What are the most conservative wards in Chicago? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen gets a profile of Chicago’s most conservative wards with Ted McClelland, contributing editor of Chicago Magazine, discusses new initiatives for youth mental health in Illinois with State Senator Mike Simmons, and discovers the Secret History of 1970s R&B group The Brighter Side of Darkness. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

The border of Chicago and Oak Park.

Mike Stephen discusses why the geography of Chicago stopped growing with Chicago Magazine contributor Ted McClelland, learns about efforts to save local performance venues with CIVL board member and venue owner Billy Helmkamp, and uncovers the history of 1930s bluesman Kokomo Arnold. The local pandemic tunez come from Alpha Colors. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

So much Illinois love!

Mike Stephen discusses the possibility of downstate Illinois seceding from Chicago with Ted McClelland of Chicago Magazine, learns about a new book called Bullets for Dead Hoods that gives us a look into local mobsters of the 1930s from curator John Corbett, and reviews an analysis of how the state has spent COVID-19 funds with ProPublica Illinois‘ Ash Ngu.  And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and discuss the need to be better about bridging the divide between northern and southern Illinois. The local pandemic tunez come from Away Team Forever. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

The OTL Winter Tavern Tour continues with a stop at The Water Hole on Western Ave.

Mike Stephen continues the Winter Tavern Tour and stops by The Water Hole on Western Ave., discusses the possible impact of Amazon coming to the Pullman neighborhood, and learns the Secret History of blues guitarist Jimmy Johnson.  This week the local music comes from Motel Breakfast. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.