Outside the Loop RADIO

Mike Stephen chats with The Expired Meter blogger The Parking Ticket Geek about how Chicagoans can challenge some old red light camera violations, talks with Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) Chicago co-director Felipe Tendick-Matesanz about local efforts to protect minority workers by establishing sanctuary restaurants, and checks in with Rochester Institute of Technology mathematical sciences assistant professor Matt Hoffman about his study on the massive amounts of plastic debris in the Great Lakes. Meanwhile, OTL celebrates the MANuary Beard Season! This week's local music is provided by Railway Gamblers.

Mike Stephen talks with UIC Criminology, Law and Justice professor John Hagedorn about whether or not tougher sentencing can stop Chicago's violent crime epidemic; checks in with Chicago#WritersResist co-event manager Brian Kornell about resisting intolerance within the local literary community; and chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about recently deceased pianist Barrelhouse Chuck for this week's "Winter Blues" edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music. Meanwhile, we discuss the "camera violation review notice" Mike received in the mail this week. Apparently it's part of the city's last-ditch effort to wriggle free of refunding improperly-issued red light camera violations. This week's local music is provided by Steve Dawson.

Mike Stephen takes a look back at 2016 and peeks into 2017... with Chicago Reader associate editor Brianna Wellen about women in the local comedy scene, Chicagoist food editor Anthony Todd about some recent restaurant openings and closings, and Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Mick Dumke about the local political landscape. Meanwhile, the OTL crew wishes you a HAPPY NEW YEAR! This week's local music is provided by The Flat Five.

Mike Stephen talks with DNAinfo Chicago reporter/producer Sam Cholke about the new and more efficient LED streetlights being tested around the city; checks in with Streetsblog Chicago writer Jean Khut about creating a safe space from street harassment for female bicyclists via the For Women Only, Duh rides; and chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about obscure, loud, stupid, and fun band the Trouble Boys for this week's "The Fall Winter of Punk" edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music. Meanwhile, we play yet another voicemail from #1 OTL fan Mrs. Stephen... who heard Mike and his son mentioned on the 12/10 edition of The Kathy & Judy Show! This week's local music is provided by Bleach Party (featuring drummer Kaylee Preston, who was profiled in OTL #448).

Mike Stephen talks with Rodham Consulting founder Anne Szkatulski about how her brand new start-up is focusing on getting women to run for public office, chats with Midwest Energy News staff writer Kari Lydersen about Illinois' just-passed sweeping energy bill and what it means for energy and the environment, and checks in with The A.V. Club "Food Science" columnist (and University of Chicago physics instructor!) Dave McCowan about how to successfully revive soggy french fries at home. Meanwhile, we play a voicemail from #1 OTL fan Mrs. Stephen... who continues to look out for her son's safety in dangerous winter weather! This week's local music is provided by Teds Dancin.

Mike Stephen talks with UChicago Impact co-CEO Elliot Ransom about how students and parents can take a look at every Chicago public high school via their new High School Bound website, chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about influential proto-hardcore band 6 Feet Under for this week's "The Fall of Punk" edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music, and checks in with Fooditor editor Michael Gebert about a brand new food guide that profiles everyday restaurants -- The Fooditor 99: Where To Eat (And What To Eat There) In Chicago. Meanwhile, we discuss how Chicago food trucks lost a 4-year court battle against the city and the industry's reaction to the ruling. This week's local music is provided by The Way Down Wanderers.

Mike Stephen talks with The Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois professor David Merriman about the Fiscal Futures Project plan for getting Illinois back on the path to financial stability, chats with The Night Ministry advocacy and community affairs manager Tedd Peso about working with the local homeless community and the "Covers for Cover 8" concert benefiting the Response-Ability Pregnant and Parenting Program (RAPPP), and visits with Cocktails for Ding Dongs illustrator Alexandra Ensign about putting together a unique guide to making awesome drinks. Meanwhile, we reminisce about work holiday parties past as we enter the season of office-related debauchery! This week's local music is provided by Donnie Biggins.

Mike Stephen talks with Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) executive director Amy Rasmussen about bringing art to public school classrooms and making a positive impact on the lives of students, checks in with Tree House Humane Society Cats at Work program manager Paul Nickerson about how feral cats can help control the local rat population, and chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about protopunk weirdos Silver Abuse for this week's "The Fall of Punk" edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music. Meanwhile, we discuss throwing your trash in the garbage bins -- whether they're "your" bins or not. Just don't contaminate our recycling! This week's local music is provided by The Artist Formerly Known as Vince.

Mike Stephen talks with The Resurrection Project VP of Community Ownership Jose Munoz about protecting immigrants in uncertain political times, talks with Chicago Cares CEO Jenné Myers about how to cause change in the community through volunteering, and chats with Chicago Sustainability Leaders Network (CSLN) lead organizer Seva Gandhi about efforts to improve recycling in Chicago. Meanwhile, we reminisce about the time when Mike, as a young radio intern, drove to Indiana for a ridiculous hamburger. This week's local music is provided by wellthen.

Mike Stephen talks with Chicago's 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins about media production companies paying for lost parking and extending The 606 past the Kennedy and the river, checks in with 33rd Ward Working Families spokesman Nick Burt about his organization's successful referendum against charter schools in the election, and chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about moody Hyde Park band The Imports for this week's "The Fall of Punk" edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music. Meanwhile, let's take action. Now is the time to get your skin in the game. This week's local music is provided by The Claudettes.