OTL #987: Trying to avoid an Illinois transit fiscal cliff, New “emergency” rules for prison communication
Release Date: 09/13/2025
OTL #997: Local journalism ethics in a time of ICE occupation, New music from These Peaches, The Haitian American Museum of Chicago
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen discusses the role of local journalists during a time of local ICE occupation with publisher Justin Kerr, gets the lowdown on new music from the local band from frontman Rich Klevgard, and learns about the significance of the from founder and CEO Elsie Hernandez. AND...come out to Fitzgerald's at 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn on Saturday, November 22, at 3:00 p.m. for the Outside the Loop 1,000th episode taping! It's a FREE event, but you need to RSVP using .
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OTL #996: Home for the Holidays helps those in need, Indiscipline: The music of King Crimson, The Secret History of Charles E. Gerber
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen learns about a local initiative called that helps those less fortunate this Holiday season from founder Chef Ora Thompson, gets a preview of show from band leader Eric Butler, and discovers the Secret History of local actor and musician . AND...come out to Fitzgerald's at 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn on Saturday, November 22, at 3:00 p.m. for the Outside the Loop 1,000th episode taping! It's a FREE event, but you need to RSVP using .
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OTL #995: Helping local veterans in need, New music from The Gunshy, Chicago is a little less ratty
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen learns about a local nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans during this difficult time called from founder Tatshee Simmons, gets the lowdown on new local music from , and revisits a segment that explores rats in Chicago. AND...come out to Fitzgerald's at 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn on Saturday, November 22, at 3:00 p.m. for the Outside the Loop 1,000th episode taping! It's a FREE event, but you need to RSVP using .
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OTL #994: The state of local news, The Secret History of Aura
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen discusses with Medill professor Tim Franklin and then dives into the Secret History of the 1970s Chicago horn rock band . AND...come out to Fitzgerald's at 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn on Saturday, November 22, at 3:00 p.m. for the Outside the Loop 1,000th episode taping! It's a FREE event, but you need to RSVP using .
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OTL #993: Curbside compassion with Yo Soy Ella, Takeout 25’s new cookbook, New local music from Terry White
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen visits s Curbside Compassion van to learn about their therapy services from founder and executive director Sarah Taylor, explores the new Community Cookbook with founder Ravi Parakkat, and gets the lowdown on new music from local musician .
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OTL #992: Revisiting Media Burn and the Center For Immigrant Progress, The Secret History of Panicsville
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen rewinds to get the story of Chicago’s Media Burn archive and the Center for Immigrant Progress and then discovers the Secret History of . AND we have a special announcement!
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OTL #991: Ending political maps in Illinois?, Fewer wrongful convictions overturned, Share Our Spare helps families
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen learns about the effort to end politically drawn voting maps in Illinois from writer Ted McClelland, discusses the slowdown in overturning wrongful convictions in Cook County with reporter Dan Hinkel, and highlights the important work of in supporting young children and families with interim executive director Jesseca Rhymes. Also, !
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OTL #990: Accessory dwelling units are legal (mostly), Federal government funding cuts for CPS, TaskForce celebrates inclusion in the West Side and beyond
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen learns about Chicago’s new ordinance allowing accessory dwelling units in certain areas from reporter Alex Nitkin, discusses the federal funding cuts to Chicago Public Schools with bureau chief Becky Vevea, and gets the lowdown on how works to promote inclusion on the city’s West Side from communications director Hannah Pewee.
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OTL #989: A Chicago TIF update, New local music with a worldwide influence, Previewing the Black Fine Art Faire
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen gets an update on the latest Chicago TIF numbers from Tom Tresser of the , chats with local musician about his local music with a worldwide influence, and previews the with Patricia Andrews-Keenan, founder of .
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OTL #988: How the Chicago area gets its news, Exploring the brain science locally, The Secret History of Lani Hall
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen discusses the results of a with Medill professors Tim Franklin and Stephanie Edgerly, gets a preview of some upcoming local events about the brain from founder Monica Metzler, and discovers the Secret History of .
info_outlineMike Stephen discusses the work being done to avoid a transit fiscal cliff in Illinois with state representative Kam Buckner (26th) and John Greenfield, editor of Streetsblog Chicago. Then, John Howard Association executive director Jennifer Vollen-Katz discusses new “emergency” rules put in place to regulate communication with those who are incarcerated in state prisons.