In the Loop (Segments)

In the final installment of our “Re-Imagine Chicago” series on city government, we turn to a panel of public officials and community members. Reset talks to a longtime alderman and a community leader on what we’ve learned this week and what big changes could make Chicago’s city government more effective, more equitable and better for residents.

So far this week, we’ve explored how Chicago’s City Council and mayoral system operates. We’ve also looked at how politics works in other big cities like Toronto and Phoenix. In this interview, Reset checks in with the city’s top watchdog to get his thoughts on what we’ve learned this week and to discuss what big changes could make Chicago’s city government more effective, more equitable and bette...

With Mother’s Day around the corner, Reset plays listener dedications to their mom with Vocalo’s Stephen Bekoe.

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 Chicago Sky’s new star Candace Parker is ready to take the team to the next level. The Cubs remembered they know how to play baseball, and Sox fans are scratching their heads over some of manager Tony LaRussa’s decisions. WBEZ’s sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout joins Reset with those stories and more.

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.

Toronto — the hometown of Reset host Sasha-Ann Simons — and Chicago were both incorporated as cities in the 1830s. And the similarities between Hogtown and the Hog Butcher for the World don’t end there. Reset takes a closer look at how legislative politics works in Toronto and whether those systems could be instructive for Chicago.

Once a polluted eyesoar, the Chicago River is now prized waterfront, both for recreation and development, and home to some 75 species of fish. But there’s still work to be done in order to keep the river healthy and clean. Enter Chicago River Day. For nearly 30 years, the annual one-day cleanup event brings together thousands of volunteers collecting trash in and along several stretches of the riv...

The historic owner of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Board of Trade is closing most in-person trading pits for good. Reset brings on a sociology professor to tell us about the history and legacy of those trading pits.

For the latest in our series spotlighting Chicago innovators, Reset learns about a company that uses fungi found in Yellowstone National Park to make foods like dairy-free cream cheese and meatless patties. GUEST: Karuna Rawal, chief marketing officer at Nature’s Fynd

Sidewalks seem simple, but they play an important role in communities’ success, helping people get around, attracting business, promoting safety, even resilience to climate change. Reset talks with Chicago and suburban officials on how and why they’re investing in sidewalks to ensure their communities’ success. GUESTS: Audrey Wennink, transportation director at Metropolitan Planning Council State...

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. GUEST: Eddie Bocanegra, senior director of READI Chicago

As NPR marks half a century in broadcasting, we hear from two people who left their mark on WBEZ as the station grew. GUESTS: Cheryl Corley, NPR correspondent based in Chicago Ken Davis, former WBEZ news director (1979-1981) and program director (1981-1992)

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. GUESTS: David Swindell, associate professor and director for the Cent...

About one-third of Chicago’s population is now fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. Mayor Lightfoot is looking to fully reopen the city for the summer, anticipating more vaccinations and less COVID deaths. WBEZ’s Becky Vevea breaks down the city’s reopening plans. GUEST: Becky Vevea, WBEZ city politics reporter

Chicago aldermen operate more like ward bosses than true legislators. For the second installment of our “Re-Imagine Chicago” series, Reset explores the history of Chicago’s aldermanic system and how it impacts individual residents and the city’s ability to get things done.

From baseball to football, basketball to hockey, there’s plenty of interesting things happening in Chicago sports right now. Reset gets the inside scoop from sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout GUEST: Cheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributor

A new report from the Illinois Department of Public Health shows that new Black moms in Illinois die at nearly three times the rate of new white moms. Reset gets the details from a health care reporter and checks in with two women who provide prenatal and post-partum care for Black women in Chicago to get their perspective. GUESTS: Stephanie Goldberg, health care reporter at Crain’s Chicago Busine...

Dr. Allison Arwady explains the decision to loosen many COVID-19 restrictions and create incentives for Chicagoans to get vaccinated. GUEST: Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health

A bidding war over Tribune Publishing, owner of the Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun and other newspapers, continues. But time is running out for many of the Tribune’s current and former journalists who have been rallying to block a takeover bid by New York hedge fund Alden Global Capital. Reset checks in with a media historian and analyst about the future of newspapers GUEST: Victor Pickard, profes...

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? We kick off our Re-imagine Chicago series diving into the powers of two engines that make Chicago run: the mayor and the aldermen.

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. GUEST: Sarah Karp, WBEZ education reporter

It can be hard to describe nostalgia, but you can’t miss it when you have it. The feeling can be summed up as a sentimental longing for the past. A journey back in time to our “happy place” — whether real or imagined. But the past, for many African Americans doesn’t bring about good feelings. Much of it is dark and traumatic, with Black lives largely narrated through stories of slavery and oppress...

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. GUEST: Paris Schutz, co-anchor and political corresponden...

If an Italian beef sandwich has no beef, can it still keep the name? Chicago-based chain Buona Beef released a beefless version of their famed Italian beef sandwich, and Chicagoans are split: the sandwich is already sold out in all Buona locations, while purists stand aghast at the thought. So: revelation or abomination? Either way, we find out the city’s best Italian beef spots, a little history...