Illinois’ student population decreased since last school year. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the decrease in public school students in Illinois with Chalkbeat Chicago’s Samantha Smylie, learns about Black organizing pre-Civil War in Illinois with Northwestern University history professor Kate Masur, and discovers the Secret History of local saxman J.T. Brown. 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.

The Chicago Public Library turns 150! (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the impact and significance of the Chicago Public Library over the last 150 years with library commissioner Chris Brown and then discovers the Secret History of local blues vocalist and drummer Ms. Johnnie Mae Dunson. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.