Author: WBEZ Chicago

In 2022, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, or BSCA, into law. It provides community-based programs, schools, grassroots organizations and more with funding to support efforts to keep guns out of the wrong hands, make schools safer and expand trauma-informed mental health services in underresourced communities. However, this funding is set to run out at the end of 2026, so what happens next and how could efforts funded by federal dollars be impacted? Reset sits down with Rita Oceguera, The Trace reporter and Veronica Arreola, 24th District councilor of Chicago's Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability to understand how another Trump presidency might impact gun violence prevention in Chicago.

Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon are the co-creators of the dance performance “Sweet Gwen Suite,” which will be performed at Hubbard Street Dance Company Nov. 15-24. The return of Fosse’s work to Chicago isn’t just noteworthy because Fosse is legendary and a Chicago native. Hubbard Street Dance Company is the only company in the world authorized to add Fosse’s works to its repertory. Reset sits down with Cassie Walker Burke, WBEZ senior editor for arts and culture, to talk about who Fosse was, and what makes his work and this particular dance special. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The Chicago Bears are eyeing a move to the Bronzeville neighborhood, revisiting a potential new stadium site that the team had already seemingly crossed off its list. The team also announced firing its offensive coordinator this week and that it’s cutting loose offensive lineman Nate Davis. Reset checks in on the latest Bears news and more with WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout and Mitch Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times reporter. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Ella Jenkins, known as “First Lady of children’s music,” released 39 albums for kids. She had a deft touch with young audiences, often using call-and-response as a way to engage kids and get them involved in the music. Reset takes listeners through Jenkins’ musical legacy with songs and archival interviews from WBEZ and beyond.

In an effort to close the $986 million budget gap for 2025 without slashing social programs or instituting mass layoffs, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson broke a campaign promise and proposed the largest property tax hike in a decade. Reset gets an update from DePaul Public Service professor Amanda Kass and WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

When the Federal Reserve cuts its key interest rate, the decision begins to ripple outwards, affecting everyone from credit card holders to car buyers to corporations. Reset talks with Morningstar personal finance expert Christine Benz about what you need to know about the recent rate cut as well as tips for saving for retirement in today’s economy. Her latest book is titled “How to Retire.” For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Voters chose 10 members, and Mayor Brandon Johnson will appoint the remaining 11 members. The board will transition to being fully elected in 2026. Reset sits down with Ebony DeBerry and Angel Gutierrez, two newly elected school board members to hear their visions for the board and how they’ll approach the job. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Federal funding is the state of Illinois’ largest source of revenue. And the city of Chicago depends on it for various projects, including the current Red Line Extension and O’Hare Modernization. But President-Elect Donald Trump has a fraught relationship with the state’s prominent politicians, and has threatened to withhold federal funding from political opposition. How could a second Trump term affect the money that Illinois and Chicago receive from the federal government, and will projects like these stall during the next four years? Reset sits down with : Justin Marlowe, research professor in the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy to learn more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.