What is the quality of life in Illinois state prisons? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen explores the quality of life in Illinois prisons with Jennifer Vollen-Katz, the executive director of the John Howard Association, talks with Illinois Humanities executive director Gabrielle Lyon about the new initiative called The Big Read, and chats with local musician Jared Rabin about his new music. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

This week we discuss the state's plan to reform juvenile justice. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio) This week we discuss the state’s plan to reform juvenile justice. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the process of reforming Illinois’ juvenile justice system with Jennifer Vollen-Katz of the John Howard Association of Illinois, learns about the RTA’s strategic plan for local transportation from Streetsblog Chicago’s Sharon Hoyer, and discovers the Secret History of piano virtuoso Dorothy Donegan. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

The Education Justice Project educates those who are incarcerated. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen chats with Rebecca Ginsburg, director of the Education Justice Project, about the impact of providing higher education opportunities for those who are incarcerated in Illinois and then talks with Frank Orrall, founder of Poi Dog Pondering, about nearly 40 years of making music and the band’s new album.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

This week we explore civil rights abuses in Cook County Temporary Juvenile Detention. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about a new report documenting extreme conditions inside the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center from Injustice Watch reporters Carlos Ballesteros and Kelly Garcia and revisits a conversation about race on the justice system from 2020. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.