Outside the Loop RADIO

Mike Stephen chews through the CPS funding data with Jessica Kursman of UIC's Voorhees Center, explores the impact of discipline policies in Illinois public schools with Kalin Belsha of the Chicago Reporter, and tips his hat to the late local music legend Val Camilletti of Val's Halla Records in Oak Park.  The local music this week is powered by Rum Velvet.

Mike Stephen talks with Chicago Alderman Scott Waguespack about his views on the city's leadership, learns about the Illinois Railway Museum, and visits the lair of Steve Krakow (aka Plastic Crimewave) to discover the Secret History of 60s garage-rockers The Riptides. Local music this week courtesy of Sun Cop.

Mike Stephen talks about the role Chicago Alderman play in affordable housing development with Chicago Area Fair Housing Executive Director Patricia Fron, discusses the sustainable benefit of closed loop economies with Jonathan Pereira of Plant Chicago, and geeks out over tacos and the upcoming Tacos Y Tamales Fest  with the fest co-producer Nick Pobutsky. Local music this week courtesy of local synth-pop GOSH!

Mike Stephen declares his love of Wisconsin and supper clubs, learns about having at-risk youth experience the outdoors through the Chicago Voyagers program, checks in with Steve Krakow (aka Plastic Crimewave) to discover the Secret History of Matt "Guitar" Murphy, and connects to the studios of WRWO-LP in Ottawa, IL to find out how that station serves the community. Local music this week courtesy of All the Wine.

Mike Stephen chats with Jahmal Cole of My Block, My Hood, My City and Delores Lucas of We Keep You Rollin' about uniting Chicago communities, talks to Devlyn Camp, the creator and host of the Mattachine Podcast, about the history of gay culture, and discusses the relevance of science in today's political climate with the founder and executive director of the Illinois Science Council, Monica Metzler. Local music this week courtesy of Nora Jean Wallace.

It's a historic day for Mike Stephen as he chats with Craig Pfannkuche of the Chicago and North Western Historical Society about the ambitions of Chicago's first mayor, author Daniel Kay Hertz about his book The Battle of Lincoln Park, and pays a visit to Steve Krakow (aka Plastic Crimewave) to learn about the Secret History of prog-rockers Mugicians. Local music this week is powered by Aurora L'Orealis.

Mike Stephen discusses community oversight of the police with Frank Chapman of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, visits an Irish immigrant who is a great craftsman and musician named Aidan O'Toole, and learns about a new media company called One Illinois and its mission to unite our state.  The local music this week comes from the local Celtic band Anish.

Mike Stephen talks with transportation enthusiast The Parking Ticket Geek about the latest local parking and transportation stories, gets the delicious details of all the great food along 26th Street with Mike Gebert, editor of Fooditor.com, and hangs with Steve Krakow (aka Plastic Crimewave) to learn about the Secret History of Elgin's 70s Blues-rockers Iron Lung. The local music this week comes from V.V. Lightbody.

Mike Stephen talks with 35th ward Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa about his opposition to the proposed Police Academy on Chicago's west side and the blow-back he's received from the city council, chats with Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights intern Alex Boutros about voting rights restrictions in Illinois, and local musician Dina Bach stops by to play some sweet studio jamz.

Mike Stephen follows the GOP's money on Chicago's northwest side with friend of the show and trusted political sleuth, Mick Dumke, connects with WPNV-LP station manager Garry Moore of Peoria for another Low Power to the People segment, and chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) and learn about funky soul super group Master Plan, Inc. as part of this week's Secret History of Chicago Music. The local music this week is powered by Sùbele.