OTL #970: Books removed in local prison, New music from Ascendant, The Secret History of Chicago Music celebrates 20 years
Release Date: 05/17/2025
OTL #986: A look into Illinois’ finances, The 100K Project wants you to run for office, The Secret History of Henry Threadgill
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen learns about a new way to explore Illinois finances through the with UIC professor David Merriman, gets an update on the , and discovers the Secret History of Chicago avant-garde jazz musician .
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OTL #985: Chicago’s new public housing museum, The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra’s new music, The Secret History of Nancy Faust
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen discusses the importance of preserving public housing history with Dr. Lisa Yun Lee, the executive director of the , learns about new music from the with band co-director Fareed Haque, and discovers the Secret History of local stadium organist .
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OTL #984: Faulty DUI science, The push to pay student teachers in Illinois
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen chats with senior investigative reporter Maya Dukmasova about a local lab practicing faulty science that resulted in wrongful DUI convictions and then discusses with Percy Julian Middle School teacher .
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OTL #983: The future of rent stabilization in Illinois, XL Fest brings Chicago creatives together
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen discusses the push for rent stabilization in Illinois with the campaign coordinator Diego Morales and then learns about , a local festival that brings Chicago creatives together, from Creative Cypher founder Troy Pryor.
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OTL #982: Joy Tea wants to wow Chicagoland, An Illinois civil rights history update, The Secret History of Billy Hinton
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen talks the art of tea with Max Blessen, owner of Chicagoland’s , gets an update on , and discovers the Secret History of the versatile musician from Chicago .
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OTL #981: The compact disc isn’t going quietly, Chicago before the Fire
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen talks with Chicago Reader staff writer Leor Galil about the , then delves into the history of Chicago before the Great Fire of 1871 with Northwestern University economics professor Louis P. Cain, author of the new book .
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OTL #980: The Urban Growers Collective, Edgewater Music Fest, The Secret History of Jimmy Rogers
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen learns about the important work of Chicago’s from herbalism conductor Rev. Kim Crutcher, gets a preview of the from Garrett Karp, executive director of the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago blues guitarist .
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OTL #979: Clarendon Hills Kid, Share Our Spare provides community resources
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen talks to , the author of a new book about growing up in suburban Clarendon Hills called and a book about a very non-linear career path entitled . Then, we learn about the continuing great work of Chicago’s and its quest to find new funding partnerships from executive director Alex Goodfellow.
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OTL #978: The federal educational funding freeze in Illinois, Kate Fagan’s new music, The Secret History of Byron Gregory
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen learns about with Chalkbeat Chicago's Samantha Smylie, chats with about her new music and upcoming Chicago shows, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago guitarist .
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OTL #977: Inside Covet Oddities, The Freedom of Information Act’s limitations, Hope for Homes Day
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen goes inside a new occult gallery in Logan Square called , learns about the limitations of the Freedom of Information Act in Illinois with financial policy analyst Sophia Van Pelt, and highlights the great work of 's initiative with executive director Jose Munoz.
info_outlineMike Stephen explores the removal of certain books in Danville Correctional Center with local author Vee Harrison, gets the lowdown on new music from the band Ascendant from vocalist and keyboard player Kael Mboya, and looks back on 20 years of The Secret History of Chicago Music in the Chicago Reader with its creator and author Steve Krakow.