Voting is cool!

Mike Stephen learns about what it’s like to get out the vote with Janelle Rau-Clauson, chats about NewCity’s special “Best of Chicago” issue with guest co-editor Scoop Jackson, and gets some tips on enjoying winter during a pandemic from the Chicago Reader‘s John Greenfield. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and Mike makes plans to visit Collin’s house to see his fire table. The local pandemic tunez come from Blue Spring. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

The Love Fridge lends a helping hand in Chicago neighborhoods.

Mike Stephen learns how The Love Fridge works to combat hunger during a pandemic with co-lead organizer Lisa Armstrong, discusses Ballot Z’s mission of getting young people involved civically with founder Gretchen Coleman, and learns the Secret History of local 1960s funk and soul band The Artistics. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the good advocacy highlighted in this week’s show as well as Mike’s admission of standing in line overnight to see Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones back in 2002. The local pandemic tunez come from OHMME. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen reminds us that our vote counts.

Mike Stephen learns about Injustice Watch’s judicial election guide with Emily Hoerner, discusses the push to create fair ward boundaries in Chicago with CHANGE Illinois‘ Madeleine Doubek, and talks about being a musician during the pandemic with Audrey Foxx. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and Collin reminds us of his important observation: courts are everywhere. The local pandemic tunez come from Audrey Foxx, of course! To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

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.