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.

What is the quality of life in Illinois state prisons? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen explores the quality of life in Illinois prisons with Jennifer Vollen-Katz, the executive director of the John Howard Association, talks with Illinois Humanities executive director Gabrielle Lyon about the new initiative called The Big Read, and chats with local musician Jared Rabin about his new music. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

This week we discuss the state's plan to reform juvenile justice. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio) This week we discuss the state’s plan to reform juvenile justice. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the process of reforming Illinois’ juvenile justice system with Jennifer Vollen-Katz of the John Howard Association of Illinois, learns about the RTA’s strategic plan for local transportation from Streetsblog Chicago’s Sharon Hoyer, and discovers the Secret History of piano virtuoso Dorothy Donegan. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

There is a plan to reform prisons in Illinois. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses a plan to address inhumane living conditions in Illinois correctional facilities with Jennifer Vollen-Katz, the executive director of the John Howard Association of Illinois, and learns the story of the Chicago avant-garde band The Devil Bell Hippies. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.