In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

A key union breaks from Mayor Johnson to endorse his opponent. Governor Pritzker and Illinois’ First Lady make some major campaign contributions. Plus, Illinois Senate candidates face off in their only debate.

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

GUESTS: Shia Kapos, Politico reporter 

Heather Cherone, WTTW Chicago politics reporter

Bob Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter

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

Dozens of animals and plants on Illinois’ endangered and threatened species list could be even more vulnerable under the Trump administration’s rollback of Endangered Species Act Protections.

GUESTS: Sunny Nelson, vice president of Conservation Science, Lincoln Park Zoo

Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco, WBEZ environmental reporter

The ‘Cornell 7’ rape allegation has sparked a national conversation about the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses and how colleges and universities respond to these claims. 

Locally, a lawsuit was filed against the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity at the University of Chicago. This comes a week after an allegation of sexual assault at a party at a different fraternity at the University.  

In the Loop gets a picture of the current local cases and the challenges of reporting sexual assault.

GUESTS: Christina Zuba, managing attorney specializing in campus sexual misconduct,  Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation

Sophie Sherry, Chicago Sun-Times public safety 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 to answer our questions – and yours – in the latest installment of our monthly public forum “Ask The Mayor.”

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

When Illinois voters head to the polls, they’ll be choosing the state’s next governor and lieutenant governor. 

The Democratic incumbent, JB Pritzker, and Republican candidate Darren Bailey had the chance to go head to head in a televised debate, but the people vying for the number two spot won’t get that chance. 

So, to give you a window into their backgrounds, priorities and goals for the position, we sat down with the three candidates for Lieutenant Governor. 

GUESTS: Christian Mitchell, Democratic candidate

Aaron Del Mar, Republican candidate

Carolyn Schofield, Independent candidate 

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

A Palatine teen is arrested for plotting a massacre at a Hindu temple in Aurora. Buildings and landmarks across the city welcome the public inside for Open House Chicago. Plus, candidates for Chicago School Board president face off in a WBEZ forum.  

In the Loop breaks down these stories and much more with a panel of journalists.

GUESTS: Carrie Shepherd, Axios Chicago reporter 

Brandis Friedman, anchor of  WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight” 

Kate Grossman, WBEZ assistant managing editor

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

Medicare Advantage, a healthcare plan run by private insurance companies, covers more of what traditional Medicare doesn’t cover without having to pay premiums for a supplemental policy or “Medigap” plans. 

However, as open enrollment for 2027 begins Oct. 15, many seniors with private Medicare coverage are being confronted with fewer options.

In The Loop finds out why this is happening and what this means for you.

GUESTS: Dan Weissmann, host and executive producer of the podcast “An Arm and A Leg”

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

In his new book, The American Way of Killing: The Invention of an Epidemic, best-selling author and journalist Malcolm Gladwell explores how current ‘dishonest’ conversations about gun violence prevent us from getting to the root causes.

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

Saran and Dafina Dunmore call themselves ‘besters,’ sisters and best friends. They live and work close to each other, and now they’ve taken their relationship to another level: competing in a reality TV show, racing across continents and solving puzzles and obstacles. 

In the Loop sits down with the sisters to hear how the experience of participating in a reality TV competition deepened their relationship. 

GUESTS: Saran Dunmore, Amazing Race contestant

Dafina Dunmore, Amazing Race contestant

Correction: All female teams have won previous seasons of the Amazing Race. 

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

In an effort to encourage students to think critically without the use of technology, a group of professors at Loyola University are piloting a writing class for freshmen where students write essays completely tech-free. 

In The Loop sits down with professors and a current student in their class to learn more. 

GUESTS: Sherrie Weller, professor of English, Loyola University Chicago

Brandiann Molby, professor of English, director of the Writing Center, Loyola University Chicago

Ella Paris, first-year undergraduate student, Loyola University Chicago

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