Mike Stephen explores the impending “TIF Cliff” and its ramifications for Chicago with civic educator Tom Tresser, discusses the state of local civic life, and gets the lowdown on the expansion of HelloBaby on the South Side of the city with founder Debbie Frisch and Leva Family Foundation president Craig Leva. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

City Hall isn’t enforcing environmental regulations for city contracts. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks to Neighbors for Environmental Justice board president Anthony Moser about how local politics and a lack of enforcement are impacting Chicago’s environmental policies and then discovers the Secret History of 1970s Chicago country rockers JD, Foster, and Eastman. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

We explore issues of the Chicago Housing Authority this week. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns how the Chicago Housing Authority allows for nefarious deeds on some of its vacant properties from Block Club Chicago investigative editor and reporter Mick Dumke, celebrates 90 years of Andersonville’s Simon’s Tavern, and chats with local musician Brett Ratner about his new instrumental rock. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Should Chicago lower its speed limit? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the possibility of Chicago lowering its speed limit with Active Transportation Alliance managing director of advocacy Jim Merrell, explores the debate around Mayor Johnson’s possible incompetence or inexperience with Chicago Magazine contributing editor Ted McClelland, and revisits the topic of Chicago’s bikeability. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.