from experts and politicians. Reset talks to NPR’s David Schaper about what it’s like inside airports and airplanes. Plus University of Illinois Chancellor Robert Jones updates us on how effective the university’s Covid-19 mitigation measures were during the first semester.
In Illinois counties hardest hit by COVID-19, for-profit nursing homes have nearly double the COVID-19 deaths per bed as nonprofit facilities. WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell joins Reset for more on this issue.
Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Mike Madigan on the ropes, Covid-19 surges in Illinois and Mayor Lightfoot's budget. We'll do a deep dive on those stories and more with Crain's Chicago Business' A.D. Quig and WTTW's Paris Schutz on WBEZ's Weekly News Roundup
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast. And leave us a rating and a quick review. It really helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
An expert on voter demographics tells Reset what the data from Election 2020 reveal about the present and future of American democracy.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It really helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Just before the holiday season, COVID-19 is tightening its grip on Illinois. Cases are surging, and hospitals are strained. Both are expected to grow exponentially without countermeasures. And starting Friday, those countermeasures take effect as Illinois rolls back to Tier 3 restrictions — which includes the closing of museums, casinos, and movie theaters, and stricter capacities for most businesses. Reset breaks down what to know about the new restrictions.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating and a review. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
A wide range of experts explain how integrating sustainability measures into every aspect of American life and government will increase our ability to tackle military, economic, social, and environmental problems.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Reset checks in with Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, about the city’s new stay-at-home advisory and how prepared Chicago is to roll out a vaccine when it becomes available.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating and a review. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
After a long and careful count, Lauren Underwood has kept her congressional seat in the 14th district. Meanwhile, Gov. Pritzker is contemplating another statewide lockdown as Covid-19 cases skyrocket across Illinois. WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky and Better Government Association president David Greising take you inside those stories and more on WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It really helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
President Trump’s foreign policy was based around the idea of “winners and losers,” and the theory that he alone could solve problems by sitting down one-on-one with other foreign leaders.
Ivo Daalder of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs tells Reset how the Biden administration’s approach is likely to be different, and what Biden’s past as a U.S. senator and vice president tell us about how he will handle things as president.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
WBEZ’s Dave McKinney looks at how the Illinois state legislature can handle the big items on its agenda if they haven’t met since May, and have put off the six-day fall veto session due to a COVID-19 spike in the state.
And Civic Federation president Laurence Msall has ideas to generate revenue now that the graduated income tax failed with the voters on election day.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
As COVID-19 cases spiral to unseen levels in the United States, the Trump administration and its allies continue attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, which provides health care to more than 20 million Americans. What will the Supreme Court say to their arguments this time? Plus, infectious disease expert Dr. Mia Taormina answers listener questions about the coronavirus.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Pulitzer Prize-winner David Fahrenthold of the Washington Post and Aaron Del Mar, Palatine Township Republican Chairman and former Cook County Republican Party Chairman, provide astute analysis on the Trump campaign’s strategy going forward, and what this election tells us about the electorate in Illinois.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
President-elect Joseph R. Biden addressed the nation Saturday night in Wilmington, Delaware, hours after a win in Pennsylvania earned him the electoral votes necessary to secure the U.S. presidency. This is his full victory speech.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It really helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
The multitalented musician and native Chicagoan Andrew Bird gifts us with new projects this Fall, including an acting role in the FX television drama Fargo and the release of a new holiday album entitled "Hark!".
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Governor JB Pritzker’s graduated income tax amendment was sunk. Freshman Democrat Sean Casten holds on in the 6th District. Perennial candidate Jim Oberweis holds a slim lead in the 10th with ballots still to be counted. There was a lot more to this election than Biden vs. Trump. WTTW’s Heather Cherone and WBEZ’s Dave McKinney join Justin Kaufmann to break it all down on WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It really helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Many communities-particularly those of color-feel like they’ve been specifically targeted by this administration’s policies over the last four years. And they see this tight race as a slap in the face, regardless of who ultimately wins.
Reset hears from a professor, an activist, and listeners about how they feel about the results and where they think the country is headed.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Tech companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter have ramped up efforts to combat misinformation surrounding the election. Is it too little, too late?
Reset checks in with two experts.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Even as cases of COVID-19 rise in Illinois,the state’s contact tracing program isn’t fully operational, and hospitals who got some reprieve over the summer are bracing for the possibility of a flood of new patients.
Reset talks with WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch as well as two doctors from area hospitals who lay out what the situation is on the ground and what they’re doing to prepare for the coming wave.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
From soaring COVID-19 cases to another police-related shooting in Waukegan to Tony LaRussa returning to Chicago to manage the White Sox, Reset’s Justin Kaufmann sits around the virtual table this week with Pro Publica’s Mick Dumke and A.D. Quig of Crains to talk about the biggest local and state stories for WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe CMBS/8 c to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Reset checks in with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot about COVID-19 restrictions, the city budget and schools.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
COVID-19 numbers and hospitalizations are rising at an alarming rate in Chicago and Illinois. But as Gov. Pritzker moves to shut down indoor dining in parts of the state, restaurants are pushing back. UChicago Medicine infectious disease expert Dr. Emily Landon explains how dire the situation is, while restaurateur Rohini Dey describes how she’s trying to save her business.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx won office four years ago with a mandate to reform the criminal justice system. She makes the case for why she deserves another term while her challenger, former judge and prosecutor Pat O’Brien, lays out why he thinks he should take over the office.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
The pandemic, a lack of trust in the health system and misinformation are leading to a drop in the number of Chicago kids getting vaccinated for preventable diseases like the measles, mumps and rubella. We check in with community health clinics and a reporter to hear more about the situation and what’s being done to reverse the trend.
For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It really helps other listeners find us.
For more about the program, head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.
For more Reset interviews, head over to the WBEZ website. You can also follow the show on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
From Mayor Lightfoot’s new budget plan, to a fresh round of Covid-19-related business closures to no sitting on Santa’s lap this year at Macy’s, Reset’s Justin Kaufmann sits around the virtual table with Heather Cherone and Laura Washington for the best wrap-up of Chicago and Illinois news on WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup
Illinois Gov. George Ryan shocked the nation when he commuted the death sentences of more than 150 inmates three days before he left office in 2003. In this interview, the Republican details his personal evolution from staunch supporter of capital punishment to ardent opponent. He also discusses his complicated legacy as a Nobel Peace Prize nominee who also served years in federal prison on corruption charges. His new book is called Until I Could Be Sure: How I Stopped the Death Penalty in Illinois.
This is Chicago Mayor Lightfoot’s full budget address from the morning of Oct. 21, 2020. The mayor outlines the fiscal challenges faced by the city due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures she would like to take to right the fiscal ship. For expert analysis and to hear two key aldermen’s reaction to the speech, look for the other Reset podcast that dropped in your feed today.
With Chicago already facing difficult pension problems, the COVID-19 crisis has dealt an even bigger blow to the city’s economy. WBEZ city politics reporter Becky Vevea and two Chicago aldermen break down and react to Mayor Lightfoot’s budget address as she tries to navigate some very choppy fiscal waters for 2021.
With a recent uptick in COVID-19 across Illinois, Gov. Pritzker has begun talking about a return to Phase 3 restrictions.
Reset talks to infectious disease specialist Dr. Emily Landon about what a resurgence of cases means for local residents, and gives you advice on best practices to curb the spread of the virus.
New York Times political reporter Peter Baker discusses his new book on the unlikely rise of James A. Baker III, and how his influence over Washington, the White House, and global politics spanned a generation.
The writer and director behind The West Wing and A Few Good Men talks about his new film, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and how today's protests harken back to the anti-Vietnam war protests of the late 1960's. And Lee Weiner, one of the actual defendants in the trial, tells us how close the movie came to reality.
Decades after the Apollo 11 mission, NASA is now laying the groundwork to send its first woman and next man to the moon’s surface by 2024. Reset talks to Kathy Lueders — the first-ever woman to lead NASA’s human spaceflight programs — about its Artemis plan and what the new mission might mean for women interested in space.
A shocking lawsuit is filed against the former head of the Chicago Police Department, plus the latest on Covid-19 in Illinois, Chicago public schools announce a re-opening plan, and more. Go inside the biggest local and state stories of the week with WBEZ's Weekly News Roundup. Guests this week are WBEZ's criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith and WTTW correspondent, anchor and host of "Chicago Tonight: Black Voices"
For soldiers, getting a good night’s sleep is crucial. Fatigue can impact decision-making and sometimes lead to disaster. To address that problem, the Army is embracing “strategic napping” as part of a new holistic approach to health. Reset learns more about the policy change and talks to a sleep researcher about the benefits of napping.
What is it like to have autism throughout your entire life and never have it diagnosed until you are an adult? Rolling Meadows-native Jeff Ullrich explains how his world has changed after finding out he was autistic at the age of 45.
GUEST: Jeff Ullrich, co-founder of the Earwolf podcasting network; founder of Midroll
John Brennan has served 6 presidents as a member of-and ultimately head of-the CIA. Brennan chronicles his rise as the son of an immigrant growing up New Jersey to a man making decisions that will affect millions of lives.
Covid cases blowing up in neighboring states, the dire financial situation facing Mayor Lightfoot, Governor Pritzker's push to get his fair tax amendment, and the sale of Second City are just some of the stories we cover with WTTW's Paris Schutz and the Better Government Association's David Greising on our Weekly News Roundup
From the current state of our covid-ravaged economy to what the future looks like to the state of the restaurant industry in Chicago, Chris Farrell of Marketplace and chef/entrepreneur Rick Bayless weigh in on how bad things are, and what we need to do to turn it all around.
Millions of people and thousands of businesses are desperate for some help from the federal government because of the pandemic, but congress and the president can’t seem to get a package together. Later, Internationally recognized jazz vocalist Kurt Elling rolls out a series of livestreamed shows to mark the 25th anniversary of this first album’s release. We’ll talk about his quarter century in jazz, how he’s changed as an artist, and why he’s so excited to be back living in Chicago after a dozen years in New York
The documentary “The Social Dilemma” shows how social media causes addiction, impacts mental health, and spreads misinformation. Tristan Harris, a former Google engineer now working against big tech and one of the key voices in the film, joins to explain how it all works and what we can do about it.
