Outside the Loop RADIO

Mike Stephen talks with Mom+Baby founder Alexandra Eidenberg about how her organization advocates for women and children online, in person, and on the Hill; chats with DNAinfo Chicago City Hall reporter Heather Cherone about Chicago's new red-light camera rules and where they're being installed and removed; and visits with Blaservations architectural historian Elizabeth Blasius about her Curbed Chicago story on understanding Chicago's vernacular architecture. Meanwhile, Mike hopes his new baby's arrival doesn't interfere with our Saturday broadcast! This week's local music is provided by Boss Fight.

Mike Stephen talks with Darren Olson, co-chair of the Infrastructure Report Card Committee for the Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), about the state of Illinois' roads and bridges; chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about Muddy Waters-endorsed harmonica player Forest City Joe for this week's "Winter Blues" edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and visits with Rich Alapack, founder of we all live here, about his social startup that works on community-based art projects with local schools. Meanwhile, Mike announces that his family is growing! This week's local music is provided by Capital Soirée.

Mike Stephen talks with 24WORDS: the equal rights rock musical producer/ writer/ lyricist Charles Kouri about exploring the journey for women's equality, checks in with Chicago River Swim co-creator Doug McConnell about a proposed long-distance swim in the Chicago River, and welcomes local musician Noah Gabriel to the studio to play live for the hour and to talk about his new record Dead Reckoning. Meanwhile, we anticipate today's St. Patrick's Day Parade insanity, and we pre-celebrate Mike's 37th birthday!

Mike Stephen talks with Chicago Housing Initiative organizer Ben Goldsmith about the controversial push for affordable housing in Jefferson Park, visits with Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Sydney Jackson and St. Catherine - St. Lucy School principal Sharon Leamy about the Roses4Austin after-school program and the importance of volunteering in the community, and chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about one-armed harmonica player Big John Wrencher for this week's "Winter Blues" edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music. Meanwhile, we discuss CityHealth's questionable study that rates Chicago as one of the healthiest cities in America. This week's local music is provided by the Boogers.

Mike Stephen talks with Chicago Justice Project executive director Tracy Siska about changes that need to be made within the Chicago Police Department, chats with Fulton Market Association executive director Roger Romanelli about fixing the treacherous stretch of Lake Street between Halsted and Ashland, and checks in with The Platoon of Power Squadron creator/ writer/ director Jake Jarvi about his long-running locally-produced web series that's coming to an end. Meanwhile, we discuss street musicians dodging a proposed ban on performing on Michigan Avenue, and we play a voicemail from #1 OTL fan Mrs. Stephen, who feels like she's been double-crossed by Mr. Fix-It himself... Lou Manfredini. This week's local music is provided by The Red Plastic Buddha.

Mike Stephen talks with Pilsen Alliance director Byron Sigcho about the displacement of some of our city's residents and the movement for rent control in Chicago, chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about singer and bassist Queen Sylvia Embry for this week's "Winter Blues" edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music, and checks in with Centro Romero executive director Daysi Funes about how her organization is helping with the challenges facing Chicago's immigrant community. Meanwhile, we discuss Billy Dec, the recent insanity between Mayor Emanuel and Governor Rauner, the Thompson Center's food court, and wacky bass players. This week's local music is provided by The Sweet Maries.

Mike Stephen talks with Illinois Journalism Education Association board member Stan Zoller about the continuing importance of teaching journalists at the high school level; checks in with Chicago Plant Rescue community outreach director Nora Bryne about what her organization is doing to save orphaned greenery; and visits with Read/Write Library Chicago executive director Nell Taylor about the importance of documenting local history via books, zines, and periodicals. Meanwhile, we discuss the upcoming #RumpsAgainstTrump protest and the growing sanctuary restaurants movement. This week's local music is provided by The Real Gone.

Mike Stephen talks with Environmental Law & Policy Center president and executive director Howard Learner about ideas to improve Chicago's vast pedway system, checks in with Newcity editor/publisher Brian Hieggelke about changes in store for his venerable Chicago alternative newspaper, and chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about influential self-taught pianist Little Brother Montgomery for this week's "Winter Blues" edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music. Meanwhile, Mike reveals what the Chicago bag tax is really about right before making a surprise political announcement! This week's local music is provided by Cafe Racer.

Mike Stephen talks with City Bureau co-founder/editorial director Darryl Holliday about his news organization's special issue "Living With Lead: How Generations of Chicagoans Carry the Weight of a Toxin Hiding in Plain Sight," checks in with Streetsblog Chicago editor John Greenfield about his Chicago Reader column on whether or not police should be checking drivers' phone records after serious crashes, and chats with Chicagoist food editor Anthony Todd about how not to get screwed by Restaurant Week 2017. Meanwhile, Mike explains why he turned down Portillo's this week! This week's local music is provided by Go Time!.

Mike Stephen talks with reporter Stephanie Grimoldby about how some Cook County suburbs are not complying with the new minimum wage and sick time requirements, chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about obscure singer/guitarist Johnnie Temple for this week's "Winter Blues" edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music, and visits with Toons Bar & Grill owner Danny Beck for a preview of the Toons 6th Annual Wing Fling. Meanwhile, we celebrate the best burritos in Chicago! This week's local music is provided by Black Bolts.