In the Loop

By WBEZ ChicagoNews

Favorites
23
Followers
Typical duration
32 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

In the Loop episodes

July 13 Inside Illinois’ Gambling Problem
Illinois residents have lost nearly $8 billion gambling last year, according to a new report from the Illinois Answers Project.

And for many, gambling is not easy to resist, thanks to the increase of slot machines in everyday establishments, new casinos, and mobile sports betting apps that puts the casino in people’s pockets. In fact, more than one million Illinois adults either have a gambling addiction or are at risk of developing one.

Who is losing the most money, and what is the state doing to help people at risk of addiction?

In The Loop finds out more about what guardrails exist – or don’t – when it comes to gambling in Illinois, and what state lawmakers are doing about it.

GUESTS: Casey Toner, reporter, Illinois Answers
Elizabeth Thielen, senior director at Nicasa Behavioral Health Services

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
34 min
July 10 WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 10, 2026
The Federal appeals court in Chicago upholds Illinois’ assault weapons ban one week after the U.S. Supreme Court agrees to consider a challenge to the ban in Cook County. Former Chicago mayor Rahm Emmanuel makes headlines after a controversial speech in Israel. Plus, the CTA says crime is down 30% percent over last year.

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

GUESTS: David Greising, president, Better Government Association
Olivia Olander, state government reporter, Chicago Tribune
Mitch Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times reporter covering government and politics

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
47 min
July 09 Trump Administration Wants Illinois To Foot Its Own Bill For SNAP Program
The Trump Administration wants states to carry more of the financial burden of SNAP benefits, which were previously a federal obligation.
For Illinois, that cost shift will begin in late 2028, with the state potentially having to shoulder upwards of $700 million to sustain SNAP benefits, raising concerns about the program’s future.
In the Loop talks about what exact changes the federal government wants, how it will impact states and SNAP recipients, and what lawmakers can do about it.
GUESTS: Nolan Downey, senior director of policy, Greater Chicago Food Depository
Carolyn Barnes, associate professor, Crown Family School at UChicago
Illinois State Rep. Dagmara Avelar, (D-Bolingbrook)
35 min
July 08 If It’s Broke, Fix It: Repair Cafes Make Your Tech, Appliances Last Longer
We live in a world where replacing something is often quicker and easier than fixing it. Your coffee maker breaks? Buy a new one. Same thing for your busted laptop.
But a growing movement is asking us to rethink that mindset. Enter: repair cafes.
From Romeoville to Evanston, there are six repair cafés across the city and suburbs where volunteers help residents extend the shelf lives of their tech, appliances and other belongings.
In the Loop learns more about how to take part, be more sustainable with your stuff, and save money.
GUESTS: Maria Anna Rafac, Campus Sustainability Coordinator at Joliet Junior College
Elyse Hoffenberg, Clerk of the Township of Lyons
Amy Yee, Chicago Sun-Times economy and business reporter
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
27 min
July 07 Chicago Is Making Sports More Accessible
For some athletes, sports are about a lot more than winning. They’re about finding community, building confidence and pushing yourself to new heights. Well, you could say that’s what adaptive sports has done for athletes with disabilities.

And now, competitors from the Chicago area are gearing up to join hundreds in the country’s biggest multi-sport tournament for athletes with disabilities.

We’ll hear from a panel of veterans in the game about what the experience means to them – and how more Chicagoans can get involved.

GUESTS: Jorge Alfaro, coach of Chicago Hornets, a wheelchair basketball team
Dylan Sams, sports coordinator, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Larry Labiak, disability policy officer, Chicago Park District

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
36 min
July 06 Rethinking Chicago’s Next Big Infrastructure Project
For its design competition “The Horizon Lines: Visions for Chicago 2050,” World Business Chicago asked residents to come up with some ideas on what Chicago’s next big development should be. After nearly 200 submissions, six finalists have been selected and are now on display at the Chicago Cultural Center.

In the Loop hears from three of the contest’s judges on what new ideas they are excited about.

GUESTS: Phil Clement, CEO of World Business Chicago
Eleanor Gorski, CEO and President of Chicago Architecture Center
Kenya Merritt, Commissioner of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
30 min
July 02 WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 2, 2026
Mayor Johnson wants to give Chicago renters new protections, Governor Pritzker issues a state disaster proclamation over extreme weather as the Chicago region remains under extreme heat warning. Plus, Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and Chicago FBI Chief DePodesta announce abrupt resignations.

In the Loop breaks down those stories and more.

GUESTS: Leigh Giangreco, freelance journalist
Rummana Hussain, Chicago Sun-Times opinion pages editor and columnist
Shia Kapos, Politico reporter and author of Politico’s Illinois Playbook newsletter

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
51 min
July 01 Evanston Stands Firm As DOJ Attacks Its Reparations Program
Evanston made history as the first city in the country to launch a local reparations program. Since then, the city has distributed more than $7 million to over 200 Black residents who are direct descendants of people harmed by housing discrimination.

Now the federal government is putting its weight behind a lawsuit that claims Evanston’s reparations program violates the 14th Amendment on the grounds of race discrimination.

In the Loop hears from some of the architects of Evanston’s program and a reparations recipient about the impact of the program on the community and why they say it’s necessary.

GUESTS: Mayor Daniel Biss, City of Evanston
Robin Rue Simmons, chair of Evanston Reparations Committee; founder and executive director of FirstRepair
Kimberly Holmes-Ross, executive director of Evanston Cradle to Career; reparations recipients

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
35 min
June 29 What's That Building: South Shore Cultural Center and Beach
The South Shore Cultural Center is a 65-acre park on Chicago's South Side that includes a secluded beach, a golf course, tennis courts and a nature sanctuary. The park’s showpiece is a Mediterranean Revival building set at the end of a long drive. Formerly known as the South Shore Country Club, the first building was constructed in 1906 and was modeled after a club in Mexico City. That structure, and additions that came after, still stand today.
In The Loop’s architecture critic takes us through the long storied history of the building, its preservation and the beach it sits on.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
19 min
June 26 WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 26, 2026
After a violent weekend with eight killed and 40 injured, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson joins calls for the creation of a new Department of Gun Violence Reduction. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court strikes down Hawaii’s restrictive gun law. And embattled U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros announces plans to review the work of a “Broadview Six” prosecutor going back to 2007.

In the Loop breaks down those stories and more.

GUESTS: Paris Schutz, NBC 5 political and investigative reporter
Maxwell Evans, Block Club Chicago reporter
Violet Miller, Chicago Sun-Times general assignment reporter
Alma Campos, Chicago Sun-Times immigration reporter

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