Some parents want their kids back in the classroom. So does Chicago Public Schools. So do teachers. But the teachers union is concerned that the district hasn’t taken the necessary steps to keep faculty and staff safe. Reset brings you the latest on CPS’ reopening plan.
Mayor Lightfoot relaxes restrictions on bars and restaurants, suburban parents are demanding their schools reopen, and House Speaker Mike Madigan is refusing the governor's request to tell a panel of lawmakers what he knows about the Com Ed allegations swirling around him. Those are some of the stories we unpack with our panel of journalists this time around on WBEZ's Weekly News Roundup
The U.S. is reckoning with growing calls to rethink and reform American policing, particularly around practices that use force on civilians. We talk to two policing experts to discuss factors that lead to undue force and some possible alternatives.
Suburban school districts in Illinois are putting plans into motion to switch students from all-remote classes to in-person or hybrid learning. And that leaves parents, teachers and students with more questions than answers. Reset checks in with WBEZ education reporter Susie An, and hears from teachers and parents on this issue.
Wynton Marsalis has created a new extended piece-part music and part spoken word-that critiques the tribalism encouraged by some world leaders to keep the masses suspicious of each other, while they take all the money and power. Reset learns more about Marsalis’ new extended work, The Ever Fonky Lowdown.
Reset checks in with Doug Cassel of the University of Notre Dame to discuss the law school’s legacy and legal philosophy. We also hear from WBEZ’s Patrick Smith for more on Judge Barrett’s background.
Amid nationwide calls for racial justice and alternatives to policing, more cities are looking to shift non-emergency calls to crisis intervention teams.
Reset takes a look at one community-based public safety system that’s seen success in Eugene, Ore., and how other cities are exploring the model.
NASA has released the details of their Artemis lunar exploration program, which plans to send the first woman and the next man to the surface of Earth’s moon by 2024.
Reset brings on the first-ever woman to lead NASA’s human spaceflight programs to learn more about the agency’s plans, and what this mission might mean for women interested in space.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson says that the inconvenient truth of race and racism has exploded the myth that there are no castes in America since Day 1. And she describes the artificial hierarchy that determines everything from respect to resources, who gets the benefit of the doubt and who is considered beautiful in her new book “Caste: The Origins Of Our Discontents”.
Contract negotiations continue between the Chicago Police union and members of the Lightfoot administration. Governor JB Pritzker warns of statewide budget cuts if Congress fails to act on coronavirus relief. Plus, a former state senator pleads guilty to federal tax evasion. We break down the biggest news of the week in our Weekly News Roundup, this week with host Becky Vevea of WBEZ.
The newest season of WBEZ’s Motive podcast explores how America's white supremacist movement recruits young people, and how the playbook started in Chicago’s punk music scene.
We’ll hear from the podcast’s host and one of its lead subjects for a preview of season three.
A new report commissioned by the mayor says that Chicago is falling short of its promises to create affordable housing. We’ll talk to Housing Commissioner Maria Novara about the report, how far we’ve come, and how much more we need to do.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot just announced a new contact tracing program to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Wecheck in with the city’s top public health official to hear more about that, and all the latest on the local response to COVID-19 in our region.
Pre-recorded calls are reaching Illinois residents, warning them of the false consequences of mail-in voting. Reset learns more about robocalls spreading misinformation in an attempt to suppress the vote ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
Nearly two dozen groups sue Illinois over its cannabis license lottery. Chicago Public Schools start the school year remotely. Plus, aldermen vote to protect affordable housing around the planned Obama Presidential Center. We break down the biggest news of the week in our Weekly News Roundup with guest host Kimberly Egonmwan.
Nearly two dozen groups are suing Illinois to keep new cannabis retail licenses from going to “politically connected” companies. Only 21 out of 700 groups qualified for the state’s lottery system to determine who will be allowed to open pot shops.
We’ll take a closer look at the state’s cannabis lottery system and why lawmakers say Black and brown business owners are being left behind.
Hulu is rolling out a new series called “Woke”, featuring a Black cast, writers, and producers. Chicago-based actor and comedian T. Murph co-stars, and we talk to him abut the roll, what this show means at this moment in time, and his background in Chicago’s comedy scene.
Nearly 16,000 in the CPS system don’t have a permanent home. That makes school difficult in the best of circumstances. In the middle of an unprecedented pandemic, where children need computers and internet access, it’s a real problem. We talk with a number of folks who are working to make remote learning available to these students.
Presidential candidates visiting Kenosha, the rise of Covid-19 in Illinois, and Chicago’s looming budget deficit. We take you deep inside those stories and more on WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup
The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to make this Labor Day weekend far less travel-packed than usual as people opt to stay at home. But famed travel writer Rick Steves urges you to keep a traveler’s mindset during the pandemic, and talks about ways of exploring the world and your neighborhood during while stuck at home.
Police officers have one of the most stressful jobs in America, and a recent survey found that the suicide rate in the CPD is 60% higher than the country’s average. We talk to 2 experts in police mental health, and unpack Mayor Lightfoot’s new initiatives and resources to help cops be the best they can be for themselves, their colleagues, and most important, the communities they're sworn to protect.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers practically begged President Trump not to come to Kenosha. But that’s exactly what he did today. Reset talks to an investigative reporter, a state lawmaker, and an activist about the visit, the realities on the ground in Kenosha, and their plans to heal the rifts and move the city forward.
With a nearly all-Black cast, featuring a story about strong, intelligent Black people who governed themselves, that took place in a sophisticated world they created that blends the modern and the traditional, Black Panther became more than just another superhero movie. It’s a “if you can see it, you can be it” moment that filled audiences with pride and perspective. Which is why the death of lead actor Chadwick Boseman from cancer at age 43 has caused an outpouring of grief. We discover how and why the film and its star made such a deep global impact.
Police charge an Antioch teen with killing two people after a protest in Kenosha, Wis. The Republican National Convention wraps up in North Carolina. Plus, Mayor Lighftoot makes moves toward building a Chicago casino.
Reset breaks down the biggest stories of the week in our Weekly News Roundup with host Justin Kaufmann.
It’s become bigger than a mere sports story. When the Milwaukee Bucks decided not to take the court last night, they were sending a statement on the police shooting of Jacob Blake in nearby Kenosha, Wis., and the Black Lives Matter movement as a whole. Other teams quickly followed suit, and NBA, MLB, WNBA and MLS games were postponed in solidarity.
Sports legal analyst Exavier Pope weighs in, along with former Bulls great Craig Hodges and former Bears linebacker Sam Acho.
25 community groups, including the Cook County Public Defender, signed a letter to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, condemning her use of police force against protesters during the unrest in Chicago in recent months. The letter asks the mayor to “make good” on campaign promises around public safety. Reset checks in with one of the signatories to the letter on what they think the mayor has gotten wrong, but can still get right, when it comes to public safety in Chicago.
The recent police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis., is calling attention to the state’s track record on inequality and policing in Black communities. Reset talks with an urban studies expert who published new research on national Black outcomes, and a business leader whose recent op-ed highlights the impacts of segregation in Milwaukee.
There was unrest on the streets of Kenosha last night after a policeman shot an unarmed black man 7 times in the back. The Wisconsin governor has called in the national guard to keep the peace, but if Portland is a test case, it shows that militarization can actually escalate the situation.
Police ban protests outside Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Logan Square home over safety concerns. Chicago Public Schools puts out its final remote learning plan. Plus, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris formally accept the Democratic Party’s nomination for president and VP. Reset breaks down the biggest stories of the week in our Friday News Roundup.
Illinois on Tuesday joined a coalition of 20 states in a lawsuit against Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and President Donald Trump, challenging drastic operational changes at the U.S. Postal Service. Facing backlash, the postmaster general said USPS would suspend operational changes until after the presidential election. Reset checks in with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul about the lawsuit and what he’ll be watching between now and November.
As the 2020 Democratic National Convention moves into Day 3, Reset checks in with Congressman Chuy Garcia of Illinois to discuss highlights from the virtual event.
Chicago writer Sam Weller is out with a new collection of short stories called "Dark Black." Weller is also the official biographer of the late, great author Ray Bradbury — he would have turned 100 this week.
Protests in Chicago for police accountability once again turned violent this weekend. Reset talks with a reporter who was on the ground Saturday.Also, a law professor discusses the legality of social media surveillance.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot restricts overnight access downtown following civil unrest and looting. Public health officials warn of rising coronavirus cases across the state. Plus, local officials react to Kamala Harris’ VP nomination. Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Friday News Roundup.
Today is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, the day in 2020 the average black woman’s pay catches up to a white man’s...from 2019. We talk to two women studying and trying to change that gap. Plus the how’s and why’s of working women being hit hardest in this covid economy.
Sen. Kamala Harris has made history as the first Black and Asian-American to be put up as a candidate for vice president of the U.S. by a major political party We check in with Cong. Robin Kelly and Cong. Raja Krishnamoorthi, 2 Democratic members of the Illinois congressional delegation, to get their reaction to Joe Biden’s pick for a running mate in 2020.
Carol Moseley Braun broke a number of barriers in her political career. She talks about the possible barrier-breakers Joe Biden may pick as a running mate. Plus black small business owners react to their stores being looted early Monday in the city’s Gold Coast neighborhood.
Covid-19 is back on the rise in Illinois, CPS does an about face on remote learning, and House Speaker Mike Madigan stands firm. ProPublica Illinois’ Mick Dumke and WTTW’s Brandis Friedman break down those stories and more on Reset’s Friday News Roundup.
Chicago was once a coronavirus hotspot. So why are covid-19 positivity rates down in the city, but rising with alarming frequency in the suburbs and surrounding counties? Reset talks with a reporter, and two county health officials to find out where, and why rates of infection are up.
WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp brings us all the info, plus we get reaction from parents, teachers, students, and the teacher’s union president on today’s announcement that Chicago Public Schools will do remote learning for at least the 1st quarter of the year.
Reporter Heather Cherone on the latest covid numbers and info according to the Chicago Department of Public Health, and the Chancellor of the University of Illinois on the precautions put in place to assure the start of the fall semester in Champaign-Urbana
Thousands remain unemployed because of the covid pandemic.And despite Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker extending the deadline on Illinois’ eviction moratorium, thousands of renters in the state are facing eviction. Reset talks with a legal services group for Chicago tenants in need of help.
