OTL: Episode #480- Local criminal justice stories of importance, The Secret History of guitarist Snake Boy Johnson, Clearing up common Chicago parking confusion

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Mick Dumke about criminal justice and some of the other important issues he wrote about in 2015;   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about Luther “Snake Boy” Johnson for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and   The Expired Meter blogger The Parking Ticket Geek about where you can and can’t park in the city in the winter months.   Meanwhile, “Santa Claus” calls in and nearly derails the show!   This week’s local music is provided by The Fource.   OTL host Mike Stephen III introduces his son Mike Stephen IV to his old friend and radio show guest Santa Claus.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #471- Spying on Chicago citizens, Lucas Museum on the Lakefront, Pinball Chicago plays on

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Mick Dumke about how the Chicago Police have been spying on protesters;   Friends of the Parks executive director Juanita Irizarry about the Lucas Museum causing headaches for those who advocate for a free and open lakefront; and   Pinball Chicago founder and commissioner Ben Vigeant at the Emporium barcade about Chicago’s competitive pinball scene.   Meanwhile, Chicago Baseball publisher and editor Matt Smerge can claim a victory for free speech as we update a story from OTL #463.   This week’s local music is provided by Cousin Dud.   OTL host Mike Stephen takes on Pinball Chicago founder and commissioner Ben Vigeant in a round of Twilight Zone pinball.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #461- The new Cabrini Green documentary, Mick Dumke on Chicago politics, Making food carts legal in the city

Mike Stephen talks with:   Filmmaker Ronit Bezalel about her 20-years-in-the-making documentary 70 Acres in Chicago: Cabrini Green;   Chicago Reader senior writer Mick Dumke about his new job at the Chicago Sun-Times, House Speaker Michael Madigan’s not-so-public schedule, and Governor Bruce Rauner’s veto of a marijuana decriminalization law; and   Illinois Policy Institute managing editor Hilary Gowins about her Crain’s Chicago Business op-ed on legalizing Chicago food carts (see also NoCronies.com).   This week’s local music is provided by Mystery Crash.   OTL host Mike Stephen reflects on the fantastic question he just asked a guest.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #453- A son in Logan Square reissues his dad’s 60s rock album, Mick Dumke on the latest in Chicago politics

Mike Stephen talks with:   Maplewood Records founder Ian Capilouto about reissuing The Glass Family’s 1968 album Electric Band (featuring his dad David Capilouto!) along with other musical rarities; and   Chicago Reader senior writer Mick Dumke about the latest on local (State’s Attorney Alvarez vs. Cook County Board President Preckwinkle) and state (Governor Rauner’s redacted calendar) politics.   Plus the OTL crew discusses Knight Rider, David Hasselhoff, and our efforts to track down the Chicago Knights!   This week’s local music is provided by Ian’s new band Holiday Party.   Mike Stephen with his dad and his son. That’s three Mike Stephens in one picture!   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.