In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

As early voting expands in Chicago and Cook County, voters will choose between a Democrat, Republican and Libertarian to replace Kim Foxx as the next Cook County State’s Attorney. The state’s attorney – the county’s top prosecutor – oversees an office of about 1,300 employees and sets the tone for how justice is meted out in Cook County. WBEZ’s Reset sat down with two of the candidates seeking to...

Typically, freelance musicians don’t have the benefits many 9-to-5 jobs offer, like retirement accounts or health benefits. But a new group called Golden Egg, in partnership with the Experimental Sound Studio, is trying to change that through a matching grant program funded through the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. It will select 16 artists to receive a share of $50,00...

This weekend, Chicagoans can catch a celebration of the WGN icon and red-haired jester Bozo the Clown. The event will be hosted by Chicago native and Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan and will feature actor David Arquette as Bozo himself. Ahead of the weekend celebration, Reset opens the phones to hear listeners share their Bozo Circus memories that run the gamut. For a full archive of Reset...

Former president Donald Trump makes a stop in Chicago, questions around the Chicago Board of Education, the city’s Greyhound station to stay and Open House Chicago. Reset dives into these stories and more with Block Club Chicago reporter Melody Mercado, WTTW news correspondent Nick Blumberg and WBEZ data projects editor Alden Loury. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/res...

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.

Half a century ago a dozen Chicago women working in a male-dominated profession launched, “Chicago Women in Architecture.” Among the issues the group discussed in those early years were lack of recognition for their part in what are often team projects, the challenge of working in a demanding profession while raising children and inequitable pay. The Chicago Architecture Center currently has an ex...

When entering the voter booth, you may be more prepared to mark your choice for president. But the longest part of your ballot has to do with officials who are more likely to have a direct impact on your life: judges. They’re the ones presiding over your case whether you’re disputing a speeding ticket, getting a divorce, fighting for child custody, or suing for damages in a car accident. And a maj...

Before you even get to the “President of the U.S.” part of your voter ballot, there may be an “advisory referendum” you’ll be asked to weigh in on. Then at some point, you’ll have the option to weigh in on pages and pages of judges. Then there’s that office of the county circuit clerk – but what does that person even do? And what even is the Water Reclamation District, and why are you being asked...

From questions about how and where to vote to what to expect as the votes are counted, we turn to the experts. Reset checks in with election officials Matt Dietrich, public information officer Illinois State Board of Elections and Max Bever, Director of Public Information at the Chicago Board of Elections. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Nearly a century after the team played its first game, the Harlem Globetrotters continue to occupy a unique and entertaining niche in basketball and American sports writ large. A lot of what we see today is the realization of the vision of one man: Abe Saperstein. But his influence went far beyond the basketball court. Reset learns more about one of the more creative minds and interesting personal...

Jury selection in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan continues this week. Madigan was long known as the “velvet hammer” for his subtle but powerful grip on state politics. He was the longest-serving speaker in American history, a position he held for 36 years under seven Illinois governors. In March 2022, he was indicted on 22 counts of racketeering and b...

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 De...

Siblings Olivia Hardy and Will Gao didn’t always know making music together was in the cards. “I feel like the process was pretty organic,” Hardy said. “There was never like a, ‘Today marks the beginning of everything.’” But even so, music has always been a big part of their lives. Gao recalls there always being music playing in their childhood whether it was on the CD player or the radio. The two...

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. F...

Forget the planet Krypton. Did you know Illinois is Superman’s home state? In 1972 the state legislature declared Metropolis as his home town, and the residents there have embraced the Man of Steel by painting Superman on their water tower, building a 15-foot statue of him in front of their courthouse and even dedicating a museum to him. Reset intern Jules Yaeger explores the Super Museum, a shrin...

Chicago alderpeople are not up for reelection, but residents across the city are receiving mailers that either praise or criticize alders for their stance on a proposal to electrify new homes in Chicago. WTTW looked into who is sending the mailers, and why. Reset learns what’s going on with Heather Cherone,Chicago politics reporter at WTTW. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez...

Filipinos made up 4% of all registered nurses in the U.S. in 2020, but they accounted for more than 30% of all nurse deaths from COVID and they’ve long been the unsung backbone of the American healthcare system. A new documentary called “Nurse Unseen” shines a light on their contributions and sacrifices during a time of uncertainty, isolation and rising anti-Asian racism and violence. Reset sits d...

The Chicago International Film Festival kicks off its 60th year later this month, and for the ambitious filmmaker, getting on the fest’s programming may be an important stop on the road to Hollywood’s Dolby Theater. Reset checks in with WBEZ arts and culture reporter Courtney Keuppers and Rebecca Fons, director of programming for the Gene Siskel Film Center, one of the theaters participating. For...

It’s that time of year where you have to ask yourself: is that weird tickle in your throat a cold, the flu, RSV, or is it COVID? Reset gets the latest guidance on how to survive the viral season from Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist with Duly Health and Care. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

It’s been one year since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people and the start of Israel’s ongoing military response that has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians. Reset checks in with Jewish religious leaders, including one who wrote about the experiences of the last year in an op-ed in the Chicago Sun-Times. Our guests are Rabbi Michael Schwab of North Suburban Syna...

It’s been one year since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people and the start of Israel’s ongoing military response that has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians. Reset checks in with Rami Nashashibi, executive director of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network. He was in the region when the Oct. 7 attack broke out and the start of the war in Gaza, and joined us on Res...

The share of Americans living in intergenerational homes has quadrupled over the past half century, and Reset wanted to know: What’s it like to live with multiple generations under one roof? What are the challenges? And what works? Reset checks in with Mary from Irving Park, Dennis from West Ridge and Sol from Bronzeville about their experiences. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over t...

Universities in the Chicago area have put much more restrictive protest policies in place this year in response to encampments that sprang up on campuses in the spring. At the same time, Jewish and Palestinian students are conferring, organizing and working to create community from Northwestern to the University of Chicago to DePaul, Loyola and more. Reset learns more from WBEZ higher education re...

Beekeepers are making honey all over Chicago. The kinds of plants, flowers and trees near the hives can influence the taste of the honey, creating distinct flavors neighborhood by neighborhood. Reset sits down with beekeeper and founder of Bikeabee Jana Kinsman. She operates 100 hives on Chicago’s South and West sides. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.