Morning Shift Podcast

More than 7 million people in the U.S. currently live with Alzheimer's disease, and that number is expected to increase as the nation's population ages. People in this group and their caregivers are at risk of social isolation, but “memory cafes” are helping them connect in the Chicago area. In the Loop checks in with participant and caregiver Robert Contino, memory cafe coordinator Molly Conley of Village Chicago and Dementia Friendly Illinois and social worker Susan Frick of the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center and Dementia Friendly Illinois. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Six years after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police and the global protests that followed, rhetoric around race in America is sliding backward. The Trump Administration has aggressively gone after DEI initiatives, and the Supreme Court has weakened a landmark piece of civil rights legislation – a decision that undermines Black voting power. On today's In the Loop, how are we measuring racial progress at a time when racism is so mainstream in our politics and media? Sasha is joined by Dr. Onnie Rogers, associate professor and director of the Development of Identities in Cultural Environments research group at University of Chicago, and also Danielle Robinson Bell, associate professor at Northwestern's Medill School. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Happy Friday! It's been another busy week in politics, the economy, and more. So before you head out for the long Memorial Day weekend, get caught up on the top local stories you need to know about: Illinois lawmakers debate insurance rate reform and prescription drug costs, charges are dropped against the Broadview Six, and Chicago broadcast journalists sue big tech. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Nick Blumberg, WTTW News correspondent; David Greising, president of the Better Government Association; and Bob Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In the Loop and In the Loop listeners talk to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson about everything from city assistance for small grocery stores to a Chicago Bears stadium to wages for restaurant workers to the city's finances. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The Drive the Vote for Equality campaign stopped in Chicago this week to press for national recognition of the Equal Rights Amendment. On today's In the Loop, we look back at Illinois' complicated history with ERA, and find out how the current state of the fight for the ERA ties into today's battles over voting rights. At the table: Maureen Hellwig, president emeritus of the Chicago Women's History Center; the Rev. Janette Wilson, national director of PUSH for Excellence; and Laura Welch, National board member for the National Organization for Women. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

When someone picks up the phone to call 911 during a mental health crisis, WHO shows up can make all the difference. Since 2021, a Chicago program has been deploying social workers instead of law enforcement to non-violent mental health incidents. It's called the Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement program (CARE), and now it's expanding to serve ALL of Chicago. So, what does that expansion actually mean for residents, emergency response times and mental health care in this city? In the Loop sits down with Arturo Carrillo, Chicago's deputy mayor of health and human services, and Tiffany Patton-Burnside, senior director of crisis services at CARE. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

What's That Building? Oh, just another Chicago spot with a pretty wild story. The old McCormick mansion on Ontario Street has been reinventing itself over the decades. It's been closed since 2020, but now the historic building is going from a prime rib spot… to a new immersive magic venue. Chicago architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin brings us the inside scoop. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Former Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas is fined for violating campaign finance rules. Mayor Johnson announces plans to meet with Pope Leo XIV in Rome. Lawyers for residents of the South Shore apartment building raided during Operation Midway Blitz seek millions in damages from the federal government. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more with WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp, Axios Chicago reporter Monica Eng and NBC 5 political and investigative reporter Paris Schutz. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Illinois needs over 100,000 units to fill a severe housing shortage. Gov. Pritzker has a new plan to address this problem, the Building Up Illinois Developments, or BUILD. Housing advocates say the BUILD plan will help with housing affordability, particularly in neighborhoods with high demand. But some are concerned that this plan will take power from local municipalities and open the door for big developments in areas with mostly single family homes. In the Loop learns more about the basics of the bill currently working its way through the Illinois House and Senate from Mawa Iqbal, WBEZ statehouse reporter. We hear potential pros of the plan from Jeff Baker, CEO, Illinois Realtors and potential cons from Doug Pollock, president, Village of Riverside. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The arrival of piping plovers Monty and Rose to Chicago's Montrose Beach in 2019 captivated the city's residents. Chicago's love affair with the endangered birds grew into an entire fandom which included merch, a film and an army of volunteers dedicated to protecting the piping plovers. Seven years on, while the original love birds are no longer with us, Chicago's population of plovers has rebounded. In the Loop revisits the story of Monty and Rose and how public interest has helped bring the species back from the brink with Audubon Great Lakes Conservation Director Daniel Suarez, Monty and Rose director Bob Dolgan and Lincoln Park Zoo Urban Wildlife Institute Assistant Director Liza Lehrer. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Sweeping changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program made by the federal government last year are now going into effect. In the Loop gets updates and hears how changes to SNAP benefits are impacting local grocery stores and Chicago-area families. Guest host Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government reporter, checks in with Nolan Downey of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Melody Winston of Living Fresh Market in Forest Park and Sally Schulze of RefugeeOne. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Months after the end of Operation Midway Blitz, immigration enforcement and detention is still underway in the Chicago area. But as federal agents have pivoted to a quieter approach, so too have rapid responders — advocates who work to provide fast on-the-ground help to people vulnerable to immigration raids and arrests. In the Loop checks in with Cristóbal Cavazos of the Casa DuPage Workers Center, Mimi Guiracocha of Pilsen Unidos por Ñuestro Orgullo (PUÑO) and WBEZ immigration reporter Adriana Cardona-Maguigad. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Ready for a week's worth of news in under an hour? Illinois State Police open an investigation into the ICE shooting of Silverio Villegas González. Mayor Johnson goes on the offense against the Bears in Springfield. Tickets for the opening of the Obama Center go on sale. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Carrie Shepherd, Axios Chicago reporter; Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune city hall reporter; and Mitch Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times reporter covering government and politics. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In November 2025, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis ordered footage from Border Patrol agents' body cameras be released. Filmmaker Bill Morrison took that footage and interwove it with cellphone video from residents to show how quickly the scene in Chicago became chaotic and violent. In the Loop sits down with director Bill Morrison and producer Maria Inés Zamudio to learn more about the story this bodycam footage tells us. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

