In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

Chicago’s new police District Councils are designed to bring more community input to police oversight and accountability. The three-member councils can recommend policies but not enact them — so what power do they really have? Reset talks to three newly elected representatives: Anthony Michael Tamez, 17th Police District Council member; Brad Kessler, 18th Police District Council member; and Daniel...

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown resigned his post Wednesday, less than a day after incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her bid for reelection. The news also comes on the same day the city learned that a Chicago police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty. Reset turns to WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith for the latest details.

By the time Wednesday morning came around, people across the city already knew who their aldermen-elect were. Some wards are seeing familiar faces while a handful are welcoming fresh faces. Reset sits down with Alderwoman-elect Julia Ramirez of the 12th Ward and Alderperson-elect Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward to talk about their plans.

Chicago voters were focused on crime and public safety when deciding on who should be the next mayor of Chicago. Reset hears from WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith, Elmhurst University professor Connie Mixon and Democratic political strategist Delmarie Cobb about the role this issue played in the election.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her bid for a second term in office. Meanwhile, former CPS CEO Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, the top two vote getters, will head to a runoff on Apr. 4. Reset checks in with Johnson the morning after he learned he’s still in the running to be the next mayor of Chicago.

Reset analyzes the results of Chicago’s municipal election — from a historic mayor’s race to aldermanic races to police district councils. Panelists include WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ data projects editor Alden Loury and Northwestern University political science professor Jaime Dominguez.

Chicagoans use the CTA to get around the city and use the color lines depending on where they need to go. But color coding isn’t always how the trains were organized. Reset talks to reporter Kayleigh Padar and transit historian Graham Garfield about when the color system was adopted and how some long-time Chicagoans are still nostalgic for the old days.

The Century and Consumers Buildings on State Street have a commanding presence in Chicago’s Loop. But after 17 years of being held in limbo, the federal government plans on spending $52 million to demolish them. Reset learns more about the pair of early 20th-century skyscraper structures and the fight to save them with Dennis Rodkin, residential real estate reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Biden v. Nebraska today, the case that will decide the fate of the president’s student loan forgiveness program. Reset hears analysis from Steven Schwinn, professor at the University of Illinois Chicago Law School, NPR higher education reporter Elissa Nadworny and directly from people who would benefit from having their debt forgiven.

It’s Election Day in Chicago. Are you prepared? Reset discusses what to expect at the polls and gets a quick voter guide on key races in this year’s municipal election from Tessa Weinberg, WBEZ city politics and government reporter and Amy Qin, WBEZ data reporter.

The Bronzeville high school on Chicago’s South Side has been fertile ground for numerous writers, civil rights leaders, professional athletes and more. For the latest in our “What’s That Building?” series, Reset hears from Dennis Rodkin of Crain’s Chicago Business about the history of the school and why it’s produced so many illustrious alumni.

Chicago is struggling to keep up with the number of migrants coming into the city. As officials scramble to open more housing, Chicagoans are stepping up to help migrants themselves. Reset gets the latest on how those efforts are shaping up with Elvia Malagón, social justice and wage gap reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, Evelyn Figueroa, director of Pilsen Food Pantry and Jen Durham, volunteer f...

Most industrialized nations offer workers paid time off, but it’s still somewhat rare in the United States outside of what’s often called “white collar” work. Reset discusses the Paid Leave For All Workers Act with Ben Opp, HR hotline advisor at HR Source and Mark Maxwell, political editor at KSDK News in St. Louis and former Capitol bureau chief for WCIA in Springfield.

We’re switching it up and sharing one of our favorite podcasts: City Cast Chicago. It’s hosted by Reset regular Jacoby Cochran and features interviews with news and culture makers from across the city. So be sure to subscribe to their podcast so you can be even more of a Chicago insider.

Chicago band Half Gringa’s new EP contains a unique blend of alt-country rhythm, folk-inspired vocals and a dash of crunchy distorted guitars. Reset discusses ancestors, musical inspirations and coping with loss through music.

The race for Chicago’s next mayor is in its final stretch. Who is in the lead, and what did voters this week say is the top issue on their minds? Also: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visits Chicago and a favorite local show gets the ax. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Jacoby Cochran, City Cast Chicago host, Tiffany Walden, editor-in-chief and co-founder of The Triibe, and Rachel Hint...

While navigating the nonprofit world, Dede Cadet discovered her newfound passion: decorating homes. This hobby has since grown to a slew of projects, different aesthetics and true happiness. Reset speaks to the artist about her life, journey and joy.

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.

It’s been one year since Russia invaded Ukraine. Reset hears from Ukrainian refugees about what it’s like building a life in Chicago, including: Olha Tsvyntarna, Ukrainian who fled the war, Anna Cirilli, principal at St. Nicholas Cathedral School, Oksana Vasylenko, Ukrainian refugee, mother of son attending St. Nicholas school, John Hewko, CEO of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation, and...

DJ Spinderella is an iconic figure in hip-hop and music, rising to fame as one-third of the trio Salt-N-Pepa. And now, she’s swapping out headphones for a museum curator hat to design the music room of the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago. Reset talks to the DJ about the connection between public housing and music, her curator vision and the soundtrack to her childhood.

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 with David Swindell, associate professor and director for the Center f...

In May, COVID-19 public health and national emergency declarations will end. That means hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents could lose access to Medicaid starting this summer. Resets speaks with healthcare experts Samantha Olds Frey and Jeff McInnes to learn more.

Unprecedented turnover among alderpersons, new ward boundaries and — possibly — a new mayoral administration could usher in a major sea change in how the Chicago City Council does business. Reset explores the challenges and opportunities for the legislative body after the Feb. 28 election with Alex Nitkin, Better Government Association reporter, Erin Hegarty, city hall reporter for The Daily Line,...

With the municipal election next week, Reset is revisiting our “Re-Imagine Chicago” series. What is the history of Chicago’s aldermanic system, and how does it impact residents and the city’s ability to get things done? Reset discusses with Chicago History Museum curator Julius L. Jones, 20th Ward Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor and 22nd Ward Alderman Michael Rodriguez.

Spoken word poetry got its own Grammy category this year and J. Ivy’s album, The Poet Who Sat By The Door, makes him the first to win. Reset chats with the Chicago-born artist about his journey, from being assigned poetry homework to writing his latest album.