In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 17, 2026 17.07.2026 50min

Chicago gets a one-two punch with another heat wave combined with dangerous air quality. A North Side Trader Joe’s becomes the first of the grocery chain’s Illinois locations to unionize. And the Shedd Aquarium agrees to take in abandoned beluga whales from a closed marine park in Canada. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. GUESTS: Carrie Shepherd, Axios Chicago reporter Quinn Myers, Block Club Chicago reporter covering Wicker Park, West Town & Bucktown Bob Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Ask The Mayor: July 2026 16.07.2026 46min

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is once again in the hot seat, answering our questions – and yours – during our monthly public forum “Ask The Mayor.” For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

What Have We Learned About GLP-1s? 15.07.2026 34min

Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are one of the fastest growing pharmaceuticals. But as newer GLP-1 medications hit the market, questions remain about side effects, health equity and the cultural impact. On today’s In the Loop, we ask: what have we learned so far about the popular drug? And how have GLP-1s changed the way we think about health and weight loss? GUESTS: Dr. Micah Eimer, cardiologist, clinical assistant professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School David D. Kim, PhD, assistant professor of medicine and public health sciences at University of Chicago Rachelle Lacroix Mallick, registered dietician and nutritionist with a focus on reproductive health For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Free-To-Play Pianos Are Popping Up Around Chicago 14.07.2026 27min

What would you do if you noticed a piano sitting outside your favorite cafe, or walked past someone tickling the ivories as you left the grocery store? John McCarthy, founder of the nonprofit Chicago Plays, is betting people are likely to come together as a community alongside an impromptu and free public performance. Chicago Plays is spicing up the city’s public spaces with free piano concerts courtesy of your own neighbors. In the Loop sits with the man behind the music. GUESTS: John McCarthy, founder, Chicago Plays Won Kim, artist and chef For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Inside Illinois’ Gambling Problem 13.07.2026 33min

Illinois residents have lost nearly $8 billion gambling last year, according to a new report from the Illinois Answers Project. And for many, gambling is not easy to resist, thanks to the increase of slot machines in everyday establishments, new casinos, and mobile sports betting apps that puts the casino in people’s pockets. In fact, more than one million Illinois adults either have a gambling addiction or are at risk of developing one. Who is losing the most money, and what is the state doing to help people at risk of addiction? In The Loop finds out more about what guardrails exist – or don’t – when it comes to gambling in Illinois, and what state lawmakers are doing about it. GUESTS: Casey Toner, reporter, Illinois Answers Elizabeth Thielen, senior director at Nicasa Behavioral Health Services For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 10, 2026 10.07.2026 46min

The Federal appeals court in Chicago upholds Illinois’ assault weapons ban one week after the U.S. Supreme Court agrees to consider a challenge to the ban in Cook County. Former Chicago mayor Rahm Emmanuel makes headlines after a controversial speech in Israel. Plus, the CTA says crime is down 30% percent over last year. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. GUESTS: David Greising, president, Better Government Association Olivia Olander, state government reporter, Chicago Tribune 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.

Trump Administration Wants Illinois To Foot Its Own Bill For SNAP Program 09.07.2026 34min

The Trump Administration wants states to carry more of the financial burden of SNAP benefits, which were previously a federal obligation. For Illinois, that cost shift will begin in late 2028, with the state potentially having to shoulder upwards of $700 million to sustain SNAP benefits, raising concerns about the program’s future. In the Loop talks about what exact changes the federal government wants, how it will impact states and SNAP recipients, and what lawmakers can do about it. GUESTS: Nolan Downey, senior director of policy, Greater Chicago Food Depository Carolyn Barnes, associate professor, Crown Family School at UChicago Illinois State Rep. Dagmara Avelar, (D-Bolingbrook)

If It’s Broke, Fix It: Repair Cafes Make Your Tech, Appliances Last Longer 08.07.2026 26min

