What are the impacts of TIF districts on Chicago neighborhoods? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen gets an update on the impact of TIF districts on Chicago neighborhoods over the past year with Tom Tresser, co-founder of The CivicLab, and then re-airs a conversation with Illinois native Kevin Jakubowski, the screenwriter of the Holiday film 8-Bit Christmas. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

The Damen Silos in the McKinley park neighborhood. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns how pollution is impacting McKinley Park from Anthony Moser, board president of Neighbors for Environmental Justice, discusses the creation of the first Green Dining District in Illinois with Ravi Parakkat, Oak Park trustee and founder of Takeout 25, and discovers the Secret History of 1960s soul singer Jo Ann Garrett. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit ourĀ Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or ourĀ RSS feed.

We examine the influence of developers on neighborhoods this week. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about a guide to more public involvement in community benefits agreements with City Bureau senior reporter and special projects manager Sarah Conway, goes curling with the Windy City Curling Club, and discusses the significance of the Illinois Freedom Project with Milton McDaniel, co-founder of the African-American Museum of Southern Illinois, and Matt Meacham of Illinois Humanities. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Winter in Chicago is ok! (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks to local journalist Vee Harrison about her new book called Hood Healing: Interviews with Some of Chicago’s Most Prolific Voices in Media and Black Culture, gives an update on beautifying the North Lawndale Neighborhood, and explores the Secret History of the late blues guitarist Sammy Lawhorn. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.