From the continuing Covid-19 crisis to Mayor Lightfoot lashing back at President Trump to Mike Madigan feeling the heat, Laura Washington and Charlie Meyerson join Justin this week for the Friday News Roundup
Parents, teachers and students are informed and asking questions about Chicago Public Schools’ current plan to reopen schools in the fall. We talk to CPS CEO Janice Jackson about that plan, and how it could change depending on circumstances around the covid-19 crisis.
The Atlantic’s Derek Thompson studies and writes about our work habits. As companies extend their “work from home” timelines, how are we adapting, and what practices will we carry into the future?
6 months in,2 reporters look at how the pandemic has changed life in Illinois, and the manager of a long-term care facility describes what he’s done to keep his residents safe, and their families informed.
From violence in Chicago to the Com-Ed scandal in Springfield, we unpack a lot of big news on this week’s Friday News Roundup. Joining us this time around is NPR correspondent Cheryl Corley and Better Government Association President & CEO David Greising
Opening Day without the threat of snow? Cheryl Raye Stout previews the Cubs and the Sox as MLB begins it’s covid-shortened season. And Illini head coach Lovie Smith has added another name to his already “most diverse college football staff in the nation”. We talk with new head of high school recruitment Ashton Washington
Chicago musician Daniel Knox is known for compositions filled with wit and dark humor and his deep-voiced delivery. But on his new album he plays straight, soothing renditions of some of Fred Rogers’ most beloved songs to help us cope with these difficult, often scary times.
Legendary civil rights leader andcongressman John Lewis is remembered by the woman who wrote his biography. Prof. Duchess Harris is the author of John Lewis: Civil Rights Leader and Congressman. Also Congressman and former Black Panther leader Bobby Rush remembers his friend and colleague.
This weekend’s protests in Chicago over the Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park devolved into violence between Chicago police and protesters. Reset talks with two legal experts on what rights and recourse protesters have in these situations.
All week we’re looking back 25 years to Chicago’s deadly heatwave in 1995. Today we wrap up the series by looking at the lessons we learned, and the plans the city’s put in place to make sure it never happens again.
Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot threaten to bring back COVID-19 restrictions if cases continue to rise. The Chicago Teachers Union pushes back on calls to reopen schools in the fall. Plus, a new report sheds light on the firing of former Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson. Heather Cherone and Lee Bey are the panel for this week’s Friday News Roundup.
All week we’re looking back 25 years to Chicago’s deadly heatwave in 1995. Today we talk to the former aldermen Helen Shiller and Dorothy Tillman. Both witnessed how the poor in their communities were dying, and pressed then-Mayor Daley to take action.
All this week we’re looking back 25 years to Chicago’s deadly heatwave of 1995. Today we talk to the former head of Chicago’s medical examiner’s office, who dealt with the hundreds of bodies as politicians and others downplayed the danger.
In a five-part series, Reset commemorates the 25th anniversary of Chicago's 1995 heatwave that killed at least 739 people over five days. In part 2, we meet Judith Helfand, filmmaker behind the documentary “Cooked: A Survival By Zip Code.” The film is free-streaming through PBS for the next year.
In a five-part series, Reset commemorates the 25th anniversary of Chicago's 1995 heatwave that killed more than 700 people over five days. In part 1, we meet sociologist Eric Klinenberg. He wrote the definitive text on the heatwave and lessons learned.
Sun-Times columnist and ABC 7 political guru Laura Washington teams up with WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopolous to take you inside the biggest local and state stories this week in RESET’s Friday News Roundup.
Young activists are leading the 2020 protest movement, setting the agenda for issues like police reform and social justice. Reset checks in with local hip-hop artist Matt Muse to discuss how activists are setting the course here in Chicago.
A Joliet police sergeant was placed on leave and stripped of police duties Monday after blowing the whistle on the death of a man held in police custody. CBS Chicago’s Dave Savini joins Reset with details of his ongoing investigation of the alleged cover-up in the death of Eric Lurry
The federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, was created to help small businesses stay afloat during the covid-19 crisis. WBEZ reporter Dan Mihalopoulos looked into where those funds went in Illinois, and found out many beneficiaries weren’t exactly the mom-and-pop operations te money was supposed to support.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot spars with President Donald Trump over the city’s response to recent gun violence. Advocates criticize CPD’s plan to arrest teens on “drug corners” ahead of the holiday weekend. Plus, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx plans to drop charges against those arrested in recent protests. Reset breaks down the biggest stories of the week in our weekly news roundup.
Pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics Dr. Shelly Varizi-Flais discusses the AAP’s recommendation that children return to school in the fall. And Chris Jones ponders the future of Broadway, the theater scene, and the culture engine that drives the economy of America’s biggest cities.
Chicago’s biggest public high school, Lane Tech, is setting the wheels in motion to change the school’s “Indians” mascot, after a push from alumni that called it “wrong and racist.” Reset hears from an alum — who once played the mascot role at Lane Tech — on why he thinks it’s time for a change. We also take a look at why other potentially offensive mascots in Illinois sports haven’t gone anywhere, and what it would take.
Dr. Ngozi Ezike has shaped and led Illinois’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk with Dr. Ezike about how far the state has come, and how far we have to go in the fight against the novel coronavirus.
The state is moving into Phase 4 of the coronavirus reopening, city deals with increasing violence, and President Trump says Chicago is like “living in hell”. We’ve got all the week’s big stories for you as A.D. Quig of Crain’s and David Greising of the Better Government Association join Justin Kaufmann for the Friday News Roundup
Progressive activists and politicians in Chicago believe that now is the time to reform Chicago schools, the police department, and more. But the protests and the shifts in attitudes in the wake of the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police have yielded few tangible results. Ald. Rosanna Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd) discusses her frustration with the mayor, CPS, the police, and more.
More than 50 of Chicago’s top drag performers signed an open letter demanding change for how Black performers are treated in Boystown. Two of the leaders of that movement discuss the history of the scene, their grievances with it, and the solutions they’d like to see.
J. Nicole Brooks has made a name for herself by writing plays about Chicago and its long history with racial injustice and segregation. Reset discusses how this current protest moment informs her craft, her play about Jane Byrne that got shut down because of the covid-19 pandemic, and more
In his new memoir “Plague Years: A Doctor’s Journey Through The AIDS crisis,” Dr. Ross Slotten gives us a first-hand account of fighting for patients and battling AIDS during the epidemic that exploded in the 1980's.
From the continued protests over police misconduct to the latest on the city and state’s handling of the covid-19 pandemic, we’ve got all the week’s local news for you in less than 30 minutes. WTTW’s Heather Cherone and the Chicago Tribune’s John Byrne join Justin Kaufmann for the Friday News Roundup
The U.S. Supreme Court decided on the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program this morning. Reset talks with a DACA recipient and the head of a immigration nonprofit to get their response.
As the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd protests continue to impact the lives of many, the South Side nonprofit My Block, My Hood, My City is assisting residents across the city.
The organization’s founder joins Reset to talk about how they’re helping Chicago’s neighborhoods during difficult times.
American police officers are known to have wide ranging work and legal protections when it comes to harm done on the job. Reset talks with two legal scholars about the legal and social landscape of accountability for officers and why it’s so hard to prosecute bad acting officers for misconduct.
Sen. Dick Durbin talks about the possibility of passing police reform in congress, the “Defund the Police” movement, and why congress should continue to help those laid off by the coronavirus pandemic.
From the mayor’s outrage at a videotape showing police misconduct to the latest on the governor’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve got all the week’s local news for you in less then 30 minutes. WTTW’s Heather Cherone and Paris Schutz join Jenn White on her final broadcast as host of Reset before she heads off to Washington, D.C. to host the national NPR program 1A.
The new head of Chicago’s police union gives his opinions about local calls for reform, police misconduct, and the relationship between the police and the public. WBEZ’s Patrick Smith joins us for context and analysis.
When and how did America’s police forces move from “serve and protect” to “us versus them”? We discuss the militarization of the police in the U.S. That comes right after a conversation with an activist who explains why she wants to see CPD defunded.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot takes listener questions, and talks about how she's navigating a global pandemic as well as the ongoing protests and unrest following the death of George Floyd, the Minneapolis man who died after an officer knelt on his neck.
Prosecutors bring charges against four former Minneapolis police officers involved in the deathof George Floyd. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul asks Congress for broader authority to investigate “unconstitutional policing.” Plus, Chicago eases COVID-19 restrictions on non-essential businesses.
Reset breaks down the biggest news of the week in our Friday News Roundup with host Jenn White.
Reset talks with author Imani Perry about her book, Breathe: A Letter to My Sons and the conversation parents are having with their children about what it means to be Black in America.
The Minneapolis Board of Education on Tuesday voted unanimously to terminate its contract with the city’s police department.
Reset learns more about this decision and what it could mean for other school districts across the nation.
Reset checks in with two experts on how to talk to kids about racism, protests and police brutality in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Plus, they dig into the effects racism can have on the health and well-being of young people.
From Minneapolis to New York, D.C. to Detroit, to right here in Chicago, the chants can be heard: “I can’t breathe,” “No justice, no peace” and “Black lives matter.” Across the country, people have taken to the streets to express their hurt and their outrage.
Today on Reset, we take stock of what’s led the country to this moment, and start to talk about the steps needed to achieve racial equity once and for all.
Illinois moves into the next phase of Governor JB Pritzker’s plan to reopen the economy. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says the city is on track to reopen June 3. Plus, state lawmakers pass a new $40 billion dollar budget. Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Friday News Roundup with host Jenn White.
IL Sen. Dick Durbin gives his perspective on where the federal government is standing up, and where it’s falling down when it comes to the physical and economic health of Americans during the covid-19 crisis
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Tuesday blocked a resolution to share the addresses of COVID-19 patients with first responders. Preckwinkle joins Reset to discuss her first legislative veto and COVID-19 recovery efforts in Cook County.
Public health officials say COVID-19 is spreading differently across different parts of the country, which makes the crisis that much harder to contain. Science writer Ed Yong talks about his new article article for The Atlantic, "America's Patchwork Pandemic Is Fraying Even Further".
Chicago author Mikki Kendall talks about her new book and offers a critique of how modern feminism continues to fail marginalized women, and offers ideas on how that can be changed.
