In the Loop

Some cities, have diversity officers charged with making sure staffs, boards, and other positions are filled with a wide range of people, an equity officer needs to look at systemic racism in the city’s services and departments, and figure out how to correct disparities. Mayor Lightfoot has named Candace Moore as Chicago’s Chief Equity Officer. We’ll hear about her plans, and the challenges she faces making the city work for everyone. Plus WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopolous uncovers the rampant and blatant nepotism practiced by Ald. Carrie Austin

For several years, the Englewood-based group MASK (Mothers Against Senseless Killings) have guarded their children and their neighborhood against the violence that's taken too many young lives. The mothers do it through their constant visible presence, their activities, their cookouts, and more. Last weekend, two of the moms were killed in a drive-by shooting. MASK’s founder Tamar Manasseh talks about the women, and describes her anguish over a situation that she believes is out of control. Plus we get the lowdown on a cannabis company with big plans as the state heads toward full legalization of recreational marijuana

Contractors connected to mayors, alderman, and other city officials have received billions in contracts for work at O’Hare airport. But while many of these projects have come in way over budget or have gone on forever, few have actually translated into a better experience for the average traveler. The Better Government Association’s investigative reporter Alejandra Cancina talks about her new report. Plus transportation contributor Mary Wisniewski details a new Illinois plan to slow distracted driving, and updates us on how to get around now that summer construction is in full swing.

The photo and video archive of Johnson Publishing has just been sold for $30 million. Luckily, the consortium has pledged to make it available to researchers, historians, and museums. We’ll hear about the historical significance of the archive, and the company itself. Plus we revisit a conversation with author Claire Hartfield. Her book “A Few Red Drops” gives young readers a sense of the madness that engulfed Chicago during the massive race riot that took place one hundred years ago this weekend.

From Lori Lightfoot’s hot mic incident mocking a Fraternal Order of Police official, to new rules around city stickers, fines, and towings, we’ve got Chicago’s biggest stories of the week on our Weekly News Roundup. Joining us is WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky, Pro Publica Illinois’ Mick Dumke, and WBEZ’s Dan Milalopolous.

For more than a year, WBEZ and Pro Publica Illinois have investigated vehicle ticketing practices in the city of Chicago. Most of the tickets are given in black and brown low-income neighborhoods, and the way the system is set up, one can easily rack up thousands of dollars in fines and fees as well as losing your car. Now, Mayor Lightfoot has made some major changes to those rules. Plus an arts camp that brings kids together from conflict areas around the world to learn leadership skills, and learn from each other.

The 4th annual Chicago Poetry Block Party is this Saturday in Pilsen. It features poets from across the country reading their work, activities for all ages, and some great music. Chicago poet, professor, and editor Nate Marshall Ydalmi Noriega, director of community and foundation relations at the Poetry Foundation join us to talk more about the event.  And WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith gives us the latest on the charges against singer R. Kelly

Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller will reluctantly answer a subpoena and testify before the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees tomorrow. Ahead of the proceedings, which will air live on WBEZ, NPR national security editor Phil Ewing tells us what to listen for, and why it matters. Plus, after 4 decades promoting music and music education in Chicago, Jim Hirsch is retiring. He talks about his days with the Old Town School of Folk Music, and the work he’s done for the last 15 years with the Chicago Sinfonietta

Marc Maron never wanted to be anything but a great stand-up comic. But his career proves that you never know where life is going to take you. An early adopter of the podcast format, Maron’s “WTF” has just gone over the 1,000 episode mark. And he’s been doing more acting; first in his own show on FX, then as one of the key characters in Neflix’s GLOW. Now, he’s getting rave reviews for a role made just for him. Maron talks about the new film “Sword of Trust”, and how it’s harder to separate fact from fiction these days,

In the summer of 1919, 17-year old Eugene Williams was at the beach cooling off. While in the water, he drifted into the "white" area. White men on shore threw rocks at Williams, and he drowned. Police showed up, but refused to make an arrest. The incident ignited longstanding tensions between white and black Chicagoans. 5 days of violence followed, leaving 38 dead.  Now, 100 years later, author and sociologist Eve Ewing revisits the incident with a new book of poetry called 1919.