Out Chicago (Featured Interviews)

Scott Duff and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined by Owen Keehnen, author, historian and public speaker on LGBTQ history. 

The conversation highlighted Owen’s work preserving LGBTQ history, especially Chicago’s queer communities, during LGBTQ+ History Month. He began documenting LGBTQ history during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, when people, places, and stories were disappearing quickly. His books rely heavily on interviews and oral history, covering both community struggles and moments of joy.

Last January Owen joined "Out Chicago" to talk about his book "Gay Chicago Memories: 1300 N. Wells." Find the conversation at omny.fm/shows/out-chicago/wcpt-820-interview-owen-keehnen

Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).

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Scott Duff and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined by Kyna Lenhof, 2026 candidate for Chicago Board of Education.

- Lenhof says she is running to put students first in the first fully elected Chicago school board election. Her background includes special education, teaching in Chicago Public Schools, caregiving, nonprofit arts administration, and education advocacy. She described the board’s role as providing district oversight, supporting school leaders, and ensuring neighborhood schools are fully funded.

Education Priorities
- Protect vulnerable students and make schools safe, equitable, and joyful.
- Treat arts, STEM, academics, and athletics as connected parts of a robust education.
- Maintain a balanced budget while addressing inadequate state funding through collaboration with city and state partners.

Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).

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Scott Duff and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined by Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, 2027 candidate for Chicago mayor.

Mendoza's campaign is centered on affordability, public safety, and restoring confidence in the city’s finances. 

Core Priorities
- Address the financial crisis so residents can afford to remain in Chicago.
- Improve public safety and make Chicago a safe, world-class city.
- Restore confidence to attract residents, businesses, investment, and families.
Financial Approach
- Mendoza cited her record as Illinois comptroller: 12 credit upgrades, a rainy-day fund increased from $48,000 to $2.5 billion, and vendor payments reduced from 210 days to 13 days.
- She proposed stabilizing city finances by cutting where possible, doing more with less, and hiring department heads who share that approach.
- She argued that financial stability is necessary to fund priorities such as homelessness services and LGBTQ+ rights.

Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).

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Scott Duff and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined by Bridget Lee, founder of the Academy for Local Leadership (ALL Chicago).

Here is a brief summary of the conversation:
- Lee explained that Chicago is transitioning from a mayor-appointed board to a representative, community-led school board. Following a 2024 hybrid trial run involving 10 elected seats and 11 appointed seats, the upcoming election will feature all 21 seats up for election across 20 districts.
- The election is scheduled for November 3.
- Voters will select candidates for their specific district and also vote for the board president.
- Residents can identify their district by using the Board of Elections website or local news sites.
- Lee introduced the Governance Compass, a framework created by ALL Chicago to help voters evaluate candidates based on five core principles:
* Setting vision and direction: Working with the superintendent to establish clear educational goals. * Protecting community values: Ensuring schools are a safe, well-resourced, and equitable environment.
* Transparency: Conducting business in public meetings that are available via YouTube.
* Accountability: Using levers like hiring/evaluating the superintendent, passing the budget, and passing policy to ensure the system meets its goals.
* Collective governance: Governing as a team to implement decisions effectively rather than acting as individual political actors.
- Lee suggested several ways for citizens to be involved:
* During the election cycle: Attend candidate forums and ask tough questions regarding a candidate's understanding of their ability to function within a board structure.
* After the election: Watch public board meetings, contact elected officials via their email addresses, or engage with them during community office hours and neighborhood events.
* Resources: Voters can utilize localleadership.org to access resources or consult the Chicago Sun-Times voter guide.

Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).

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Scott Duff and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined by Susan Ottaviano, vocalist with with synth pop band Book of Love, coming to Metro Saturday, October 10.

Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).

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Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by Julio Flores, program director for The Alliance at the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago. The Alliance is a statewide program that promotes safety, support, and healthy development for LGBTQ+ youth in Illinois schools and communities. 

Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).

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Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by Sheldon Epps (director) and Alan H. Green (cast member) from Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of “Play On!” playing through October 18.

Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).

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Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by Mitchell J. Fain, cast member of “The Birth of the Pill,” having its world premiere at TimeLine Theatre through October 4.

Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).

 

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Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by Jennifer Grosshandler, executive director and founder of The GenderCool Project.

Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).

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Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by Tania Richard, writer and performer of "Black Girl From a White Suburb," and the production's director J. Nicole Brooks. The solo show is having its world premiere at American Blues Theater September 4-October 4.

Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).

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