Author, blogger, podcast host...that just scratches the surface for Luvvie Ajayi. So who better to turn to for ideas when it comes to what to read, watch, and do while the stay-at-home order is still in effect?
From a billion-dollar budget shortfall to a global pandemic, we look at the challenges and triumphs of Lori Lightfoot’s first year as mayor of Chicago.
A medical historian helps us compare and contrast the COVID-19 pandemic to the flu of 1918. There's a lot we've learned, but we're repeating many of the same mistakes.
The Cook County Jail has been called a ‘petri dish’, with hundreds of inmates and staff hit by the novel coronavirus. We find out how bad things really are, and what’s being done to mitigate the problem. Plus a Chicago photographer documents her neighbors-from a distance-during the stay-at-home order.
We bring you all the big state and local news this week as the covid-19 crisis continues. WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney and Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington break it all down, from City Hall to the statehouse and everywhere in between.
You’ve seen actor Carrie Coon on the big screen in Gone Girl and Avengers: Infinity War. You’ve seen her on the small screen in shows like Fargo on FX. Here in Chicago, she’s a Steppenwolf regular. Today, Carrie offers advice for Reset listeners looking for things to read, watch and do while we stay at home during the covid-19 crisis
Cell phone tracking could play a major part in re-opening the economy. How many people are in the same place at the same time, how long they stay, where they come from and where they’re going are keys to determining which businesses can safely open. Katherine Baiker, Dean of the Harris School for Public Policy at the University of Chicago, explains how it might work.
Spring is here, and so are seasonal allergies. But the symptoms of those allergies are coming during the coronavirus pandemic, and some of those symptoms may be similar. Allergist Dr. Baiju Malde explains the differences, what we should be looking for, and how to best keep yourself safe from the allergens and the virus that’s floating around right now.
In his podcast, The Hilarious World of Depression, writer and humorist John Moe talks to very funny and creative people about their battle with this incredibly common, debilitating, yet still-stigmatizing disease. We talk about the podcast and the memoir he's just crafted from lessons he's learned through these conversations, and his own battles with depression.
We bring you all the big state and local news this week as the covid-19 crisis continues. David Greising of the Better Government Association and Heather Cherone of WTTW break it all down, from City Hall to the statehouse in Springfield and everywhere in between.
Writer Samantha Irby talks about her book Wow: No Thank You. From parenting, to home ownership, to going to a club and realizing you look like everyone’s mom, Irby tackles growing older in a collection of (often painfully) hilarious essays.
From symptoms to best practices and more, the news around COVID-19 is constantly changing and being updated. Infectious disease expert Dr. Mina Taormina returns to answer a new batch of questions from us, and from listeners
We bring you all the big state and local news this week as the covid-19 crisis continues. John Byrne from the Chicago Tribune and Amanda Vinicky of WTTW break it all down, from City Hall to the statehouse in Springfield and everywhere in between.
We’re all doing our best to cope under the current circumstances. But it always helps to get ideas of things to read, watch, and do during the stay-at-home order. So each week, we reach out to a creative Chicagoan to get their ideas. This week, we get some of those ideas science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism author Nnedi Okorafor
When it comes to battling the covid-19 virus, it's not just that we’re not doing things right. It’s that we’re doing things wrong. And we’re doing them for the wrong reasons. We still have a chance to turn things around and save lives, but the future is going to look a lot different than we imagined a few months ago. NY Times’ science and health reporter Donald McNeil looks into that future in his latest article “The Coronavirus In America: The Year Ahead”
Comic Cameron Esposito talks about feeling different and alone growing up in the very straight, very Catholic, very bucolic western suburbs of Chicago in her sometimes painful, often hilarious new memoir Save Yourself
Former CDC chief Dr. Tom Frieden talks about what needs to be done now, and going forward, to make people safe and to beat back the spread of COVID-19
Two journalistic heavyweights, Carol Marin and Mick Dumke, take you inside the biggest stories in Chicago and Illinois this week on our Friday News Roundup.
Hearing from doctors and epidemiologists is important, but we can’t hear from them every day. Which is why today’s RESET guest is Chicago author Rebecca Makkai. Makkai shares things to read, watch and eat while we’re sheltering in place.
Virologist and DePaul University associate professor of health sciences Sarah Connolly describes what it will take to create a covid-19 vaccine, and how far away scientists are from a human trial.
Journalist and author Antonia Juhasz explains why oil has plunged to record-low levels, and what it means for the industry, the American economy, and for you.
For years, public health and science experts warned that the U.S. was not prepared to handle a global pandemic. Reset checks in with Atlantic science writer Ed Yong for his latest piece on how COVID-19 could radically reshape summer across the country, and how the pandemic could end.
Heather Cherone has moved from the Daily Line to WTTW, but she continues to bring us fantastic state and local political coverage. She's joined by Better Government Association's CEO (and long-time journalist) David Greising to deconstruct the biggest news stories of the week on our Friday News Roundup.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois joins Reset for an update on what Capitol Hill is doing to help the American people deal with COVID-19.
Rapper, producer, humanitarian, activist and South Sider Che “Rhymefest” Smith suggests things to read, watch and do that’ll inspire, calm and make us appreciate what we have in this difficult times.
TheCook County assessor’s office is planning to review every single property in the county because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reset checks in assessor Fritz Kaegi for more on the process.
With no way to do social distancing, America’s jails and prisons are petri dishes for covid-19. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx talks about the way she’s trying to overcome these challenges as more guards, detainees, and workers at the jail come down with the virus.
Masks. We should wear them. We shouldn’t wear them. They work. They don’t work. We’ve heard a lot of conflicting and changing information about masks. Find out the real story, as an expert answers questions from us and from you. Plus we remember “The Mailman from Maywood”, the legendary John Prine, who passed away yesterday at age 73.
There’s plenty of state and local news this week as the covid-19 crisis continues. We break it all down with AD Quig of Crain’s Chicago Business, and Laura Washington of the Sun Times and ABC7
News and information about the covid-19 virus-how it spreads, how long it lasts in various environments, and best practices to protect ourselves-is constantly changing. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Mia Taormina keeps us up to date, and answers those questions from Jenn and from listeners like you.
As more and more of our work and family life has gone all online, a cyber security expert gives us tips on how to avoid being hacked. And poet Kevin Coval looks at the Covid crisis from his unique perspective, and lays some amazing poetry on us.
He still needs to be confirmed by the city council, but Mayor Lightfoot’s pick to run the Chicago Police Department is the former chief of police in Dallas. WBEZ’s Patrick Smith gives us some intel on why he was chosen and how he’ll run CPD.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot joins us for an extended conversations about the covid-19 pandemic, the city’s plans and preparedness, first responders, the city’s public schools, what the situation means for the city budget and the overall economy, and more
As we concentrate on taking care of ourselves and our own, who’s looking after the most vulnerable populations in and around Chicago? Helene Gayle of the Chicago Community Trust explains how the precious dollars are making their way to the folks that need it most
Dr. Ernie Wang, chief of emergency medicine at NorthShore University HealthSystem, updates us on the mental and physical health of area emergency room staff, and if they have the resources needed as hospitals see an increase in COVID-19 cases.
Former head of USAID and current president and CEO of the ONE Campaign Gayle Smith talks about how we can apply lessons learned during the Ebola outbreak to the current Covid-19 pandemic
Reset breaks down the biggest news of the week in WBEZ’s Friday News Roundup with host Jenn White.
GUESTS: Paris Schutz, WTTW political correspondent and host
Becky Vevea, WBEZ government and politics reporter
In a rare bipartisan move, late Wednesday the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a $2 trillion emergency bill to grant economic relief to individuals, families and businesses dealing with the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The so-called “CARES Act”, once approved by the House and signed by the President, would be the largest economic rescue package in American history.
This comes as the Labor Department this morning announced that nearly 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week — more than quadruple the previous record set in 1982.
Some economists predict the unemployment rate could go as high as 30 percent. This would match levels during the Great Depression.
Reset checked in with Congressman Brad Schneider, who represents Illinois’ 10th district in Lake County, for more on the bill, including how it helps hospitals in Illinois access the resources they need.
Reset talks to a Chicago ER doctor about life in the emergency room amid supply shortages. We also check in with a member of a citizen-led initiative to help get those needed supplies to Chicago-area healthcare workers.
Among the many responding in time to the novel coronavirus are university and college campuses.
Reset talks with a WBEZ education reporter and an associate vice chancellor of the University of Illinois System, and takes your calls.
Reset looks into how restaurant owners and chefs are reacting to their businesses being closed during the coronavirus pandemic.
GUESTS: Jason Hammel, chef and owner of Lula Cafe in Chicago
Victor Love, owner of Josephine’s Southern Cooking
Greta Johnsen of WBEZ’s Nerdette podcast is a voracious reader and consumer of groovy pop culture. In a twist on the Reset broadcast’s “See Hear Eat” segment, Greta gives us some ideas for things to “Read Watch Do”.
Heather Cherone of the Daily Line and David Greising of the Better Government Association take on the Covid-19 crisis and Illinois primaries on our Friday News Roundup.
There is no better way to fight the global coronavirus pandemic than to be informed. Today’s podcast is devoted to questions from listeners like you, and experts who give sound, scientific answers and advice. Please, share this podcast with your friends and family.
We talk with State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and Congressman Sean Casten about their primary wins, and WBEZ’s Dave McKinney talks about how those and other important races shook out in yesterday’s Illinois primary.
For some, the coronavirus outbreak is a big inconvenience. But for the homeless population in and around Chicago, it’s a huge threat. We get the latest on how covid-19 is affecting the homeless, and we’ll get the latest updates from the Chicago Food Depository on how you can help.
Real experts. Scientists. Doctors. That’s who we’ve lined up to answer questions from listeners about the coronavirus. How it’s transmitted, how lethal it is, best practices to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, and much more
Putting ketchup on a hot dog?! That a no-no here in Chicago. We’ll talk about that, and other unique, often quirky unwritten rules for living in Chicago.
The closings, cancellations, and confusion from the spread of the novel coronavirus tops our list of biggest local news stories this week. We cover that and more with Chicago Tribune reporter Dan Petrella, Crain’s podcaster Amy Guth, and WBEZ editor Kate Grossman
We know the novel coronavirus, or covid 19, easily spreads from person to person. Atlantic writer Yascha Mounk says that’s exactly why we need to stop congregating, and start self-quarantining.
