This week we learn about a unique Juneteenth celebration. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks to Ted Williams, the creator of the musical 1619: The Journey of a People, about the impact of the show’s story, learns about the lack of an official onboarding process for newly-elected alderpeople from Dave Glowacz, staff reporter at Inside Chicago Government, and gets the lowdown on new walking tours highlighting local LGBTQ+ history from Mike McMains, founder of Tours With Mike. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

This week we discuss the importance of organizing for a better Chicago. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen gets an update on organizing for a more fair Chicago, especially with regard to TIF districts, with civic educator and co-founder of The CivicLab Tom Tresser and discusses the important educational work of The Legacy Project with its founder and executive director Victor Salvo. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses a study and interactive map with co-author Michael Cailas that examines pollution and its proximity to Chicago schools, gets an update on the successes of Funkytown Brewing, and discusses how Illinois spends its COVID relief money with UIC’s Amanda Kass. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

We learn about the BGA report entitled “The Failures Behind the Fires.” (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio).

Mike Stephen discusses a new report about how the city could have prevented residential fires with Madison Hopkins of the Better Government Association, learns about a local nonprofit called Your Passion 1st that focuses on mentoring youth, and revisits a 2015 conversation with high school students about their experiences in Chicago neighborhoods. And the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin recap the show and reflect the importance of government oversight and local area codes. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.