In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

“A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power” lays out Jackson’s memorable presidential runs of the 1980s, his roots in Chicago and how his push for a “Rainbow Coalition” changed American politics. In the Loop checks in with first-time author and CNN news anchor Abby Phillip to discuss her new book. For a full archive of In The Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/int...

Federal agents arrested immigrants across the Chicago area and detained U.S. citizens, including a teen protester and will extend their stay at Great Lakes Naval Base. Lawmakers in Springfield condemned ICE raids and explored state responses to federal agents in Illinois. Mayor Johnson pitches a corporate head tax in his budget address. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with journalist...

A high school choir from Auburn Gresham made it all the way to the finals in the national competition show ‘America’s Got Talent’ last month. Now they’re back in Chicago and back in class. In the Loop checks in with members Derrick Davis, Bernard Freeman, Kevin Wilson and Tyshawn Brown about their journey to Los Angeles, the “brotherhood” they enjoy in the choir and what comes next for each of the...

Since President Trump announced at a White House news conference on Sept. 22 that pregnant women's use of acetaminophen, sold under the brand name Tylenol, might raise the risk of autism in their children, claims about the drug have been circulating online. But this isn’t the first time moms have been blamed for their children's autism. In fact, an early theory of autism revolves around the term “...

In an op-ed in the Sun-Times, public health experts call for maintaining medical facilities as “sanctuaries that protect human life,” and outline steps to protect patients from immigration enforcement. In the Loop talks with Dr. Linda Rae Murray, professor, University of Illinois Chicago’s School of Public Health and former chief medical officer of the Cook County Department of Public Health, and...

Chicago legal advocates and volunteers in communities are quickly responding after ICE arrests to protect immigrants’ rights. In the Loop talks with Resurrection Project chief program officer Erendira Rendon, National Immigrant Justice Center director of litigation Keren Zwick, Pilsen Rapid Response Network organizer Diego Morales of PUÑO and Southwest Rapid Response organizer and CPS teacher Kat...

The Texas National Guard arrived in the Chicago area, then a judge granted a temporary restraining order on deploying the guard in Illinois. Meanwhile, ICE arrests and raids continued and the Chicago area began to feel the effects of the ongoing federal government shutdown. In The Loop dives into those and other top local stories with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mark Norkol, Fox 32 political corres...

You might mistake a recent video released by the Department of Homeland Security for an action movie trailer. It shows Border Patrol agents in military fatigues entering an apartment building in South Shore and arresting people alleged to be connected to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang. Reporting from WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times and other outlets confirm that U.S. citizens were detained for hour...

A government shutdown is underway. The National Guard has arrived in the Chicago area, and immigration enforcement has escalated in recent weeks. In the Loop host Sasha-Ann Simons and the show’s listeners ask Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson about his plan to create “ICE-free zones” and get his thoughts on the federal deployment of National Guard troops, among other topics. For a full archive of In t...

The Trump administration has paused $2.1 billion in federal funding for infrastructure projects in Chicago, including the long-awaited extension of the Red Line. In the Loop discusses the impact of this pause on residents, public transit and the environment with Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce executive director Andrea Reed, UChicago Harris School of Public Policy research professor Justin Ma...

President Trump called National guardsmen from Illinois and Texas to Chicago, and they could arrive any day now. In the Loop checks in with Illinois Veterans for Change chair Jesse Rojo and About Face: Veterans Against the War member Aaron Hughes, an Illinois National Guard veteran, about the President’s decision to send troops to Chicago and other U.S. cities. For a full archive of In the Loop in...

After months of warnings, the federal government said 100 National Guard troops will be deployed in Chicago. President Trump told military leaders to use U.S. cities as a “training ground” for operations. Meanwhile, immigration arrests and protests continue throughout the Chicago region. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with WBEZ senior editor Alden Loury, WT...

Aquinas Literacy Center is a McKinley Park organization that provides free one-on-one English tutoring to adults, many of whom are immigrants. In the Loop talks about the importance of this work during a time of frequent ICE raids with Aquinas Literacy Center executive director Alison Altmeyer and tutors Peter Harley and Tom Dankers. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez....

As e-bikes and e-scooters grow in popularity as an accessible and affordable transit option, many cities and suburbs are creating rules for how, when and where they can be used, leading to a patchwork of regulations. However, some people are now looking to Springfield to set a statewide standard. In the Loop explores what’s needed with a panel of stakeholders: Nik Hunder, policy analyst and resear...

More than half of American adults say they aren’t getting enough sleep. Beyond being tired and irritable, persistent sleep deprivation has been linked to many physical and psychological issues, from weight gain and heart disease to depression and dementia. On this episode of In the Loop we speak to Dr. Sabra Abbott, a sleep specialist at Northwestern Medicine about improving sleep hygiene. For a f...

As we head into fall premiere season, here’s a reminder: The Bear, The Chi, Chicago Fire, Med, P.D., and more are shot in Chicago. In the Loop learns about what goes into bringing some of our favorite shows to the screen with cinematographer Joe Jody Williams and set decorator Eric Frankel. For a full archive of In The Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago schools lose millions in federal grants. Protests gain steam outside the ICE detention facility in suburban Broadview. Chicago’s City Council reaches a compromise on allowing so-called “granny flats.” In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone, Axios Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd and Chicago Sun-Times repor...

The West Woodlawn home of Emmett Till and his family is in the process of becoming a museum and memorial. In the Loop checks in with architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin, cousin of Emmett Till and former resident of the Emmett Till House Ollie Gordon and Willie Douglas, organizer with Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 21, which is helping rehab the home. For a full archive of In the Loop inte...

Illinois is one of several states that have created guidance for vaccines that diverges from federal recommendations. As we enter respiratory illness season, what does that mean for medical treatment? In the Loop talks to Chief Operating Officer for Cook County Department of Public Health Dr. Kiran Joshi, Division Head of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Lurie Children’s Hospital Dr. Ravi Jhaveri...

A surprising trend in the job market is worrying economists. College-educated people are making up a larger subset of people who are unemployed for six months or longer. Automation, shrinking industries and federal cuts play a role. In the Loop digs into the issue with New York Times reporter Noam Scheiber and DePaul University professor of economics Brian Thompson. For a full archive of In The Lo...

Federal tax credits for electric vehicles are ending at the end of September, but rebates in Illinois remain. These rebates have been a key tool for the state to achieve its goal of having 1 million electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030, though there is a very long way to go on that front. In The Loop discusses what prospective buyers need to know and what this federal change could mean for...

Federal agents step up immigration raids. The Cubs make it to the playoffs. Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar dies at 79. Kim Bellware of the Washington Post, WBEZ’s Sarah Karp and Mitchell Armentrout of the Chicago Sun-Times break it down for us. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

While many efforts continue to educate immigrants and citizens alike on “Know Your Rights,” many people have already been detained by ICE. So, what are people doing right now to support them and their families? In the Loop sits down with local organizations who are supporting those who have been detained, hears what it was like in detention and what’s next as the city continues to see increased ac...

We’re six months out from the statewide Illinois primary, and the main showdown is shaping up to be the Democratic race for Dick Durbin's Senate seat. Political analysts suggest this rare open-seat race will favor Democrats, though that’s not assured. So far, nine Democrats have entered the race, with three notable candidates – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Congresswoman Robin Kelly and current...

As heightened immigration enforcement continues, we learn how the city’s chief executive is working to keep residents safe. In the Loop sits down with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to learn how he’s balancing national attention with the day-to-day needs of the city residents. Plus, he answers callers’ questions. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.