Who are the people that ultimately nominate a candidate for a major party? Where do they come from and how do they get to the convention? We’ll look at how Illinois chooses its delegates. And how Biden beat Bernie in Michigan, a state where Sanders had so much success 4 years ago.
The latest on the covid-19 outbreak in Illinois and what government officials are doing to keep the virus at bay. And the Tribune’s Rick Pearson talks about the congressional race in the 14th district. 7 GOP hopefuls are lining up to take on freshman Democrat Lauren Underwood
With a $10 million grant up for grabs, we talk to another finalist organization for the Pritzker-Traubert Foundation’s “Chicago Prize”. From a healthy lifestyle hub to office spaces and more, we focus is on the work being done by Catalytic Development of Auburn Gresham
In the 4th and final installment of our Closing The Gap series, we look at how early childhood education can strengthen health outcomes for individuals and families in low income communities.
WTTW’s Paris Schutz, AD Quig from Crain’s Chicago Business, and David Greising of the Better Government Association take you deep into the biggest local stories of the week on our Friday News Roundup.
Film festival highlights how we can look differently at the environment, our own sustainability practices, and the intersection of the environment and social justice. Films will play in multiple venues in Chicago, suburban cook, and surrounding counties. Oneearthfilmfest.org
Jonah Newman of Injustice Watch talks about the organizations’s guide to help you decide who to vote for when it comes to the large slate of judgeships up for grabs in Cook County. And WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel gives you the latest in the primary contest for Illinois’ 3rd congressional district
The Northwestern Medicine program COMPASS gets new and expectant mothers individualized mental health care quickly. And the latest updates on coronavirus in Illinois.
The Pritzker Traubert Foundation is giving away a $10 million grant that’ll be given to a group or groups working to improve certain neighborhoods in Chicago. Today, we highlight the work of another of the finalists for the Chicago Prize
Part 3 of our series Closing The Gap focuses on access to healthcare, and how that can determine life expectancy.
Coronavirus, city towing, and CPS dumping Columbus Day. Those are just some of the local stories we cover with journalists Mick Dumke, Heather Cherone, and Kristen Schorsch on our Friday News Roundup
A new virtual reality exhibit at the DuSable Museum allows visitors to step into history and witness one of the most iconic civil rights moments in America.
Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it’s only a matter of time before the coronavirus begins to spread in the U.S., though local state and city officials are urging calm. We talk to an infectious disease expert on what real preparation and prevention looks like.
Seventy former U.S. Senators — 48 Democrats, 18 Republicans and four Independents — published a Washington Post op-ed Tuesday calling on incumbent Senators to form a bipartisan caucus committed to making the Senate function as the framers intended. Reset sits down with one of the co-signers: Illinois Democrat Carol Moseley Braun, who served in the Senate from 1993 to 1999.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson’s speeches have moved and inspired audiences around the world for more than 50 years. Acting as editor, Prof. Grace Kim has gathered many of Jackson's most famous oratorical moments in book form for the first time. We talk with Jackson and Kim about Keeping Hope Alive: Sermons and Speeches of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
From keeping safe on the EL to using carbon credits while flying, Reset contributor Mary Wisniewski has a full slate of transportation news. Plus, what the suburbs are doing to lure companies back after so many have made the switch to new digs in the city.
In the first round of our series “Closing The Gap”, we look at the disparities in life expectancy across Chicago. Here in part 2, we take a closer look at Englewood, the neighborhood with some of the lowest life expectancies not only in Chicago, but in the country.
Two Illinois governors grabbed the biggest headlines this week. The former one is a convicted felon. The current one is trying to get a budget passed. WTTW’s Amanda Vinickey, the BGA’s David Greising, and WBEZ’s Dave McKinney break it all down.
Find out how Chicago Police District 7 in Englewood is gaining the trust of the community. And a UIC researcher breaks down how the diets of various racial groups are affecting the environment.
Gov. Pritzker talks about the state of the state’s economy, and his plans and priorities for the budget. You'll hear the entire speech, and analysis from WBEZ's Tony Arnold
President Trump commuted the sentence of former governor Rod Blagojevich. We’ll hear parts of Blago’s press conference and analysis from WBEZ’s Dave McKinney
Chicago Native Nusrat Choudhury is excited about coming back to her hometown to fight injustice as new top litigator for ACLU Illinois. She outlines the types of cases she’s interested in taking on as the ACLU celebrates a century of defending civil liberties in the U.S.
We talk to one of the finalists for the Chicago Prize. It’s a $10 million grant given out to a group or groups working on innovative solutions to make their neighborhoods safer, or greener, or creating more opportunities or have better amenities for their residents.
A final four for Chicago’s top cop job, the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting in Aurora, and Jussie Smollett is indicted… again. Those stories and more as ProPublica’s Mick Dumke, WTTW’s Paris Schutz, and WBEZ’s own Patrick Smith join us for this week’s Friday News Roundup.
Northern Illinois University is one of the first higher education institutions to go fully test-blind in their admissions process, alongside other Illinois schools opting for test-optional admissions.
Reset sits down with two Illinois admissions directors and a veteran higher education journalist to hear about this trend.
llinois University
IL Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-8th) responds to President Trump’s proposed budget, and we look at a north side metal recycler that’s been accused for years of polluting the neighborhood.
A decade and a half ago, residents of Chicago’s Southwest side saw a real need for access to bilingual physical and mental health resources. Today, Esperanza has four locations across the Southwest Side, providing healthcare to thousands.
Over the next several Sundays, we’re bringing you our series Closing The Gap, where we look at the huge disparities in life expectancy between rich and poor neighborhoods in Chicago. How big is the gap? Why does this gap exist? And what people are doing to close the gap?
From the turmoil at the Iowa caucus, to the protests at Lincoln Park High, guilty pleas from state officials to a proposed ban on red light cameras, we go deep on all the big local and regional news stories in our Friday News Roundup.
American University professor and historianAllan Lichtman has correctly predicted every presidential contest since 1984. In 2016, he predicted Donald Trump would become president, and that he’d be impeached. One day after Trump’s acquittal by the senate on two impeachment charges, we reached out to Lichtman to find out what he thinks comes next for this presidency, the country and the 2020 elections
Last June, Illinois passed a bill legalizing sports betting. But almost eight months later, it still hasn’t launched.
Sports betting analyst Sam Panayotovich and Rush Street Gaming CEO Greg Carlin join Reset to discuss.
GUESTS: Sam Panayotovich, sports betting analyst for NBC Sports
Greg Carlin, CEO of Rush Street Gaming
Second City shines a light on black performers past and present for Black History Month. And Cécile Shea talks about what Brexit might mean for Chicago and the Midwest.
Former EPA leader Gina McCarthy now heads the National Resources Defense Council. She says thinking about climate change in terms of melting glaciers is too overwhelming for people to deal with. By thinking about how we build our homes and how we grow our feed, we can make a huge difference.
An Oscar-nominated animated short looks at the relationships between a young black girl, her hair, and her dad. Two of the people behind the film talk about the deep personal and cultural meanings of the film.
Dan Petrella from the Chicago Tribune, David Greising of the Better Government Association, and WBEZ’s Dave McKinney talk about the governor’s State of the State address, a retooling of the Chicago Police Department and more in our Friday News Roundup with host Jenn White.
Four South Side hospitals are merging, in hopes of bringing more new and comprehensive health care options closer to the people who need them most. We speak with two of the CEO’s involved to learn about their plans to diminish the glaring health disparities between the north and south sides of the city.
In case you missed it, or want to take a closer listen, here's Gov. Pritzker's State of the State speech, given at noon today in Springfield
Access to justice can only happen if individuals and groups have access to legal expertise and resources. Marginalized communities both in urban and rural areas often are without this access to legal aid. Governor Pritzker allocated $10 million of this year’s state budget to help fund organizations that provide legal aid, and we talk to 2 women that’ll help allocate those funds.
A recent report showed a quarter of undergraduate women at 30 universities across the country have been sexually assaulted. This week, two groups at Northwestern University hosted MeToo founder Tarana Burke on campus.We talk to some of the leaders of those groups about their efforts to raise awareness and create programs designed to eradicate the problem.
Tracie Hall talks about her plans and goals as she becomes the first African American woman to lead the American Library Association. The ALA the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to the advancement of libraries and their important role as holders and disseminators of knowledge.
Monica Eng and Louisa Chu, co-hosts of the Chewing Podcast, talk about the history of Chinese food in Chicago, and Monica softens her stance on Americanized Chinese food.
Illinois state politics gurus Amanda Vinicky (WTTW) and Tony Arnold (WBEZ) bring us the latest news out of Springfield in our Friday News Roundup
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we hear from the folks behind Truth Racial Healing, and Transformation Greater Chicago. They’ve planned events across the area to help people better understand each other, and to help individuals heal from racial trauma.
For decades, the Chicago Police Department’s field training program has been in shambles. But officials say they’re turning it around.
Reset takes a look at CPD’s efforts to overhaul the program that could determine the future of policing in Chicago.
Chicagoan Chris Redd talks about wanting to be a rapper and a wannabe gangster before finally finding himself as a standup comic, and eventually a cast member on Saturday Night Live.
The City Council, The County, and The State are all on the agenda, as WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney, Daily Line managing editor and City Hall reporter Heather Cherone and A.D. Quig, government and politics reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business join us for the Friday News Roundup
Is Chicago’s decade-long building boom slowing down? And, as temperatures and sea-levels rise, so does the interest in Cli-Fi, or Climate Change Fiction
6 community organizations are trying to win $10 million to advance their work investing in the future of certain Chicago neighborhoods
Today on Reset, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker discusses his first year in office. We talked about legal cannabis, a graduated income tax...and why he wanted to expand gambling statewide.
We also hear Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton about her work to make criminal justice in Illinois more fair and equitable.
After 41 years as a legislator in Springfield, including the last decade as Senate President, Chicago Democrat John Cullerton is bowing out of politics to honor a long-standing promise to his wife to spend more time with family.
Reset talks with Cullerton about some of the biggest moments in his political career, the ongoing federal investigations into Illinois lawmakers and what challenges and opportunities lay ahead for his successor.
