Mike Stephen discusses the crisis of Illinois state prison staff levels and working conditions with John Howard Association executive director Jennifer Vollen-Katz, learns about a new report about the educational attainment of CPS students from Alexandra Usher, the director of data and research at the To&Through Project, and discovers the Secret History of local blues rocker Nick Gravenites. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

We learn about a new pilot surveillance program on the CTA. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about a new CTA surveillance pilot program from Justin Agrelo, community engagement reporter at The Trace, discusses the impact of ending cash bail in Illinois with State Senator Robert Peters (13th), and gets the lowdown on local prog rock band McLuhan from vocalist & bassist Neal Rosner. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

We learn about the new judicial election guide from Injustice Watch. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about Injustice Watch’s judicial election guide with managing editor Jonah Newman, previews the Sideshow Villains’ upcoming deviant cabaret with band leader Dante Ingram, and discovers the Secret History of local folk singer Jo Mapes. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Mike Stephen talks to Dr. Jamila Taylor, president and CEO of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, about their upcoming Chicago conference, learns about the new Transferable Skills Podcast from its creator and host Noah Mishkin, and previews the Surabhi Ensemble’s gig at Navy Pier with guitarist Carlo Basile. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.