We live in a world where replacing something is often quicker and easier than fixing it. Your coffee maker breaks? Buy a new one. Same thing for your busted laptop. But a growing movement is asking us to rethink that mindset. Enter: repair cafes. From Romeoville to Evanston, there are six repair cafés across the city and suburbs where volunteers help residents extend the shelf lives of their tech, appliances and other belongings. In the Loop learns more about how to take part, be more sustainable with your stuff, and save money. GUESTS: Maria Anna Rafac, Campus Sustainability Coordinator at Joliet Junior College Elyse Hoffenberg, Clerk of the Township of Lyons Amy Yee, Chicago Sun-Times economy and business reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago Is Making Sports More Accessible 07.07.2026 35min

For some athletes, sports are about a lot more than winning. They’re about finding community, building confidence and pushing yourself to new heights. Well, you could say that’s what adaptive sports has done for athletes with disabilities. And now, competitors from the Chicago area are gearing up to join hundreds in the country’s biggest multi-sport tournament for athletes with disabilities. We’ll hear from a panel of veterans in the game about what the experience means to them – and how more Chicagoans can get involved. GUESTS: Jorge Alfaro, coach of Chicago Hornets, a wheelchair basketball team Dylan Sams, sports coordinator, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Larry Labiak, disability policy officer, Chicago Park District For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Rethinking Chicago’s Next Big Infrastructure Project 06.07.2026 29min

For its design competition “The Horizon Lines: Visions for Chicago 2050,” World Business Chicago asked residents to come up with some ideas on what Chicago’s next big development should be. After nearly 200 submissions, six finalists have been selected and are now on display at the Chicago Cultural Center. In the Loop hears from three of the contest’s judges on what new ideas they are excited about. GUESTS: Phil Clement, CEO of World Business Chicago Eleanor Gorski, CEO and President of Chicago Architecture Center Kenya Merritt, Commissioner of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 2, 2026 02.07.2026 50min

Mayor Johnson wants to give Chicago renters new protections, Governor Pritzker issues a state disaster proclamation over extreme weather as the Chicago region remains under extreme heat warning. Plus, Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and Chicago FBI Chief DePodesta announce abrupt resignations. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more. GUESTS: Leigh Giangreco, freelance journalist Rummana Hussain, Chicago Sun-Times opinion pages editor and columnist Shia Kapos, Politico reporter and author of Politico’s Illinois Playbook newsletter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Evanston Stands Firm As DOJ Attacks Its Reparations Program 01.07.2026 34min

Evanston made history as the first city in the country to launch a local reparations program. Since then, the city has distributed more than $7 million to over 200 Black residents who are direct descendants of people harmed by housing discrimination. Now the federal government is putting its weight behind a lawsuit that claims Evanston’s reparations program violates the 14th Amendment on the grounds of race discrimination. In the Loop hears from some of the architects of Evanston’s program and a reparations recipient about the impact of the program on the community and why they say it’s necessary. GUESTS: Mayor Daniel Biss, City of Evanston Robin Rue Simmons, chair of Evanston Reparations Committee; founder and executive director of FirstRepair Kimberly Holmes-Ross, executive director of Evanston Cradle to Career; reparations recipients For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

What's That Building: South Shore Cultural Center and Beach 29.06.2026 18min

The South Shore Cultural Center is a 65-acre park on Chicago's South Side that includes a secluded beach, a golf course, tennis courts and a nature sanctuary. The park’s showpiece is a Mediterranean Revival building set at the end of a long drive. Formerly known as the South Shore Country Club, the first building was constructed in 1906 and was modeled after a club in Mexico City. That structure, and additions that came after, still stand today. In The Loop’s architecture critic takes us through the long storied history of the building, its preservation and the beach it sits on. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 26, 2026 26.06.2026 34min

