In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

According to a National Partnership for New Americans report, Illinois has an estimated 17,000 pending citizenship applications. One of those cases is for 66-year-old Clara De La Garza, a Chicago resident who is feeling the consequences of the national naturalization backlog first hand. After years in the United States legally, the political talk surrounding immigration motivated her to become a citizen for the sole purpose of casting her vote. Half a year later, De La Garza is still waiting to receive her appointment and will narrowly miss her opportunity to participate in the election. Morning Shift talks with De La Garza about her immigrant story, her time in the United States, and what finally pushed her to start the naturalization process.

The creative life can feel out of reach for many of us in the workaday world, but musician and author Peter Himmelman says it’s possible for anyone to tap into their creative potential. Morning Shift talks to Himmelman about his new book Let Me Out: Unlock Your Creative Mind And Bring Your Ideas To Life, which presents straightforward techniques for accomplishing your goals and leading a more productive and innovative life.

You could call The Flat Five a Chicago supergroup. Its members tour and record regularly with artists like Neko Case, Andrew Bird, Mavis Staples, NRBQ and more. But they come together and perform a few times a year, drawn to their love of harmonies, tight vocal arrangements, and the sheer joy of working with like-minded friends.  Last month, they released their first album, It’s A World Of Love And Hope. Musical styles on the album are as varied as the band members-ranging from the 1930’s croonings of the Boswell Sisters to the 70’s “champagne soul” of the 5th Dimension. The Flat Five joined Morning Shift to talk about their "debut."

It’s an emotional time in Chicago. Throughout this amazing postseason run, WBEZ guests and listeners have talked about what the Cubs have meant to their loved ones, especially those who didn’t live long enough to see this World Series. Before the Cubs parade through Chicago as champions today, we talk with NBC sportscaster and baseball scholar Bob Costas about baseball's powerful nostalgic quality -- and the sport’s unique ability to stir our emotions about family and friends.

Carl Honoré is an award winning journalist and author and advocate for the Slow Movement which encourages us to slow down, approach life thoughtfully and work to make meaningful connections. Honoré’s latest book, The Slow Fix: Solve Problems, Work Smarter, and Live Better, steers us away from “quick fixes” and guides us through a step by step approach to “slow” problem solving using real life experiences. The Morning Shift talks to Carl Honoré about the book and why slowing down is so important.  

The Chicago Cubs have won the World Series after seven games, 10 innings, a rain delay and more than a century of waiting. Morning Shift turns to WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye Stout who was in Cleveland to watch it all unfold. 

Morning Shift speaks with journalist Dan Epstein, an uber Cubs fan and author of several baseball books, including Big Hair and Plastic Grass: A Funky Ride Through Baseball and America in the Swinging '70s and Stars and Strikes: Baseball and America in the Bicentennial Summer of '76. 

Morning Shift asks Cubs fans: What was your favorite moment from the 2016 season or post-season? How are you celebrating with friends and family?

When Theo Epstein came in as Cubs president in 2011, he said he had a plan for rebuilding this team. Now the city is reaping the benefits. Morning Shift speaks with Steven Goldman, columnist for Vice Sports and Today's Knuckleball, for a deeper dive into the Epstein era.

The Chicago Cubs came out with a lot of energy and big bats Tuesday night to beat the Cleveland Indians 9-3 and force a Game 7 in the World Series.  Morning Shift recaps the highlights and takes a look at what’s likely to be a pitcher’s duel Wednesday night with WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye Stout. We also speak with Crain’s Chicago Business sports business reporter Danny Ecker, a lifelong Indians fan.