OTL: Episode #369- Chicago’s proposed 2014 budget, Tacofancy, A Chicagoan visits the White House

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “Tacofancy” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen looks at the mayor’s proposed 2014 budget, discusses a community-driven online taco repository, and talks to a Chicagoan who attended the Blackhawks’ championship celebration at the White House.   Ellyn Fortino– Reporter & blogger for Progress Illinois Recently Mayor Emanuel proposed his version of Chicago’s budget for 2014.  We analyze the budget and how it would impact the city’s finances.     Photo courtesy of Progress Illinois   Tacofancy– A community-driven taco hub Mike discovers Dan Sinker‘s online taco repository.  And it’s delicious.   A delicious taco.     Brandon Wetherbee– Host of the You, Me, Them, Everybody podcast and Managing Editor of Bright Young Things Brandon, a Chicagoan, attended the Blackhawks Stanley Cup ceremony at the White House and gives us a behind-the-scenes account. Photo courtesy of Brandon Wetherbee/Bright Young Things.     OTL #369 local music provided by Brice Woodall…  

OTL: Episode #346- TIF Illumination, Representation Without Taxation

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “illumination” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about the TIF Illumination Project, Looks back on the future of music predictions, and discusses how some big businesses avoid paying taxes.   Tom Tresser– Educator, organizer, and co-founder of CivicLab TIF reform is an important topic and Tom is in the thick of it.  Check out tifreports.com and a series of public events to learn more about how TIFs work.  You can also sign a petition to put TIFs on property tax bills.     Looking back at the future of music– Mike discovered an interview he recorded in the old WLUW studio with writer Lou Carlozo from 2001.  In this this clip they discuss when the future of music could be.  We see if what they talked about came true. The old WLUW studio circa 2000.   Celeste Meiffren– Filed Director for the IL Public Interest Research Group IL PIRG’s report, Representation Without Taxation, shows how some Fortune 500 companies exploit loopholes and distort the tax code to avoid billions of dollars in taxes.  Celeste discusses the report.   OTL #346 local music provided by Sonia Khaleel…  

OTL: Episode #329- Chicago TIF reform, Movers and Shakers in the local performing arts scene

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “in a TIF” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks TIF reform with Tom Tresser and discusses the movers and shakers in Chicago’s performing arts scene. Tom Tresser– Educator, organizer, and co-founder of CivicLab TIF reform is an important topic and Tom is in the thick of it.  Check out tifreports.com and a public event at the Chopin Theater (1543 W. Division) on February 12th to learn more about how TIFs work.       Brian Hieggelke – Editor and publisher of NewCity Brian discusses NewCity’s Players 2013 List- The 50 People Who Really Perform in Chicago.     OTL #329 local music provided by The Jordan Years…  

OTL: Episode #282- Cleaning up TIFs, Hideout Harmonica Hoedown preview

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “harmonica hoedown” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen discusses ways to improve Chicago’s TIF program and then talks to two local harmonica players about the upcoming Hideout Harmonica Hoedown (complete with a fun on-air harp jam session).   Celeste Meiffren– Field Director at the Illinois Public Interest Research Group IL PIRG recently put out a report called Cleaning Up Tax Increment Financing.  Celeste talks to us about this report. Bob Kessler and Jim Conway— Chicago harmonica studs These two harp players are just part of the great lineup at the Hideout Harmonica Hoedown coming up on Sunday, February 19th at The Hideout.  They drop by the OTL Bunker to preview the event and to jam on some tunes with Mike.     OTL #282 local music provided by Joe Filisko and Eric Noden…