In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

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...

With recent pushes by Chicago’s city council to go electric and move away from natural gas in new buildings, it makes us wonder, “Could our power grid even handle that?” Reset discusses this question and more with Reset’s sustainability contributor and director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility Karen Weigert.

Chicago becomes the largest city in the U.S. to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. With a narrow vote of 23 against and 23 in favor, Mayor Brandon Johnson cast a tie-breaking vote to pass the resolution. Reset checks in with WBEZ city government and politics reporter Mariah Woelfel to understand how the city’s ceasefire resolution fits into the larger picture.

Thousands of parents rely on free preschool options which Chicago Public Schools has been able to expand thanks in part to COVID relief funding. But that money is set to run out in the next school year. So what will this mean for parents and the kids enrolled in these programs? Reset finds out from Reema Amin, reporter at Chalkbeat Chicago.

After a unanimous vote, the Illinois State Board of Elections decides to keep former president Donald Trump on the primary ballot. The Board decided the suit is out of their authority and jurisdiction. Reset checks in with WBEZ statehouse reporter Mawa Iqbal to get the latest update.

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, syst...

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.

The Chicago rapper, activist and actor Common spills on the importance of staying grounded, setting boundaries and taking time for self. That’s advice from his new book “And Then We Rise: A Guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self.”

In 1987, Carlos Tortolero opened the National Museum of Mexican Art’s doors in Pilsen with the guiding principles that it should be free and accessible. Now, as the longtime leader takes a step back, the organization welcomes José Ochoa as its new leader. Reset learns more about José Ochoa’s plans for the museum.

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...

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 crac...

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 Smit...

As the U.S. population ages, many Americans are thinking about what they want their golden years to look like. And more and more are saying “no” to nursing homes and “yes” to staying put. Aging in place is the practice of seniors staying in their homes with care from friends, family, and/or paid staff, rather than living in a retirement facility. It’s been gaining popularity as a way for seniors t...

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. Reset learns more about this study and cancer outcomes from Dr. Adam DuVall, assistant professor of medicine at UChicago Medicine, and Dr. Christina Annunziata, seni...

Illinois lawmakers are looking to ban five ingredients listed to be banned in a proposed bill in Springfield have been connected to cancer, behavioral problems in children, and overall to poor health outcomes. Reset hears more about the legislation under consideration in the state Senate from Stephanie Zimmermann, consumer investigations reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. We also learn about the...

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 Chica...

An ordinance to be introduced Wednesday in Chicago’s City Council would raise emissions standards and require new buildings to go electric. That means stoves, water heaters and furnaces that run on gas would no longer be part of the architecture of most new buildings in Chicago if a new proposal passes in City Council. Reset talks with advocates for the legislation, Sarah Moskowitz of the Citizens...

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 A...

Officials have touted the Unity Initiative, a donation-funded partnership between the city of Chicago and its faith community, as one reason the city is no longer relying on police stations as shelter. Reset checks back in with Jonathan de la O, pastor of Starting Point Community Church in Belmont Cragin, about participating in that program and what migrants need ahead of an impending stay limit b...

Four former employees in the mayor’s office say they were improperly placed on City Hall’s do-not-hire list. Reset talks with Leigh Giangreco, government and politics reporter for Crain’s Chicago Business and David Greising, president, Better Government Association about those stories and how the city’s do-not-hire list is supposed to work.

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...

Museums like the Field are now federally required to get “free, prior and informed consent” from tribes or descendants before allowing display of cultural items or ancestral remains. The Field already does not display those remains, but it does hold one of the largest collections in the nation. Reset hears from Debra Yepa-Pappan, artist and former community engagement coordinator for the Native Am...

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.