In the Loop

As federal agents continue to do immigration enforcement across the Chicago area, they frequently deploy chemical munitions like tear gas and smoke bombs on protesters. What’s inside these weapons? What are their health effects or environmental impacts? In the Loop hears from Dr. Monica Peek, physician and health disparities researcher and a national board member of Physicians for Human Rights and from Oscar Sanchez, co-executive director, Southeast Environmental Task Force.For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Unlike during the government shutdown in 2018-2019, the USDA is not using contingency funds to cover the cost of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. This means that nearly two million people in Illinois will have their benefits paused starting on November 1 if the government does not change course. In the Loop hears from Aubrey Lewandowski, a local SNAP recipient and from Nolan Downey, senior director of policy at the Greater Chicago Food Depository.For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Some alders balk at Mayor Johnson’s budget. Meanwhile, Archbishop Cupich and lawmakers push back on immigration arrests as the Supreme Court considers allowing the National Guard in Chicago.

Producer: Andrea Guthmann

Producer: Andrea GuthmannEditor: Dan Tucker, Cianna Greaves

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents arrested at least seven people in the predominantly Latino enclaves of Cicero and Little Village Wednesday, sparking outrage from residents and local leaders who characterized the actions as a “brutal escalation.”

Alderman Rodriguez, 22nd Ward, says ICE detained two of his staffers, both of whom are U.S. citizens.

In the Loop gets reaction from residents who witnessed the activity unfold as well as from an elected official and a community leader from Little Village. We’ll hear from: Eddie Guillen, community organizer, executive director of Community Innovation Center; Jerry Reyes, lifelong Little Village resident; Marcela Rodriguez, co-executive director with Enlace Chicago; and Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th Ward.

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

As federal immigration agents continue their aggressive actions in Chicago’s immigrant communities, residents are rolling up their sleeves and getting creative in their support for their neighbors. In the Loop checks in with Delilah Martinez, social entrepreneur, founder of the Mural Movement and owner of Valt Gallerie and Iraís Sosa, co-founder Sin Titulo and its project to help deliver groceries to folks who do not feel comfortable leaving their homes due to ICE and Border Patrol presence on the streets. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago faces a $1.15 billion deficit. To raise revenue, Mayor Johnson proposed a corporate head tax that would charge companies with 100 or more employees – who spend 50% of their time in Chicago – $21 per employee per month. This would raise an estimated $100 million annually and would be used to fund community safety and violence interruption. But some business leaders say it’s a “job killer.” In the Loop speaks with Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, Julie Dworkin, co-executive director of the Institute for the Public Good and Sam Toia, president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association for different viewpoints on the corporate head tax. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

“A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power” lays out Jackson’s memorable presidential runs of the 1980s, his roots in Chicago and how his push for a “Rainbow Coalition” changed American politics. In the Loop checks in with first-time author and CNN news anchor Abby Phillip to discuss her new book.For a full archive of In The Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.