In the Loop

Eddie Bocanegra was involved in gangs. And he was incarcerated. Then he turned his life around, went to graduate school at the University of Chicago, and has dedicated his life to helping young men most at risk of picking up a gun or getting shot. He’s now running READI, and it’s about kind words, job training, and the mental health services needed for someone who’s grown up only knowing the trauma associated with watching loved ones die from guns and drugs. It’s hard work. But it’s proving successful, and it needs more funds to continue. Plus despite passing legislation that would put a progressive income tax on the ballot in 2020, lawmakers in Springfield still have a lot on their plate before the spring session ends on Friday. We’ll get an update on their progress

John Peller, President and CEO of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, talks about a new program to fight HIV called Getting To Zero Illinois Then, a profile of artist and AIDS activist Gregg Bordowitz. His new multi-media exhibition “I Wanna Be Well” at Chicago’s Art Institute is his first career retrospective.

Lori Lightfoot’s inauguration, her attacks on corruption at City Hall, the wheeling and dealing in Springfield, and a new report on Chicago’s population loss are just some of the stories host Jenn White tosses around with this week’s panel, which includes WBEZ’s Natalie Moore, The Daily Line’s Heather Cherone, and Block Club Chicago founder Jen Sabella.

On the same day a bipolar man was killed in a shootout with the SWAT team, CPD began piloting a new program to better train officers to respond to situations involving people with disabilities or mental illness. We explore what’s been done, and what yet needs to be done to support police departments as they face an era where they’re the first responders not only to criminal situations, but to mental health crises in their communities. Plus understanding hate. Where does it grow? How early does it take root? And how can we best teach our children to respect differences between people?

Chicago’s lakefront is beautiful. One of a kind. A national treasure. But should it be a National Park? Ward Miller of Preservation Chicago says yes. He believes that keeping it open to all, free from development, and giving it the resources needed for upkeep all point to making our lakefront the first urban National Park. And Barry Butler knows a thing or two about the lakefront’s beauty. Butler is a landscape photographer who’s out setting up his shots in the dark, waiting for the sun to come up over the horizon so he can make a morning masterpiece. Butler talks about his love of the city and photography, and even gives a few tips.

Gov. JB Pritzker has rolled out a massive new infrastructure plan for the state, but will voters be willing to pay the price? Plus Mayor Lightfoot takes aim at Chicago’s alderman-the very people she’ll need to get her agenda and budgets passed. And the infamous “Welfare Queen” of Ronald Reagan’s 1970’s stump speeches was a real person, from Chicago, who did commit massive fraud and was sent to jail for it. But while her crimes were made public decades ago, her life has been a mystery...until now. We’ll talk about a new book and podcast dedicated to Linda Taylor.

The wait is over. Mayor Emanuel gives way to Mayor Lightfoot. You’ll hear a few highlights of her acceptance speech, and WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos, NPR’s Cheryl Corley, and ProPublica Illinois’ Mick Dumke’s analysis immediately following.

We know you might not have been in the perfect place at 11:15am to hear the new Chicago mayor's first speech to the city. So we're bringing it to you as a bonus Morning Shift podcast

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic and Latina women living in the United States. Morning Shift takes a look at a new pop-up that is raising money for cancer survivors by knitting breast prostheses. We also talk to Katherine Tossas-Milligan, a cancer epidemiologist and research assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, about the barriers Hispanic women face when it comes to access to health services.

Mayor Emanuel is telling anybody who’ll listen how much better the city is now then when he was elected. Lori Lightfoot is about to butt heads with long-time aldermen who aren’t as ready for reform as she is. And Alderman Proco Joe Moreno is in serious legal trouble. Those are some of the stories we’ll discuss on this week’s Friday News Roundup. Our guests this week are WGN TV reporter and anchor Tahman Bradley, freelance reporter Kim Bellware, and Daily Line politics reporter A.D. Quig