It’s a historic day for Mike Stephen as he chats with Craig Pfannkuche of the Chicago and North Western Historical Society about the ambitions of Chicago’s first mayor, author Daniel Kay Hertz about his book The Battle of Lincoln Park, and pays a visit to Steve Krakow (aka Plastic Crimewave) to learn about the Secret History of prog-rockers Mugicians. Local music this week is powered by Aurora L’Orealis. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses community oversight of the police with Frank Chapman of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, visits an Irish immigrant who is a great craftsman and musician named Aidan O’Toole, and learns about a new media company called One Illinois and its mission to unite our state.  The local music this week comes from the local Celtic band Anish. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen talks with transportation enthusiast The Parking Ticket Geek about the latest local parking and transportation stories, gets the delicious details of all the great food along 26th Street with Mike Gebert, editor of Fooditor.com, and hangs with Steve Krakow (aka Plastic Crimewave) to learn about the Secret History of Elgin’s 70s Blues-rockers Iron Lung. The local music this week comes from V.V. Lightbody. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen talks with 35th ward Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa about his opposition to the proposed Police Academy on Chicago’s west side and the blow-back he’s received from the city council, chats with Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights intern Alex Boutros about voting rights restrictions in Illinois, and local musician Dina Bach stops by to play some sweet studio jamz. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.