Author: WBEZ Chicago

With the municipal election next week, Reset is revisiting our “Re-Imagine Chicago” series. Is Chicago's City Council set up to best serve its residents? The "strong mayor" form of government has its pros and cons, but what could a better system look like? Reset explores that question with Dick Simpson, professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, former aldermen of the 44th ward (1971-1979), Helen Shiller, former alderman of the 46th ward (1987-2011), and Will Howell, director of University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government at the Harris School of Public Policy.

Rebecca Makkai pulls from her own life to explore the country’s problematic obsession with true crime in her new novel. Reset talks with her about the intersection of cancel culture, systemic racism and the fetishization of the missing white woman in I Have Some Questions For You.

Early in-person voting and mail-in voting are underway for Chicago’s 2023 municipal elections. Whether you’ve dropped off your ballot or are waiting until election day on Feb. 28, we’ve got you covered. Reset breaks down voting options and voter turnout with Max Bever, director of public information at the Chicago Board of Elections.

“We’re not reaching enough families in these vital infant and toddler years,” Gov. JB Pritzker said during his State of the State speech Wednesday. “Smart Start’s expanded home visiting funding will allow us to help even more families.” Reset talks to Katelyn Kanwischer from Lurie Children’s Hospital and Sherneron Hilliard of Family Focus about what home visiting programs are like now and what they need to support more families moving forward.

Rochelle Trotter founded R’Culinare Consulting to help businesses reach their goals in the food and beverage industry. Through her non-profit The Charles and Rochelle Trotter Culinary Endowment, she’s also helping young people break into the industry. Reset talks with Trotter about creating and spreading joy through food.

Gov. JB Pritzker gives the State of the State address and unveils plans for education funding, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot focuses attacks on Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Bears take a giant leap toward Arlington Heights. We break down these top local stories and more with Brandon Pope, reporter/anchor at CW 26, Corli Jay, reporter with Crain’s Chicago Business and Derrick Blakley, former CBS2 Chicago politics reporter.

WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo features movers and shakers who work to bring healing, joy and inquiry to their communities throughout Chicago as part of the Chi Sounds Like series. Reset highlights a Vocalo feature about painter Ennis Martin.

Ask any new parent and they’ll tell you diapers can be expensive, costing between 80 and 100 dollars a month. New legislation in Springfield could lighten that load for parents. Reset gets the the details from Lee Ann Porter, founder and executive director of Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank and with State Sen. Karina Villa.

Yesterday, Governor Pritzker announced bold plans for Illinois when it comes to early childhood education. Reset digs into the impact these investments could have, what the programs might look like and how the state will pay for them with State Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, UIC senior lecturer and program coordinator Catherine Main and UChicago economist James Heckman.

WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo features movers and shakers who work to bring healing, joy and inquiry to their communities throughout Chicago as part of the Chi Sounds Like series. Reset highlights a Vocalo feature on writer and founder of Sixty Inches From Center Tempestt Hazel.