In the Loop

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.

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.

 This year’s Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,’ focuses on mobilizing communities to action.

In the Loop checks in with local conservationists to ask how Chicagoans can make a meaningful impact and work together to protect our food, land and wildlife.

At the table: Nitya Jakka, a Chicago organizer at the Eat for Impact initiative, Seth Magle, senior director of Urban Wildlife Institute at the Lincoln Park Zoo and Gina Roxas, citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and executive director of Trickster Cultural Center.

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

After a political deadlock left up to 100 projects on hold, Chicago’s City Council finally has a new permanent chair to lead its powerful Zoning committee. In the Loop checks in with Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th Ward. He says he’ll cut red tape and embrace technology to get affordable and market-rate housing and major development projects built faster.

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

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.