New pay-to-park barriers are popping up at some of Chicago beaches, including at the historic Rainbow Beach. The Park District says the new barriers will generate millions in revenue. Community members say the new barriers are aggressive and unwelcoming. Today on In the Loop, we hear from Brian Gladstein of Friends of the Parks, Sherry Williams of the Burnham Park Advisory Council and Ald. Lamont Robinson, 4th Ward, about the impact new pay-to-park barriers could have on lakefront culture, privacy and the cost of the “free” parks in Chicago. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Social isolation can increase seniors' risk of developing dementia, stroke and heart disease. But Chicago advocates say the services, classes and resources that senior centers offer can act as preventative care. In the Loop check in with Yolanda Curry and Alicia Henry of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services and senior Jeannine Sharpe. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In his majority opinion, Justice Samuel Alito argued that Louisiana illegally used race to create a second Black-majority district. In her dissent, Justice Elena Kagan wrote “the court's decision will set back the foundational right Congress granted of racial equality in electoral opportunity.” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the decision “voter suppression that will silence Black and brown voters.” The NAACP called it a “devastating blow” to the Voting Rights Act. In the Loop discusses the potential local and national impact of the decision with today's panel: Stevie Valles, executive director, Chicago Votes; Karen Freeman-Wilson, president and CEO, Chicago Urban League; Chika Okafor, assistant professor of law, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago's Cinco de Mayo parade is cancelled for a second year due to immigration enforcement fears. IBM announces a new innovation center at the Quantum and Microelectronics Park on Chicago's South Side, pledging hundreds of jobs for City College graduates. Meanwhile, in Springfield, the Illinois legislature is finalizing its game plan to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more with Block Club Chicago reporter Mack Liederman, Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mary Norkol and Alex Nitkin, Illinois Answers Project government finance and accountability reporter. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

