Mike Stephen discusses a new report about Illinois’ air pollution with Julian Reif, professor at the University of Illinois, discovers saxman Billy Harper’s story, and learns about the good work of the Chicago Recovering Communities Coalition with executive director Dora Dantzler-Wright. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Local journalism is key to a healthy democracy. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks with University of Illinois professor emeritus Robert McChesney about a proposal to save local journalism and democracy and then chats with local singer-songwriter Peter Joly about his new album. And Mike gives an update on some segments that aired on the show recently. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

This week we take a look at housing instability in the wake of the pandemic. (Photo Credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the pandemic’s affect on housing instability with Michelle Layser of the University of Illinois, talks to the John Howard Association of Illinois‘ Jennifer Vollen-Katz about how prisons are beginning to open up to more oversight, and finds out how Burning Bush Brewery has survived the pandemic so far from owner Brent Raska. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin recap the show, offer some takeaways, and offer words of encouragement for one another’s March Madness brackets. The local music this week comes from Cranes & Mirrors. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Mike Stephen and the pamphlet that explains the proposed progressive income tax.

Mike Stephen talks to Fr. Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, about winning a humanitarian award and human connection during the pandemic, discusses Lake Michigan environmental concerns with Scott Blankman of Clean Wisconsin, and learns the pros and cons of the proposed state progressive income tax with David Merriman of the Fiscal Futures Project. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Producer Collin reflect on this week’s show theme of human connection. The local pandemic tunez come from Star Creature. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.