In the Loop

Summer reading lists for high school students and syllabi for survey courses in literature and philosophy often feature many of the same books, authors and thinkers. Morning Shift explores the story of how books end up in what’s known as “the canon” with Peter Steeves, professor of philosophy and director of the Humanities Center at DePaul University. Steeves says that while reading the classics in philosophy and literature is great, the canon is fundamentally flawed.

Summer reading lists for high school students and syllabi for survey courses in literature and philosophy often feature many of the same books, authors and thinkers. Morning Shift explores the story of how books end up in what’s known as “the canon” with Peter Steeves, professor of philosophy and director of the Humanities Center at DePaul University. Steeves says that while reading the classics in philosophy and literature is great, the canon is fundamentally flawed.

When Mayor Emanuel appointed Lori Lightfoot to head the Chicago Police Accountability Task Force and the Chicago Police Board back in 2016, he put his faith in the former federal prosecutor to help usher in a new era of reform for the Chicago Police Department.  Morning Shift talks to Lori Lightfoot about her vision of police reform in Chicago, how it differs with Mayor Emanuel’s, and what she believes the best next steps would be in achieving true reform. 

When Mayor Emanuel appointed Lori Lightfoot to head the Chicago Police Accountability Task Force and the Chicago Police Board back in 2016, he put his faith in the former federal prosecutor to help usher in a new era of reform for the Chicago Police Department.  Morning Shift talks to Lori Lightfoot about her vision of police reform in Chicago, how it differs with Mayor Emanuel’s, and what she believes the best next steps would be in achieving true reform. 

Illinois finally has a budget, and now begins the complicated process of paying down the state’s backlog of unpaid bills that’s reached a whopping $15 billion.  During the two-year impasse, the comptroller’s office followed court orders, consent decrees and state laws to determine which payments to make. For example, the office was required to pay salaries for state employees in full. But until a judge’s ruling on June 30, it was not required to make certain Medicaid payments. The morning after the budget went into effect, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, a Democrat, told WGN Radio that her office had been operating like a “trauma center” during the impasse and that now it will act like a “room for stabilization” and eventually a “recovery room.”  Morning Shift talks to Mendoza about the steps she’s taking to pay down the state’s backlog of bills following the passage of the budget and what that means for Illinois residents.

Illinois finally has a budget, and now begins the complicated process of paying down the state’s backlog of unpaid bills that’s reached a whopping $15 billion.  During the two-year impasse, the comptroller’s office followed court orders, consent decrees and state laws to determine which payments to make. For example, the office was required to pay salaries for state employees in full. But until a judge’s ruling on June 30, it was not required to make certain Medicaid payments. The morning after the budget went into effect, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, a Democrat, told WGN Radio that her office had been operating like a “trauma center” during the impasse and that now it will act like a “room for stabilization” and eventually a “recovery room.”  Morning Shift talks to Mendoza about the steps she’s taking to pay down the state’s backlog of bills following the passage of the budget and what that means for Illinois residents.

All of a sudden, professional wrestling seems to be back in the American spotlight. We're joined by Chad, co-host of the pro-wrestling podcast “The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling” and writer, producer and actor Fawzia Mirza. In her new film Signature Move, she plays a thirty-something Pakistani Muslim lesbian in Chicago who also happens to be learning the art of professional wrestling.

All of a sudden, professional wrestling seems to be back in the American spotlight. We're joined by Chad, co-host of the pro-wrestling podcast “The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling” and writer, producer and actor Fawzia Mirza. In her new film Signature Move, she plays a thirty-something Pakistani Muslim lesbian in Chicago who also happens to be learning the art of professional wrestling.

In Chicago, conventional wisdom says that “nothing stops a bullet like a job.” Mayor Emanuel has even said, “The best anti-crime program is a job.” The question then becomes: How many jobs would it take to drive down violence in Chicago? And, more importantly, which employers will actually give jobs to the formerly incarcerated?  Morning Shift talks to Pete Leonard and Thomas Decker, two employers who make it their business to give jobs to people who have spent time behind bars.

In Chicago, conventional wisdom says that “nothing stops a bullet like a job.” Mayor Emanuel has even said, “The best anti-crime program is a job.” The question then becomes: How many jobs would it take to drive down violence in Chicago? And, more importantly, which employers will actually give jobs to the formerly incarcerated?  Morning Shift talks to Pete Leonard and Thomas Decker, two employers who make it their business to give jobs to people who have spent time behind bars.