In the Loop

Did you go to church or attend a religious service over the weekend? If you’re Catholic, the answer is likely a no. A new Gallup poll shows that just 39 percent of Catholics go to services every week, down from 45 percent a decade earlier.

Did you go to church or attend a religious service over the weekend? If you’re Catholic, the answer is likely a no. A new Gallup poll shows that just 39 percent of Catholics go to services every week, down from 45 percent a decade earlier.

A billionaire’s donation to boosting Chicago’s crime fighting technology and synthetic pot is increasing hospitalizations in the state.

A billionaire’s donation to boosting Chicago’s crime fighting technology and synthetic pot is increasing hospitalizations in the state.

Thirty-five years ago, Chicago history was made when voters elected the city’s first black mayor. On April 12, 1983, former U.S. Congressman Harold Washington was elected Chicago’s 41st mayor. Washington beat Republican Bernie Epton after a bitter, racially-charged campaign. To mark the 35th anniversary of Washington's election, Morning Shift talks to three journalists who covered the historic race: Laura Washington is a columnist for the Chicago Sun Times and political analyst for ABC 7, in 1983 she was journalist for the Chicago Reporter; Ray Hanania, is a political commentator and stand-up comedian, and during the Washington/Epton election he was a reporter for the Daily Southtown newspaper; and Monroe Anderson is a veteran journalist and former Columbia College instructor, who was working for Chicago Tribune in 1983.

Thirty-five years ago, Chicago history was made when voters elected the city’s first black mayor. On April 12, 1983, former U.S. Congressman Harold Washington was elected Chicago’s 41st mayor. Washington beat Republican Bernie Epton after a bitter, racially-charged campaign. To mark the 35th anniversary of Washington's election, Morning Shift talks to three journalists who covered the historic race: Laura Washington is a columnist for the Chicago Sun Times and political analyst for ABC 7, in 1983 she was journalist for the Chicago Reporter; Ray Hanania, is a political commentator and stand-up comedian, and during the Washington/Epton election he was a reporter for the Daily Southtown newspaper; and Monroe Anderson is a veteran journalist and former Columbia College instructor, who was working for Chicago Tribune in 1983.

An Illinois House Bill could lessen the trauma experienced by children of divorce during and after custody battles — or exacerbate it, depending on your point of view. The Illinois House of Representatives is scheduled to begin debate Wednesday on HB 4113, which would would create a "co-parenting" guardianship model — as opposed to the current one-parent model — in Illinois’ divorce proceedings. Supporters, like the bill’s chief sponsor State Representative LaShawn Ford, say if passed the bill would allow more equal parenting time and more flexibility for judges. Critics say the bill would prevent parents from making decisions in their children's best interest.  Morning Shift talks with both supporters and opponents of the measure, including State Rep. Ford, and opens the phones to hear what listeners think about the proposed legislation.

An Illinois House Bill could lessen the trauma experienced by children of divorce during and after custody battles — or exacerbate it, depending on your point of view. The Illinois House of Representatives is scheduled to begin debate Wednesday on HB 4113, which would would create a "co-parenting" guardianship model — as opposed to the current one-parent model — in Illinois’ divorce proceedings. Supporters, like the bill’s chief sponsor State Representative LaShawn Ford, say if passed the bill would allow more equal parenting time and more flexibility for judges. Critics say the bill would prevent parents from making decisions in their children's best interest.  Morning Shift talks with both supporters and opponents of the measure, including State Rep. Ford, and opens the phones to hear what listeners think about the proposed legislation.

The Chicago Cubs kicked off the 2018 season with an extended 10-game road trip. After nine games played and one postponed due to rain, the Cubs go into their home opener — now on Tuesday (thanks, snow) — with a 5-4 record. In the offseason, the Cubs picked up a star pitcher in Yu Darvish in addition to some other key players. Cubs chairman and owner Tom Ricketts talked to Morning Shift host Tony Sarabia and WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye Stout about the 2018 Cubs and whether they have the stuff to win another World Series.

The Chicago Cubs kicked off the 2018 season with an extended 10-game road trip. After nine games played and one postponed due to rain, the Cubs go into their home opener — now on Tuesday (thanks, snow) — with a 5-4 record. In the offseason, the Cubs picked up a star pitcher in Yu Darvish in addition to some other key players. Cubs chairman and owner Tom Ricketts talked to Morning Shift host Tony Sarabia and WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye Stout about the 2018 Cubs and whether they have the stuff to win another World Series.