What are the impacts of TIF districts in Illinois? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the impact of TIF districts across Illinois with Tom Tresser of the CivicLab and the TIF Illumination Project, learns about an upcoming book exploring Black history called Our Black History in Fifty States from its author Zaylore Stout, and discovers the Secret History of blues and soul singer Bobby Jonz. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Open Books is expanding. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about the new expansion of Chicago literacy nonprofit Open Books from executive director Eric Johnson, learns how ChicagoJazz.com is back in full swing and delivering new local music coverage from founder Mike Jeffers, and discovers new local tunes from musician Daniel Gunderson. And Mike pays tribute to the late great radio host Lin Brehmer of WXRT-FM. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Winter in Chicago is ok! (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks to local journalist Vee Harrison about her new book called Hood Healing: Interviews with Some of Chicago’s Most Prolific Voices in Media and Black Culture, gives an update on beautifying the North Lawndale Neighborhood, and explores the Secret History of the late blues guitarist Sammy Lawhorn. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.