On today's show – <a href="https://www.cookcountytreasurer.com/">Maria Pappas</a>, Cook County treasurer – Heidi Stevens, nationally syndicated <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/heidi-stevens/">columnist</a>, director of External Affairs at the <a href="https://tmwcenter.uchicago.edu/">TMW Center for Early Learning and Public Health</a>, and fellowship coach at <a href="https://www.theopedproject.org/bio/heidi-stevens">The OpEd Project</a> – <a href="https://www.mattconroyforcongress.com/">Matt Conroy</a>, candidate for Congress in the 5th District of Illinois – Mike Simmons, <a href="https://www.senatormikesimmons.com/">Illinois state senator</a> and 2026 <a href="https://www.mikesimmons.org/">candidate for Congress</a> in the 9th District of Illinois Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

On today's show – Maria Pappas, Cook County treasurer – Heidi Stevens, nationally syndicated columnist, director of External Affairs at the TMW Center for Early Learning and Public Health, and fellowship coach at The OpEd Project – Matt Conroy, candidate for Congress in the 5th District of Illinois – Mike Simmons, Illinois state senator and 2026 candidate for Congress in the 9th District of Illinois Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookcountytreasurer.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Maria Pappas</a>, Cook County treasurer – Heidi Stevens, nationally syndicated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/heidi-stevens/" rel="noopener noreferrer">columnist</a>, director of External Affairs at the&nbsp;<a href="https://tmwcenter.uchicago.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer">TMW Center for Early Learning and Public Health</a>, and fellowship coach at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theopedproject.org/bio/heidi-stevens" rel="noopener noreferrer">The OpEd Project</a> –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mattconroyforcongress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Matt Conroy</a>, candidate for Congress in the 5th District of Illinois –&nbsp;Mike Simmons,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senatormikesimmons.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Illinois state senator</a>&nbsp;and 2026&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mikesimmons.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">candidate for Congress</a>&nbsp;in the 9th District of Illinois Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez | February 24, 2026

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" (weeknights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.), a radio talk show devoted to covering the news of the day and connecting listeners with local leaders.&nbsp;
Patti Vasquez is a Chicago comedian, writer, actor, talk show host, consultant, advocate, and policy adviser. After achieving a degree in history from the University of Illinois, she set out to share her hilarious observations about how people behave, and stories about her second-generation Irish dad and Mexican immigrant mom. Patti has headlined in comedy clubs and colleges all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, appeared on Nickelodeon, TBS, ABC, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and has a recurring role on NBC&rsquo;s &ldquo;Chicago Fire.&rdquo; When her son Declan was born with a rare neurological disorder, Patti decided to take her communication and performance experience to launch her company &ldquo;With Kind Words,&rdquo; in which she helps medical professionals and educators communicate with compassion. For six years, Patti was the first Latina to host her own talk show on WGN Radio 720. In addition to her work as a performer and consultant, Patti began advocating for children and families throughout Illinois and helped restore funding for vital support services after massive cuts were made by former Governor Bruce Rauner. In 2020 she ran to be the state representative of the 19th District.&nbsp; She is now the health care and human services liaison and assistant policy adviser for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.&nbsp; Patti lives with her family on the Northwest Side of Chicago and continues to advocate for her community.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" (weeknights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.), a radio talk show devoted to covering the news of the day and connecting listeners with local leaders.  Patti Vasquez is a Chicago comedian, writer, actor, talk show host, consultant, advocate, and policy adviser. After achieving a degree in history from the University of Illinois, she set out to share her hilarious observations about how people behave, and stories about her second-generation Irish dad and Mexican immigrant mom. Patti has headlined in comedy clubs and colleges all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, appeared on Nickelodeon, TBS, ABC, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and has a recurring role on NBC’s “Chicago Fire.” When her son Declan was born with a rare neurological disorder, Patti decided to take her communication and performance experience to launch her company “With Kind Words,” in which she helps medical professionals and educators communicate with compassion. For six years, Patti was the first Latina to host her own talk show on WGN Radio 720. In addition to her work as a performer and consultant, Patti began advocating for children and families throughout Illinois and helped restore funding for vital support services after massive cuts were made by former Governor Bruce Rauner. In 2020 she ran to be the state representative of the 19th District.  She is now the health care and human services liaison and assistant policy adviser for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.  Patti lives with her family on the Northwest Side of Chicago and continues to advocate for her community.  

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" (weeknights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.), a radio talk show devoted to covering the news of the day and connecting listeners with local leaders.&nbsp;
Patti Vasquez is a Chicago comedian, writer, actor, talk show host, consultant, advocate, and policy adviser. After achieving a degree in history from the University of Illinois, she set out to share her hilarious observations about how people behave, and stories about her second-generation Irish dad and Mexican immigrant mom. Patti has headlined in comedy clubs and colleges all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, appeared on Nickelodeon, TBS, ABC, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and has a recurring role on NBC’s “Chicago Fire.” When her son Declan was born with a rare neurological disorder, Patti decided to take her communication and performance experience to launch her company “With Kind Words,” in which she helps medical professionals and educators communicate with compassion. For six years, Patti was the first Latina to host her own talk show on WGN Radio 720. In addition to her work as a performer and consultant, Patti began advocating for children and families throughout Illinois and helped restore funding for vital support services after massive cuts were made by former Governor Bruce Rauner. In 2020 she ran to be the state representative of the 19th District.&nbsp; She is now the health care and human services liaison and assistant policy adviser for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.&nbsp; Patti lives with her family on the Northwest Side of Chicago and continues to advocate for her community.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez | February 24, 2026

Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez | February 24, 2026

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