Author: WBEZ Chicago

The Chicago Board of Elections is appealing last week’s decision by a Cook County judge rendering the “Bring Chicago Home” measure invalid. Real estate industry groups against the measure say it violates state law by combining both a tax hike and a tax cut in the same question. Reset catches up on the latest with WBEZ city politics reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

When you hear about “rare” diseases, it can be easy to think we’re talking about a one-in-a-million case. But actually, the “rare” is far more common than you think. About 1 in 10 Americans suffer from a rare disease. But because there are so many different kinds, getting diagnosed or even treated can be a nightmare of doctor appointments, long wait times on phone calls, and jumping through hoops. That was the case for young Charlie Sims. At just four years old, his parents noticed their son was exhibiting behavioral changes that compelled them to consult a doctor. Now seven years old, Charlie is the first and only person to receive therapy for his rare disease. Reset sits down with his parents, Matt and Leigh Sims, and RUSH pediatric neurologist Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis to find out more about his story, and the importance of advocating for yourself and your family when seeking medical care. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois is considering a bill that would allow residents to carry a digital version of their driver’s license or state ID, but privacy experts have some concerns. Reset learns more about the legislation from co-sponsor State Rep. Kam Buckner and Matthew Kugler, privacy expert and Northwestern University professor of law. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Project Unloaded aims to shift the narrative around gun ownership and how the presence of a gun can change how a story ends. Reset checks in with the group’s founder Nina Vinik, program manager Olivia Brown and member of its Youth Council, Edgar Vilchez. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced seven areas across Chicago as official cultural districts. This distinction will allow organizations located in those districts to apply for state funds to back efforts to preserve those communities. Reset hears from the leaders in two Chicago cultural districts and learns how state funding could support preservation efforts in Humboldt Park and Chinatown. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Chicago has a vibrant electronic dance and house music scene. And one of the UK’s rising DJs, Barry Can’t Swim, made a stop in town during his When Will We Land? tour. Reset sat down with the artist ahead of his Chicago show to learn more about the album and his musical journey. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Chicago sports teams are in a race for revenue for new stadium projects. CTA President Dorval Carter answers tough questions from alders and riders. Confusion remains over the Bring Chicago Home ballot referendum. Reset breaks down those stories and much more with a WTTW News correspondent Nick Blumberg, Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout and NBC-5 Chicago reporter Christian Farr. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who also owns the Chicago Bulls, recently traveled to Springfield to ask the state for public funding to back plans to move the team from 35th Street to the South Loop. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has expressed his reluctance to fund the move whereas Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has been more open to the idea. But as taxpayers, how is this investment going to benefit us? Reset sits down with public finance expert Justin Marlow of UChicago’s Harris School of Public Policy to talk about why and how our tax money goes toward funding sports stadiums. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Former president Donald Trump’s legal team on Thursday appealed an Illinois judge’s order to kick him off the state’s primary ballot. Cook County Judge Tracy Porter issued the ruling on Wednesday, though she put an immediate stay on her own order until Friday in anticipation of Trump’s appeal. The ruling comes as the nation’s highest court is set to rule on a similar effort to remove Trump from the ballot in Colorado. Reset digs into what to know — and what comes next — with WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

An Illinois task force is studying whether the state should adopt ranked choice voting or another system for the 2028 presidential primary. The state’s current system, plurality voting (also known as winner-take-all) is common around the country, but some critics say its too limiting. Reset hears from WBEZ statehouse reporter Mawa Iqbal on what’s ahead for ranked choice voting in Illinois. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset