In the Loop

How difficult is it for people with mobility disabilities to navigate the city’s sidewalks? This question is the center of a lawsuit against the City of Chicago, alleging a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA. 

The firm suing the city claims it has failed to maintain sidewalks leaving them inaccessible.

As Disability Pride Month comes to a close, In the Loop brings together an attorney behind both the new and previous lawsuit, a plaintiff in the suit and a local advocacy group leader to hear just how accessible Chicago is.

GUESTS: Rachel Weisberg, directing attorney at Disability Rights Advocates

Kevin Sullivan, plaintiff against the city, motivational speaker

Peter Tucic, vice president of public policy at Chicago Lighthouse

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

Chicago City Council has approved referendum questions for upcoming elections, three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane is returning to the Chicago Blackhawks on a two-year contract, and Chicago police have issued official guidelines on how officers should collect evidence against immigration agents suspected of violating laws.

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

GUESTS: Kim Bellware, freelance journalist

Ravi Baichwal anchor at ABC 7 News

Mary Norkol, Chicago Sun-Times reporter 

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

The National Public Housing Museum is hosting the artwork of Nathaniel Mary Quinn, including a recreated Robert Taylor Homes living room he grew up in. Quinn’s exhibit “A Love Letter to My Mother” explores the complexities of family, living in public housing, and love. 

In the Loop talks to artists from Chicago as they reflect how their time in public housing has shaped them and their work. 

GUESTS: Floyd Webb, filmmaker and producer, former resident of Harold L. Ickes Homes

Toni Asante Lightfoot, poet and creative writing instructor, former Hilliard Homes resident

Toya Wolfe, writer and author of Last Summer on State Street, former resident of Robert Taylor Homes

Tiff Beatty, associate director, National Public Housing Museum

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

Chicago’s summer staple is celebrating 100 years of deliciousness. Known for its layers of flavors, Rainbow Cone’s ice cream stacks chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with walnuts and cherries), pistachio and orange sherbet. 

In the Loop host Sasha-Ann Simons tries her first-ever Rainbow Cone and we dig into the iconic local brand's rich history. 

GUESTS: Lisa Shames, freelance reporter

Johnny Buonavolanto, director of sales, The Buona Companies

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

Chicago can feel up to 8 degrees hotter than suburbs and rural areas because there are more buildings and asphalt and fewer plants to aid the natural process of keeping an area cool. Parts of the city with the least greenspace, tree canopy and more industry can be even hotter than the city average temperature. 

In the Loop explores  efforts by residents and officials to identify the city’s hotter areas and help residents adapt to the extreme heat.

GUESTS: Max Berkelhammer, professor, earth and environmental sciences UIC 

Lindy Wordlaw, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Environment

Nedra Sims-Fears, executive director, Greater Chatham Initiative

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

Flooding has persistently plagued Chicago, the city famously built on a swamp. However, as storms become more severe and more frequent, residents will likely have to deal with flooded basements, streets and other damage more often.  

With climate change driving worsening weather, Chicagoans are rolling up their sleeves to prepare. In the Loop hears from local organizations working to make communities more flood-resilient.

GUESTS: Zach Wirtz, director of the Chicago Region Trees Initiative, Morton Arboretum 

Nina Idemudia, CEO, Center for Neighborhood Technology

Bre’Shaun Reddick, Local Partnership Manager, Alliance for the Great Lakes 

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

Chicago gets a one-two punch with another heat wave combined with dangerous air quality. A North Side Trader Joe’s becomes the first of the grocery chain’s Illinois locations to unionize. And the Shedd Aquarium agrees to take in abandoned beluga whales from a closed marine park in Canada. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.

GUESTS: Carrie Shepherd, Axios Chicago reporter 

Quinn Myers, Block Club Chicago reporter covering Wicker Park, West Town & Bucktown 

Bob Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times investigative 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. 

Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are one of the fastest growing pharmaceuticals. But as newer GLP-1 medications hit the market, questions remain about side effects, health equity and the cultural impact. On today’s In the Loop, we ask: what have we learned so far about the popular drug? And how have GLP-1s changed the way we think about health and weight loss?

GUESTS: Dr. Micah Eimer, cardiologist, clinical assistant professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School

David D. Kim, PhD, assistant professor of medicine and public health sciences at University of Chicago

Rachelle Lacroix Mallick, registered dietician and nutritionist with a focus on reproductive health

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

What would you do if you noticed a piano sitting outside your favorite cafe, or walked past someone tickling the ivories as you left the grocery store?

John McCarthy, founder of the nonprofit Chicago Plays, is betting people are likely to come together as a community alongside an impromptu and free public performance. Chicago Plays is spicing up the city’s public spaces with free piano concerts courtesy of your own neighbors. In the Loop sits with the man behind the music.

GUESTS: John McCarthy, founder, Chicago Plays

Won Kim, artist and chef

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