In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

State lawmakers passed a law eliminating cash bail, as part of the SAFE-T Act, that went into effect Jan. 1. But some prosecutors filed lawsuits challenging the law’s constitutionality, putting the law on hold a week into the new year. WBEZ reporters Mawa Iqbal and Shannon Heffernan join Reset to discuss the oral arguments heard by the state’s highest court Tuesday morning.

New data out Tuesday show inflation remains a thorn in the side of the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, bank failures have Americans on edge. Reset checks in with NPR chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley for the latest on inflation, recent bank failures and what it all means for the economy.

At least 53 people have died in residential fires in Chicago since 2021. An investigation from the Better Government Association and the Chicago Tribune shows the city could be doing more in response to complaints about faulty wiring, missing smoke detectors and other safety issues. It also shows that inspections have been lagging. Reset learns why the city has failed to prevent these deaths and d...

Crime has overshadowed the economy in the Chicago mayor’s race, but it’s important to understand how a Vallas or a Johnson administration will approach budgeting, property taxes, pension payments and the city’s finances. WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel explains.

It’s a quick turnaround between the Feb. 28 municipal election and the April 4 runoff, but the Chicago Board of Elections is ready. Reset checks in with Max Bever from the Chicago Board of Elections about everything Chicago voters need to know as they prepare to pick a mayor and vote in key aldermanic races that have also gone to a runoff.

A Chicago Architecture Center design competition aims to bring creative new forms of affordable housing to six neighborhoods on Chicago’s South and West sides. Reset talks to the center’s CEO Eleanor Gorski about the Come Home Initiative.

Some folks — much of the Reset team included — can’t get their day started without a strong cup of coffee. But host Sasha-Ann Simons is not one of those people. In fact, her morning go-to is hot chocolate. So to feed the anti-coffee host’s sweet tooth, and to get folks through this chilly season, Reset is on the hunt to find the best hot chocolate in Chicago with some help from listener recommenda...

Japanese rock. Ohio soul. UK rave. Country noir. Those are just a few of the many playlists curated by the folks at Numero Group, a Chicago record label that focuses on curating collections of archival music. Reset checks in with Numero Group co-founders Rob Sevier and Ken Shipley about giving new life to records from the past that have been neglected, overlooked or not widely distributed.

Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson face off in Chicago’s first mayoral runoff debate, and the endorsements in the race are rolling in. Field Museum staff vote to unionize, and faculty at Chicago State University are voting on whether to strike. Reset breaks down those top local stories and more in our Weekly News Recap with New York Times Chicago bureau chief Julie Bosman, Chicago Sun-Times education...

Screening, Assessment and Support Services, or SASS, is an Illinois program that focuses on connecting kids from low-income homes with mental health services. But some children are falling through the cracks. Reset digs into a WBEZ investigation of the issues and shortfalls with reporters Kristen Schorsch and Sarah Karp.

Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson clarified their policies and took digs at their opponent at the NBC-5 and Telemundo Chicago forum. Reset catches up on the debate with WBEZ city government and politics reporter.

Around the world, young people are on the frontlines of the fight to protect our planet from climate change. And for good reason — they’ll bear the brunt of destruction. Reset talks to author and environmentalist Bill McKibben about why “experienced Americans” over 60 also play a vital role in taking on climate action.

The FAA has approved the Rockford International Airport’s plan to build a road through a section of native dry gravel prairie, home to an endangered species called the rusty patched bumblebee. Reset hears from environmental activist Robbie Telfer of the group Save Bell Bowl Prairie about how we got here and how this will impact some of the last prairieland in Illinois.

Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson will face off in the first mayoral runoff debate Wednesday night at 6 p.m. on NBC 5 and Telemundo Chicago. Reset discusses with Tessa Weinberg, WBEZ city government and politics reporter.

You can see award-winning movies from international film festivals at the Gene Siskel Film Center through the end of March. Eleven of them are directed by women. To mark International Women’s Day, Reset talks to Rebecca Fons, director of programming at the Siskel about the festival and some of her favorite women-directed films from the series.

In cities across the country, fewer people are going downtown than they did before COVID-19. Here in Chicago, developers have responded to the city’s request for proposals with six ideas for how to bring LaSalle Street back to life. Reset gets the details from Block Club Chicago reporter Melody Mercado.

The group Mariachi Sirenas is challenging stereotypes while honoring Mexican traditions. Reset sits down with members Ibet Herrera and Laura Velazquez to learn more about their music and roots.

New EPA data show that air pollution from Chicago and the rest of Cook County makes its way to neighboring states, and Wisconsin suffers the worst. Reset checks in with Chicago Tribune environmental reporter Michael Hawthorne for more on how Chicago and its suburbs are polluting places like Wisconsin, Michigan and even Connecticut.

A $200 ticket for truancy. A $175 fine for having a vape pen. A $450 ticket for disorderly conduct. In schools across Illinois, students are being ticketed and fined for minor offenses that previously may have warranted a trip to the principal’s office or detention. Reset talks to reporters Jennifer Smith Richards and Jodi Cohen who have shone a light on the ticketing. Their work has prompted a bi...

Pandemic-era federal funds were a lifeline for Chicago theaters. Now, those federal funds are drying up. And theater seats aren’t filling up at the same rate as before the pandemic. Do theaters need to rethink their business model to stay alive? Reset checks in with Jeannie Lukow, executive director of Porchlight Music Theater, Kara Riopelle, managing director with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chi...

In recent decades, more women have pursued higher education and have joined the workforce, helping narrow the wage gap between men and women during the '80s and '90s. But that progress has stalled over the past two decades, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis. Reset talks to Felicia Davis Blakley, president and CEO of Chicago Foundation for Women and Sharmili Majmudar, executive vice p...

The Chicago mayoral runoff pits a serial schools CEO against a former high school social studies teacher backed by the teachers union. Reset talks to Chicago education reporters Sarah Karp and Mauricio Peña about the candidates’ deep ties to education and different approaches to schooling.

For the past five years, U.S. attorney John Lausch has led major corruption cases against Ald. Ed Burke and former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. His last day as U.S attorney for the Northern Illinois District is March 11. Reset discusses his time in office and his impact on Chicago and Illinois politics with Jon Seidel, federal courts reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is dealt a disappointing loss. Meanwhile, aldermanic seats are filling up after a wave of retirements from City Council. Plus, both the city’s top cop and top federal prosecutor announce their resignations. Reset breaks down the week’s biggest stories with WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone, WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel and recently retired Chicago Su...

The 23-year-old Chicagoan has appeared on Showtime’s hit show “The Chi,” and hosts his own youth-led talk show. Reset talks to the multi-talented actor about his love for performing, networking and giving a platform to young people for our series on black joy.