Author: WBEZ Chicago

Since the pandemic, the number of traffic-related deaths has been on the rise in Chicago. But that’s not the case in Evanston, which saw a five-year stretch with no deaths. Reset talks with Evanston city engineer Lara Biggs and Dixon Galvez-Searle, transit advocacy steward for Southwest Collective, about the work underway to reduce traffic collisions and deaths in the city and suburbs. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois lawmakers passed a $55.2 billion state budget Saturday night, successfully filling a $1 billion gap by levying tax hikes on tobacco users, sports gamblers and out-of-state corporations with a footprint in Illinois. Reset spoke with WBEZ statehouse reporter and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout about what the budget means for you and why lawmakers did not pass a bill to fund public transit. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois pumps hundreds of millions of dollars a year into childcare programs – yet it doesn’t provide enough support or relief for thousands of families and providers, according to an investigation from the Illinois Answers Project. Reset dives into the investigation to find out where families are being left behind. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

If you need a one-stop shop to browse the best concert offerings at a range of venues and different price points, sit back and get ready to scroll. From blues to rock to dance music, WBEZ’s summer concert guide has you covered. Reset learns about summer shows to put on your radar. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois legislators are tackling unfinished business before the end of the spring legislative session. President Trump pardons a former Chicago gang leader. Navy Pier gets a new marina. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter Tina Sfondeles, Better Government Association president David Greising and City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

he first major wave of Koreans to the United States was in 1903. Later, thousands of Koreans fled the country to escape famine and political turmoil. This is just the beginning of over 100 years of migration of the Korean diaspora to places like the U.S., China, South America and more. Reset gets a brief history on Korean migration, activism and organizing in the Chicago area and beyond with the executive director of the HANA Center Danae Kovak, executive director of the Asian American Advancing Justice Chicago Grace Pai, and associate professor of Asian American History at Northwestern Ji-Yion Yuh, author of the book “Beyond the Shadow of Camptown: Korean Military Brides in America.” For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Niall Harbison is best known as a dog rescuer turned social media star. He shares the heartwarming – and heartwrenching – stories on X and Instagram. Though he mostly operates in Thailand, he’s calling on Americans to help, too. While on the U.S. tour for his new book “Tina, The Dog Who Changed The World.” Harbison is looking to rally local support to join his cause in helping save the millions of street dogs that need a bit of human help. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

It can take a lot of energy to maintain your lawn. You have to mow it, water it, remove weeds, deal with pests, aerate the soil and much more. On top of it taking up your energy, it also takes up a lot of resources and water. Nearly one third of all residential water use across the country, according to the EPA. That’s almost 9 billion gallons per day. To learn more about grass lawn alternatives and how to make our cottagecore dreams come true, Reset sits down with conservation scientist Becky Barak, Reset sustainability contributor Karen Weigert and Lincoln Square resident Mary Arents, who transformed her yard into a native garden. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois is the only state where homeowners face foreclosure because they can’t pay their property taxes. On top of foreclosure, those homeowners are not entitled to any proceeds from the sale of their home. Reset learns more from a new investigation from Injustice Watch and the Investigative Project on Race and Equity that explains why. Injustice Watch reporter Carlos Ballesteros and Investigative Project on Race and Equity reporter Emeline Posner break it down for us. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.