Many people born and raised in Chicago, and many newbies to the city, are told to not go to the South or West sides of the city. Many of those who say it have never actually been to those neighborhoods, or know anyone from those neighborhoods. We’ll look at what happens to a neighborhood and the people in it when their community is on an unofficial “do not visit’ list.
WBEZ’s, Tony Arnold, Better Government Association CEO David Greising, and Shia Kapos of Politico talk about the biggest local news stories of the week on our Friday News Roundup
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle talks about her priorities for the the new year, and Reset’s Sustainability Contributor Karen Weigert looks back at the biggest environmental stories of 2019
The state will distribute 75 new recreational marijuana dispensary licenses by May 1. Reset takes a look at how minority business owners are working to enter the legal cannabis industry.
Why the United Methodist Church is preparing to split, and a new book chronicles the history of Chicago’s famed theater scene
Pot. Weed. Grass. Doobie. Mary Jane. Whatever you want to call it, marijuana is legal in Illinois. That’s the biggest story in a week of big stories we cover as we begin a new year on the Friday News Roundup.
Homicides and shootings were down in Chicago in 2019 compared to recent years. We’ll get the numbers and the reasons behind them. Plus we’ll hear from a group of 8th grade girls from the city’s South Side are the state chess champs.
Looking for something to read as the weather turns cold? Our panel of book experts and our listeners talk about the favorite things they read in 2019
Historian Dominic Pacyga takes us inside his new book, American Warsaw: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Polish Chicago
Author Leila Taylor takes us into the dark heart of the American Gothic, analyzing the ways it relates to race in America in the twenty-first century.
Matthew Sherman talks with Natalie Moore about his new book “Newcomers: Gentrification and Its Discontents”, a history of gentrification in Chicago, San Francisco, and Brooklyn over the last 60 years.
A new book by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor looks at how a mix of federal policy and private industry perpetuated the segregation lines in cities like Chicago
Mayor Lori Lightfoot blocks a six-month delay on recreational weed sales starting Jan.1. Cook County Board proposes a 3% pot tax. Plus Gov. JB Pritzker signs a pension consolidation bill,
Reset breaks down these stories and more in WBEZ’s Chicago and Illinois News Roundup.
GUESTS: A.D. Quig, government and politics reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business
Claudia Morell, WBEZ City Hall reporter
Lolly Bowean, Chicago Tribune reporter
Reset talks to Democratic Congressman Mike Quigley of Illinois’ 5th district, who was one of the 230 house votes in favor of impeachment.
A WBEZ investigation found multiple prisoners have been denied eye surgery because of a “one good eye” policy.
Also, survivors of crime in Illinois are some of the least likely in the United States to apply for victim compensation and services.
Resetfinds out why from two crime victims advocates.
The deadline to sign up for healthcare through the Affordable Care Act has been extended until tomorrow morning. Dan Weissmann, host of the podcast “An Arm and a Leg” brings us the details and breaks down why accessing health insurance in this country is so costly and confusing. But first, a look at what to expect on Wednesday when — for just the third time in American history — the House of Representatives will debate and vote on whether to impeach a sitting president.
Tonika Lewis Johnson’s “Folded Map” project brings together residents across Chicago’s segregation lines, and the project has expanded to include West Side addresses.
Reset sits down with Tonika and her first pair of West Side map twins to hear about the experience.
Daily Line’s Heather Cherone, Chicago Sun Times and ABC 7’s Laura Washington, and WTTW’s Paris Schutz dive into the biggest stories in and around Chicago this week.
Sun-Times City Hall Reporter Fran Spielman breaks down the latest Moody’s report that says Chicago and Detroit are at the bottom of a list of major American cities when it comes to how well they’d fare when the next big recession hits. Plus searching for the perfect latke ahead of Hanukkah
Shannon Downey mixes crafts and activism to create “Craftivism”, and IL Congressman Krishnamoorthi talks about the articles of impeachment.
Our Closing The Gap series digs into the disparities in contraceptive health and education. We talk to two professionals who are working to close the gap.
WBEZ’s Patrick Smith, WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky, and Crain’s A.D. Quig take a deep dive into the biggest stories in and around Chicago this week.
The Trump administration is changing certain eligibility rules for receiving food assistance, and it could affect many in Illinois. Plus the newest member of the WBEZ/Vocalo family gives us great tips on some things to see, hear, and eat this weekend around Chicago.
Today marks 50 years since police killed the young Black Panthers leader during a pre-dawn raid. Reset looks at how Hampton's legacy lives on in Chicago.
Also: Chicago's winter parking ban went into effect this week. We look at what you need to know to avoid getting your car towed.
Rates of HIV diagnoses are falling in cities across the country like New York, Philadelphia and right here in Chicago.
That’s the good news. The bad news: cases of the virus are cropping up more and more in rural areas like West Virginia and other parts of Appalachia.
Reset sits down with Steven Thrasher,assistant professor at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, for more on this issue.
We also check in with Jill Hopkins, the host of the Morning Amp on WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo. She introduces us to some of the talented folks around the city that are being highlighted in Vocalo’s series “This Is What Chicago Sounds Like.”****
This morning, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot fired the city’s top cop Eddie Johnson. The mayor said the CPD superintendent "repeatedly lied to her." The move was particularly stunning in its timing. It comes just weeks ahead of his scheduled retirement.
Reset also sits down with political consultant Alaina Hampton. On Friday, Hampton reached a $275,000 settlement in a federal lawsuit against Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's political committees. The settlement comes nearly two years after Hampton came forward with allegations of sexual harassment against (Kevin Quinn,) a former top aide to Madigan.
The Reset podcast is taking the day off, but we'll be back on Sunday when Jenn talks to KP of the Portland band Black Belt Eagle Scout
There’s a lot we know about the origins of Thanksgiving. The problem is, we’re not taught the real history in school. For that, we turn to David Silverman, professor of history at George Washington University. He’s the author of the book This Land is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving. Plus WBEZ’s Monica Eng goes through the array of side dishes that folks have on their Thanksgiving table. And it’s a lot more interesting than mashed potatoes.
We’ll hear how the vote went down as Chicago’s City Council passes Mayor Lightfoot’s first budget. And Rep. Robin Kelly (D-2nd) talks about her fight to improve health care for women during pregnancy and the first year after they give birth.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has announced she’s running for reelection. She’s raising plenty of money and has the endorsement of a number of high-profile politicians. But can she get past the missteps associated with the Jussie Smollett case? We hear from Foxx, and WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith
KP of Black Belt Eagle Scout talks about moving off her small reservation to go to college, finding her place in the world and in Portland's music scene, and starting a band of her own to tell her story as a brown, queer, indigenous person. Her latest album "At The Party With My Brown Friends" is filled with dreamy sounds and personal stories. It's garnered rave reviews and made her one of the most talked about indie-rock musicians in 2019.
A new investigation by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois found some disturbing information about the use of so-called Quiet Rooms for students in schools across Illinois. The practice is banned in 19 states, and while many teachers and school officials call it a useful tool to keep students and staff safe from violent behavior, often it’s the only tool at their disposal and can be misused.
WBEZ’s Tony Arnold, A.D. Quig of Crain’s Chicago Business, and the Chicago Tribune’s John Byrne talk about the city budget, indictments in Springfield, and much more in our Friday News Roundup.
Controversial comic Lenny Bruce talked about taboo subjects from the stage in the 1960’s. From religion to sex to race relations, Bruce attacked what he saw as hypocrisy, and forced his audiences to confront uncomfortable truths.
Resetsits down with actor and writer Ronnie Marmo about his one-man play "I’m Not A Comedian...I’m Lenny Bruce," which highlights what Bruce means to him and where he thinks Bruce fits into today’s conversations about free speech.
"I'm Not A Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce" is playing at The Royal George Theatre through Jan. 5.
A new study from the CDC shows children exposed “Adverse Childhood Experiences”-neglect, abuse, an incarcerated or addicted parent-have a much higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, and other debilitating diseases when they get older. We find out more and what some are trying to do to prevent it.
Celebrated Cartoonist Lynda Barry is now a little more celebrated: she just became a MacArthur "Genius Grant" winner. Barry talks about how, no matter what they think, anyone can draw. She lays out the case in her new book “Making Comics”
Senate President John Cullterton is retiring after 4 decades in the statehouse, and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley is front-and-center in the impeachment hearings. We’ll find out what the Illinois senate will be like without Cullerton, and what kinds of questions Quigley is preparing for witnesses on capitol hill this week.
Some in the Asian American community are looking to get their neighbors involved in a movement that would bring environmental justice to Chinatown and Bridgeport. Plus WBEZ’s Jerome McDonnell puts together a roundtable to help boost Chicago’s incredibly low recycling rate
After 16 years, TribPub is pulling the plug on its Spanish-language newspaper Hoy. We talk with current and future staffers about what it means for the Latinx and the greater Chicago community. And NPR Illinois statehouse reporter Brian Mackie gives us up-to-the-minute info on the final hours of the fall veto session in Springfield.
New York Times national security correspondent David Sanger talks about cyber warfare, and what the U.S. is doing to thwart hackers and the countries that sponsor them that are working to cause mayhem in everything from our power grids to our elections.
Alderman wrap up 2 weeks of budget hearings. What did they learn about it, and will they vote for it? Plus, one woman says giving gang members knowledge and options, and treating them like human beings, can help stem the tide of violence in Chicago and El Salvador
Mothers who’ve lost sons talk about personal items donated to the Gun Violence Memorial Project, and Transportation contributor Mary Wisniewski on making the streets safer for pedestrians and bikers
Author Caitlin Doughty destigmatizes death for kids and adults alike by answering 35 questions about death, dead bodies, and decomposition in her new book “Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs”.
Our weekly roundtable featuring some of the best journalists in Chicago breaking down the biggest stories of the last 7 days.
Superintendent Eddie Johnson announced he’ll be stepping down at the end of the year. How did he do in the job? And what does it mean for Chicago's policing future? Reset brings you analysis and reaction from a variety of sources.
How CPS is making up the strike-related lost school days. Plus Chicago historian Mikki Kendall tells amazing stories from women’s history via the new graphic novel “Amazons, Abolitionists and Activists: A Graphic History of Women’s Fight For Their Rights”
Action on climate change being taken on local level as Trump gives 2020 date to pull U.S. out of Paris Accord. And Hospital understaffing and lack of safety guidelines forcing nurses to quit and putting patients at risk.