After a violent weekend with eight killed and 40 injured, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson joins calls for the creation of a new Department of Gun Violence Reduction. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court strikes down Hawaii’s restrictive gun law. And embattled U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros announces plans to review the work of a “Broadview Six” prosecutor going back to 2007. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more. GUESTS: Paris Schutz, NBC 5 political and investigative reporter Maxwell Evans, Block Club Chicago reporter Violet Miller, Chicago Sun-Times general assignment reporter Alma Campos, Chicago Sun-Times immigration reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The Impact Of The National Housing Bill On The Chicago Area 25.06.2026 29min

Congress passed a bipartisan package that aims to boost homeownership across the country. The legislation would restrict investors from buying up single-family homes, remove regulatory barriers to construction and create more affordable housing. However, President Donald Trump refused to sign the bill until lawmakers first passed a controversial law imposing new restrictions on voter identification and mail-in ballots. In the Loop explores what the impact of the bill could look like in Chicago and Illinois. GUESTS: Bob Palmer, policy director, Housing Action Illinois Geoff Smith, executive director, Institute for Housing Studies at Depaul University Allison Clements, executive director, Illinois Housing Council For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago Nurses Organize for Better Working Conditions And Patient Care 24.06.2026 28min

Nurses everywhere are fed up. They’re organizing and walking picket lines more than ever before. Here in the Chicago area, more than 2,000 of them have voted to unionize in just the last month. On today’s In the Loop, we’ll hear first-hand accounts from a couple of local nurses and a journalist who’s been following their efforts. GUESTS: Jessica Ahn, registered nurse in the emergency department at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital Sarah Louise Dawson, registered nurse in medical ICU at Rush University Medical Center Kristen Schorsch, WBEZ public health and politics reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Should Chicago Try Something New To Tackle Gun Violence? 23.06.2026 33min

Over the Juneteenth weekend, Chicago saw 8 people killed and almost 40 wounded from gun violence, including a drive-by mass shooting in Roseland. In response, community leaders gathered to push for a more prevention-focused strategy, and the creation of a Department of Gun Violence Reduction. While Chicago has seen a decrease in violent crime rates over the past several years, summer is typically when shootings surge. In the Loop discusses gun violence with local advocates to find out more about what effective prevention looks like. GUESTS: Emmanuel Andre, Chicago Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Sam Castro, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships, Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Cedric Hawkins, outreach supervisor, Chicago CRED For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Is Illinois a tornado capital? ‘We need to start treating this like we are in Tornado Alley’ 22.06.2026 33min

It’s been 12 days since storms with derecho winds roiled through Chicago, taking down trees and knocking out power in its path. Chicagoans are still facing the consequences and picking up the pieces after their homes flooded. How are recovery efforts coming along, and what more do residents and businesses need to bounce back? We check in with both a resident and a business owner – as well as a meteorologist, to ask: was this a freak downpour or is this the new normal? GUESTS: Shavon Francis, owner of Fleurish Chicago Margery Scott, Greater Grand Crossing resident, CPS Vendor David Yeomans, meteorologist at CBS News Chicago For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

How To Celebrate Juneteenth In Chicago 19.06.2026 11min

The U.S. has officially observed June 19 as a federal holiday for the last five years. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people, and the end of slavery in the U.S. in 1865. Today on In the Loop, we hear about the Juneteenth celebrations and observance happening across the city this weekend, and discuss new traditions being created by communities in Chicago and beyond. GUESTS: Jahmal Cole, CEO and founder of My Block My Hood My City Tynnetta Qayim, COO, Black Ensemble Theater Katanya Raby, vice president of planning for Far South Community Development Corporation

WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 18, 2026 18.06.2026 48min

No you’re not seeing things – we’re bringing you our Weekly News Recap a day early! Illinois Governor JB Pritzker promises to be “very involved” in the 2028 presidential election. A man accused of burning a cross in Grant Park faces hate crime and arson charges. The U.S. Department of Justice challenges Evanston’s reparations program. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in our Weekly News Recap. GUESTS: Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune transportation and labor reporter Lee Bey, Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic Justin Laurence, Crain’s Chicago Business government and politics reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.