Are Chicago students struggling? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the preliminary results of Chicago student test data with Mila Koumpilova of Chalkbeat Chicago, gets the lowdown on the expansion of the Chicago Tool Library from co-founder Tessa Vierk, and learns about a new locally-produced film featuring Chicago street artists called Tagged from writer and executive producer Grant Troyer. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

A look at the inside of the new Chicago Mobile Maker Space. Photo by Tom Harris.

Mike Stephen gets an update on the Chicago Mobile Makers with founder Maya Bird-Murphy, talks to Dr. Donald Wuebbles of the University of Illinois about the effects of local air pollution during a pandemic, and discovers the Secret History of 1960s garage-rockers Byzantine Empire.  And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin give their takeaways from the show. The local phase four music comes from OTL contributor Steve Krakow’s band, Plastic Crimewave Syndicate! To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses community oversight of the police with Frank Chapman of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, visits an Irish immigrant who is a great craftsman and musician named Aidan O’Toole, and learns about a new media company called One Illinois and its mission to unite our state.  The local music this week comes from the local Celtic band Anish. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.