Indebted, the new book by NYU professor Caitlin Zaloom looks at the crushing pressures the college loan system puts on middle class families. And WBEZ’s Nerdette nerds out with Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.
Author, Historian, and the director of American University’s Antiracist Research and Policy Center Ibram X. Kendi talks about his personal story and how it ties into his new book “How To Be An Antiracist”.
Our panel of journalists take a deep dive into the biggest news stories of the week, including winners and losers in the teacher’s strike, and more elected officials busted by the feds.
Manufacturing on Chicago’s South and West Sides kept whole communities squarely in the middle class. But when those jobs left in the 1960’s and 70’s, there was no plan to re-invigorate the neighborhoods or retrain the people. Those areas of the city are still feeling the effects of the economic shift. We take a deep dive with 4 WBEZ reporters who’ve been telling the story of Chicago’s manufacturing losses.
Plus Dennis Rodkin brings us the history of the ornate Murphy Auditorium just off the Magnificent Mile on E. Erie.
We find out why more than one Chicago area hospital is closing or cutting back on their OB/GYN services from Tribune reporter Lisa Schencker. And WBEZ’s Sarah Karp brings you the latest on the Chicago teachers strike, now in its 10th day.
IL State Rep. Luis Arroyo is accused of trying to bribe a state senator with monthly payments in exchange for support on legislation that would benefit a client Arroyo also lobbies for.
And with major auto workers, nurses, and teachers strikes happening across the country, we take the temperature of the American labor movement, and why unions seem to be having a moment in the spotlight.
Illinois lawmakers gather in Springfield today to kick off the fall veto session. Legislators are expected to vote on some big ticket items, including House Bill 38-88. That’s legislation that would effectively ban emissions of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing gas.
Ethylene oxide was the gas being emitted from the Sterigenics plant in DuPage county before it was closed down earlier this year. Meanwhile, it’s still being put into the air by two facilities in Lake County.
Resettalks to two scientists from the group Stop EtO--that's “Stop Ethylene Oxide”--in Lake County.
We also check in with Brian Mackey, the state government and politics reporter for WUIS and NPR Illinois, for a rundown on what’s on the agenda this fall.
Poet Saeed Jones’s new memoir How We Fight For Our Lives is at once raw and painful...and achingly beautiful. Jones writes about growing up black and gay and trying figure out how to carve out an identify separate from the people he loves most. An identity that is authentically him...and space where he can find joy in himself.
Heather Cherone of the Daily Line, John Byrne of the Chicago Tribune, and WBEZ’s Claudia Morell talk about the mayor’s budget address, Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson and much more on our Friday News Roundup.
One day after Mayor Lightfoot’s first budget address, she answered questions from Reset and from listeners across the city. No filters, nothing pre-arranged. Just a straight Q & A.
Reset Bonus Pod: In case you missed it, we're bringing you Mayor Lori Lightfoot's 2020 budget speech, unedited and in its entirety
Our panel of experts break down Mayor Lightfoot's first budget speech, where she described her plans to fill a deficit of over $800 million
The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III talks about how his congregation raised the money to wipe out over $5 million in medical debt for 6,000 South Side residents.
And a new exhibition is up at the Chicago History Museum that focuses on the past, present, and future of the diverse Muslim communities in Chicago and the suburbs.
What were the feds looking for when they raided the City Club of Chicago, and why was Mike Madigan's name on the list? And Lee Bey's new book Southern Exposure documents architecture on the South Side.
How do you build a museum from scratch...that encompasses 400 years of African American history? How do you get it to tell hard truths, without making it a completely depressing experience for visitors? And how do you do it in a politically charged time, when the African American experience continues to shift and change? You talk to Lonnie Bunch. He explains how he managed to pull it off in his new memoir A Fool’s Errand: Creating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the age of Bush, Obama, and Trump
Teachers on strike, cops getting fired, and where pot will be sold in the city are just some of the stories our panel of takes on in Reset’s Friday News Roundup featuring WTTW’s Paris Schutz, The Daily Line’s Heather Cherone, and David Greising of the Better Government Association.
The Chicago teachers and support staff are on strike. You’ll hear the latest from WBEZ’s Senior Education Editor Kate Grossman. Plus Reset’s Sustainability Contributor Karen Weigert talks about how we can all benefit from sustainability programs at the micro level.
For 15 years, Jason DeSanto worked as a speechwriter and debate prepper for U.S. senators and presidential candidates. DeSanto brings his take on last night’s big Democratic debate.
Plus Monica Eng kicks of our series Global Groceries by taking you through Mitsuwa Japanese Marketplace, and explains some of the staples of Japanese cooking.
Sarah Karp brings you the latest on the negotiations between the teacher’s union and the city, and Chip Mitchell explains how far Chicago police officials went to justify the shooting of Laquan McDonald.
Toni Preckwinkle introduces her 2020 budget for Cook County. And former U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power talks American diplomacy in the age of Trump.
Why haven't you seen a daily podcast in your feed this week? As we wind down Morning Shift and ramp up our new program Reset, Jenn White explains how we've got you covered from a programming perspective (more of the news and conversations that matter to you), and from a technical perspective (no need to unsubscribe/resubscribe). Check out the short message from Jenn, and see you back here very soon!
Gary Pressy attended every Cubs home game for 33 years. No, he isn’t a die-hard season ticket holder. He’s the club’s organist. But all great streaks eventually come to an end, and a few weeks ago, he announced his retirement. Before playing his last 7th inning stretch, Pressy sat down with WBEZ’s sports contributor Cheryl Raye Stout to talk about his life, his career, and the special place the organ has in the atmosphere at Wrigley Field.
Farmers in Illinois and across the Midwest are hurting. Because of the weather. Because of competition with massive agribusiness. Because of the trade war with China. Last week, Taiwan doubled its order of Illinois soybeans. Cecile Shea of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs explains why it might not be the boon that farmers were hoping for, and explains what might be ahead for consumers in this “war of the tariffs” between China and the U.S.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has called for an official impeachment inquiry yesterday. That means the 6 House of Representatives committees investigating the president and his administration will determine if there’s enough evidence for the House to proceed with impeachment hearings. HuffPost congressional reporter Arthur Delaney fills us in on the latest, and Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL 10th) gives his take on where this is all going and what it means for congress and the country.
Then Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey updates us on the continuing negotiations between the CTU and Chicago Public Schools, and the possibility of a teacher’s strike.
When it comes to climate change, much of the world is sitting up, taking notice, and pledging to do something, while the Trump administration rolls back environmental regulations and denies there’s even a problem. We talk about the recent UN Climate Action Summit with Karen Weigert.
Plus we hear from actor Harry Hadden-Paton about his role as England’s King George VI, and how the king overcame a stutter to lead his nation through WWII with the help of his speech therapist.
Nurses at the University of Chicago Medical Center went on a one-day strike last Friday, highlighting what they see as staffing issues that put patients at risk. We’ll find out more about the strike from Tribune healthcare reporter Lisa Schencker, and Denise Summers, a member of the union representing the 2,000+ nurses that hit the picket lines.
Then, crime is up on the El. We’ll find out what kinds of crimes, and what’s being done to curtail them from our transportation contributor and Chicago Tribune transportation columnist Mary Wisniewski
A college education can greatly improve socioeconomic mobility. In The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes Or Breaks Us, journalist Paul Tough examines the many barriers to higher education for low income and minority students.
No pot stores on the Mag Mile, and the mayor’s refusal to release all the documents related to the Laquan McDonald case are just some of the stories we’re covering in today’s Friday News roundup
WBEZ reporting has found the way the City of Chicago dishes out fines and fees associated with car tickets has affected disadvantaged neighborhoods of color more than any other. Mayor Lori Lightfoot is trying to change that, and some of her reforms will get a vote tomorrow at City Council. City Comptroller Reshma Soni describes the reforms Lightfoot is pushing, and how she thinks they’ll help people, and the city, in the long run.
Plus one woman’s mission to pair parents of children with special needs with employers offering a decent wage and flexible schedules.
From the late 1980’s and into the 90’s, Chicago’s Wicker Park was both a working-class neighborhood and a hub for young creatives searching for community and a place to hone their art. 10 years later, the area became a magnet for developers looking to cash in on Wicker Park’s hip nature and the close proximity to downtown.
Poet and activist Kevin Coval’s new book “Everything Must Go: The Life And Death of An American Neighborhood” examines the changes that Coval witnessed, what gentrification meant to Wicker Park, to Chicago, and to neighborhoods in cities facing a similar situation and fate.
Chicago singer-songwriter Kaina Castillo has been performing at venues across the city since she was a teen. The Irving Park native built a name for herself along the way, and is now touring on her first full-length album, Next to the Sun.
From federal oversight of Chicago’s public schools tied to last year’s news of CPS’s oversight of sexual abuse and assault cases, to judges in high places to an unfolding story of the continued failure of the state’s Department of Children and Family Services, our round table of reporters break down the biggest news of the week on our Friday News Roundup
Driving for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft may be your ticket to some extra money. But if you owe fines or fees to the city, you may be blocked from doing the job. WBEZ’s Elliot Ramos explains what’s happening, and who’s affected most.
Plus activists argue in court that developer Sterling Bay has no right to use public money from TIFs to build their mega-development known as Lincoln Yards. Find out what the judge said yesterday.
Mayor Lightfoot is trying to plug a Grand Canyon-sized budget hole. It’s somewhere in the neighborhood of $860 million. Every penny counts. So when she found out that the Chicago Police Department dished out nearly $70 million in overtime-for just the first 6 months of 2019-she called in the superintendent to find out what was going on. Sun Times reporter Fran Spielman takes us through the past, present, and future of the city’s police overtime.
Plus Lynn Scarlett, Vice President of Policy and Government Relations at the Nature Conservancy, talks about the effect of the Trump administration’s many environmental rollbacks.
Uber wants to be more than a rideshare company. They want to dominate a number of transportation markets in the same way Amazon has become a one-stop shopping experience. To that end, Uber has leased the massive old post office building that straddles the entrance to the Eisenhower expressway, with plans to turn it into the headquarters for Uber Freight. But the company hasn’t turned a profit yet, and Wall Street isn’t as forgiving with companies as they were when tech first began to boom.
