This week we explore Chicago’s community map. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about the significance of Chicago’s community map and explores the possibility of updating it with Emily Talen, professor of urbanism and director of the Urbanism Lab at the University of Chicago, discusses the importance of literacy on the West Side of the city with founder of The Queen Within, Bridgett McGill, and discovers the Secret History of 1990s psychedelic rockers Plastics Hi-Fi. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 6 months ago Tagged

Dennis McClendon’s map of the Chicago Pedway. (Public Domain Photo)

Mike Stephen learns about the importance of current, historical, and thematic maps of Chicago from local historian and geographer Dennis McClendon and then discusses the effects of the El Milagro Tortilla factory workers’ organizing efforts with Jose Uribe, the Workplace Justice Campaigns Organizer for Arise Chicago. Also, check out the Chicago Infrastructure Portal! To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 2 years ago Tagged

Cameras are watching! (Photo Credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks to freelance reporter Michael Murney about his piece that covers the Chicago Police Department’s Private Sector Camera Initiative, gets an update on Illinois’ environmental policy from Jen Walling of the Illinois Environmental Council, and learns about public participation in drawing Chicago ward maps from Adam Alonso, CEO of BUILD. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin recap the show and remind us to call our legislators regarding issues we care about. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 3 years ago Tagged

An image from the new interactive Find My Landlord site.

Mike Stephen talks to Lucien Liz-Lepiorz of the Chicago DSA about a new interactive map that shows which landlords own what properties in Chicago, discusses lessons learned from the March primaries with City Bureau reporter Alex Arriaga, and discovers the Secret History of The Resurrection Band.  And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on this week’s show and discuss the power of using data to change society. The local pandemic tunez come from The Strangelets. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Posted 4 years ago Tagged