In the Loop (Segments)

Just over half of our states explicitly outlaw housing discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. That’s something U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider of the North Shore suburbs wants to change. Reset hears from Rep. Schneider, sponsor of the Fair and Equal Housing Act, about guaranteeing federal protections against housing discrimination for the LGBTQ community.

Nearly half of Chicago’s City Council pushed for a special meeting Friday to probe police Supt. David Brown about the department’s violence prevention plans ahead of the Fourth of July weekend. The meeting will be held over the objections of Mayor Lightfoot. Reset gets the latest on the story and what to expect Friday.

In a major blow to regulators, a federal judge on Monday dismissed two antitrust lawsuits against Facebook by the Federal Trade Commission and a group of state attorneys general. Reset checks in with the Washington Post for the latest.

When Ian Michael Brock was 8, his parents showed him a video about how coding isn’t taught in most classrooms. And one person in particular caught his attention: NBA player Chris Bosh. That started his tech journey and sparked the beginnings of Dream Hustle Code, a nonprofit he runs with his parents to connect kids of color with coding opportunities and personal development classes. Reset talks to...

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday signed into law the Student-Athlete Endorsement Rights Act, which grants college student-athletes the right to financially benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness. Reset talks with a reporter about the potential consequences of the new rules and the history and background of sports amateurism.

Small businesses around the country had to reinvent themselves during the pandemic, pivoting to new ways of doing business and reimagining how they could reach customers. As COVID restrictions are lifted, small businesses are eager to get back to normal, but many are facing unexpected challenges, like shortages of workers or necessary supplies.

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.

Hundreds of people and dozens of communities just built a first-ever, collaborative playbook to fight climate change in the Chicago region. Reset talks with Chicago and suburban officials on how and why cross-community partnerships are critical in the face of environmental distress.

Ida B. Wells was born into slavery and would become one of the country's most influential journalists and an early leader in the fight for civil rights. And now, Chicago will finally get a sculpture in her name. Reset talks to Wells’ great-granddaughter and the sculptor behind the new “Light Of Truth” monument, which is set to be unveiled Wednesday in Bronzeville.

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?

As arts organizations struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic, many also saw it as a time to reset, put new leadership in place, create more diverse and equitable workspaces, and plan for the future. Reset talks with the executive director of Chicago Philharmonic more about what’s coming.

Reset gets an update on efforts to save the James R. Thompson Center from being demolished.

The National Hockey League kicked off its 2021 Stanley Cup Final this week, but all eyes are on the Blackhawks sexual assault scandal. The Blackhawks recently opened an independent investigation into allegations against former coach Brad Aldrich in 2010. Reset gets the latest on the investigation and other sports news.

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.

The COVID-19 pandemic has inspired or forced millions of people to reevaluate their careers and personal lives and make changes. A political economist helps Reset discuss with listeners how COVID-19 pushed them to “go for it.”

When the pandemic cancelled their travel plans, a West Side couple turned to nature, but noticed they were the only Black people hiking and camping. To encourage others to enjoy the outdoors, they created the @black.people.outside TikTok account. Now, they share their outdoor adventures with almost 65,000 followers. Reset takes it outside and hears about the natural adventures of the TikTok creato...

In our final conversation for “Re-imagine Chicago” on public safety, Reset checks in with an auditor within the Chicago Police Department and the city’s deputy inspector general for public safety.

Violin soloist Hilary Hahn made her Chicago Symphony Orchestra debut in 2007 and has been a frequent guest of the orchestra ever since. Now, she’s joining the orchestra as its first artist-in-residence for the next two years. Reset talks to the three-time Grammy Award winner about the newly created position and her journey as an artist and solo violinist.

Reset takes a look at homebuilding efforts to revitalize the long-neglected West Woodlawn neighborhood and increase Black homeownership.

When Mary Schmich started writing columns for the Chicago Tribune, she made a vow: five years and move on. Today, she leaves the paper after 29 years as a columnist. Reset talks to the Pulitzer Prize winner about her time with the paper and lessons she learned from four decades in the industry.

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.

Lake Michigan is a cheap and easy getaway for Chicagoans to cool off in the summer, but swimming in the lake can be dangerous. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged one to four, according to the Centers for Disease, Control and Prevention. Reset brings on a swimming expert for tips on how to stay safe while visiting the lakeshore.

Barbecue in Chicago is as convoluted and divided as the city itself. Granted, Chicago’s barbecue identity isn’t as deeply rooted as the deep South. But the Windy City makes up for that in quality and its own trademark spin on the American culinary staple. Reset gets a history lesson and barbecue cooking tips from a local pitmaster. And host Sasha-Ann Simons tastes Chicago barbecue for the first ti...

Reset checks in with a criminal defense lawyer ahead of Derek Chauvin’s sentencing hearing on Friday. The former Minneapolis Police officer was convicted in April of murdering George Floyd last year, sparking a wave of protests against systemic racism and police brutality.

Since 2015, more than 400,000 people have been treated in emergency rooms after a violent encounter with police or security guards, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reset learns more about a new investigation from NBC News and The Marshall Project about why that is and what can be done to create more accountability.