Then, steel companies are dumping poisonous chemicals into rivers and streams the feed directly into Lake Michigan. We’ll find out what’s going on, and the environmental impact.
Gregory Michie was born to teach. After years as a CPS teacher, Michie took a job as an education professor. He thought he was leaving the rough-and-tumble of daily teaching for a less stressful gig at a university. But a decade later, he was back. Michie’s new book “Same As It Never Was: Notes On A Teacher’s Return To The Classroom” looks at his return to the same school, the same grade level, and the same subjects he taught before he left in the 1990’s...and how the system and the kids have changed, and stayed the same.
David Greising of the Better Government Association, Amanda Vinickey of WTTW and A.D. Quig of Crains’ Chicago Business break down the biggest news stories of the week, including Mayor Lightfoot’s twitter spat with Sen. Ted Cruz, the latest on the city budget, the most recent talk of a looming teacher’s strike, and much more.
Bears' chairman George McCaskey talks to Cheryl Raye Stout about his life and work as the grandson of the team's-and the NFL's-founder George Halas
WBEZ’s Patrick Smith explains why prosecution numbers for murder cases are so low. And things to do this weekend around Chicago with See, Hear, Eat.
In his new book, Chicago Public Schools teacher Gregory Michie writes about what it was like to return to teach in the same middle school in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood where he began his career after more than a decade as an education professor.
Morning Shift digs into what’s different about the teaching profession this decade compared with the late 1990s and how Michie navigates his role as a white teacher in a school that’s almost exclusively made up of black and brown students.
Actor, author, and woodworker Nick Offerman talks about his family, his time in Chicago, and his philosophy on life as he prepares to take his one-man show on the road. He’ll hit the Chicago Theater Sept. 15th.
Mayor Lightfoot had good news and bad news when she delivered her state-of-the-city speech last night. The good was the number of reforms and cost-saving measures she implemented in her first 100 days. The bad news is, those reforms may not be enough to save us as we face major-and immediate-fiscal challenges. WBEZ political reporter Dan Mihalopoulos fills in for Jenn White, and is joined by Heather Cherone of the Daily Line and Paris Schutz of WTTW for a lively roundup of the speech, and the other important local news of the week.
In the latest installment of The Movie That Made Me, Lesle Honore of the KLEO Community Family Life Center talks about her attachment to, and struggles with, the classic film Gone With the Wind.
Plus A.D. Quig of Crains’ takes a stab at what Mayor Lightfoot will say tonight at her first State of the City address. The speech airs at 6pm here on WBEZ.
Tens of thousands of people in Cook County have a hard time getting a job, finding housing, or moving on to become productive citizens after a conviction for a marijuana-related offense. But when weed becomes legal in Illinois on January 1, many of those convictions will be expunged. This will break down some of the barriers so that these people can better provide for themselves and their families. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx talks about the work that her office is doing in tandem with San Francisco-based Code For America to make these expungements happen.
Plus WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp answers some of the questions we couldn’t get to with CPS CEO Janice Jackson yesterday.
From budgets to hiring, from staffing to special ed, people in Chicago have a lot of questions when it comes to the 2019-2020 school year at Chicago’s public schools. CPS CEO Janice Jackson joins us for an extended one-on-one where she talks about those issues, answers questions from listeners, and addresses the possibility of a teachers strike
When Lori Lightfoot campaigned for Mayor of Chicago, she talked about rooting out corruption, making government more transparent, including communities in discussions about how to make better policy, and having an all-around more equitable city that works for everyone. 3 key members of her transition teams talk about how they’ve done so far, and the work that still needs to be done to keep those promises.
Then, the trend was to tear down Englewood in order to save it. The problem is, nothing has gone into those empty spaces. So what’s the plan? What do the residents want? And how can neighbors and the city bring new housing and investment to the neighborhood?
CJ Run was born in Germany, grew up in England, spent their high school years in rural North Carolina, and finally found community and a sense of belonging at college in Champaign-Urbana. Now, they’ve moved to Chicago, and the music is flowing like never before. They hope that music provides inspiration to kids like them who are trying to figure out who they are and what life’s all about.
Mayor Llightfoot and the billion dollar budget hole. Why national Democrats need to stop in Chicago. A Tea Party firebrand looks to run against Trump. And rampant bullying and sexual harassment in the statehouse outlined in a new report. Those stories and more on this week’s Friday News Roundup.
Last year a staffer in Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s office came forward with allegations of sexual harassment against her superior Kevin Quinn. Now a new report fully outlines the circumstances and situations women have endured for years. And while Madigan himself has not been accused of wrongdoing, the powerful politician has apologized for not seeing it, or responding to these allegations in a timely manner.
Plus Eugene Jones Jr. was the CHA’s 5th CEO in 4 years. Residents liked his accessibility and his can-do spirit. But just a few months after he refuted rumors that he was moving on from the job, Jones turned in his resignation.
The Trump administration’s decision to withhold funds from health providers that talk about abortions has led Planned Parenthood to leave the federal program Title X and go without the millions in funds that comes with it. We talk about what that means for the organization, and women across the country and in Illinois
Plus we look at the nonprofit I Grow Chicago, and the services and a safe space they provide for the residents of Englewood and beyond.
It’s not quite the old smoke-filled back room of yore, but Cook County Democrats met late last week to choose who they’ll be supporting in the 2020 elections. WBEZ county reporter Kristen Schorch explains who got the nod, and how the county party’s backing helps a candidate.
Then Mother Jones’ AJ Vicens talks about the reporting he’s done around election tampering via social media, and how rules to combat it might inadvertently be hurting municipal elections across the country, including here in Chicago.
Over the last week, news reports and business channels have been throwing around the term Inverted Yield Curve. We’ll find out what it means, and what it has to do with a possible future recession or economic downturn.
Then we’ll talk to the folks who run a house on the city’s Southwest Side that serves as transitional housing for men who need to escape emergency situations, like if their life is in danger.
Bumps in the road for a future Chicago casino. A long-time politician says she won't stand for reelection. State's Attorney Kim Foxx gets a primary challenger. Those stories and more, broken down by 3 of the best journalists in the city. This week we're joined by WTTW's Paris Schutz, New York Times Chicago bureau chief Monica Davie, and freelance reporter Kim Bellware
From paying social media influencers to their ad campaigns to the flavors themselves, Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim believes that Juul, the biggest player in the growing e-cigarette market, is going directly after children. So he’s going directly after the company with a lawsuit.
Plus K.L.E.O. is a non-profit serving kids on the south side through a variety of programs from helping navigate through first jobs to the arts and more. We hear more about their mission and their successes, and get a preview of their Peace Festival that’s taking place this Saturday from executive director Lesle Honore.
A new survey says that Chicago and Illinois will do quite well once a successful casino opens in the city. But it also says that the profits for the casino’s actual owner will be so low, we may see a situation where no one wants to build one in the first place.
And 20,000 cases of elder abuse were reported in Illinois last year, and experts say the number of actual abuse cases is much higher. We talk to 2 members of a new state task force combating abuse of the elderly and those with disabilities.
It’s been well over a year since the Trump administration started slapping tariffs on Chinese goods. China has responded in kind, and Illinois corn and soybean producers are taking a hit as one of their biggest export markets dries up. Additional tariffs will mean average consumers in the state will start feeling it as well.
Plus the Chicago Tribune’s food writers have searched out the best middle eastern food in and around Chicago. We hear about some of their favorites
Pro Publica Illinois has taken another deep dive into gambling in the state. This time the focus is on Waukegan, the gambling interests there, and the influence they’re exerting.
Plus the Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Awards give young people a chance to put their world into words.
Billy Branch was born in Chicago, but he was raised in LA. He’d never been exposed to the blues until, at 17, he moved back to Chicago to attend UIC, and wandered into Grant Park for what many aficionados call “the greatest blues concert ever”. From that moment he was hooked. A few years later he was touring the world with Willie Dixon’s band, and he’s been leading his own band Sons of Blues since the late 70’s.
Branch talks about his life in blues and his new album, Roots and Branches: A Tribute to Little Walter
Small business loans are not being dished out at past rates in minority and low-income areas across Chicagoland and across Illinois. That’s according to a new study from Chicago’s Woodstock Institute. The lack of investment from banks essentially leaves communities without gasoline for their economic engines. We hear from the study’s author, and 2 small business owners trying to access additional capital.
Plus this week’s See Hear Eat has a seriously nerdy bent to it as Chicago’s “King of Geeks” weighs in on fun things to do in and around the city this weekend.
A new WBEZ investigation found 1 in 3 CPS schools continue to have teacher vacancies. Some kids have gone all year without a teacher. And most of those schools are in black neighborhoods. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp explains what she found.
And the impact of Toni Morrison. The prolific author died earlier this week.
Ratings agencies-which determine how fiscally stable a government entity is, which ultimately determines how much it will cost that government to borrow money-have taken a dim view of Illinois’ finances over the last several years. But this week, the state was offered a glimmer of hope. Erik Kim, Senior Director at Fitch Ratings in NYC, believes that the governor and the legislature are taking the right steps to eventually get the state out of it’s financial mess.
Plus State Senator Tom Cullerton is under investigation for his alleged involvement in a no-show job for the teamsters. WBEZ state politics reporter Tony Arnold fills us in.
One weekend in America, two more mass shootings. While the national media focuses on the massacres in El Paso and Dayton, 7 were killed and nearly 50 wounded in Chicago between Friday and Sunday nights.
Earlier this year, as we marked the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting, we brought in two Chicago teens working hard to rid their schools and communities of gun violence.
Construction updates, distracted drivers, and new rail cars are some of the transportation stories you’ll hear from Tribune reporter and WBEZ transportation contributor Mary Wisniewski.
Plus anti-hate activist Christian Picciolini talks about Rocky on the latest installment of The Movie That Made Me.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker made the bulk of the headlines this week. We’ll find out what they said, what they meant, and how they plan to move forward on a number of issues and promises with our panel of journalists. This week we’re joined by Heather Cherone, A.D. Quig, and Dave McKinney.
Pritzker signed a bill that prohibits potential employers from asking applicants about their past salaries. Revealing past salaries often perpetuates the fact that women and minorities are paid less for the same work than white men.
Plus the University of Illinois Cancer Center has re-tooled a successful app for the Latinx community. The app, now available in Spanish, helps keep patients informed about their treatment and the support available for a successful recovery.