It's been nearly five years since Illinois lawmakers passed the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History Act, or TEAACH Act. It ensures that students in every public elementary and high school in Illinois learn about the contributions of Asian Americans. In the Loop learns more with Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago executive director Grace Pai, education consultant and former volunteer of the TEAACH Curriculum Development Team Smita Garg and dean of college and career counseling at Noble Schools Laura Ouk. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Often, cases of sexual violence are treated as a criminal justice issue. But this approach can lead to repeated harm, doubt, and underreporting. Survivors, experts and service providers alike are calling on all of us to start viewing this as a public health crisis. In the Loop discusses how our approach to treating and preventing sexual violence could improve, and what resources exist to support and empower survivors in our area. Resilience clinical services supervisor Jillian Furey, DePaul University professor Megan Greeson and Department of Family and Support Services' Laura Ng all join us to dig into this issue. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Seven years after the botched police raid that left Anjanette Young handcuffed and traumatized in her home, she is now being selected to join the oversight board for Chicago's police department. But the road from victim to police reform advocate has been long – and is one traced in her new memoir Past the Pain. In it, Young recounts the night her life was changed, the faith that she both questioned and drew strength from, and the support she's found along the way. In the Loop checks in with the social worker-turned-police reform advocate about her new memoir, and what she hopes changes in CPD. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In the wake of several high-profile domestic violence cases, many ending fatally, the news headlines can feel all too familiar. How these stories are told, who's centered, the language used, and what's left out shapes public understanding. So, how can journalists do better? What should responsible reporting look like? Plus, we explore the options that exist for people experiencing various forms of abuse in Illinois. In today's episode, we hear from: Karen Attiah, a journalist and founder of the Resistance Studies Series; Smriti Shukla, advocacy programs manager at Apna Ghar, a Chicago-based human rights organization; Roslyn Romero, supervisor of outreach and prevention at Pillars Community Health; and Mable Tappler, coordinator for the adult women's program at the Rosenthal Family Lodge shelter at Family Rescue. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Residents are still cleaning up basements and backyards after record-breaking rainfall. Gov. JB Pritzker says all bets are off for state employees on prediction markets. Body cam video of the shooting of Officer Krystal Rivera is released to the public. And Chicago Public School lunchroom staff block traffic over stalled contract talks. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Christian Farr, NBC-5 Chicago reporter; Geoff Buchholz, WBBM Newsradio political editor; and Sarah Karp, WBEZ Education reporter. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Brionna Johnson's journey with uterine fibroids was one filled with uncertainty and questions. Her search for answers led her to Dr. Pierre Johnson of Loretto Hospital on the West Side aka the “Fibroid Slayer.” He was able to perform surgery and help Brionna after another physician suggested she would need to have a hysterectomy. In the Loop hears from doctor and patient. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

How can a conversation with a tree or snapping a photo of a piping plover help support Chicago's natural environment?

How can voice connect us to the environment? That's what a Chickasaw poet and a composer explore in their new works for the Chicago-based project EcoVoice that will be performed by the Loyola University choirs. In the Loop sits down with Lokosh, a poet, Kirsten Hedegaard, founder of EcoVoice Project, and composer Jerod Impichaachaaha' Tate to learn more about the themes explored in Ámmo'naka (In A Beginning). For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th Ward, says he'll cut red tape and embrace technology to get affordable and market-rate housing and major development projects built faster.

A former ComEd CEO and an ally of former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan are both freed from prison and granted new trials. A Wisconsin sheriff files a defamation lawsuit against a Skokie woman and a Cook County Commissioner. Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers pass legislation limiting junk fees for renters. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more with Axios Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd, Chicago Tribune transportation and labor reporter Talia Soglin and WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sits down with In the Loop host Sasha-Ann Simons to answer listener questions on everything from rising taxi fares to housing affordability to recent turnover in his administration. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Yusef Jackson, the youngest of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson's sons, talks about meeting the moment as the new president and CEO of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. He joins In the Loop to discuss his top priorities, including voting rights and registration, human rights and education; and how his tenure as Rainbow PUSH president will lead the organization into its next chapter. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

A new private school where students will learn from AI, rather than from teachers, is set to open in Chicago this fall. Questions abound: what will happen to teachers? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of relying on a relatively new technology to instruct children? In the Loop discusses with a panel of educators and AI experts: Brady Gunnink, English teacher, Jones College Prep, Katie Page, Instructional Technology Coordinator, District 214 and Kristian Hammond, director of Northwestern's Artificial Intelligence masters program. Plus, we get a status update on how AI tools are being used in Chicagoland classrooms. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In Illinois, Black women are three times more likely to die from complications due to pregnancy than white women. That rate is even higher in Chicago. The state, Cook County, and hospitals have experimented with different efforts to address the dangers to Black mothers, including boosting access to doulas. For Black Maternal Health Week, In the Loop looks at the strides made in improving birth outcomes for Black mothers, and the work that still needs to be done. Our panel today: Michelle Adeniyi, director of maternal and child health at March of Dimes; Dr. Carmen Adams, obstetrics and gynecology with Cook County Health; Raeshanda Payne, doula, Cook County Health; and doula Nikena Hannah. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Efforts begin to rename Pilsen's Cesar Chavez Post Office. Chicago launches a citywide program allowing homeowners to add additional dwelling units. Meanwhile, housing advocates announce plans to sue Chicago Housing Authority over last month's CEO appointment. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in our Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Block Club Chicago reporter Quinn Myers; Monica Eng, Chicago reporter for AXIOS; and Sun-Times reporter Kaitlin Washburn. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In the decades since the first official report of HIV in June of 1981, there have been many advances in HIV research. However, women – particularly women of color and young women – continue to be affected by HIV/AIDS, while being ignored in mainstream conversations about it. In the Loop hears the story of Marta Santiago, a Chicago woman diagnosed with HIV in the 1980s. We also hear from UIC's Jennifer Brier about a women's living history project called “I'm Still Surviving.” For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

