Chicago independent music venues are vital. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks to Jimalita Tillman and Chris Bauman, co-chairs of the Chicago Independent Venue League, about a new report that shows how important Chicago independent music venues are to the culture and economy of the city and then revisits a segment on preserving local signs. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Wage theft continues in Illinois. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks to Injustice Watch senior investigative reporter Alejandra Cancino to learn how wage theft of workers continues in Illinois and then gets the lowdown on a new report that examines the fiscal health of the state from Civic Federation senior policy advisor Paula Worthington. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Happy new year from Outside the Loop! (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen takes a look back at some highlights of the show from 2025.  Happy New Year from your friends at Outside the Loop! To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

What was it like growing up in Skokie in the 1960s and 70s? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks to Al Krockey, the author of a new book about coming of age in the 1960s and 70s in Skokie and Chicago called Straight Outta Skokie, and then learns about the plans Creative Cypher has for building an entertainment ecosystem in Chicago from founder Troy Pryor and interim president Cindy Beasley. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.