We explore the issue of unsafe water in Illinois prisons. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about the deteriorating conditions inside Illinois prisons from Alan Mills, executive director of the Uptown People’s Law Center, and then discovers the Secret History of Chicago tenor sax player E. Parker McDougal. 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.

The Education Justice Project educates those who are incarcerated. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen chats with Rebecca Ginsburg, director of the Education Justice Project, about the impact of providing higher education opportunities for those who are incarcerated in Illinois and then talks with Frank Orrall, founder of Poi Dog Pondering, about nearly 40 years of making music and the band’s new album.   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.