A record-breaking $3.3 billion was expected to be bet on NCAA basketball during March Madness, but the wagering doesn't end with sports. Some people are betting on everything from when Taylor Swift will be married to whether the U.S. pilot recently shot down in Iran would be rescued on so-called “prediction markets.” In the Loop learns more about these markets and why the Trump administration is suing Illinois over regulating them with Loyola University director of Sport Management Noah Henderson, DePaul University Law School assistant professor Karl Lockhart and State Senator Michael Hastings, Democrat representing the 19th District. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In 2024, the census recorded 1.4 million same-sex couple households, which is nearly double since 2005. In that time, the U.S. Census changed how it asked respondents about who they live with, and same-sex marriage was legalized. In the Loop digs into the local data and hears about the gains that have been made and the work for equality that still needs to be done. At the table: Mony Ruiz-Velasco, Illinois Human Rights Commission, Christine Percheski, Northwestern Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, and Allison Bethel, Fair Housing Legal Clinic. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Despite the Fighting Illini's Saturday loss to UConn, fans rejoiced in the team's longest March Madness run in 21 years. And a strong season not only reinvigorated school spirit, but was an economic boost to the university and even local businesses can see a major economic boost. We dig into what a winning season means for both the fan experience and for business. Our panel at the table: Matt Brown, publisher of the sports newsletter Extra Points; Steve Greenberg, Chicago Sun-Times sports columnist; and Robert Rosenthal, publisher of Illiniboard.com and the Illini Boardroom podcast. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Police Supt. Larry Snelling faces public questioning about whether Chicago police coordinated with ICE agents. Illinois politicians respond to the firing of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Thousands gather in Grant Park and suburbs for the third No Kings rally. University of Illinois makes it to NCAA's Final Four, while the Bulls dismiss a player for social media posts. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with Nick Blumberg, WTTW News correspondent; Sophie Sherry, Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter; and Brandon Pope, freelance journalist. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In 1819, Illinois lawmakers enacted the Black Laws, which required Black people to have a certificate of freedom to live in Illinois and made it illegal to gather in groups of three or more. That is, however, unless the gathering was for religious observances. From then on, churches made for and by Black people became hubs for connecting each other to resources, for education, as well as providing a spiritual home. In an ongoing series, WBEZ explores the history of Black churches in Chicago and their impact on their communities, faith and social justice movements. In the Loop sits down with Nicole Jeanine Johnson, WBEZ and CST investigative reporting fellow; Alden Loury, WBEZ senior data projects editor; and the Rev. John Smith of Olivet Baptist Church to learn more. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Nationally, the average price of gas hit $4 a gallon. In the Chicago Metro area, it's even higher – averaging $4.41 a gallon, according to AAA. Oil is a resource many of us might take for granted, but our daily lives depend on it. In the Loop learns about all the ways petroleum products show up in our day-to-day, from filling up at the gas pump to household plastics to items like toothpaste and shampoo. At the table to make it all make sense is Karen Weigert, In the Loop's sustainability contributor, and Cécile Shea, from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Plus, Brady Holst with the Illinois Soybean Association shares how rising oil prices are impacting farmers like him. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Trans Day of Visibility is an annual, international holiday that centers the experience of trans and gender non-conforming individuals and aims to bring awareness to the struggle for self-determination. In Chicago, events range from open mic nights, opportunities to take headshots for professional development, and even beauty bazaars. In the Loop checks in with Life is Work's Zahara Bassett, Equality Illinois' Channyn Lynne Parker and Transmasc Society's Troy Taylor about the importance of the day, and ways they're celebrating. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In his new book Stand, U.S. Senator Cory Booker shares stories of how leaders of the past and present overcame the odds stacked against them with virtues including grace, humility and creativity. He stopped in Chicago on Sunday, March 29 as part of his book tour, and spoke to Sasha-Ann Simons in front of a live audience. This episode of In the Loop is an abridged version of that hour-long conversation where the senator discusses the new book, his criticisms of the Democratic Party and views on Trump Administration policies. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.