In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

Often, cases of sexual violence are treated as a criminal justice issue. But this approach can lead to repeated harm, doubt, and underreporting. Survivors, experts and service providers alike are calling on all of us to start viewing this as a public health crisis. In the Loop discusses how our approach to treating and preventing sexual violence could improve, and what resources exist to support a...

Seven years after the botched police raid that left Anjanette Young handcuffed and traumatized in her home, she is now being selected to join the oversight board for Chicago’s police department. But the road from victim to police reform advocate has been long – and is one traced in her new memoir Past the Pain. In it, Young recounts the night her life was changed, the faith that she both questione...

In the wake of several high-profile domestic violence cases, many ending fatally, the news headlines can feel all too familiar. How these stories are told, who’s centered, the language used, and what’s left out shapes public understanding. So, how can journalists do better? What should responsible reporting look like? Plus, we explore the options that exist for people experiencing various forms of...

Residents are still cleaning up basements and backyards after record-breaking rainfall. Gov. JB Pritzker says all bets are off for state employees on prediction markets. Body cam video of the shooting of Officer Krystal Rivera is released to the public. And Chicago Public School lunchroom staff block traffic over stalled contract talks. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly...

Brionna Johnson’s journey with uterine fibroids was one filled with uncertainty and questions. Her search for answers led her to Dr. Pierre Johnson of Loretto Hospital on the West Side aka the “Fibroid Slayer.” He was able to perform surgery and help Brionna after another physician suggested she would need to have a hysterectomy. In the Loop hears from doctor and patient. For a full archive of In...

How can a conversation with a tree or snapping a photo of a piping plover help support Chicago’s natural environment?

How can voice connect us to the environment? That’s what a Chickasaw poet and a composer explore in their new works for the Chicago-based project EcoVoice that will be performed by the Loyola University choirs. In the Loop sits down with Lokosh, a poet, Kirsten Hedegaard, founder of EcoVoice Project, and composer Jerod Impichaachaaha’ Tate to learn more about the themes explored in Ámmo’naka (In A...

Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th Ward, says he’ll cut red tape and embrace technology to get affordable and market-rate housing and major development projects built faster.

A former ComEd CEO and an ally of former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan are both freed from prison and granted new trials. A Wisconsin sheriff files a defamation lawsuit against a Skokie woman and a Cook County Commissioner. Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers pass legislation limiting junk fees for renters. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more with Axios Chicago reporter Carrie Shephe...

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sits down with In the Loop host Sasha-Ann Simons to answer listener questions on everything from rising taxi fares to housing affordability to recent turnover in his administration. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Yusef Jackson, the youngest of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson’s sons, talks about meeting the moment as the new president and CEO of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. He joins In the Loop to discuss his top priorities, including voting rights and registration, human rights and education; and how his tenure as Rainbow PUSH president will lead the organization into its next chapter. For a full archive of In...

A new private school where students will learn from AI, rather than from teachers, is set to open in Chicago this fall. Questions abound: what will happen to teachers? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of relying on a relatively new technology to instruct children? In the Loop discusses with a panel of educators and AI experts: Brady Gunnink, English teacher, Jones College Prep, Katie...

In Illinois, Black women are three times more likely to die from complications due to pregnancy than white women. That rate is even higher in Chicago. The state, Cook County, and hospitals have experimented with different efforts to address the dangers to Black mothers, including boosting access to doulas. For Black Maternal Health Week, In the Loop looks at the strides made in improving birth out...

Efforts begin to rename Pilsen’s Cesar Chavez Post Office. Chicago launches a citywide program allowing homeowners to add additional dwelling units. Meanwhile, housing advocates announce plans to sue Chicago Housing Authority over last month’s CEO appointment. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in our Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Block Club Chicago reporter Quinn Myers; Monica E...

In the decades since the first official report of HIV in June of 1981, there have been many advances in HIV research. However, women – particularly women of color and young women – continue to be affected by HIV/AIDS, while being ignored in mainstream conversations about it. In the Loop hears the story of Marta Santiago, a Chicago woman diagnosed with HIV in the 1980s. We also hear from UIC’s Jenn...

A record-breaking $3.3 billion was expected to be bet on NCAA basketball during March Madness, but the wagering doesn’t end with sports. Some people are betting on everything from when Taylor Swift will be married to whether the U.S. pilot recently shot down in Iran would be rescued on so-called “prediction markets.” In the Loop learns more about these markets and why the Trump administration is s...

In 2024, the census recorded 1.4 million same-sex couple households, which is nearly double since 2005. In that time, the U.S. Census changed how it asked respondents about who they live with, and same-sex marriage was legalized. In the Loop digs into the local data and hears about the gains that have been made and the work for equality that still needs to be done. At the table: Mony Ruiz-Velasco,...

Despite the Fighting Illini’s Saturday loss to UConn, fans rejoiced in the team’s longest March Madness run in 21 years. And a strong season not only reinvigorated school spirit, but was an economic boost to the university and even local businesses can see a major economic boost. We dig into what a winning season means for both the fan experience and for business. Our panel at the table: Matt Brow...

Police Supt. Larry Snelling faces public questioning about whether Chicago police coordinated with ICE agents. Illinois politicians respond to the firing of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Thousands gather in Grant Park and suburbs for the third No Kings rally. University of Illinois makes it to NCAA’s Final Four, while the Bulls dismiss a player for social media posts. In the Loop breaks down th...

In 1819, Illinois lawmakers enacted the Black Laws, which required Black people to have a certificate of freedom to live in Illinois and made it illegal to gather in groups of three or more. That is, however, unless the gathering was for religious observances. From then on, churches made for and by Black people became hubs for connecting each other to resources, for education, as well as providing...

Nationally, the average price of gas hit $4 a gallon. In the Chicago Metro area, it’s even higher – averaging $4.41 a gallon, according to AAA. Oil is a resource many of us might take for granted, but our daily lives depend on it. In the Loop learns about all the ways petroleum products show up in our day-to-day, from filling up at the gas pump to household plastics to items like toothpaste and sh...

Trans Day of Visibility is an annual, international holiday that centers the experience of trans and gender non-conforming individuals and aims to bring awareness to the struggle for self-determination. In Chicago, events range from open mic nights, opportunities to take headshots for professional development, and even beauty bazaars. In the Loop checks in with Life is Work’s Zahara Bassett, Equal...

In his new book Stand, U.S. Senator Cory Booker shares stories of how leaders of the past and present overcame the odds stacked against them with virtues including grace, humility and creativity. He stopped in Chicago on Sunday, March 29 as part of his book tour, and spoke to Sasha-Ann Simons in front of a live audience. This episode of In the Loop is an abridged version of that hour-long conversa...

It was a busy week in Chicago and the country: ICE agents head to O’Hare as TSA workers near their sixth week without pay. Political arguments continue to swirl after the shooting death of an 18-year-old Loyola student. Plus, a new baseball season brings hope to fans, but Chicago’s teams fall flat on their opening day. We cover those stories and more with WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp, Block...

Spring is back! If you’re looking for more ways to get outside, Chicagoans around the city are organizing community walking events — particularly for women to walk outside with other women. In the Loop hears from The Walking Hour founder Pamiya Opoku and Hot Girl Walk founder Mia Lind for more. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.