In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

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.

Last week, President Trump’s Advisory Commission on Election Integrity -- formed to look into the issue of voter fraud in America -- formally requested detailed voter information from each state.  As the country celebrated 241 years of independence yesterday, several newspapers’ editorial boards across the country took the opportunity to weigh in on Trump’s crusade on voter fraud. Morning Shift talks to NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik for his take. 

Last week, President Trump’s Advisory Commission on Election Integrity -- formed to look into the issue of voter fraud in America -- formally requested detailed voter information from each state.  As the country celebrated 241 years of independence yesterday, several newspapers’ editorial boards across the country took the opportunity to weigh in on Trump’s crusade on voter fraud. Morning Shift talks to NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik for his take. 

As we head toward Independence Day in the United States, Morning Shift takes a bite out of a broad concept that has as many meanings as it has citizens: patriotism. What does it mean to be a patriot? How is patriotism reflected in your life? Who would you say is a “true patriot”? We’ll hear from experts and take your calls.

As we head toward Independence Day in the United States, Morning Shift takes a bite out of a broad concept that has as many meanings as it has citizens: patriotism. What does it mean to be a patriot? How is patriotism reflected in your life? Who would you say is a “true patriot”? We’ll hear from experts and take your calls.