Author: WBEZ Chicago

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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - What’s The Future Of Electric Vehicles In Illinois?

Federal tax credits for electric vehicles are ending at the end of September, but rebates in Illinois remain. These rebates have been a key tool for the state to achieve its goal of having 1 million electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030, though there is a very long way to go on that front. In The Loop discusses what prospective buyers need to know and what this federal change could mean for Illinois’ transition to electric with Mark Cassidy, operations management, EV Energy Group and Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Sept. 19, 2025

Federal agents step up immigration raids. The Cubs make it to the playoffs. Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar dies at 79. Kim Bellware of the Washington Post, WBEZ’s Sarah Karp and Mitchell Armentrout of the Chicago Sun-Times break it down for us. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - Meet The Chicagoans Helping People Detained By ICE

While many efforts continue to educate immigrants and citizens alike on “Know Your Rights,” many people have already been detained by ICE. So, what are people doing right now to support them and their families? In the Loop sits down with local organizations who are supporting those who have been detained, hears what it was like in detention and what’s next as the city continues to see increased activity by ICE. We check in with Kabataan Alliance Midwest and Tanggol Migrante Chicago member Louise Macaraniag, Organizing Communities Against Deportation leadership and growth organizer Evelyn Vargas and Midwest Immigration Bond Fund co-vice president and immigration lawyer Lee Vanderlinden. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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Curious City - Is your local mall dying, thriving or evolving?

Malls hold a special spot in the hearts of many Americans of a certain age. One may have been the setting for your first date, the place you caught a now-classic summer blockbuster, or even a daycare of sorts after mom dropped you off with a few friends (and maybe a few bucks). In our last episode, we looked back at the history of Chicago’s Ford City Mall and the heyday of mall culture in America: the 1980s and 1990s. In this episode, we look at how malls are doing today with Stephanie Cegielski, vice president of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). She says reports of the death of the mall are overblown, that malls are adapting to a new era by offering experiences, and that Gen Z is playing a large role in malls’ resilience. Cegielski cites an ICSC survey of over 1,000 people aged 16-26 that found 60% of respondents say they visit malls just to socialize or meet friends, even if they don’t need to purchase something specific. “We just asked them blankly, ‘Do you still go to the mall?’” Cegielski said. “And the short answer was yes.”
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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - Who Will Replace Sen. Dick Durbin?

We’re six months out from the statewide Illinois primary, and the main showdown is shaping up to be the Democratic race for Dick Durbin's Senate seat. Political analysts suggest this rare open-seat race will favor Democrats, though that’s not assured. So far, nine Democrats have entered the race, with three notable candidates – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Congresswoman Robin Kelly and current Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton – rising to the top. On this episode of In The Loop, host Sasha-Ann Simons and our panel of Illinois politicos size up the candidates and break down the race to replace outgoing Senator Dick Durbin in D.C. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - Ask Chicago’s Mayor: Sept 2025

As heightened immigration enforcement continues, we learn how the city’s chief executive is working to keep residents safe. In the Loop sits down with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to learn how he’s balancing national attention with the day-to-day needs of the city residents. Plus, he answers callers’ questions. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - Chicagoans Are Living Longer — But Your Address Is Still A Major Factor

Chicagoans are living longer — at least nearly as long as they did pre-pandemic, according to new data from the Chicago Department of Public Health. Meanwhile, the life expectancy gap between Black and non-Black Chicagoans is narrowing, but according to CDPH, there’s still a long way to go. In the Loop finds out more about how far the city has come in improving the health and longevity of residents and what challenges may lie ahead. We check in with Ayesha Jaco, executive director of West Side United; The Rev. Marshall Hatch, senior pastor, New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church; and Dr. David Ansell, professor of medicine at Rush University Medical Center and author of The Death Gap: How Inequality Kills. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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Curious City - What happened after a dangerous year inside Cook County Jail

The year 2023 was a deadly one at the Cook County Jail. Eighteen people died in custody, “for many reasons,” said reporter Carlos Ballesteros, who reported on the record year for Injustice Watch. His reporting cited drug overdoses, lapses from jail staff and failed oversight. In our last episode, we learned about a group of volunteers who set up outside Cook County Jail to hand out free supplies to people after they get released. Today, we’ll hear about a few people who never were released, the conditions and circumstances that led to some of their deaths, what changes have been made and what changes may still be needed at the Cook County Jail. “Ultimately, it's jail, right?” Ballesteros said. “But the things we hear from people inside and their families is really disturbing.” The number of deaths at the jail has decreased since the 2023 report. We get an update from the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, which oversees the jail.