Author: WBEZ Chicago

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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - How ACA Subsidies Expiring Is Affecting Illinoisans

Subsidies for the ACA are set to expire at the end of the year. Today, Congress is voting on a Democratic bill that would extend subsidies for three years and a Republican bill that would give those eligible up to $1,500 in health savings accounts. If a decision isn’t made, monthly premiums for many people could double next year. In the Loop hears from Volumes Bookcafe owner Rebecca George and Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans executive director Krystle Able who both rely on ACA Marketplace for their coverage and how expiring subsidies could mean the difference between taking control of their health or not. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - What Will New Vaccine Rules Mean for Illinois Families?

A CDC panel recently reversed a decades-old recommendation that all babies in the U.S. receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Medical groups, including the Chicago-based American Medical Association, have denounced the new recommendations, calling them “reckless.” In the Loop talks about what this means for Illinois kids and families with Dr. Steven Flamm, hepatologist and professor of Medicine at Rush University and Dr. Marielle Fricchione, pediatrician and chair of the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - The Case For Taxing Corporations

Some Chicago alders balked at Mayor Brandon Johnson’s inclusion of a corporate head tax in his 2026 budget proposal. In response, a group of moderate and conservative city councilors put forth a list of alternative proposals that does not include the tax on businesses; instead they rely on raising taxes on garbage collection and liquor sales, as well as budget cuts, which the mayor rejected in turn. Yesterday, we heard from alders about why they’re championing their alternative proposal. Today, In the Loop hears from Julie Dworkin with the Institute for the Public Good and Asha Ransby Sporn with the Black Voter Project for their takes on the alders’ plans. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - An Alternative Budget Plan From Chicago Alders

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has rejected an alternative budget proposal from a slim majority of alderpersons, calling it “an incomplete assignment.” In the Loop learns more about what those councilmembers are proposing from Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th Ward, and Ald. Timmy Knudsen, 43rd Ward, and why they won’t get behind Johnson’s $21 per employee corporate head tax. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Dec. 5, 2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson battles alders over a competing budget proposal. Northwestern agrees to pay $75 million in a deal with the federal government. A new independent candidate enters the race for retiring Congressman Chuy Garcia’s seat. Gov. Pritzker signs legislation allowing Illinois to set its own vaccination guidelines. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more with Axios Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd, WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone and Chicago Sun-Times politics reporter Mitchell Armentrout. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - Local Safety Net Hospitals Are Keeping Their Doors Open For Chicago’s Uninsured

Health coverage for millions of people is on the line as the federal government cannot get on the same page on a new health care plan or extending Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year. If subsidies expire, premiums for Marketplace coverage will become much more expensive. Millions are projected to lose their coverage and providers that serve primarily uninsured, Medicaid and other vulnerable patients will bear the brunt of this change. In the Loop hears from Loretto Hospital CEO Tesa Anewishki and Sinai Chicago CEO Dr. Ngozi Ezike about how they’re continuing to provide healthcare to Chicago’s most vulnerable. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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Curious City - How one organization is transforming Englewood’s vacant lots

The city of Chicago owns thousands of vacant lots, and more than 80 percent of those parcels are in communities where the population is at least 80 percent Black. That’s according to a report from the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University. Residents and organizations are investing in these lots to improve the community. Last episode, we learned about how complicated it can be for individual homeowners to buy a vacant lot in their neighborhood. Today, we focus on an organization that is acquiring these types of spaces. Anton Seals, Jr. is the co-founder of Grow Greater Englewood, an organization that is doing innovative work on abandoned areas on the South Side. In the name of land sovereignty and building lasting community, he and his colleagues are transforming vacant lots into urban farms, a farmers market and a nature trail.
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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - Chicago Favorite Son Robert Townsend Is Back In Town

Acclaimed actor, filmmaker, and comedian Robert Townsend is hosting a pop-up film festival to support local charities. The West Side native joins In the Loop to talk about his storied career and efforts to give back to Chicago. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.