OTL: Episode #349- Is Rahm losing control of Chicago?, Streetsblog Chicago

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “Rahmbo” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen examines if Rahm has lost control of Chicago and discusses local sustainable transportation with the editor of Streetsblog Chicago.   Mark Guarino– Staff writer for the Christian Science Monitor and contributor to Salon.com Has Mayor Emanuel lost control of Chicago?  Mark examines that question and reflects on the first two years of the Emanuel Administration.     John Greenfield– Editor of Streetsblog Chicago This new blog focuses on local sustainable transportation issues.  We learn about this site and discuss the proposed Chicago bus rapid transit system.   OTL #349 local music provided by Majors Junction…  

OTL: Episode #348- Visiting The Salsa Truck and Garage, The real Six Corners?, Chicago Councilmatic

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “covered in salsa” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen visits the owner of The Salsa Truck and The Garage, Discusses Portage Park and Wicker Park’s  “Six Corners,” and learns about a website that tracks your alderman’s work.   Dan Salls– Owner of The Salsa Truck and The Garage We pay a visit to a unique eatery in the West Loop that happens to house a very cool food truck.     Andy Hermann– Former OTL Producer As a resident of Portage Park, Andy weighs in on the Six Corners debate that pits Irving Park, Milwaukee and Cicero v. Damen, North, and Milwaukee. Mike and Andy out on the town Derek Eder– Co-founder of Chicago Councilmatic Derek gives us the lowdown on this site that easily lets you keep tabs on what the Chicago City Council is doing.   OTL #348 local music provided by Can I Get an Amen?…  

OTL: Episode #347- New parking meter deal, How wrong is Tom Skilling?, Escaping prostitution in Chicago

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “the parking meter lease deal stinks” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks with The Reader’s Mick Dumke about a new parking meter lease deal, chats with the founder of HowWrongIsSkilling.com, and learns about a student documentary about local prostitution.   Mick Dumke– Senior writer at the Chicago Reader Mayor Emanuel proposed a new parking meter lease deal.  Will this deal help or hurt Chicagoans?  Mick explores this question and more in a piece he wrote.  He discusses this issue on this week’s show.     Cesar Ruelase– Creator of HowWrongIsSkilling.com Everyone trusts WGN-TV weatherman Tom Skilling, right?  Wrong.  Cesar discusses why he created a site that documents the inaccuracy of Mr. Skilling.   Lorraine Ma– Co-director and co-producer of the film Until the Day Breaks Prostitution is a serious problem in Chicago.  Lorraine discusses why she and her colleagues tackled this issue and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her film.   OTL #347 local music provided by Rivals of the Peacemaker…  

OTL: Episode #346- TIF Illumination, Representation Without Taxation

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “illumination” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about the TIF Illumination Project, Looks back on the future of music predictions, and discusses how some big businesses avoid paying taxes.   Tom Tresser– Educator, organizer, and co-founder of CivicLab TIF reform is an important topic and Tom is in the thick of it.  Check out tifreports.com and a series of public events to learn more about how TIFs work.  You can also sign a petition to put TIFs on property tax bills.     Looking back at the future of music– Mike discovered an interview he recorded in the old WLUW studio with writer Lou Carlozo from 2001.  In this this clip they discuss when the future of music could be.  We see if what they talked about came true. The old WLUW studio circa 2000.   Celeste Meiffren– Filed Director for the IL Public Interest Research Group IL PIRG’s report, Representation Without Taxation, shows how some Fortune 500 companies exploit loopholes and distort the tax code to avoid billions of dollars in taxes.  Celeste discusses the report.   OTL #346 local music provided by Sonia Khaleel…