Author: WBEZ Chicago

Lawndale Christian Legal Center ran a pilot program in 2015 that provided wraparound services including stable housing, a car to get to work and mental health services to men ages 18 to 26 who were on probation. This not only kept them out of prison but helped break the cycle of recidivism. This program has now expanded, and 20 men will have a chance to live in an apartment and participate in a residential workforce development program at LCLC’s new headquarters at the Deer Center. Reset learns more about the impact of this program from participant Frederick Dennis and founder and CEO of Lawndale Christian Legal Center Cliff Nellis. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

A construction project turned part of Lincoln Square into a temporary car-free zone, leading to a local debate over whether pedestrianized streets should be made permanent. Reset discusses with Rony Islam, organizer of the pedestrian walkway and neighborhood resident Dena Pavlovic, manager of ENJOY Lincoln Square gift shop. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

DePaul University President Robert Manuel will take part in a hearing this week called “Beyond the Ivy League: Stopping the Spread of Antisemitism on American Campuses.” Haverford College and California Polytechnic State University presidents are also called to testify. Reset digs into what’s behind the hearing with WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Kurian Philip. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

President Trump signed three executive orders last week cracking down on immigration enforcement. One order demands that federal officials compile a list of “sanctuary cities,” who refuse to cooperate with federal officials’ efforts to arrest immigrants, suspending or terminating federal funds for these jurisdictions where appropriate. Mayor Johnson says Chicago won’t concede. Reset sits down with an immigration lawyer to break down what Trump’s executive order means for Illinois. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Benny is a loner whose identity revolves around his wife and children. Gil is a free spirit who longs to fulfill his potential. When the two strangers meet, they form an instant, deep bond. But slowly cracks start to form and their fresh bromance begins to crumble. A new Chicago Shakespeare Theater play called “Hymn” is an entertaining journey with some good old school music and elements of Black male friendship woven throughout the narrative. Reset sits down with the play’s director Ron OJ Parson to learn more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

A recent survey asked 3,000 Americans what they think the coolest job is in each state. Pennsylvania’s coolest job was chocolate scientist at Hershey, while California’s was animator at Pixar. And Illinois? The survey found that respondents thought the coolest work you can do in Illinois is be a paleontologist for the Field Museum. But what does a day in the life of a paleontologist look like? And how do they really feel about the Jurassic Park movies? Reset talks with Field Museum paleontologists to find out more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, singer and songwriter Yukimi gifts the world with new music that makes listeners experience heartache, love and power all at once, packaged in her first solo album titled “For You.” Reset sat down with the singer during her stop in Chicago for her North American “For You” Tour to talk about motherhood, the joys and pains of being alive and connecting to one another. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Mayor Johnson visits Springfield, neighbors protest a proposed luxury hotel near the Obama Center, Sen. Duckworth backs Lt. Gov. Stratton for Senate seat. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap. This week's panel features Axios Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd, Chicago Tribune criminal justice reporter Sam Charles and WBEZ statehouse reporter Alex Degman. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sat down with Reset host Sasha-Ann Simons for a wide-ranging conversation that included live questions from listeners. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.