In the Loop

Chicago’s Catholic archbishop and nuns oppose a controversial end-of-life law set to go into effect next week. A mass shooting in Washington Park draws President Trump’s criticism over city and state responses to crime. And one year after Chicago’s Operation Midway Blitz, federal immigration agents still face no charges. 

GUESTS: Monica Eng, Axios Chicago reporter 

Alden Loury, WBEZ data projects editor

Paris Schutz, political and investigative reporter, NBC 5

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

What if you could hop on a train to O’Hare International Airport and it only took 15 minutes to get there? That’s the idea behind the O’Hare Flyer, a fast-rail connecting the Loop to the airport using existing railways from CSX and Union Pacific.

Leaders behind the project hope to get started next year.

In the Loop hears from the people who want to make the idea a reality. We also check in with a transportation expert about what this could mean for travelers.

GUESTS: Mark Walbrun, co-founder and chief development officer, O’Hare Flyer

Dave Lundy, co-founder and CEO, O’Hare Flyer

Joseph Schwieterman, director of the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development,  

DePaul University

The Chicago Jazz Festival is back, bringing big sounds and homegrown talent to Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center starting Thursday.

In the Loop checks in with two notable figures in Chicago’s jazz community to hear about this year’s lineup, plus what’s next for a new generation of jazz in the city. 

GUESTS: Isaiah Collier, award-winning saxophonist, composer and activist

Heather Ireland Robinson, executive director of the Jazz Institute of Chicago 

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

It’s been almost a year since the launch of Operation Midway Blitz – a surge in immigration enforcement that led to Chicagoans being apprehended, beaten, shot and even killed by heavily-armed, masked agents roving through residential neighborhoods. Additionally, the agents often escalated situations by using tear gas on residents who were gathered to document ICE activity. 

In the Loop sits down with rapid responders to hear what’s changed since Midway Blitz, and what immigration enforcement looks like now.

GUESTS: Cristóbal Cavazos, executive director, Casa DuPage Workers Center 

Antonio Gutierrez, strategic coordinator, Organized Communities Against Deportations 

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

In The Loop is interviewing candidates for Chicago mayor, and inviting listeners to join the conversation and ask their own questions. 

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Chicago home prices rose faster than any other U.S. city in the past year. Immigration agents are involved in a highway crash, while the Mayor issues any executive order targeting city contractors doing business with ICE. 

In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.

GUESTS: Carrie Shepherd, Axios Chicago reporter 

Alex Nitkin, Illinois Answers Project government finance and accountability reporter 

Sarah Karp, WBEZ senior education reporter

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is once again in the hot seat, answering our questions – and yours – during our monthly public forum “Ask The Mayor.” 

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

We honor the late country music icon, Dolly Parton. The family of the acclaimed singer announced her death at 80 years old yesterday. In an interview with People on Friday, August 21, Parton said, “I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’! You know me — as I’ve often said — I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”

In the Loop’s discusses the legacy and impact of Dolly Parton. Plus, Indiana residents may be getting federal assistance for weather damage and a first look at the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival.  

GUESTS: Somer Van Benton, WBEZ reporter 

Clare Lane, WBEZ Morning Edition anchor 

Erica Thompson, Chicago Sun-Times arts and entertainment reporter 

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Tensions over race and gender have manifested in former NBA players disrupting games and Republican lawmakers sending a letter to the WNBA’s commissioner demanding "accountability." 

In the Loop discusses the politicization of the WNBA and why it’s become a flashpoint for culture wars. 

GUESTS: Cheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributor

Quita Wiggins, host Quita in the Mornings on YouTube

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Robert Washington-Vaughns started the Black Men Flower Project in 2021 after delivering flowers to his friends as a token of his appreciation for them. 

Since then the award winning non-profit has sent more than 2,500 bouquets to Black men across the country in an effort to promote healing and connection. 

In the Loop sits down with one of the people behind the love to talk about challenging stereotypes of Black masculinity through beauty and self care. 

GUESTS:  John Caleb Pendleton, vice-chair and lead Chicago florist, The Black Men Flower Project; founder of Planks and Pistils

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.