In the Loop

We continue our series “Our Representatives,” where we check in with the 26 congressmen, congresswomen and senators who represent the WBEZ-listening area in Washington. Morning Shift sits down with Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth one year after assuming her role in the Senate. The Democrat and Iraq War veteran shares her thoughts on the Trump administration's immigration policies, defense spending, the possibility of a government shutdown this month, and more. 

Morning Shift talks to Renato Mariotti about why he thinks he should be the next attorney general for the state of Illinois. Hosts Tony Sarabia and Jenn White will sit down with all 10 candidates who want to replace Lisa Madigan as Illinois Attorney General to hear about their backgrounds, their platforms and their aspirations for the office.

Morning Shift talks to Renato Mariotti about why he thinks he should be the next attorney general for the state of Illinois. Hosts Tony Sarabia and Jenn White will sit down with all 10 candidates who want to replace Lisa Madigan as Illinois Attorney General to hear about their backgrounds, their platforms and their aspirations for the office.

Last September, Lena Waithe became the first African American woman to win an Emmy for outstanding writing in a comedy series for an episode of Master of None, comedian Aziz Ansari’s show on Netflix. Now she is premiering her new show The Chi, a drama about life on the South Side of Chicago, debuting Jan. 7 on Showtime.  The show is created and written by Waithe, who was born and raised in Chicago. It’s perhaps the most high-profile television show to date to depict the South Side. Waithe and her team, which includes actor and musician Common, took extra steps to show a South Side that was authentic, with scenes shot on site in neighborhoods like Englewood and music exclusively from Chicago artists like Chance the Rapper and Kanye West. 

Last September, Lena Waithe became the first African American woman to win an Emmy for outstanding writing in a comedy series for an episode of Master of None, comedian Aziz Ansari’s show on Netflix. Now she is premiering her new show The Chi, a drama about life on the South Side of Chicago, debuting Jan. 7 on Showtime.  The show is created and written by Waithe, who was born and raised in Chicago. It’s perhaps the most high-profile television show to date to depict the South Side. Waithe and her team, which includes actor and musician Common, took extra steps to show a South Side that was authentic, with scenes shot on site in neighborhoods like Englewood and music exclusively from Chicago artists like Chance the Rapper and Kanye West. 

Each Friday, Morning Shift interviews three local journalists from inside and outside the WBEZ newsroom to bring context and analysis to the biggest Chicagoland and Illinois news stories of the week.  For this Friday’s installment, Morning Shift will touch on a number of big stories, including the frigid weather and its effects on life in our area, responses to the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at the Illinois Veterans Home by Gov.Bruce Rauner and the CDC and Janice Jackson’s debut as the new Acting CEO of Chicago Public Schools. Our panel this week includes Chicago Tribune reporter Elvia Malagon, Chicago Sun-Times political reporter Tina Sfondeles, and WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp. 

Each Friday, Morning Shift interviews three local journalists from inside and outside the WBEZ newsroom to bring context and analysis to the biggest Chicagoland and Illinois news stories of the week.  For this Friday’s installment, Morning Shift will touch on a number of big stories, including the frigid weather and its effects on life in our area, responses to the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at the Illinois Veterans Home by Gov.Bruce Rauner and the CDC and Janice Jackson’s debut as the new Acting CEO of Chicago Public Schools. Our panel this week includes Chicago Tribune reporter Elvia Malagon, Chicago Sun-Times political reporter Tina Sfondeles, and WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp. 

The report, “Whitewashed: The African American Opioid Epidemic,” found that although African-Americans make up 15 percent of the state population, they account for nearly a quarter of all opioid-related deaths in Illinois and nearly half of all opioid-related deaths in Chicago.

The report, “Whitewashed: The African American Opioid Epidemic,” found that although African-Americans make up 15 percent of the state population, they account for nearly a quarter of all opioid-related deaths in Illinois and nearly half of all opioid-related deaths in Chicago.

As of Jan. 1, more than 200 new laws took effect in Illinois. They include everything from a politically controversial abortion bill to the designation of a new state holiday dedicated to former President Barack Obama.  Which will most likely affect you? For a round-up of what to know, Morning Shift turns to WTTW correspondent Amanda Vinicky.