There’s a hole in the map of Chicago. It turns out, it’s a cemetery. But there are many other cemeteries in Chicago that don’t show up as holes on the map, so what’s up with this one? We take you to the 19th Ward and explore the history of this dead zone.
The Trump administration has paused $2.1 billion in federal funding for infrastructure projects in Chicago, including the long-awaited extension of the Red Line. In the Loop discusses the impact of this pause on residents, public transit and the environment with Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce executive director Andrea Reed, UChicago Harris School of Public Policy research professor Justin Marlowe and In the Loop sustainability contributor Karen Weigert.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/in-the-loop.
President Trump called National guardsmen from Illinois and Texas to Chicago, and they could arrive any day now. In the Loop checks in with Illinois Veterans for Change chair Jesse Rojo and About Face: Veterans Against the War member Aaron Hughes, an Illinois National Guard veteran, about the President’s decision to send troops to Chicago and other U.S. cities.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
After months of warnings, the federal government said 100 National Guard troops will be deployed in Chicago. President Trump told military leaders to use U.S. cities as a “training ground” for operations. Meanwhile, immigration arrests and protests continue throughout the Chicago region. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with WBEZ senior editor Alden Loury, WTTW news correspondent Nick Blumbert and Block Club Chicago reporter Mack Liederman.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
Aquinas Literacy Center is a McKinley Park organization that provides free one-on-one English tutoring to adults, many of whom are immigrants.
In the Loop talks about the importance of this work during a time of frequent ICE raids with Aquinas Literacy Center executive director Alison Altmeyer and tutors Peter Harley and Tom Dankers.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
You know the building: Two stories, an apartment unit on each floor, usually with bay windows and a facade of brick or greystone.
But how did the two-flat become so popular, and who was it originally built to serve?
In our last episode, we looked at the types of places Chicago’s single women lived in at the turn of the 20th century.
In today’s episode, we explore the Bohemian origins of the humble Chicago two-flat. As it turns out, the advent of the two-flat mirrors the development of the city’s middle class.
“Our design No. 144 is a two-family flat designed for a money making proposition,” begins a 1915 ad enticing homebuyers to build a two-flat. “Anyone wanting a comfortable home and at the same time a good income on the investment will do well to consider this proposition.”
Plus, we answer another housing-related listener question: why are Chicago fire escapes distinctively wooden (read: flammable) and are they actually effective during fires?
This episode was reported by Chris Bentley and was originally published in 2014.
As e-bikes and e-scooters grow in popularity as an accessible and affordable transit option, many cities and suburbs are creating rules for how, when and where they can be used, leading to a patchwork of regulations. However, some people are now looking to Springfield to set a statewide standard.
In the Loop explores what’s needed with a panel of stakeholders: Nik Hunder, policy analyst and researcher, Chicago, Bike Grid Now!; Micheál Podgers, urban planner; policy director at Better Streets Chicago; IL State Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago)
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
At the turn of the century in Chicago, single women without a husband or family were considered to be "adrift," but they weren’t drifting at all. They were making choices that took them to different addresses.
More than half of American adults say they aren’t getting enough sleep. Beyond being tired and irritable, persistent sleep deprivation has been linked to many physical and psychological issues, from weight gain and heart disease to depression and dementia. On this episode of In the Loop we speak to Dr. Sabra Abbott, a sleep specialist at Northwestern Medicine about improving sleep hygiene.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
As we head into fall premiere season, here’s a reminder: The Bear, The Chi, Chicago Fire, Med, P.D., and more are shot in Chicago. In the Loop learns about what goes into bringing some of our favorite shows to the screen with cinematographer Joe Jody Williams and set decorator Eric Frankel.
For a full archive of In The Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
