Former WGN Radio news anchor Dometi Pongo and OTL host Mike Stephen.

Mike Stephen catches up with former WGN news anchor and MTV host Dometi Pongo, discusses civic engagement in Chicago immigrant communities with Alexandra Arriaga of City Bureau, and learns the Secret History of 70s rockers Trilogy. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the importance of civic engagement and sing the praises of the aforementioned Mr. Pongo. The local pandemic jamz come from Ocean Cult. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen slides by The Corner Bar in Bucktown as part of the OTL Winter Tavern Tour and then welcomes Pro Publica Illinois’ Mick Dumke and IL Election Data’s Scott Kennedy to the bar to give their analysis of local politics after the municipal election.  All this in a bar.  Because, why not?  The local music this week is powered by Decoy Prayer Meeting. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses some of the issues with the implementation of the state’s automatic voter registration law, learns the Secret History of local Blues lap steel guitar player Freddie Roulette, and drops by The Lantern in Lake Forest for another stop on the OTL Winter Tavern Tour.  This week’s local music is brought to you by Boyo Talk. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses the importance of racial equity work in Chicago with Niketa Brar of Chicago United for Equity and then learns how we can use open data to discover more information about local development projects through Cityscape Chicago with founder and CEO Steven Vance.  ALSO: Let us know about your favorite cozy winter neighborhood bars/taverns here!  The local music this week is powered by Plastic Crimewave Syndicate. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.