What are the impact of property taxes on Chicago neighborhoods? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen explores the impact of property taxes on certain Chicago neighborhoods with Geoff Smith of the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University, discusses the environmental legislative agenda of Illinois with Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, and gets an update on the environmental justice story of the Damen Silos. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Cameras are watching! (Photo Credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks to freelance reporter Michael Murney about his piece that covers the Chicago Police Department’s Private Sector Camera Initiative, gets an update on Illinois’ environmental policy from Jen Walling of the Illinois Environmental Council, and learns about public participation in drawing Chicago ward maps from Adam Alonso, CEO of BUILD. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin recap the show and remind us to call our legislators regarding issues we care about. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Mike Stephen’s son, Joey, is fascinated with the CTA’s “Ride the Rails” videos.

Mike Stephen discusses the racial disparity of COVID-19 with Duaa Eldeib of ProPublica Illinois, learns about the impact of the pandemic on the state’s environmental policy with Jen Walling of the Illinois Environmental Council, and chats about the pandemic’s effects on small business and self-employed workers with Dan Cooper of the Metropolitan Planning Council. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Producer Collin gives us his review of Alinea’s take out experience. The local quarantine music this week comes from Sugar Still. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses the Clean Energy Jobs Act.

Mike Stephen gets an update on the Clean Energy Jobs Act, checks in with a garage-based community radio station, WIDE-LP, in Madison, WI, and learns the Secret History of 70s local country-rockers The Moondogs.  This week’s local Holiday music is brought to you by El Gato Roboto. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.