Mike Stephen discusses the potential impact of food assistance cuts on Illinois grocery stores with Capitol News Illinois reporting intern Jenna Schweikert, learns how the local organization Timeless Gifts brings music education to youth from founder Joan Collaso, and discovers the secret history of local blues guitarist Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson.  To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses the civic implications of a new Bears stadium with civic educator and author Tom Tresser, previews a local world music performance from veena virtuoso Sara Ranganathan, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago’s The Dells. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Are political voting maps in Illinois ending? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about the effort to end politically drawn voting maps in Illinois from Chicago Magazine writer Ted McClelland, discusses the slowdown in overturning wrongful convictions in Cook County with Injustice Watch reporter Dan Hinkel, and highlights the important work of Share Our Spare in supporting young children and families with interim executive director Jesseca Rhymes. Also, help out Chicago street vendors! To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Mike Stephen gets an update on the latest Chicago TIF numbers from Tom Tresser of the TIF Illumination Project, chats with local musician Carlo Basile about his local music with a worldwide influence, and previews the Back Fine Art Faire with Patricia Andrews-Keenan, founder of Pigment International. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.